Posts for September, 2023

MAXIMILIANO MARTIN & FRIENDS – Maxi, Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Principal Clarinet, is joined by Andre Cebrián – SCO Principal Flute: Cerys Ambrose-Evans – SCO Principal Bassoon and Scott Mitchell – Piano.

Their programme will encompass Donizetti, Beethoven, Saint-Saens, Villalobos, Devienne, Jolivet and Glinka.

A wide-ranging Historical Talk by Neil MacGregor centred on his great-grandfather Alexander MacGregor, born at Milton of Cromdale circa 1828, brewer and manager at Balmenach Distillery, proprietor of the Black Bull Inn, Grantown and hotel tourism magnate operating in Braemar, Ballater, Nairn, and Oban. Refreshments available.

Talk is free but donations are welcome. (Note: Public talk at 7.30pm follows closed AGM of The Grantown Society at 7pm).

The Spey Bank Studio in Grantown-on-Spey is celebrating it’s first anniversary with an exhibition of abstract art and photography.

This small group of artists will challenge our perceptions and show us different ways of seeing the world.#

Among the names taking part are Joanna Wilson, Jess Greaves, Katie Ward, Aileen Neillie and Malcolm Tyson.

This will be an exhibition full of colour and energy!

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for an introduction to Pictish art and symbol stones. We will be looking at four Pictish 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 will show how the Picts contributed to the shaping of modern Scotland.

Access to Inveraven Church is off the A95 about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones.

Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Children are very welcome to attend. Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

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

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland’s vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch.

Drumin Castle is an impressive medieval fortification standing on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Once we get to the castle, you’ll learn a bit about the architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow in Moray’s history.

This castle has recently reopened after masonry repairs. Access to the first floor is once again possible via a narrow, stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Toilets are not available on site.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

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

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This Heritage Ranger led castle 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 fantastic views over the glen. 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 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. 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.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was never repaired or occupied after this time. 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’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

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

In a delightful setting along the River Dee and deep in the Cairngorms National Park lies the glorious Balmoral Castle.
In a spectacular new addition to our listings we will be holding our first artisan market at Balmoral Castle on October 7th.

Below the Castle a tented village will surround the mews, cafe, Balmoral shop and stable buildings with exhibitors from near and far vying for your attention with a wide range of beguiling Scottish crafts, food and drink.
With the Christmas season just around the corner, this would be such a delightful way to start exploring all the gift options our exhibitors have to offer.

This will be one of our largest events to date with a tantalising collection of artisan art and craft. The ranges will include aromatic candles, skincare and soaps, captivating ceramics and artworks, a fine array of beguiling jewellery, luxurious textiles, awe inspiring photography, charming stationary, enticing stained glass, the loveliest of children’s clothes and the cutest of wooden gifts and toys to name just a few.

Capercaillie and Session A9 fiddler Charlie McKerron brings you his music in a more intimate atmosphere with his creative collaborators Tim Edey (guitar, melodeon) Ross Ainslie (whistles, pipes) and marc Clement (guitar, vocals) “You can expect an evening of amazing music and entertainment from these award winning musicians. Their virtuosity and sheer joy of performing together will always shine”

Charlie explains “The combination of the two guitar styles of Edey and Clement are electric and can only inspire and make you want to play”

Ross Ainslie comments “I love the improvisation thrown in, there is freedom within the music”

This concert is in our woodland Tipi here at the Dell of Abernethy in Nethy Bridge. If you havent yet been to a performance with us, The Tipi has open sides and very limited seating for those that require it (please notify us).

Parking is a five minute walk from the Tipi.

The Boat of Garten Car Boot Sale is back for a final time this year, and we are holding this one indoors, so no need to worry about the weather!

From 12:00 to 15:00, join us for a fun-filled afternoon of treasure hunting.

Start decluttering and gather your goodies, because this Car Boot Sale is your chance to sell them all! And guess what? We’ve got you covered with a complimentary table!

Secure your stall today for just £10!

Simply contact the Hall to book: info@boathall.org.uk // 01479 831123

Contemporary circus meets inventive folk music in a wild, tender celebration of our enduring relationships with the landscape and each other.

Made especially for village halls by local artist Ellie Dubois and composer Sarah Hayes, Hold Fast is a spellbinding family show exploring our community and the water running through it.

Held at various locations:

Fri 8 Sept // 7:00pm // Kincraig Community Hall
Sat 9 Sept // 7:00pm // Newtonmore Village Hall
Tue 12 Sept // 7:30pm // Talla Nan Ros Community Hall, Kingussie
Wed 13 Sept // 7:00pm // Nethy Bridge Community Centre
Fri 15 Sept // 5:00pm // Carrbridge Village Hall
Fri 15 Sept // 7:30pm // Carrbridge Village Hall
Sat 16 Sept // 7:00pm // Boat of Garten Village Hall
Mon 18 Sept // 5:00pm // Macdonald Aviemore Resort
Mon 18 Sept // 7:30pm // Macdonald Aviemore Resort
Tue 19 Sept // 5:00pm // Grantown Grammar
Tue 19 Sept // 7:30pm // Grantown Grammar