Posts for October, 2024

Jess Tomes and Jeremy Roberts recount the revival of the Osprey in Scotland and the rise of the Cairngorms Connect project. From early conservation efforts to the UK’s largest habitat restoration initiative, this talk highlights the stunning landscapes, wildlife, and rewilding projects that continue to shape the future of the Scottish Highlands.

David Balharry celebrates the John Muir Trust’s 40 years of conservation work, from Ben Nevis to Sandwood Bay. Named after the Scots-born founder of the modern conservation movement, the Trust preserves wild landscapes while advocating for sustainable conservation. Discover their achievements and the exciting future plans to protect the UK’s most iconic wild spaces.

Come onto our farm for a magical Christmas experience.

Santa is visiting us on the 14th and 15th of December, he has lost his reindeer and needs to find some animal replacements before Christmas Eve.

Our Alpacas think they are Reindeer, the Donkeys have visted Bethlehem, our Goats have escaped into Candy Lane and the Highland Cows are getting in the festive spirit.

•Santa’a Grotto and gift.

•Hot drinks and Baking stand.

•Kids Crafts.

•Animal Interactions.

•Photo opportunities.

•Toilet and hand washing.

•On-site parking.

Entry is by booking only, so please make sure you have purchased the correct tickets. We are open in time slots, you can arrived anytime within your chosen time slot, but please make sure to leave at the session end time, we need to make the next session as magical as the previous for our next visitors.

There will be opportunities to purchased some carrots and small bags of food for the animals if you wish.

Hot drinks and baked goods will also be available, with the profits from these going to local community groups.

Come and join us at Newtownmore Golf Club for an evening for Bonfire Night Fun.

Bonfire and fireworks at 7pm, and bar and food available at the Club House from 5pm.

Everyone welcome!

Proudly sponsored by Newtonmore Winter Lights Association.

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and members of the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Dark Sky Park Group at the Field of Hope, Tomintoul for a comet spotting session. Please meet at the Field of Hope from 6:00pm.*

The comet will be closest to Earth on October 12th with good visibility in the northern hemisphere. Assuming clear skies we hope to be able to see it in the telescope at the Field of Hope. As comets are notoriously unpredictable, there’s no way to know at this time exactly how bright this comet will become. The comet is named after the observatories that discovered it. In this instance it was discovered by the Tsuchinshan or “Purple Mountain” Observatory in Nanjing, China on January 9th, 2023 and also by the ATLAS telescope in South Africa on February 22nd, 2023.

We’ll have the Celestron telescope on hand for comet spotting.

(*If the weather conditions are unfavourable on the 12th, the event will run again on Sunday, October 13th.)

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. Not only does this remote area have stunning dark skies but it also has easy access allowing everyone to enjoy a night sky brimming with stars.

Public toilets are available in Tomintoul at Tomnabat Lane, opposite the public carpark. As we will be outside in October please dress appropriately for cool autumn conditions and changeable weather.

Limited parking is available at the Field of Hope, but you can also park in the village and walk down to the bird hide.

Tickets are free for this event. Donations are also always appreciated and can be made on the night if you wish.

Thanks for supporting our Dark Sky Park!

Join us for our annual New Years Day Dip!

This year we are raising funds for equipment and supplies for our local primary school.

🦌Alvie Primary 🦌

Times –
Arrival and parking from 9.30am
Dip 10.30 am
£10 Entry fee donation

WE ASK PARTICIPANTS TO SIGN UP ONLINE BEFORE 11AM ON 31st DECEMBER

FOOD AND DRINK
The Boathouse Restaurant will be open for Breakfasts and tables will be on a first come first served basis

We will also be offering takeaway breakfast rolls and hot drinks between 10am and 11am

PARKING
Please allow some extra time for parking as this can get quite busy and car share as much as you can!

We are limiting numbers this year to aid parking Please book your slot here online to and please fill your cars to the max!!

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul for an all ages stargazing session during the new moon. We’ll have a presentation in the Discovery Centre before walking down to a nearby stargazing site in a group 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 the most northerly in the world.

The new moon is an ideal time to go stargazing as the moon is not visible in the sky, which means there is no moonlight to wash out the light from fainter stars.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for potentially wet and wintry conditions.

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

Toilets are available in Tomintoul and in the Discovery Centre.

Suggested donation £5 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.

The Cairngorm 100 Endurance Ride is a bi-annual point to point race across the stunning scenery of the Cairngorm National Park.

Starting at Glen Clova, horse and rider partnerships will tackle the climb up the Capel Mounth before travelling down to Loch Muick, through Balmoral to Invercauld, then heading to Tomintoul and finishing at Nethy Bridge.

Horses have to be checked at Vet Gates along the route to ensure they are fit and coping with the race.

