When is this event?
Findlay Napier returns to Grantown-on-Spey for a special one-off concert to mark the release of his latest album, Outsider.
Napier grew up on the banks of the River Spey and has enjoyed immense musical success in the past 20 years.
He is widely regarded as one of the finest performers on the UK music scene and has been touring a releasing music since the early 2000s – first with groundbreaking trad folk band Back of the Moon, then with Nu-Folk pioneers Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers. Most recently, he has worked as a solo act, under the guidance of legendary songwriter Boo Hewerdine.
Create enchanted memories for all the family with a festive steam ride on the Santa Train at Strathspey Railway – The home of Highland Steam. Steaming through the beautiful Cairngorm National Park, entertained by our festive elves and a visit from the man himself Santa Claus!
Book your own table to share with family or friends, on one of our heritage railway carriages and experience a magical trip.
Treat yourself to a festive light lunch or indulge in a festive afternoon tea. For an extra special experience, upgrade to an exclusive First-Class compartment.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge.
Journey time (Aviemore to Broomhill and return) 1h 30m
Departures available:
12:30 – Take in the wintery landscape, of the Cairngorms National Park, as you steam along our Highland Heritage line. Treat yourselves to a Festive Light Lunch, or for that extra special experience, upgrade to a First-Class Celebration Festive Lunch, in your own exclusive compartment.
14:40* – Experience the Highland winter golden hour, as you steam along our Highland Heritage line. As the daylight fades, experience the sparkle of Christmas, with our festive lights. Indulge in a Festive Afternoon Tea or for an extra special experience, upgrade to a First-Class Celebration Afternoon Tea, in your own exclusive compartment. *14:40 service unavailable on Friday 6th and 13th.
17:00 – Experience the sparkle of Christmas, on a winters evening, cosy in our festive trains. Indulge in a Festive Afternoon Tea or for an extra special experience, upgrade to a First-Class Celebration Afternoon Tea, in your own exclusive compartment.
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
Scheduled dates:
November: Sat 30th December: Sun 1st, Fri 6th, Sat 7th, Sun 8th, Fri 13th, Sat 14th, Sun 15th, Thurs 19th, Fri 20th, Sat 21st, Sun 22nd, Mon 23rd
SANTA STANDARD – Table (seats 4) – £80
Price for up to 4 but if you are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra child (2-15) for an additional charge of £10
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge.
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
FIRST CLASS CELEBRATION FESTIVE LUNCH – Your own Exclusive compartment (seats 4) £200
Price for up to 4 but if you are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra Child (2-15) for an additional charge of £25
Choose from Festive themed soups like butternut squash or traditional hearty broths combined with turkey and Cranberry, Hummus and Roast Parsnip sandwiches followed by mince pie and brandy butter accompanied by a celebratory glass of prosecco or for that highland twist a wee dram.
Child friendly options with, Turkey, cheese sandwiches, festive cookies, and cake, sparkling apple juice or butterbeer.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge.
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
FESTIVE LIGHT LUNCH – Table (seats 4) – £150
Price for up to 4 but if you are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra child (2-15) or an additional charge of £15
Choose from Festive themed soups like butternut squash or traditional hearty broths combined with turkey and Cranberry, Hummus and Roast Parsnip sandwiches followed by mince pie and brandy butter accompanied by tea/coffee.
Child friendly options with, Turkey, cheese sandwiches, festive cookies, and cake.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge.
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
FIRST CLASS CELEBRATION AFTERNOON TEA Your own Exclusive compartment (seats 4) – £240
Price for up to 4 but if you are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra Child (2-15) for an additional charge of £45
Festive themed afternoon tea with turkey and cranberry, hummus and roast parsnip sandwiches, scones, mince pie, brandy butter, shortbread, and festive cakes, accompanied by a celebratory glass of prosecco or for that highland twist a wee dram.
Child friendly options with snowman cookies, marshmallows, sparkling apple juice or butterbeer.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA – Table (seats 4) – £190
Price for up to 4 but if you are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra Child (2-15) for an additional charge of £30
Festive themed afternoon tea with turkey and cranberry, hummus and roast parsnip sandwiches, scones, mince pie, brandy butter, shortbread, and festive cakes, accompanied by accompanied by tea/coffee.
