Posts for October, 2025

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.

Folk in the Forest returns for another year; RSPB Loch Garten invites you to an unforgettable day of traditional music and storytelling, in the heart of Abernethy Forest.

Join the dynamic and witty Anna Massie, one of Scotland’s finest trad guitarists; award-winning Orcadian fiddler Kristan Harvey, known for her powerful playing with Blazin’ Fiddles and FARA; and captivating storyteller David Hughes, whose mythic tales bring the forest to life, for a spellbinding afternoon of live music and storytelling inspired by the natural world.

The Loch Garten Nature Centre, with its vaulted ceilings and panoramic forest views, offers the perfect atmospheric setting to sit back with a hot drink and soak up the sounds of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.

Select from a matinee or evening show
1pm-3pm – https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/131138
7pm-9pm – https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/131068

*This is a fully covered, indoor event within the visitor centre.

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.

Concert: Friday 26th SEPTEMBER 6.30pm for 7pm start, Royal British Legion Scotland (Strathspey Club – Main Hall) : FESTIVAL CONCERT featuring Paul Anderson, Shona Donaldson, Feis Spe Junior Band, Braeriach Quartet, Will Boyd-Wallis, Neil MacGregor. Prize raffle. Fully licensed bar.

Bringing his evocative sound to RSPB reserves this Autumn, Merlyn Driver celebrates his love of nature through his new album It Was Also Sometimes Daylight (released 10 October 2025).

Born in Orkney and raised in a home without electricity, Merlyn’s deep connection with the natural world shapes every note of his music. He captivated audiences across the UK with his critically acclaimed 2022 project, Simmerdim: Curlew Sounds in collaboration with the RSPB, earning national radio play and glowing reviews from MOJO, The Guardian, and Songlines Magazine.

Expect a moving blend of music and nature, with the wild voices of curlews, blackbirds, frogs, and more woven into the soundscape.

Join us for a lively evening of music, dancing and community spirit at the Nethy Bridge Community Centre.

With live music from the brilliant Cairngorm Ceilidh Band, and a licensed bar, this summer ceilidh is sure to be a great time! The evening promises traditional Scottish tunes, energetic dances and a chance to catch up with friends and neighbours in the heart of our community.

Bring your dancing shoes and come along for a fun and friendly evening for all ages. We look forward to seeing you there!

Originally hailing from the high desert of Northern New Mexico, Cahalen has been touring solo, as a duo with Eli West, and with his band Western Centuries over the past 15 years. Cahalen has performed on stage with the likes of Tim O’Brien, Kelly Joe Phelps, Hot Rize, David Grisman, Dirk Powell, Crooked Still, Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas, Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain and Kris Drever. Well known for his singular turn of phrase and curiously poignant songs, he dips deep into the well of tradition while continuously pushing boundaries of contemporary songwriting. Cahalen is equally at home on guitar, banjo, mandolin, singing three part harmony or unaccompanied.

Cahalen has played all over the United States, Canada, The UK, Ireland and Western Europe, and at festivals such as Transatlantic Sessions, MerleFest, Red Wing Roots, Rockygrass, Wintergrass, Celebrate Brooklyn!, Strawberry Music Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, Meadowgrass, Timber!, Shetland Folk Festival, Larmer Tree, Kilkenny Roots Festival, Celtic Connections, Bluegrass Jamboree and many more.Cahalen is based out of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently working on an exciting new project, he is also a regular at many sessions, eats as much black pudding as possible and can be found in one of the many beautiful parks or along the Clyde with his dog most evenings.

We join Carmen in her boudoir, as she tells her own story in words and music. Dare you consult the cards with her? What does she think of the men in her story? Did she foresee her gruesome ending?

Paul Mealor brings his Caritas Choir back to St Margaret’s for this popular, annual concert.

Named after Mealor’s composition, ‘Ubi caritas’ written for the Wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, ‘Caritas’ means ‘love’ and the choir, made up of singers associated with Mealor over many years, presents a concert of popular and new choral classics.