Posts for August, 2021

For the first time, The Spirit of Speyside offers you a November Festival.

From the 3rd to the 8th of November, come and join us to experience the warm hospitality of Speyside. Whether you are dining in our local restaurants, staying at our beautifully decorated hotels, or sampling the delights of our distilleries.

There will be many events, at various locations for you to enjoy involving eating, drinking, or indulging in retail therapy. There is something for everyone in Speyside.

Connecting local farmers, producers and artisan makers with the community and the visitors in Braemar A-listed Church St Margaret’s.
There is so much to see and do in Braemar these days, history and heritage sites next to great places to eat and drink and interesting unique shops. We hope you will come and spend the day in one of the prettiest villages in the Cairngorms National Park

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.

Badaguish are proud and delighted to announce their inaugural Christmas Fayre and Santa’s Grotto. We will be showcasing many local crafters and producers with stalls full of Christmas gifts to buy for your friends and families.

We will have lots of activities for the children and a special Santa’s Grotto to make for a memorable visit.

This community event will be held to support our charity The Speyside Trust.

On the 26th and 27th of June, we’ll be hosting a Summer Fair at Blair Castle.

The exhibitors are all based in Scotland and reflect the high standard of Scottish craftsmanship and the diversity that is produced within this country.

Exhibitors
There will be a superb range of cheese, gin, game, beer, seafood, preserves, and a wonderfully unique collection of jewellery, art, ceramics, tweed accessories, textiles, candles & woodwork, all lovingly handmade in Scotland.

Street Food from Alba Seafood and Seasonal flavourings will tempt all pallets and tasters from a range of distilleries together with a brewery will add to the experience.

Safety Measures
A one-way system around the market, generous spacing, guides, and sanitising stations throughout will make this a safe and enjoyable experience for all the family.

Join us on Saturday 11th, Friday 17th or Saturday 18th December 2021

What’s included:
Enjoy a 3-course festive menu plus tea and coffee
Half a bottle of house wine per person
Live music from Drams Ceilidh Band plus Disco

£45 per ticket. Ticket and overnight stay from £79 per person.

Overnight stay includes full Scottish breakfast and use of our leisure facilities. Price is based on two sharing a twin or double room. Single supplement of £40 applies. Flexible cancellation is permitted in the event of lockdown restrictions.

Don’t let lockdown stop you celebrating Burns Night in style! Let us do the cooking with our special Burns themed takeaway menu available from Monday 25th to Saturday 30th January.
We will even provide the address to the Haggis in a video on our Facebook page performed by our entertainer Stuart Anderson.
Spend over £50 and we will supply the dram to complete the toast.

Nethy’s Burns Night Menu
Starters
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties
Traditional Scottish Haggis locally sourced, creamy mash, Speyside whisky sauce
or
Nethy’s Bruschetta (V)
Tomato, red onion, basil bound in olive oil set on top of toasted crostini, salad garnish, balsamic glaze
Main courses
Chicken Strathmore
Pan seared chicken breast, locally sourced haggis, creamy mash, seasonal vegetables, peppercorn sauce
or
Steak & Scottish Ale Pie
Tender chunks of Scottish diced beef, light puff pastry, chips, seasonal vegetables
Vegetarian option available on request
Desserts
Traditional Scottish Cranachan
Layers of toasted Scottish oats, raspberries, Speyside whisky cream
or
Pear and Caramel Cheesecake
Mixed berry compote, Chantilly cream