Posts for August, 2024

Helped by expert scythers, we’ll be spending the day learning how to make and manage wildflower meadows. You’ll have a chance to learn the basics of how to use a scythe, as well as identifying different wildflowers and the invertebrates that use them. We’ll also discuss meadow management, the importance of species like yellow-rattle, and initiatives such as no-mow May.

Beautiful, biodiverse, and brimming with life, wildflower meadows are a key ally in the climate and biodiversity emergencies. However, in the UK we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s. Here at Mar Lodge we are managing more of our grounds around the Lodge as traditional wildflower meadows, and our delighted to give you the opportunity to undertake a spot of traditional meadow management in the historic surroundings of Mar Lodge.

This is a free event, supported by the Cairngorms Trust.

Booking is essential as there are limited places.

You’ll need sturdy footwear (e.g. walking boots) and suitable clothing including waterproofs, and water and snacks.

Please note that in the case of particularly poor weather conditions, this event may be re-scheduled.

For more information, please call us on 01339720164.

Join the rangers for an afternoon stroll along the River Dee and around the grounds of Mar Lodge, and hear all about the history of this place, and the work we do. The tour gives you an opportunity to see inside the Lodge, Chapel and Stag Ballroom, which are not normally open to the public.

The tour finishes in the Dining Room, where you can enjoy Tea/Coffee and biscuits (included in the price) in this historic setting….and can ask us questions about Mar Lodge Estate that we haven’t already answered.

PLEASE NOTE that this is an extended tour, which includes an hour’s stroll outdoors. This gives us time to tell you a lot more about the estate: how it is managed, the wildlife we have, local history, extreme weather events etc. So if you are only interested in the history of the lodge itself, or are unable to manage a 1hr walk, our ‘ Mar Lodge – Guided tour ‘ events on Eventbrite might be more suitable.

Tour starts at 2pm from the Stables Building, and finishes at 4:30pm in the lodge.

Tickets are £12 per adult; children (under 16) are free; NTS members £9 per adult.

Booking is essential as places are limited. Call 01339 720164 for more information or simply book your place here on Eventbrite.

We will send you directions in your order confirmation.

Ranger Ramble: Explore the Dava Moor

This gentle Ranger Ramble at Dava Moor offers a serene stroll through a typical Highland moorland, with bogs, a lochan and even a few trees!

Bring your binoculars if you have them, but we’ll be concentrating on the botany and beasties, with some history thrown in too…hopefully we’ll get some gorgeous wildlfowers and weather permitting, a butterfly or two!

As we’re focusing on slow observation rather than brisk walking, this wee event is suitable for all – including good dogs.

Any queries please phone: 07818 588 222

Meeting place by the ‘Jesus Saves’ rock on the Nairn to Grantown road. Ignore the map!

We’re excited to be launching our much-loved nature photography workshops at Highland Wildlife Park this year, with renowned professional photographer Laurie Campbell.

The workshops consist of tutorials as well as a tour of Highland Wildlife Park taking in a number of different settings and animals – big and small, stripes and all. Laurie will be with you for the entire day, giving personal attention to each participant as well as sharing many tricks of the trade.

Laurie was a keeper at Edinburgh Zoo before embarking on a highly successful thirty-year career as a nature photographer and has now returned as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) nature photographer in residence. He has over thirty-five years’ experience in leading photographic workshops, has illustrated and authored several books – including the bestselling ‘RSPB Guide to Bird & Nature Photography’ – and has won twenty-three awards in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. In 2014 he was awarded the RSPB’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A selection of his work can be viewed at lauriecampbell.com

Please read the full Nature Photography Workshop Terms and Conditions here before booking a place.

For further information please contact events@rzss.org.uk

Join us in Abernethy Forest for a behind the scenes masterclass with Cairngorms Connect Venison.

* Cairngorms Connect deer stalkers will talk about the methods, equipment, ethics, and sustainability of deer stalking for conservation management and will give a hands on demonstration of lardering the deer.
* A local butcher will then teach us about preparing all the different cuts of meat and what they are best used for, and you can even have a go yourself.
* We will then relocate to the tepee at the Dell of Abernethy for a live cooking demo over the fire by a local professional chef. Discover creative venison dishes and different ways to incorporate venison easily into our diet.
* And finally, we’ll share a meal of delicious dishes at a long communal table.

