Posts for January, 2025

This is 12 season that we have hosted the event up the Cairngorm mountain resort. The weekend consists of demos backcountry seminars and a fun wee race. The moneys we raise from the legendry raffle goes towards the Cairngorm mountain rescue team. All event info is on the Facebook page and information can be found on Instagram.

Thunder in the Glens, by Dunedin Chapter Scotland (9083).

The Biggest and best Chapter run Rally in Europe. This event is held in the grounds of the MacDonald Resort and the event is supported by the whole of Aviemiore.

A must-do part of the Harley-Davidson rally scene.

Images credit Andy Martin

Join us for a monthly Wildlife Wander with our knowledgeable Volunteer Wardens to see some of the amazing wildlife at RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes NNR.

In April and May, we will see the lush green Aspen leaves trembling and hopefully a variety of bird species, including Curlew (which we may hear calling), Lapwing and Snipe (which could be displaying) and song birds singing through the trees. During sunny intervals early butterflies like Orange Tip and Small Tortoiseshell will be flying.

In June, the breeding season is well underway so young birds and other creatures like Roe Deer will be keeping their parents busy. Lapwing chicks will be feeding, running and hiding while relying on their camouflage and their parents to defend them. The marshes and trail are full of life and colourful scented flowers including orchids.

In July, the breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow. Colourful wildflowers include sweetly scented orchids, which attract beautiful butterflies and dragonflies. We will lookout for the scarce Scotch Argus butterfly which feeds on flowers like sunshine-yellow Rock Rose.

In August, the vibrant purple heather should be in full flower and Field Gentian may be coming into bloom. Wildflowers like Knapweed and Devil’s-bit Scabious provide nectar for butterflies. We will lookout for the nationally scarce Scotch Argus butterfly which breeds on the reserve and can be the most common butterfly to be seen this month. Dragonflies like Black Darter and the impressively large Golden Ringed may also be spotted.

September is a good time to look out for raptors like Hen Harriers hunting over the marshes. Buzzards are common and may be seen along the Tromie Trail. Butterflies and dragonflies will continue to fly as long as the weather is warm and sunny – Scotch Argus, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock and Black Darter are most likely. Many summer flowers have come and gone, but the blues and purples of Harebell, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Common Heather (Ling) and Bell Heather can be seen along the Tromie Trail. Other flowers may include the whites of Yarrow and Eyebright and the yellow of Lady’s Bedstraw.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Join Cairngorms Connect to get hands on doing practical habitat restoration work.

Help us to block up old, but still active, ditches on a small area of bog woodland in Glenmore Forest, using hand tools and wood. The aim is to hold more water in the peat, slow the loss of water from the site and to benefit the bog vegetation.

Tools and work gloves will be provided, as will instructions so no experience is necessary.

However, please note this is a physically demanding volunteering session, which includes walking roughly 2km to site and moving around on rough and wet ground with drainage ditches.

It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events. We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.

Glenlivet Trail Day – Women Only
Join us for an exciting day of mountain biking at Bike Glenlivet! Get ready to hit the trails and experience the thrill of mountain biking skills in the beautiful Glenlivet Estate. We will gather at Bike Glenlivet to kick off this amazing event which combines coaching, a guided ride, stunning scenary and of course great vibes.

Bike Glenlivet, tucked away in the heart of Glenlivet Estate, is the perfect location for beginner and intermediate riders. It has an amazing variety of confidence inspiring trails, set within gorgeous scenery. Your cheeks will hurt from grinning!

We will begin this incredible day with a full morning of coaching covering FUNdamentals to trail riding and riding features such as rocks, small drops, rollers and berms, working on control, technique and most importantly building your confidence. We’ll have lunch at the amazing trailside cafe before heading out for a guided ride of Glenlivet’s best trails in the afternoon, where we’ll have the opportunity to put our new skills into practice. Our Glenlivet Trail Day is for adult riders wishing to have fun on blue and red trails with like minded individuals.

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.