Posts for August, 2023

Scalan was originally the site of a secret Roman Catholic seminary where priests, known as ‘heather priests’ were trained in the 1700s when Catholicism was prohibited. Following the departure of the priests in 1799, Scalan reverted to a farm.

Two steading buildings were built housing corn threshing mills which served the Glenlivet farming community. The threshing machines and water wheels are still in place along with a wealth of historical graffiti telling the story of farming life in the 19th and 20th centuries.

A major project to conserve the mill buildings took place in 2019, restoring the waterwheel and lade in North Mill and improving visitor access to the site. This was funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Join members of the Scalan Association and Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia on a guided tour of the site and the mill buildings. In addition to being a special area of historical interest, this area of the Glenlivet Estate abounds with oystercatchers, curlews, and lapwings in the spring and summer months – be sure to bring your binoculars if you have them.

We will be meeting in the Carrachs car park before proceeding by foot along a farm track, 1km from the car park at the end of the public road. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Donations to the Scalan Association on the day are most appreciated and help them to care for this special place.

Children are very welcome to attend.
Toilets are available on site in the summer months.

Well behaved dogs are welcome in the mill buildings, but are not permitted in the seminary. Please note that sheep and other livestock live on site. Please be aware that there may be cattle present on the walk in.

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

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for a talk on 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 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.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

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

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site.

“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.

Launching her 2024 calendar, Scottish landscape artist Ann Vastano brings together her newest work.

Exhibiting a collection of locally inspired paintings at the Iona Gallery Kingussie where she has a long and happy association.

Come along and enjoy a calendar year through the eyes of this well known local landscape painter.

Experience the wonder of Anagach Woods and reconnect with your creative side in this unique workshop

This is a fantastic chance to try out two new skills – the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing) and ceramics.

First, you will join Cath Wright from Highland Quietlife for forest bathing in Grantown’s community-owned woodland. While the walk will be leisurely and there will be stops along the way, participants should be prepared to walk on uneven ground.

Then, at the Spey Bank Studio, you will use handsculpt a pinch pot, led by our lead tutor, Angus Grant. You will also use found objects from the forest to add textures to the clay.

Your creation will be glazed and fired by Angus in the studio kiln and returned to you.

Discover the Secrets of Braemar. Take your family on a treasure hunt.

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure this autumn? Join us as we embark on a thrilling journey through the hidden secrets of Braemar. This is a fantastic opportunity for you and your family to not only test your endurance but also uncover the rich history that this beautiful village holds, all while having a great time and supporting The Cairngorms Trust.

The Cairngorms Trust is dedicated to Giving, Protecting, and Growing our nature, landscape, wildlife, and communities in the Cairngorms National Park. By participating in this exciting hunt, you will also contribute to our charitable cause.

Here’s how it works: we kindly request a donation of £2 per person or £5 per family, or whatever amount you can afford.

Once you donate your receipt will have a link provided to download a PDF with all the details. It is recommended that you print the document before beginning your journey.

The PDF will serve as your guide, leading you through the enchanting discoveries of Braemar. At most of the destinations, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to help you uncover clues and complete the puzzle. Once completed, do email it to us, (don’t forget to send us your contact details, so that we can reach you, if you have won the prize.

You can email it to Cairngormstrust@cairngormstrust.org.uk.

So, gather your family and get ready to dive into an adventure like no other. Let the games begin! Click here to start: (Link for them to make a donation online.) Once you have made your donation here, you will receive an automated email with the PDF for you to download and complete.

Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to hear about your exciting journey through the secrets of Braemar.

Members and supporters of Clan MacThomas from across the world will assemble at their traditional gathering place, Clach na Coileach (The Cockstane), in Glenshee.

The Clan Chief will address the clansfolk, there will be piping and traditional stories will be told.

Every August, on the fourth Saturday, all roads lead to Lonach.

Travel along them to Strathdon and enjoy a day that will linger long in the memory.

A warm welcome awaits at the friendly gathering.

Monadh Ruadh Summer Tour 2023, free concerts showcasing our young local traditional musicians aged 15-17 who will be playing at six wonderful venues in Badenoch & Strathspey under the guidance of their tutor and renowned fiddle player Charlie McKerron.

We look forward to seeing you there – check out the dates and times on the poster below!

Join award-winning musician, music tutor and experienced performer, Hamish Napier, in this local folk music workshop series that builds confidence, theoretical ideas and practical techniques, in a relaxed, fun and highly supportive environment.

At the workshops you can learn how to interpret Scottish folk tunes and how they are accompanied using chord sequences. Open to melody and chord players alike. The tunes chosen by Hamish to learn are mostly locally sourced traditional tunes with strong links to the Badenoch & Strathspey landscape and heritage.

If you would like to join in but want to catch up on the materials from previous months, just sign up to the next workshop and you will get an email from Eventbrite with a link to an online folder containing the resources and video of the previous sessions.

Bring instrument, voice memo recording device (handheld recorder or smartphone with voice memo app), paper, pen and a bit of enthusiasm and self- belief.