Child friendly options with snowman cookies, marshmallows and juice.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
OBSERVATION CARRIAGE – £32pp
Travel in style in our art deco carriage, with panoramic, wrap around windows, comfy armchairs, complimentary tea, coffee and mince pies, served by the carriages exclusive, onboard steward.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
OBSERVATION CARRIAGE AND DRAM – £37pp
Travel in style in our Art Deco carriage, with panoramic, wrap around windows, comfy armchairs, a wee dram (butterbeer for the kids) and mince pies, served by the carriages exclusive, onboard steward.
Children (2-15) on all services, will receive a special pack containing a festive gingerbread man, activity book, souvenir railway bauble and pin badge
Spot the festive displays, along the line, as you steam through the Highland landscape. Sing along and be entertained by our onboard mischievous elves and say hello to Santa Claus himself!
Discover nature on Atholl Estates this Autumn. Our Ranger, Julia, has an action-packed programme during October.
From Children’s events like mud pie making in the forest and crafting your own bird feeder, to rewarding volunteer days and nourishing Autumnal walks for adults.
Contact Julia@atholl-estates.co.uk 01796 481355 for more information.
Information Centre: The Information Centre is the white building at the back of the Bridge of Tilt car park.
Volunteer Session
Saturday 5th October 10am – 1pm
Location TBC
Book onto this volunteer session with Julia, where you could be planting trees, maintaining paths or surveying the different species on the estate. Please email julia@atholl-estates.co.uk ahead of the session to book your place and to find out more info.
Castle Grounds Nature Walk
Sunday 6th October time TBC
Blair Castle
Join Julia for a guided 1-hour walk through Diana’s Grove and St. Bride’s.
This walk is perfect for those looking to enjoy nature and learn some interesting things about the nature on the grounds at Blair Castle. Please note, the walk will only proceed if the wind stays within safe limits.
Meet Julia at the deer park in the Blair Castle grounds. Participants will need to have a valid gardens ticket.
All About Owls!
Saturday 12th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre
Join Ranger Julia for the well-loved story ‘Owl Babies,’ followed by making your own owl nest and playing some fun owl-related games. You’ll also learn some fascinating facts about our magnificent feathered friends.
Best for: Age 4 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.
Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.
Mud Pies In The Forest
Wednesday 16th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park
Join the Ranger (or should we say Head Chef Julia?) in the forest to make some mud pies. We will be decorating them with leaves, berries, and sticks we have foraged. We will provide spoons and crockery for digging and making our pies!
Best for: Age 3 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.
Parents: Waterproof suits, messy clothes, and wellies are recommended for this activity. Please bring wipes or water to clean little hands after the session.
Spells and Magic In The Forest
Thursday 17th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park
Join Ranger Julia in the woods and delve into the world of spells, wands, and magic. Children will make and decorate their own wands and create potions that make magical things happen.
Best for: Age 4 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.
Parents: Waterproof suits and wellies are recommended for this activity. We may require you to play along and pretend the children have turned invisible!
Make Your Own Bird Feeder
Saturday 19th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre, Blair Atholl
Autumn is a critical time for our feathered friends as they need to gear up for the colder months! During this activity, children will make their own simple bird feeder to take home, allowing them to look after the birds in their garden.
Best for: Age 4 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.
Parents: We will be filling our bird feeders with nuts, so this activity may not be suitable for those with nut allergies. Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.
Visitor Centre Signage Launch
Wednesday 23rd October 1pm – 4pm
Information Centre
Join our Ranger and Marketing Manager, Jess, for a special “show and tell” of the new signage in the visitor centre.
Drop in any time to explore the new displays and feel free to ask Julia or Jess any questions about volunteer days or opportunities with Atholl Estates. Refreshments will be provided.
The signage was part-funded by a grant from the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Spooky Activities
Thursday 24th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre
Join the Ranger (or should we say Witch Gertrude?) for some Halloween fun, games, and spooky laughter. Activities could include earning points by throwing bean bags into pumpkins or bobbing for apples. Spooky costumes are encouraged!
Best for: Age 5 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.
Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.
Autumn Crafts
Saturday 26th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre
Autumnal crafts and colouring session. Come along and create something autumnal to get us in the mood for the season. We could be collaging hedgehogs or creating things with leaves to take home.
Best for: Age 3 and up.
Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.
Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. A donation pot will be available at each event, and we would greatly appreciate any contribution you feel is appropriate for the session you attend.
All proceeds go directly to The Cairngorms to help care for wildlife, maintain paths and car parks. Ensuring both our enjoyment of the outdoors and the thriving of natural habitats.
Very excited to announce the date of the next Cairngorm Ski Club Ski Sale on Saturday 8th November 2025.
Re-use and recycle…. That’s what we are all about now.
