Posts for November, 2025

Join us at The Iona Gallery in Kingussie for a fantastic weekend filled with creativity and delicious cuisine. This weekend is all about celebrating culture, community and supporting a great cause.

We will be accepting donations on the door for Hope & Play, a UK-based charity supporting Palestinian children. All donations beyond covering event costs will be given to them, and 100% of each donation goes towards their projects on food and water, art and play, and education.

**Registration is needed for some parts of the event, marked below, due to venue capacity. Other parts of the event are drop-in with no registration required.**



Friday 28 November

Film night with mint tea!

7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start – please register

We are delighted to share two award-winning films: ‘Foragers’ by Jumana Manna (60 mins), plus another short Palestinian film.

‘Foragers’ depicts the dramas around the practice of foraging for wild edible plants in Palestine/Israel with wry humor and a meditative pace. Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, it moves between fiction, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli nature protection laws on these customs. ‘Foragers’ captures the inherited love, joy and knowledge in these traditions alongside their resilience to the prohibitive law.

Suggested donation: £10 – cash or card on the night.



Saturday 29 November

A day of family activities, crafts and art, Palestinian food, and talks. We invite you to join some or all of the day!

We will have a quiet reading area with books and resources, and will also be selling Palestinian products provided by Highland Wholefoods (great as Christmas presents!) Payments by card or cash.

10.30am-12.30pm – drop in (no registration needed)

Crafts and activities, including:

Lego printing – with Colleen Coe, Timber + Stitch Studio
Kite-making
Storytelling – Palestinian folktales with Sarah Hobbs, Strathspey Storywalks
Colouring – Palestinian tatreez (embroidery) and Islamic patterns, contributed by artist Lizzie Hobbs

12.30pm-2pm – drop in (no registration needed)

A delicious home-made Palestinian lunch (and you can buy some of the ingredients afterwards!)

2pm-4pm – please register

Short talks about Palestine with local folk, followed by discussion. We are thoroughly delighted to welcome the following speakers:

Avigail Abarbanel was born and raised in Israel and served in the Israeli army. In 1991, at age twenty-seven she moved to Australia, and ten years later renounced her Israeli citizenship in protest. She’s beens speaking and writing about Palestinian human rights and against Israel’s Zionist settler-colonialism ever since. In 2010 Avigail moved to the Scottish Highlands, where she lives and works. She is a BACP Senior Accedited psychotherapist in private practice, a clinical supervisor, consultant and trainer. Avigail is a published author and the editor of Beyond Tribal Loyalties: Personal Stories of Jewish Peace Activists. (For more information please visit fullyhuman.co.uk and https://avigail.substack.com/).

Brendan Stephens is an international observer who represents ‘Friends of Madema and Burin’, having visited with other international volunteers to support farmers and harvest olives. Having spent time with Palestinians in both villages, he will share observations from his recent visit to the Occupied West Bank of settler and IDF activity and the impact of this upon increasingly isolated rural and farming communities.

Suggested donation: £5-10 – cash or card on the day.




This event is organised by The Olive And The Pine, a group of Badenoch and Strathspey residents who stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The group is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Palestinian heritage and culture, and who supports peace, justice and equal human rights in the region. The group includes a wide range of people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

We aim to raise awareness through learning circles, film screenings, arts and crafts, sharing Palestinian food, and fundraising.

The group chose its name because olive trees have long played a pivotal role in the cultural and economic life of Palestine, just as the pine tree is emblematic of Badenoch and Strathspey. As part of the systematic erasure of Palestinian life by the Israeli occupation, olive trees have been uprooted and replaced with non-native pines. The tree that symbolises natural abundance in our own region actually represents erasure and colonisation to Palestinians.

Breedon Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Lossiemouth FC, Seafield Park, kick-off 3pm. Gates open 1.20pm approx.. Parking at ground or at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club by their kind permission. Overflow parking at Burnfield Avenue car park. Mackellar Suite open 1.30pm to adults (18+) who have bought hospitality or paid match admission. Hot and cold snacks in ground. Team-sheets, raffle and merchandise.

Breedon Highland League: Strathspey Thistle FC v Rothes FC, Seafield Park, k.o. 2pm (N.B. Note early kick-off time). Gates open 12.20pm approx.. Parking at ground or at Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club, by their kind permission. Overflow parking at Burnfield Avenue car park. Mackellar Suite open at 12.30pm to adults (18+) who have purchased hospitality or match admission. Hot & cold snacks in ground. Team-sheets, raffle and merchandise. Fixture subject to weather – if in doubt check social media pages on match day.

