Posts for July, 2023

“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.

This year, award winning Clive John pays homage to Cash’s career as the Man In Black, alongside his iconic wife June Carter (Meghan Thomas) and The Roadshow Horns. With all the hits like Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Get Rhythm, Orange Blossom Special and Boy Named Sue alongside some of the darker more atmospheric songs such as The Man Comes Around and Hurt, this year’s show is an emotional roller-coaster!

Late summer exhibition showcasing some large wildlife paintings by Andy Graystoke (1939- 2008). Andy worked in wildlife both at London Zoo and at the Highland Wildlife Park, and also painted while there. His paintings are often large scale, detailed gouache works of both animals and birds, beautiful studies.

We will also show other paintings and photographs by local artists, as well as crafts including ceramics, glass, tweed, wood and jewellery. The gallery is also a working fine art studio for artist Kirsty Ritchie and glass artist Anne Bridgen.

Please note Saturday times are 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Join us for an evening with Donald S Murray who will discuss his latest book “Red Star Over Hebrides”, a collection of short stories and song inspired by the whispers from Tsarist Russia that Donald himself heard growing up as a child on Lewis. The Klondykers, Russian fishing vessels, could often be seen off the coast of Stornoway, this book takes focus on the interaction between those aboard the Klondykers and the locals – so come along to hear stories of people from different reaches of the world connecting through a culture of fishing.

Red Star Over Hebrides offers an alternative way of viewing the Minch, not as what separates the islands from the mainland, but opening Scotland up to the Baltic.

Complementary glass of wine.

Tickets available at The Bookmark, 34 Highstreet, Grantown-On-Spey, PH26 3EH

Ashley Fripp, concert pianist, makes his 5th visit to TOMS in Boat of Garten. In celebration of the 150 anniversary of the birth of Sergi Rachmaninoff, he will play the complete 10 preludes Op23, together with pieces from two of the major influences on Rachmaninoff, Bach and Chopin.

Appearing as guests of TOMS in Boat of Garten, Opera Bohemia returns with its highly acclaimed chamber production of Puccini’s masterpiece, Madama Butterfly.

The star cast is led by Scottish soprano Catriona Clark in the role of Cio-Cio-San, with other cast members including Louise Collett, Cameron Mitchell, Seumas Begg and American baritone Whitaker Mills.

The production is performed in a special arrangement for piano (Andrew Brown) and violin (Colm O’Braoin) and sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Art exhibition by the members of the Society of Badenoch & Strathspey Artists. This is part Kingussie Festival

Do you have what it takes to help Ranger Saranne track this secretive creature at the Highland Folk Museum?

There have been reports of signs of a ‘dragon’ at the Highland Folk Museum but if it does exist – it has proved to have been very elusive.

The curators have asked local Countryside Ranger Saranne to take a look on Tuesday 11th or 25th July between 10am – 12pm. And she could do with some helpers with keen eyes, ears and noses aged 6-10 years old (P2 – P5). Do you have what it takes to use your senses as you explore the museum trying to track down this secretive creature?

10am – 12pm each day, suitable for 6 – 10 yr olds. ££
Booking essential https://www.highlifehighland.com/schools-out/

Heritage in Action Days offer you the chance to see and take part in a wide range of activities. There will be demonstrations across the site of traditional skills including rope making, spinning and weaving, basketry, waulking the cloth and lots more!! Try out some traditional games down at the Croft and in our School, and have a go in a coracle at the Sawmill pond. (Activities may differ on different dates.) Activities run 11am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm each Thursday. Entry by donation, car parking charges apply.

Steve’s music draws from influences that include acoustic, indie, folk and Americana but still retains his own unique voice.

Playing ‘live’ Steve accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and piano. Added to the mix you’ll hear the occasional acapella tune, a wailing harmonica, a couple of interesting cover versions, some tall tales and a positive vibe that will make you glad you came to see the show.

He will be playing songs from his soon to be released double album Muscle Memory and from most recent EP Hope Street (plus fan favourites), which has had plenty of airplay and great reviews including:
Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 “ This is lovely stuff. You can hear all the love that’s gone into it”
Iain Anderson BBC Radio Scotland “So, some good things come out of lockdown”
David Pratt Folk Radio UK (FRUK) “ Sincerely honest, lacking in pretension or hyperbole….’Building The House’ is one of the most beautiful songs of the year”

Steve has played live on BBC 1 ‘The One Show’. He’s supported many acts including Lindisfarne, Richard Thompson, David Gray, The Proclaimers, and Eddie Reader, to name a few, and most recently prog rock legend Rick Wakeman.