Please note the exact location of the event will be provided upon booking.

It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events.

We don’t want finance to be a barrier to people attending and so have made some tickets available for free or by donation – please take advantage of this if you need to.

Donations go towards our ongoing community engagement work, supporting more people to connect with this landscape. We’re able to offer these ticket options thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme.

We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.

Discover the stories of the hidden 18th Century seminary of Scalan and the lives of those who lived and worked there when it was farmed during the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Soak up the atmospheric character of the landscape. Wander around the seminary building which provides information on how the Catholic faith was kept alive in this small glen as well as peeling wallpaper fragments from when it later became a home for those working the site as a farm.

See inside the two mill buildings, including areas that are usually locked, and get a glimpse of what everyday life was like for those who lived and worked here during the 19th and 20th Centuries from their own hands. The wooden walls are daubed with handwritten, dated snippets of everyday life.

The left behind objects tell their own tale of those who lived and worked here. The restored waterwheel will also be turning bringing back the sounds of the past. Videos will be playing which provide information on the whole history of the site and the surrounding Braes of Glenlivet.

There will be volunteers onsite to answer questions and bring the history of the site alive with their own stories, memories and knowledge. Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 pm.

Parking is at the Carrachs Car Park with a 0.5mile (approx) walk along a farm track to the site. The short walk in takes in the stunning scenery of the Braes of Glenlivet. There is one parking space for restricted mobility only onsite, but please note this is accessed via a rough farm track and the site is not fully wheelchair accessible.

Donations to the Scalan Association on the day are most appreciated and help them to care for this special place.

Children are very welcome to attend.
Toilets are available on site. There is also a picnic area and benches.
For further information please contact scalanseminaryandmills@gmail.com and look out on Facebook.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that late Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

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.

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

Experience wellness travel at its finest with our carefully curated active getaway that seamlessly fuse adventure, fitness, and relaxation. Embark on an unforgettable journey toward improved wellbeing in a location that’s nothing short of breath-taking.

This retreat is perfect for solo travellers, small groups or couples, and promises an invigorating blend of wellness activities, beautiful scenery, nutritious locally sourced meals, and rejuvenating experiences amidst the stunning Cairngorms National Park.


DAY 1:

The adventure begins with a leisurely hike, leading you to an incredible viewpoint before we gather around the dining table to enjoy our first evening meal together, savouring local cuisine, prepared by our private chefs.

DAY 2:

After breakfast, we kick off the day with a group boot camp style workout, accommodated to all fitness levels, with the scenic backdrop of the surrounding mountains.

Following a hearty lunch, take some well-deserved time for yourself, indulging in relaxation and self-care, before a 2-hour group walk that will lead you to the cascading River Feshie and to a secluded waterfall. Immerse yourself in the fresh Highland waters with a wild dip (optional).

DAY 3:

Get up close and personal with the majestic wild reindeer that freely roam Cairngorm Mountain. These gentle creatures are not only approachable, but can also be hand-fed.

Following this unique encounter, we head to the hills to push ourselves physically to be rewarded with panoramic views of the Cairngorm Mountains.

After lunch at the lodge, we embark on an adventure through the pine forest, this time on quad bikes, before some well-deserved relaxation in our riverside wood-fired sauna.

As night falls, we conclude the retreat by gathering around the riverside campfire (weather dependant), reflecting on the cherished memories created and the lasting connections made.

Join us on this extraordinary adventure, where the Cairngorms National Park becomes the backdrop for your health and wellness transformation.

Ready, set, run!
New year, new challenge? Let’s go.

Start 2026 on a high—literally. The Loch Morlich Running Festival is back for its 8th year, and it’s going to be our biggest yet.

Whether you’re chasing a PB or just want a reason to shake off the Hogmanay cobwebs, this run through the stunning Glenmore Forest and along the shores of Loch Morlich is pure magic.

Crisp air, unreal views, and a buzzing atmosphere—that’s how we do January.

Go animal tracking around the Grantown area with expert tracker Dan Puplett, a two hour walk learning to spot the signs of birds and animals in the wild. great for families!