Whether you’re a food lover, a dancing enthusiast, or seeking activities for the kids, this event promises something for everyone in the family.
Lace up your skates and glide into a winter wonderland!
Our artificial ice rink is open for the evening, offering you a chance to show off your skating skills or experience the joy of glice skating for the first time.
Get ready to dance the night away to the irresistible sounds of Ragin Ceilidh!
Their electrifying live performance will have you tapping your feet and spinning around the dance floor in traditional Scottish style.
5:30 Arrivals welcome
6pm-8pm Buffet service
7pm-9pm Glice skate open
8:30pm Ceilidh Disco
10:30pm Stovies
12 midnight bells
1am event ends

Adults £80.00
Child £40.00 (under 12)
Under 3 Free
Email or call the office to book in
Tel 01540 651272
Email office@lochinsh.co.uk
£20pp non refundable deposit required at the time of booking full payment due 15th December.

Saturday 15th: 12pm- 7pm
Sunday 16th: 11- 2pm

Sit in or take away.

An informal canteen set up;

No table reservations
No pre-ordering required.
Order and pay on the day.

Menu TBC, expect to see your Alvie Forrest Foods favourites… Beef brisket loaded fries, Balliefurth beef burgers, Detroit pizza and more…

Kids, dogs, bikes and muddy boots all welcome!

Join us in the heart of the Cairngorms for a cosy, candle-lit Festive celebration full of great food, good company, and live music (Sat 20th only)

Remaining dates available:
Sat 6th
Fri 19th
Sat 20th- With Live Music from the Anne Dickson Band

What’s Included:
Welcome drink (Fizz cocktail, Peroni or alcohol free alternative)
3 Course dinner
Tea and Coffee to follow

Live Music from Anne Dickson Band- 20th Dec only- £15pp supplement applies

Please note:
A Deposit of £10.00pp is payable at the point of booking.
All deposits are non-refundable. The remainder of the balance is due on the evening.
A pre-order will be required.
There is no dress code 🙂
Last orders at the bar 10:30pm.

In this workshop you will create a stunning wreath using fresh foliage, seasonal decorations, and personal touches. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this workshop promises to be an enjoyable way to welcome the holiday season. The workshop will cover techniques for arranging greenery and adding unique ornaments, ensuring that each wreath reflects your personal style. All tools and materials will be provided as a decorating ready seasonal greenery base, you’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade wreath ready to adorn your home or to give as a heartfelt gift.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Price includes:

All necessary materials to decorate the wreath;
Sustainable greenery & foliage,
Decorations & ribbons
All Equipment
Breaktime refreshments- Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake
Why not make a day of it and stay for Sunday lunch afterwards (separate table reservation required)

Unleash the magic of the season and join us to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind Christmas table centrepiece.
​Using the highest quality fresh Nobilis pine and lush greenery as our base, you’ll learn how to build a fragrant, long-lasting display. We’ll then adorn your creation with a sophisticated mix of seasonal treasures: flickering candles, warm sticks of cinnamon, vibrant dried orange slices, and other festive sundries.
​This isn’t just a decoration—it’s an experience! You’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade piece that fills your home with the unmistakable scent and glow of Christmas.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Price includes:

All necessary materials to decorate the centrepiece;
Sustainable greenery & foliage,
Decorations & ribbons
All Equipment
Breaktime refreshments- Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake.

Why not make a day of it and join us for Sunday lunch beforehand (separate table reservation required)

Join us in the heart of the Cairngorms for a cosy, candle-lit Hogmanay celebration full of great food, good company and live music.
This is not your average Hogmanay. No crowded pubs, no cold buffets — just an indulgent 4 course dinner, flowing drinks and an evening to remember.

What to Expect:
Canapés & a glass of fizz on arrival
4-course dinner followed by tea, coffee and truffles

Live music (and maybe a wee dance…)
A warm atmosphere with our renowned Highland hospitality

Tickets:
£120 per person

What’s Included:
Glass of fizz (or non- alcoholic alternative) on arrival
Canapes
4 Course dinner
Tea and Coffee and truffles
Piper on arrival- Robbie Milne of Badenoch & Strathspey Pipe Band
Live music from Barry Middleton, Jazz Pianist

Please note:
A Deposit of £40.00pp is payable at the point of booking.
All deposits are non-refundable. The remainder of the balance is due on the evening.
A pre-order will be required.
There is no dress code 🙂
Not suitable for children under 12, there is no children’s menu available for this occasion.
Last orders at the bar 10:30pm. Carriages 11pm.

Returning on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Findhorn Valley, just six miles from Forres, Logie Steading invites you to discover a weekend full of seasonal cheer, creativity, and community spirit.

With over 55 of talented exhibitors joining us per day, this is a perfect opportunity to shop local and support small, independent businesses from across Moray and the Northeast of Scotland. From handcrafted gifts and artisan wares to delicious local produce, you’ll find something truly special for everyone on your Christmas list.

Logie Steading is already home to a vibrant community of makers and retailers, and the Christmas Markets bring even more creative energy to the site. Visitors can meet the people behind the products, hear their stories, and enjoy a festive shopping experience in a unique and welcoming setting.

With delicious hot food, live seasonal entertainment, and marshmallow toasting by the fire, we’re all set to celebrate the season with you and the whole family!