Posts for July, 2021

Create some awesome wall art using yarn! Learn how to use a knitting dolly – a great beginners knitting tool & then use your creation to create a shape, name or letter!
Our summer workshops are all introductions to our upcoming Young Creatives craft courses so come along to find out more!

What you need to bring
Knitting Dolly (if you have one)
Small Scissors
Snacks & Water Bottle

We will provide materials & instruction – this is a just for fun course to introduce the basics of working with yarn. Some will pick up the skills quickly, some may need more practice – but we aim for everyone to go away with something made just by them!

This workshop is a great starter project for new sewers. Learn how to use your machine to create your own drawstring backpack & decorate it!
Our summer workshops are all introductions to our upcoming Young Creatives craft courses so come along to find out more!



What you need to bring

Sewing Machine plus threads
Two Fat Quarters (Cotton or Polycotton)
Scissors
Snacks & Water Bottle


What’s a Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter is a small cut of material (roughly ¼ yard). They are often sold in packs or on their own – you can find them in Hobbycraft, Aldi (on occasion) & websites such as woolwarehouse.co.uk


We will provide extra materials & instruction – this course is all about learning to use the features of your sewing machine. If you do not have a machine we do have some you can borrow, but not enough for everyone.

Want to know how a caber is tossed, or what the piobaireachd is? This part of the exhibition is where you’ll find the answers to all your Highland games-based questions! The stunning beamed gallery space, walled with French windows with a view of the games park, features display boards throughout the room.
On the walls, you’ll see photographs of Gatherings past and the athletes that participated in them, while four trophy cabinets display Highland games trophies and tankards from across the years.
The exhibition hall is the heart of the Braemar Highland Games Centre, with its spectacular decorated ceiling and octagonal shape enchanting visitors.
If you can tear your eyes away from the ceiling, in this room you can discover the absorbing story of the Braemar Royal Highland Society and the celebrated Braemar Gathering. Told through objects, costumes, photographs and documents from the BRHS archive, the collection of The Scottish Tartans Authority and other private sources, this is the story of how a village society created an annual event that has become one of the most famous Highland games in the world.
Explore the origins of the Society in 1815, discover how the Gathering’s link with the Royal Family began with Queen Victoria, and marvel at authentic local Highlanders in their full tartan splendour. With over 200 years of history crammed in, there’s sure to be something to capture your imagination!
Baxter Room
This room features key aspects of Braemar Royal Highland Society activity, including the impressive banner displayed in the games park every Gathering day and an honour board listing Society presidents and other office-bearers dating back to the very first president, William Farquharson of Monaltrie.
Two display cases present a regularly updated selection of historical documents from the BRHS archive. Around the room, you’ll also see photographs of winning athletes, dancers and pipers at the most recent Braemar Gathering, bringing the Gathering’s history into the present day.
The Gatehouse Cafe is open at the entrance to the Games Park with delicious coffee and sweet and savoury treats.
Acknowledgments
Blair Castle Archive, Bonhams, Christie Works of Art, The Donald Storrie Family, House of Cheviot, House of Edgar, Kenneth Gibb, Lyon & Turnbull, Margaret Morrison Sporrans, R.L, Robert Mackie of Scotland, The Atholl Highlanders, The Lonach Highland, and Friendly Society, The Scottish Tartans Authority, Thistle Shoes Scotland, Mrs Moira McIntosh.

Family Fun Day at Blair Castle and Gardens, with a host of activities including falconry, deer feeding, a guided nature trail, and a bouncy castle.

Blair Castle is a beautiful setting to enjoy time with the family and learn more about Scotland’s natural wildlife. Grab takeaway food from our Tullibardine Restaurant and relax on the Castle green while watching a falconry display, afterwards enjoy a refreshment from our ice cream van.

Entry is available with a Castle and Gardens or Gardens only ticket.

TIMINGS ARE:
FALCONRY
11 am – 3 pm
Flying displays at 11:45 am and 1:45 pm

DEER FEEDING
12:30 pm and 2:30 pm

BOUNCY CASTLE
11 am – 3 pm

Family Fun Day at Blair Castle and Gardens, with a host of activities including falconry, deer feeding, a guided nature trail, and a bouncy castle.

Blair Castle is a beautiful setting to enjoy time with the family and learn more about Scotland’s natural wildlife. Grab takeaway food from our Tullibardine Restaurant and relax on the Castle green while watching a falconry display, afterwards enjoy a refreshment from our ice cream van.

Entry is available with a Castle and Gardens or Gardens only ticket.

TIMINGS ARE:
FALCONRY
11 am – 3 pm
Flying displays at 11:45 am and 1:45 pm

DEER FEEDING
12:30 pm and 2:30 pm

BOUNCY CASTLE
11 am – 3 pm

Watch a selection of big hit, classic films within the beautiful grounds of Blair Castle. Films on show include Top Gun, Frozen, Toy Story, Harry Potter, Grease and many more.


FILM TIMETABLE:

Friday 9th of July:

13:00-15:20 Harry Potter
(Order of the Phoenix)
16:30-19:00 Harry Potter
(Half Blood Prince)
20:30-22:20 Grease


Saturday 10th of July:

11:00-12:40
Frozen
14:00-15:40
Lego Movie
17:00-18:45
Greatest Showman
20:00- 21:50
Top Gun


Sunday 11th of July:
11:00-12:20
Toy Story
14:00-15:55
Back to the Future
17:00-19:05
Jurassic Park
20:30-22:10
Dirty Dancing

The renowned Three Inch Fools are bringing their colourful, musical take on Shakespeare’s classics to Blair Castle. On the 1st August, they are performing Robin Hood.
This is an outdoor performance and gates open from 6 pm.
Picnics welcome.

Please bring your own seating (blankets/camping chairs/etc), and dress for the weather.

The renowned Three Inch Fools are bringing their colourful, musical take on Shakespeare’s classics to Blair Castle. On the 16th July, they are performing The Merry Wives of Windsor.
This is an outdoor performance and gates open from 6 pm. Picnics welcome.
Please bring your own seating (blankets/camping chairs/etc), and dress for the weather.

Six local textile makers will show an eclectic range of new work, including Harris tweed items, weaving, feltwork, embroidery, landscapes and upcycled work.

At the time of writing this, I’m glad to announce that BVW is not postponed for this year…yet. We are planning to hold some events and are tiptoeing through the Covid regulations to see what can be done. The working title for this at the moment is BVW Lite, If anyone can come up with a better name we’d be glad to hear it. Basically we can have all the smaller events and fun, but the Big Events like the Fayre and Parade won’t be possible…

This actually works really well, in theory, BVW has always been lots of events under one umbrella, so if you as a business or group fancy putting something on we can include it in the programme. We learnt a few tricks last year by being all virtual, so hopefully even if you can’t make it to Ballater, or just fancy joining in from Home, there will be stuff to do.

We can run a lot of the children’s activities such as potted sports, story telling, crafts etc. We should be able to show a film or two. Whilst it is difficult to run a socially distanced pantomime horse event, its not impossible. We’re looking at outdoor bingo, treasure hunts and various walks that can be held. Add in a smattering of pet and sporting events we are nearly there. DJ Slim Ade is plotting a Disco, of some description. We’ll keep the Thursday free, and see if there’s a few things that can be done.