Posts for October, 2025

Start your Christmas shopping at Blair Castle’s annual Christmas Market. Explore stalls from Scottish artisans and local businesses in the Banvie Hall and the Ballroom and enjoy a tempting selection of festive foods and drinks on the castle forecourt.

The Castle will be dressed for Christmas and reduced entry tickets can be purchased on the day. The Gift Shop and Restaurant will be open as usual.

From November 22nd, from 4 pm – 6 pm, step into a magical winter wonderland where lights, sounds, and dazzling effects transform the Ancient Forest into an unforgettable escape.

🌲 Red Squirrel Trail – climb into the treetops by day, then explore a glowing UV tunnel by night.
💫 Laser Show – a spectacular display illuminating the forest.
🍴 Forest Food Stop – enjoy tasty snacks and drinks.
🔥 Roasting Pits – toast marshmallows or s’mores under the stars.

The trail is pram and wheelchair friendly, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. (Please note: part of the trail includes a sound installation.)

Don’t miss out and book your Twi-LIGHTS experience today!

Classical Concert with the Braeriach Quartet and Friends. Entry by donation. Refreshments from 6.30pm in the Wheatley Hall (attached to the church) and concert starts at 7pm.

Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup: Strathspey Thistle FC v Dundee North End FC, kick-off 3pm.

Parking at ground (disabled spaces available) and at Burnfield Avenue car park. Tea bar with hot food.

Mackellar Suite open from 1.30pm for those who have booked hospitality packages (hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk to book) or are adults/seniors who have paid admission at main gate. (N.B. Season tickets are NOT valid at this match).

Half-time raffle. Merchandise and team-sheets.

Hill to Grill is back!

Join Cairngorms Connect and friends for a day celebrating and exploring local forests and enjoying delicious local food

When: Saturday 25th of October 2025, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where: Nethy Bridge Playing Field

Tickets: Hill to Grill is completely free but why not click ‘Going’ on our Facebook, so we can make sure we have enough burgers for everyone!

Due to increased popularity, some elements of the event will require booking in advance – there will still be lots of drop-in activities on the day too. More info coming soon!

We’re excited to welcome you to Cairngorms Connect’s free outdoor festival celebrating local forests and local food. We’ve got a whole host of exciting activities planned for people of all ages and abilities, from woodworking to cooking demonstrations.

Learn about the importance of Deer management to restore local forests while enjoying a free BBQ with wild Cairngorms Connect Venison and other local, foraged, and gathered produce.

Meet a local butcher who will teach us about preparing different cuts of venison and what they are best used for.

Discover new ways to incorporate local food into your everyday meals with simple and inspiring cooking demonstrations from Scottish food expert Catriona Frankitti.

Immerse yourself in the folklore and stories of the forest with Sarah from Strathspey Storywalks.

Join in with family-friendly games and activities throughout the day
Hill to Grill is a largely outdoor event, mostly taking place in tents and on the Playing Field behind Nethy Community Centre, so please dress appropriately, and prepare for all weathers.

The event area is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies, but the grassy ground could be a little rough in places so please take care.

As part of The Highlands & Islands Climate Hub Climate Festival, the Grantown YMCA Community Centre is proud to present a series of 22 free events that aim to address Climate Change.
Each event will give you the information and guidance, to allow you to make subtle changes to your lifestyle, to reduce your impact on climate change.
We have children’s ergo Club and art competition, talks on Beavers, Peatland and AI computers, workshops on bike maintenance, clothing and furniture restorations, a big Capercaille build, a cinema night, climate cuisine and a recycle, reuse table sale to finish.
We look forward to meeting you all.

Family Ceilidh: Dance to the music of Reel Scotch. Steps will be explained and you will soon get the hang of it! All ages welcome. Prize raffle. Fully licensed bar. (Open session in the bar with Paul Anderson and friends after the Ceilidh finishes!).

FIDDLER OF STRATHSPEY FESTIVAL. Refreshments and food available at or near all venues Events arranged by The Grantown Society (SCIO50104).
10am-12 noon, Inverallan Church Hall: COFFEE MORNING with tunes on fiddle from Paul Anderson.
12noon-3.30pm, Ben Mhor Hotel / Y.M.C.A. Community Centre: WORKSHOPS (fiddle, singing, drumming, moothie – see programme for timings, all ages and levels welcome, instruments can be provided). Suggested donation for participants £5.
2pm-4pm, Grantown Hub: BADENOCH LADIES WAULKING GROUP (“Waulking the Cloth” – learn the traditional art of shrinking tweed whilst singing rhythmically in Gaelic and have a go at either or both!). Free (or modest donation).
4pm-4.45pm (rehearsal 3.45pm), Y.M.C.A. Community Centre (Cinema): WORKSHOPS PERFORMANCE Free.
5pm, Ben Mhor Hotel: OPEN SESSION in Bar with Paul Anderson. Free.
6pm, Ben Mhor Hotel: FESTIVAL DINNER (all welcome) – Fiddler’s Fish & Chips, Ceilidh Curry, Vegan Violins (all options £10).
N.B. Family Ceilidh at 7pm – listed separately.

Christmas Day Lunch – pre-booking essential

• Package price £85 per person
• Children under 12 £42.50. Children under 3 eat free

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!
Times
First seating at 12.00 pm
Second seating at 3.00 pm
Third seating at 6.00 pm

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 Speyside Hotel and Visit Highland Tours offers an immersive and expertly guided Speyside Whisky Tasting Experience celebrating the heritage, craftsmanship and flavour profiles of 4 of Speyside’s finest malts.

Guests are invited to enjoy a tutored nosing and tasting led by Thorsten from Visit Highland Tours; the session offers more than just a tasting, learn the art of whisky nosing and tasting, including how to identify aromas, appreciate subtle flavour notes and understand the influence of casks, age and distillery style.

Evenings start at 6pm, with the exception of Thursday 18th September (8pm)

September :-
Wednesday 3rd, 6pm
Wednesday 10th, 8pm
Thursday 18th, 6pm
Wednesday 24th, 6pm