Join Us for an Enchanting Journey through the Ancient Forest!

Immerse yourself in a magical experience filled with twinkling lights, mesmerizing sounds, and captivating effects as you explore over 1 km of woodland trails, including the Tree Top and Red Squirrel Trail, illuminated by 50,000 lights.

New this year, we’re excited to introduce the Red Squirrel Trail—an elevated adventure that takes you eight meters up into the treetops! From this thrilling height, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the lights, offering a fresh perspective on the forest’s beauty. This illuminated trail is part of the Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS, enhancing the magic of the ancient pinewood forest.

Accessed through the Ancient Forest Adventure, this trail offers a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind experience from the treetops. Get ready for an unforgettable journey like no other!

Starting November 23rd, experience the Ancient Forest bathed in the glow of Twi-LIGHTS on weekends (Fridays to Sundays), during the Christmas holiday period (Dec 20-31, excluding Dec 24 & 25), and during February Half Term (Feb 8-19).

Twi-LIGHTS Hours:
Nov 23rd – Jan 5th: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Last entry at 5:30 pm)
February Half Term (Feb 8-19): 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Last entry at 7:30 pm)

Discover nature on Atholl Estates this Autumn. Our Ranger, Julia, has an action-packed programme during October.

From Children’s events like mud pie making in the forest and crafting your own bird feeder, to rewarding volunteer days and nourishing Autumnal walks for adults.

Contact Julia@atholl-estates.co.uk 01796 481355 for more information.

Information Centre: The Information Centre is the white building at the back of the Bridge of Tilt car park.

Volunteer Session
Saturday 5th October 10am – 1pm
Location TBC

Book onto this volunteer session with Julia, where you could be planting trees, maintaining paths or surveying the different species on the estate. Please email julia@atholl-estates.co.uk ahead of the session to book your place and to find out more info.

Castle Grounds Nature Walk
Sunday 6th October time TBC
Blair Castle

Join Julia for a guided 1-hour walk through Diana’s Grove and St. Bride’s.

This walk is perfect for those looking to enjoy nature and learn some interesting things about the nature on the grounds at Blair Castle. Please note, the walk will only proceed if the wind stays within safe limits.

Meet Julia at the deer park in the Blair Castle grounds. Participants will need to have a valid gardens ticket.

All About Owls!

Saturday 12th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Join Ranger Julia for the well-loved story ‘Owl Babies,’ followed by making your own owl nest and playing some fun owl-related games. You’ll also learn some fascinating facts about our magnificent feathered friends.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Mud Pies In The Forest

Wednesday 16th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park

Join the Ranger (or should we say Head Chef Julia?) in the forest to make some mud pies. We will be decorating them with leaves, berries, and sticks we have foraged. We will provide spoons and crockery for digging and making our pies!

Best for: Age 3 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.

Parents: Waterproof suits, messy clothes, and wellies are recommended for this activity. Please bring wipes or water to clean little hands after the session.

Spells and Magic In The Forest

Thursday 17th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park

Join Ranger Julia in the woods and delve into the world of spells, wands, and magic. Children will make and decorate their own wands and create potions that make magical things happen.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.

Parents: Waterproof suits and wellies are recommended for this activity. We may require you to play along and pretend the children have turned invisible!

Make Your Own Bird Feeder

Saturday 19th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre, Blair Atholl

Autumn is a critical time for our feathered friends as they need to gear up for the colder months! During this activity, children will make their own simple bird feeder to take home, allowing them to look after the birds in their garden.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: We will be filling our bird feeders with nuts, so this activity may not be suitable for those with nut allergies. Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Visitor Centre Signage Launch

Wednesday 23rd October 1pm – 4pm
Information Centre

Join our Ranger and Marketing Manager, Jess, for a special “show and tell” of the new signage in the visitor centre.

Drop in any time to explore the new displays and feel free to ask Julia or Jess any questions about volunteer days or opportunities with Atholl Estates. Refreshments will be provided.

The signage was part-funded by a grant from the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Spooky Activities

Thursday 24th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Join the Ranger (or should we say Witch Gertrude?) for some Halloween fun, games, and spooky laughter. Activities could include earning points by throwing bean bags into pumpkins or bobbing for apples. Spooky costumes are encouraged!

Best for: Age 5 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Autumn Crafts

Saturday 26th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Autumnal crafts and colouring session. Come along and create something autumnal to get us in the mood for the season. We could be collaging hedgehogs or creating things with leaves to take home.

Best for: Age 3 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. A donation pot will be available at each event, and we would greatly appreciate any contribution you feel is appropriate for the session you attend.

All proceeds go directly to The Cairngorms to help care for wildlife, maintain paths and car parks. Ensuring both our enjoyment of the outdoors and the thriving of natural habitats.