Posts for January, 2025

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Saturday, February 1st at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul at 5:15 pm for a Crescent Moon with Venus, Neptune and Saturn evening telescope session to celebrate the start of National Astronomy Week. On February 1st the Crescent Moon will form a triangle with Venus and Neptune. The fantastic telescope target Saturn will also be visible below right. As the moon sets, we’ll also look at stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 5:15 pm.

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cool February conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your telescope and stargazing experience more enjoyable. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees. Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre.

Suggested donation £5 through Eventbrite or on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. Under 16’s free.

Join us at Macdonald Aviemore Resort on Saturday, 15 March 2025, for an unforgettable evening with Abbamania, Europe’s leading Abba tribute band.

Experience their outstanding vocals and electrifying musical performances in the Osprey Arena.

Abbamania’s tribute to Abba is a sensational two-hour show featuring record-breaking and
timeless hits from “Waterloo” to “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Fernando,” and “Chiquitita.”

So, dust off your platforms, put on your flares, and join us for an unforgettable night and get ready to dance in the aisles and relive the glory of the ’70s!

As a valued ticket holder, you’ll receive an exclusive 25% discount from £109 per night based on two people sharing a room at the 4-star Macdonald Aviemore Resort from 14th – 16th March 2025, including a delicious breakfast each morning of your stay.

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Group and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust in The Square, Tomintoul for an all ages telescope moon viewing session on Saturday, December 7th, 2024. The first quarter Moon is a great time to view and learn about the moon. Jupiter is also at opposition, which means that Jupiter is directly opposite the sun in the solar system from Earth’s perspective. This alignment makes Jupiter appear larger and brighter than usual, and is the best time to observe it. Saturn will also be in the sky and makes a superb telescope target. We’ll meet at Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre at 43 The Square, Tomintoul at 6:30pm.

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. Not only does this remote area have stunning dark skies but it also has easy access allowing everyone to enjoy a night sky brimming with stars.

We’ll have the Celestron telescope and a smartphone bracket on the night that will allow you to take the moon home in your pocket!

Toilets are available in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre.

If the weather isn’t suitable on the day, we’ll endeavour to run an alternative session in the days following.

As we will be outside in December in the highest village in the Scottish Highlands, please dress warmly for cold and changeable weather. Please also wear appropriate shoes for wet, and wintry conditions.

Across mainland Europe, nature is making a dramatic recovery – could Scotland be next?
Join us for a screening of Why Not Scotland?, the compelling story of Flo, a young Scot, as she discovers #rewilding across Europe, prompting her to ponder the potential for a similar revival in Scotland. Open to all.

Braemar Local History Group are delighted to be planning our usual programme of Winter Talks for 2024/25.

They will be advertised again nearer each date on Facebook, to other local History Groups and around the village with posters, but here’s the chance to get them into your diary.

The talks are all at 7.30pm on the date shown in Braemar Village Hall. Entry is £3.00 and includes light refreshments afterwards.

All welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there!

A show of locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants and flowers, as well as baking and preserves. Teas and homebaking also available for an additional charge. Exhibits for sale afterwards.

Quiz Night with Paul. £1 entry cash only winner takes all. Cairngorm Stovies at half time

We are planning a comprehensive drive of approximately 150 miles to show you the best of Highland Scotland, with mile after mile of quiet and scenic roads.

The Tour will start and finish at Macdonald’s Aviemore Resort. Bacon rolls and tea / coffee will be available at the start (kindly donated by Macdonalds) and the day will finish with an award ceremony and two course meal. The cost of the meal will be £25 per head.

We are grateful to our main sponsors, Arnold Clark BMW and all our other sponsors and supporters for their help.

The Tour will raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Aquabox and the Rotary Club of Spey Valley Charitable Trust.

The Tour is open to all Vintage, Historic, Classic Cars, Modern Sports Cars and EVs and Hybrid Cars. Entries are limited to 60 cars.

There will be no entry fee for this day of fun and fellowship amongst like minded car enthusiasts, but all entrants are asked to raise sponsorship – minimum of £75 per car with funds raised going equally to the three nominated charities.

Entrants are asked to seek donations and sponsorship from friends, family, colleagues and business associates.

Please click Here to download details and Entry Form

If you would like more information or an entry form please email [email protected]

Enjoy a lively evening of music with Paul Anderson, of Tarland, renowned traditional Scots and Strathspey genre fiddler and teacher.

An invitation to receive superb tuition and to play with an array of musicians at the workshop and in the bar afterwards. N.B. Practice & Tuition Session 7.15 to 8.15pm.

Bar group performance 8.30pm to 10.00pm.

​The Focus Arts and Crafts Design Group​ is proud to be the largest, and longest established craft group in the North East of Scotland. We have been in existence for over 30 years, having evolved from the Gordon Craft Association, which was constituted in 1989. We are a non-profit making association, run on a voluntary basis by local crafters. Our aim is to support and promote the wealth of local art and handmade crafts created by our members. ​

We run a comprehensive programme of craft fairs at several venues from February to December, including the Aboyne Games. Focus only sells items handmade by our artisan members who enjoy talking to you about their creations when you visit our fairs.
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Looking for that unique gift for someone special? Come along and see for yourself what an extensive range of distinctive and lovingly handcrafted products are available direct from our talented artisan members. Our calendar of events can be found here.