Posts for July, 2024

First people of the Spey talk From the Metal Cultures to Picts and Early Christians
With Dr Steve Goodall

The Grant Arms Hotel (free entry)

Exhibition of paintings by local artists and work by local crafters

Come and join us (almost!) every Friday and Saturday evening for a cracking night. Check out our facebook page for updates.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

Join us for an event like no other!

Start time picnic talk: 10:00
Start time walk: 11:00

Picnic-Talk
Time: 10:00 AM
Bring your own snacks and join us for an engaging outdoor talk where we’ll explore the sustainable practices of the historic Highland population. You will also have a chance to see how natural products were utilised. Items might include handmade rope, brushes, charms, and even some samples of food to try.

This session will blend historical information and captivating stories, providing a tangible connection to the past. The talk will last approximately 1 hour, including a Q&A session.


Guided Walk:
Time: 11:00 AM
Part two of the event takes us on a scenic walk in Glen Banchor. We’ll delve deeper into the availability of natural ressources for the historic Highland communities and discuss ways of living harmoniously with the land.
The walk, including breaks for discussion, will last between 1.5 to 2 hours. We’ll follow a 1.86 km route up the first part of Creag Bheag, avoiding the steepest sections. Depending on the group’s pace and interest, we can extend the walk with a visit to the nearby river.


Event Highlights:
Historical Insights: Discover how industrialisation and colonialism disrupted sustainable practices and contributed to the current climate crisis.
Traditional Stories: Hear tales that highlight the deep connection between people and the landscape, showcasing the wisdom and sustainable knowledge from the past.
Environmental Roots of the Scottish Enlightenment: Learn about the ‘improvers’ and ecologists who used the Highlands as a great outdoor laboratory, leading to improvement schemes and the resulting anxieties over overpopulation, resource exhaustion, and physical limits.
Evolution of the Idea of Progress: Explore how progress was once linked to moral and spiritual advancement but became increasingly associated with scientific and technological development, economic growth, and material advancement.
Sustainability Origins: Discuss the origins of the concept of sustainability.
Interactive Experience: Engage in conversations about sustainable practices, living with the land, and how to use our environment without abusing it.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house, reputedly built for Scotland’s vilest man, Alexander Stewart—the infamous Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle, an impressive medieval fortification, stands on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Upon reaching the castle, you’ll learn about its architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow over Moray’s history.

Drumin Castle has now reopened after masonry repairs, with access to the first floor now possible via a narrow stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will begin at the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. The route follows a pedestrian trail to the castle and returns via a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather. Children love castles and are very welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome.

Please note that toilets are not available on site.

This event is funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotland’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’.

Welcome stargazers! Join us at the Field of Hope, Tomintoul as we celebrate the return of darker skies with the Perseid Meteor Shower on Monday, Aug 12, 2024 at 22:30. Bring your blankets, nibbles, warm flasks, and friends for a night of wonder under the stars with our local astronomer Sam. If the weather is unsuitable outdoors on the night a presentation will be given at the Discovery Centre indoors in Tomintoul where you’ll also be able to explore the Dark Skies exhibition.

We will be meeting at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul from 10pm onwards. We will then walk in a group with red head torches down to the Dark Sky Discovery site and bird hide. Parking is available in the square.

Participants will be contacted prior to the event with an update on weather and conditions.

Heritage Ranger talk: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones

Join the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger for an introduction to the Picts, their art and symbol stones. We will be examining the intricate carvings on the four stones discovered in the churchyard of Inveraven, which has been a site of spiritual practice and pilgrimage for centuries. This tour will provide an overview to Pictish art and culture and demonstrate how the Picts contributed to the founding of modern Scotland.

This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Scotland’s past, allowing you to connect with its ancient roots. Join us for an afternoon of discovery and insight in stunning Speyside.

Children are usually fascinated by the Picts and are encouraged to attend. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

This event is by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day. Children and youth under 16 are free. Like many churches across Scotland, Inveravon Church and Pictish Stones have unfortunately been earmarked for closure and sale by the Church of Scotland. The local community is currently in the process of exploring ways to keep it open by creating a heritage centre and community hub. Thousands of tourists visit the stones every year from every corner of the globe and it would be disappointing if they were no longer accessible. Funds raised from talks and events help to support community and heritage events run by the Friends of Inveravon Church.

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site. Public toilets are available in Cragganmore at Ballindalloch Station on the Speyside Way or in Aberlour. There are also customer facilities available at the nearby Lagmore Cafe when open.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation.