Posts for January, 2025

Laggan Wolftrax

Up there with the best trail centre riding in Scotland, Laggan Wolftrax offers miles of purpose built trails with gnarly rock gardens, swoopy berms and the infamous ‘airs rock’ among the highlights. As if the trails weren’t enough, the incredible views to the Monadhliath mountains and those cakes from the cafe make Laggan a must-visit destination on the trail centre circuit!

Our day will begin with a full morning of coaching on specific features like rock gardens, drops and turns, building our confidence, technique and control. After lunch, we’ll head out for a guided ride in the afternoon, taking in the best trails Laggan has to offer and putting those newly learned skills into practice. Our Laggan Trail Day is aimed at intermediate riders – those who are comfortable on blue graded trails but would like to build ability and confidence on red trails and features.

Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to announce that we will be hosting our annual summer camp at Badaguish 9th – 11th July 2025! The camp is available to anyone aged between 10 and 17: who has a physical disability, vision impairment or hearing loss, as their primary disability.

Are you ready for the excitement of Carve Carrbridge 2025?

The renowned Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition is back for it’s 22nd year.
This thrilling event attracts over 20 talented chainsaw carvers from around the globe, all competing to create extraordinary masterpieces in just 4 hours.
Each carving is judged on artistic merit, technical difficulty, and originality, ensuring a spectacular display of skill and creativity.
The competition at Carve Carrbridge is fierce, and the creations by these talented artists are truly awe-inspiring.
If you’re in the Cairngorms, you might come across some of these incredible carvings purchased in the Grand Auction.

Additionally, the Carving Trail around Carrbridge showcases many stunning pieces from past years, offering a unique and artistic journey through the village.

Don’t miss out on this buzzing event!
Mark your calendars for Carve Carrbridge 2025 and witness the magic of chainsaw carving in the heart of the Cairngorms.
Image credit James Ross

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Friday, February 7th at Inveravon Church & Pictish Stones at 7pm for a Moon at Inveravon telescope session to celebrate National Astronomy Week. On February 7th the Moon will be close to Beta Tauri in the constellation of Taurus in the evening sky. We’ll also be looking at the planet Jupiter as well as stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at Inveravon for 7pm.

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 stargazing experience more enjoyable.

Toilet facilties are limited at Inveravon but there is a public convenience at Cragganmore near the parking on the Speyside Way.

Access to Inveraven Church is off the A95 about half a mile north the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones.

If weather conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

A suggested donation of £5 on Eventbrite or on the night helps to support heritage and dark sky activities in Glenlivet & Inveravon. This event is generously funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Community Benfit Fund.

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.

During Froglets sessions you and your child will connect to the natural world through exploration of the park, sensory activities, stories, and songs about animals from around the globe. Specially developed for children aged 24-36 months, these sessions are designed to promote early learning and STEM development over a six week block. Your place also includes free entry into the park for you and your little one so you have time to explore and socialise with other parents and carers after each session.

Purchasing one ticket allows one adult and one child (aged between 24 and 36 months on the first session date) access to six 45 minute weekly sessions plus park entry after the event. The dates of thsi block are:

Tuesday 21 January 2025

Tuesday 28 January 2025

Tuesday 4 February 2025

Tuesday 11 February 2025

Tuesday 18 February 2025

Tuesday 25 February 2025

Please note, Froglets sessions will involve some travel around the park and (weather permitting) we will spend time outdoors during the sessions. Our sessions are designed with a flexible, no-pressure approach, so if you need to take time out of a session for any reason, you’ll be able to jump back into the activities whenever you’re ready.

We also run sessions for otjer age groups, so if this session isn’t right for your little one please look at Highland Wildlife Park Tadpoles (12-24 months) or Highland Widlife Park Frogs (3-5 years).

We offer a 10% members discount. If you are eligible for this discount, or have any other questions, please contact education@rzss.org.uk!

Join us in the spectacular, remote and challenging Highlands of Scotland for an unforgettable, life-changing adventure. We are offering two race distances, so something for almost everyone – newbies to seasoned and experienced racers.

Both courses will be a compelling multi-day, multi-sport journey through unique and historic landscapes of forests, mountains, rivers, sea and lakes (or lochs!). Expect multiple stages of trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and the odd ‘special stage’ thrown in as well. Navigation (using maps and compass) and self-sufficiency are at the heart of adventure racing – the glue that binds the course together and enables a true adventure. Get your team-mates sorted, and get entered into this epic event!.

ITERA races have a unique Long & Short Course format that allows for a wider range of experience and ability to successfully complete the course. Most Checkpoints (CPs) are optional, and so each team can create a course that plays to their strategic strengths. Around 30% of the teams will be able to complete the Long Course (all CPs). Most of the remainder will pick and choose the optional CPs and thus finish the Short Course.

Heritage Ranger talk: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones

Join the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger for an introduction to the Picts, their art and symbol stones. We will be examining the intricate carvings on the four stones discovered in the churchyard of Inveraven, which has been a site of spiritual practice and pilgrimage for centuries. This tour will provide an overview to Pictish art and culture and demonstrate how the Picts contributed to the founding of modern Scotland.

This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Scotland’s past, allowing you to connect with its ancient roots. Join us for an afternoon of discovery and insight in stunning Speyside.

Access to Inveraven Church and burial ground is off the A95 about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones.

Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building.

Children are usually fascinated by the Picts and are encouraged to attend. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

This event is by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day. Children and youth under 16 are free. Like many churches across Scotland, Inveravon Church has unfortunately been earmarked for closure and sale by the Church of Scotland. The local community is currently in the process of exploring ways to keep it open by creating a heritage centre and community hub. Thousands of tourists visit the stones every year from every corner of the globe and it would be disappointing if they were no longer accessible. Funds raised from talks and events help to support community and heritage events run by the Friends of Inveravon Church.

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site. Public toilets are available in Cragganmore at Ballindalloch Station on the Speyside Way or in Aberlour.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

This event is generously funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Valentine’s weekend: Stars and Moon walk

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Celebrate love under the night sky at our Stars and Moon walk event! Join us at the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre for a romantic evening surrounded by nature’s beauty. Enjoy a gentle stroll as you gaze at the twinkling stars above. We’ll enjoy hot chocolate and treats before going outdoors for a stargazing stroll to look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge.

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 for a portion of the session, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Sturdy shoes, lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.

If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

Valentine’s weekend: Stars and Moon walk

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Celebrate love under the night sky at our Stars and Moon walk event! Join us at the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre for a romantic evening surrounded by nature’s beauty. Enjoy a gentle stroll as you gaze at the twinkling stars above. We’ll enjoy hot chocolate and treats before going outdoors for a stargazing stroll to look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge.

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 for a portion of the session, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Sturdy shoes, lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.

If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.