Posts for March, 2025

Outside dance event by Cairngorm School of Dance

Badenoch and Strathspey are getting ready to celebrate the start of the wader breeding season again!

The first of these enigmatic but sadly threatened group of bird species has already returned in the area. Soon they will start to fill the valley and the hills with their characteristic calls and songs.

Join us to enjoy local wader inspired arts and crafts, listen to expert presentations and get inspired by beautiful poetry and music performances.

Tickets are free of charge for this event but booking is essential. Please note entry to Highland Wildlife Park is not included.

This event will take place in our Learning Hive at Highland Wildlife Park.

For further information please contact events@rzss.org.uk.

After a five-year break from touring, The Saw Doctors staged a brilliant comeback in 2023 with sold out shows in London at Hammersmith Apollo, New York at Hammerstein Ballroom and two homecoming shows in Tuam, Co. Galway where they played to 10,000 people in St. Jarlath’s Arena.

The Saw Doctors are powered by song writers Davy Carton (vocals) and Leo Moran (guitar) with a band lineup including former Waterboy Anthony Thistlethwaite on saxophone, Rickie O’Neill, drums, Pearse Doherty, bass guitar, Kieran Duddy, keyboards, Noelie McDonnell, backing vocals and Tommy Carton, backing vocals.

“Born into a repressed, catholic, conservative, small-town, agrarian, angst-ridden & showband infested society, The Saw Doctors are trying to preserve the positive elements of our Irish background and marry them to the sounds which have culturally invaded our milieu through TV, radio, social media, 45’s, fast food restaurants, 24-hour petrol stations & electric blankets”. Leo Moran, The Saw Doctors

Ben Mhor Bar traditional music sessions arranged by The Grantown Society.

Mentored group sessions (£5). Bar music session free.

All welcome to come along and play or simply enjoy the bar atmosphere as you listen to master fiddler Paul Anderson and other talents.

The Atholl Gathering and Highland Games will return to Blair Castle on Sunday 25th May 2025 and tickets available to purchase online.

The Atholl Highlanders officially open the Highland Games with a ‘March On’, led by the sound of their pipes and drums.

Strongmen from around Scotland take centre stage to battle it out. Events include tossing the caber, putting the shot and throwing the hammer. There are plenty of other attractions, such as highland dancing, tug o’ war, solo piping, trade stands and refreshments to provide a fun day out for all the family.

Full event details will be released soon.

Join us in the ballroom at Blair Castle on Thursday 28th August at 7.30pm for a live performance from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Experience an evening of energy and elegance as Jakob Lehmann conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a concert that sparkles with wit and youthful charm.

The night begins with Rossini’s ever-popular Overture to The Barber of Seville, a whirlwind of bustling brilliance and comedic flair. SCO Principal Clarinet Maximiliano Martín takes centre stage for Spohr’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, a lyrical gem of the Romantic era that Maximiliano champions with passion and virtuosity.

The concert concludes with Schubert’s Symphony No. 2, a joyful work that brims with youthful exuberance, irresistible melodies and boundless energy.

Kindly supported by Eriadne & George Mackintosh, Claire & Anthony Tait and The Jones Family Charitable Trust.

There will be an interval with tea, coffee and soft drinks available.

Programme:
ROSSINI – Overture, The Barber of Seville
SPOHR – Clarinet Concerto No 2 in E-flat, op 57
SCHUBERT – Symphony No 2 in B-flat
Jakob Lehmann conductor
Maximiliano Martín clarinet

Tickets available from the SCO: Rossini & Schubert | Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Enjoy a night of Scottish Ceilidh music with BlackRock Ceilidh Band at The Duke Of Gordon Hotel

Boat of Garten will be rocking to the sounds of Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly & Elvis Presley, performed by three incredible artists and a high-energy live band.

Expect all the classic hits, from I Drove All Night to Oh Boy and Return to Sender. Can you resist dancing? We wouldn’t bet on it!

🌟 Featuring Marc Robinson from Stars in Their Eyes & Buddy – The Musical, bringing timeless hits like Heartbeat, Peggy Sue & True Love Ways to life.

📅 Friday 21st March
⏰ 7:30pm (Doors open 6:30pm)
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall

🎟 Tickets still available: wegottickets.com

Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and get ready to shake, rattle, and roll!

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the Talla nan Ros in the heart of Kingussie, in Badenoch.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine

Come and join us for this extra special music event – home-grown folk music, local heritage and good company, in the beautiful surroundings of Boat of Garten Community Hall in Strathspey.

Local musicians Hamish Napier (flute, whistles, harmonium, vocals) and Jordan Neil (guitar, Scottish small pipes), a brand new all-Strathspey musical duo, will present a programme of folk music themed on River Spey, surrounding hills and local heritage.

★★★★★ “Napier has the composer’s gift of painting a picture with sound, more evocative that an artist. Superb.” FATEA Magazine