So let’s try and reuse and recycle our out-grown and no longer used snowsports kit. Make some money at the Cairngorm Ski Club Ski Sale and give your kit a new home!
Alternatively, grab yourself an absolute bargain. If you are looking for kids’ kit or some new race kit, it’s a great place to be. Or if you want to pick up a snowboard, some freestyle skis, or choose to “earn your turns” this year with some new touring kit, it’s all there at the CSC Snowsports Sale.
Music and end-of-Summer jollity as we bring down the curtain on another successful Fiddler of Strathspey Festival. Locals and visitors of all ages are most welcome to attend this free event. N.B. Venue Grant Park, but the picnic will transfer to the YMCA (opp. Baptist Church in High St.) if wet.
All abilities gentle guided sociable walk with local insight, chat and live musical interludes. Leaving from The Grantown Hub – cash and card payments before departure (in aid of fiddler of Strathspey Festival funds).
Discover the hidden secrets of Grantown-on-Spey and its heritage with an expert local guide and musical contributions to lighten the mood and your steps. Meet at The Grantown Hub. Cash or card payment before departure.
Enjoy a traditional Scottish Hogmanay Gala night this New Year’s Eve, complete with champagne reception, four course gala menu and traditional ceilidh.
There will be live entertainment to celebrate the bells, and then we party to the early hours!
Champagne reception at 6.00pm, dinner served from 6.30pm, then music from 9.30 pm onwards.
• £100 per person including crackers & hats
• Children 3 – 12yrs £50
• Under 3’s dine for free
• Champagne reception
• Four-course festive meal
• Traditional piper to see in the New Year
• Live music
SAMPLE DINNER MENU
– Roasted parsnip & apple soup.
– Truffle chicken terrine, tonka bean aioli, broad bean & confit lemon.
– Smoked trout fillet, lemon & dill mayonnaise, pickled vegetables.
– Roast butternut squash and quinoa, pomegranate vinaigrette, beetroot, rocket.
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– Roast rump of lamb, green pea and mint puree, dauphinoise potato, rosemary jus.
– Honey & mustard glazed gammon, fondant potato, wholegrain mustard gravy.
– Fillet of Sea Bass, parmesan roasted potato puree, chive champagne sauce.
– Roasted cauliflower steak, chili & garlic salsa, smoked cauliflower puree, blue cheese sauce.
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– Mango & coconut brulee cheesecake, mango coulis, coconut ice cream.
– Raspberry meringue roulade, wild berry compote, raspberry sorbet.
– Salted caramel chocolate tart, chocolate sauce, butterscotch ice cream.
– Selection of Scottish cheese, biscuits, chutney, grapes, celery.
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Tea or Coffee and mince pies
Terms & Conditions:
1. Available on the 31st December only.
2. Provisional Bookings can be help for up to 14 days before a 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
3. Full prepayment is required by the 1st December.
4. If the deposit is not been received within 14 days then your booking is automatically released without prior notification.
5. All prices include VAT at the current rate.
Pipers to welcome you to lunch with crackers on the table. Santa will be paying us a visit on Christmas Day with gifts for all the children.
Please advise at time of booking what time you’d like to dine (see below), and the age of your children, for Santa research purposes!
First seating at 12.00 pm
Second seating at 3.00 pm
Third seating at 6.00 pm
• Package price £85 per person • Children under 12 £42.50. Children under 3 eat free
Terms & Conditions
• Offer is subject to availability
• A credit/debit card is required to guarantee the booking
• This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
The Festival starts with a classical concert starring Dmytro Morykit at 8pm, plus optional supper at 7pm, at the Speyside Hotel, Grantown on 26th . Friday 27th at 7.30pm a traditional concert starring Paul Anderson at the British Legion, Grantown. Saturday 28th fiddle and group competitions 10.00 at the YM Community Cinema; Workshop Concert 4pm YM Community Cinema, Grantown; workshops (singing, drumming, moothie, fiddle, waulking the cloth) throughout the day at the YM and in the Ben Mhor Hotel; Family Ceilidh at the Ben Mhor Hotel, 7pm. Sunday 29th Heritage Walk with Music, 10.30 from the Hub; Family Guided Walk with Music 1.30pm from the Hub, finishing at Grant Park for a Picnic with Music. Open sessions in the Ben Mhor Saturday. Musical treasure hunt along the High Street all weekend – forms available online, from the Hub and the YM Community Centre.
Where is this event being held?
The Spey Bank Studio is housed in the former offices of the Bank of Scotland. Enter the building via the big green doors on the Square side, opposite Co-op.
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