Posts for January, 2025

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.

The book launch of ‘Off-Piste Performance’ by Alison Thacker will be the first opportunity to see this exciting and insightful book in print, with signed copies available and the enjoyment of a social evening to chat with Alison and likeminded skiers to get excited about the season ahead!

Night Trail Race Events on the stunning Glen Tanar Estate in Aboyne – a breathtaking challenge.

The Aviemore Half Marathon and 10k for all – two jaw-droppingly scenic courses set amongst the atmospheric backdrop of the Cairngorms. Both races start and finish at Badaguish, taking you on spectacular routes using off-road trails through the beautiful forest, loch and mountain scenery of Glenmore Forest Park. This event is run by Badaguish on behalf of the Speyside Trust.

This half marathon and 10k event might be set amongst the mountains, but don’t let that put you off. Our routes have been planned with our runners in mind and involve no serious ascent or descent – just enough lift to leave you with some spectacular sweeping descents. Conditions are a mixture of mostly good solid forest tracks and paths, with a very short spell along the ski road for the half marathon – a normal good supportive running shoe is required.

The loch has been chosen for its superb water quality and spectacular surroundings. Coupled with fantastic MTB trails (forest road, easy track as well as sections of singletrack) in the forest, this is one of the very best locations in the UK for off-road racing.

“The Long Hard Durty”, this Standard distance race will be a stiff challenge on a tough course in a spectacular location. .

Long Hard Durty:

1,000m Open Water Swim, 18km Technical Mountain Bike, 9km Trail Run
“The Short Fast Durty”, this Sprint distance race will be a stiff but achievable challenge on a great course in a spectacular location.

Short Fast Durty:

500m Open Water Swim, 12km Mountain Bike, 5km Trail Run

Join us for an Open water swimming experience you will never forget.

In the heart of the Cairngorms and in the shadow of Cairngorm Mountain, join us for an open water swim in this truly spectacular location.

At 300 metres above sea level you can swim in a loch that has one of the highest beaches in the UK!