Posts for April, 2023

The first exhibition of 2023 for Creative Cairngorms includes textile, jewellery, woodworkers, painters, felters and photographers. All work is for sale.

Whisky-enthusiasts will delight in the popular walking trail the Speyside Way. Cragganmore was the first distillery in Scotland to have its site selected and be built specifically to take advantage of its proximity to the Strathspey Railway. This walk follows the route of the old railway from Cragganmore station to Blacksboat Station and back again.

“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.

Some notes from the artist:

These watercolour paintings have grown out of my relationship with Scottish landscapes.

Over the last year, I have spent time walking in, observing and sketching landscapes from Aberdeenshire to Orkney to
Mull.

I have absorbed these places deep inside me, and then let them emerge onto paper as and when they want.

These paintings are therefore as much about me and my emotional response to place as they are about this amazing country.

Please note the opening night (9th June) of the exhibition is 6.00pm to 9.00pm. Between the 10th and 16th June the exhibition is open 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Martyn learned the pipes as a schoolboy in Kingussie and went on to become a legendary figure in World Music. He was one of Scotland’s most prodigiously gifted and beloved of musicians until his untimely death at the age of 33.

Martyn’s mother, singer, folklorist and author Margaret Bennett shares a collection of memories, photographs, film clips and previously unreleased recordings.

A rare chance to hear and see other facets of Martyn’s character and musicianship, including a Paganini duet played by Martyn and the inimitable Hester Dickson.

Join us at the Strathspey Railway over the Easter Weekend for an intensive timetable of Steam and Diesel operated trains. Whether it’s this sounds and smells of a steam locomotive or the rumbling roar of diesel, we’re sure to have something for everyone.

Saturday the 7th of April also sees the official launch of the “Beavertail” observation coach, returning to the highlands in 2023 and providing an unparalleled opportunity to see the very best of the scenery in the Cairngorm National Park.

Light Lunch is available on our 1pm departure and Afternoon Tea on the 3pm departure from Aviemore. Rover tickets are available to allow you to hop on and off as many trains as you wish, and trains run all day and into the evening, giving a unique opportunity to see the railway running in darkness. Mixed in with the passenger services are several “demonstration” services using some of our many freight and engineering wagons.

With last year’s Dell Market being such a huge success, we just can’t wait for the next one. Another chance to bring together the wonderful assortment of crafters, artists and food and drink producers from our local area.

Here at The Dell we aspire to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible and so we have put together a group of like minded traders to showcase their fantastic products.

There will be a little bit of something for everyone. As well as bagging a beauty and being inspired by the creativity around you, you can hang out under the trees listening to music, watch demonstrations from local green woodworkers and fill up your bellies on food and drink.

Supporting local business owners has never been so important, so we hope you can join us and spread the word.

Music and singing is one of our biggest passions here at The Dell, along with soothing the soul in any way possible. And so we’ve put together a Soundscape Day Retreat that merges the joy of both of those wonderful things.

With breathwork from Katie White Yoga, singing with Jess Bates and Bruce Ncube, an immersive music Soundwalk through the Abernethy Forest led by our own team and a sound bath by Highland Gong lady.
Drinks snacks and lunch will be provided through out the day and there is even a chance to stay on later in to the evening to join us for a pot of food and singing round the fire.

We would love for you to be a part of it, so please get in touch to book 😊 (2 part payment plan available)

Come along and meet the Edinburgh Local Defence Volunteers WW2 Living History Group on the 8 & 9 April. Based around our Croft they will be portraying the men and women of the home front in Scotland during the 1940’s, including the Local Defence Volunteers and Home Guard to Women’s Land Army and ARP. No need to book, just come along and join in. Donations welcome.

Susie took her first steps into comedy as part of a drunken dare. Most people have to do a shot or strip. Well, Susie was drunk with her clothes on and building a career out of it.

After a successful career working in the construction industry Susie has cemented herself as one of rising stars of UK stand up. Her rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. 

She continues to be one of the fastest selling acts at the Glasgow international comedy festival, with multiple Scottish comedy awards under her belt for Best Headliner and Best Show which she collected for her Solo show Domestic Disaster. Susie even took it to Edinburgh Fringe for a sold out run in 2019.

Her raconteur style and sharp punchlines makes this Glaswegian one to watch.