Posts for March, 2024

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Have you ever been night walking on Glenlivet Estate? Come and join the dark-side! Join us at The Carrachs Dark Sky Discovery site in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park for a night walk and stargazing session. We’ll look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. After dusk the Braes of Glenlivet are an exciting place to walk and explore, and with eyes wide and senses alert you can experience the Estate like never before. Use you senses to listen for nocturnal animals and birds and marvel at the night sky.

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.

Please note that there are no toilets or facilities on site but parking is plentiful. As we will be outside in February, 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 wet and wintry conditions.

In the event of inclement weather attendees will be emailed with updates on the day.

Supported by the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

The Newtonmore Games have always been based on tradition and 2024 will be no different.

We have for your entertainment at least four Pipe Bands taking part in a spectacular festival of colour and sound.

As usual we have the spectacular sights of the Clan Macpherson Annual Rally and March to the Games. We expect to welcome many clansmen from all parts of the globe.

A great crowd pleaser as always are the heavy events which consist of many varied disciplines of strength and skill.

The highland dancing is another very popular attraction as the dancers perform their intricate moves to the sound of the pipes.Dancers from all over the world are competing this year.

You will find at the top end of the field the lone pipers competing in the Pibroch and Strathspey and Reel all hoping to please the judges.

Also on display are the athletes, young and old running sprints and middle distance races. The kids events are not to be missed.

On the athletics front,the Creag Dhubh hill race is a must to watch with runners competing from all over the country.

The 2024 Newtonmore Highland Games are a fantastic day out for all the family.

Checkout our Video of Highlights of Newtonmore Games

Join Curlew LIFE and RSPB Scotland for an evening of fascinating talks, nature-inspired arts and crafts, musical tunes and poetry readings to celebrate waders as they return to Strathspey and Badenoch to breed.

Local artists and musicians will focus on the inspiration and joy waders bring to our creative minds, and everybody is welcome to join in!

Strathspey and Badenoch is currently a hotspot for these ground nesting birds, but even here their future is not secured. This evening will also be the perfect opportunity to learn more about the threats these birds face in our area and what Curlew LIFE is doing to secure the future of Curlews.

6pm – 7pm:
Complementary welcome drink and appetisers with wader arts and crafts. (Boathouse restaurant)
7pm – 7.30pm:
Welcome by Curlew LIFE (Ptarmigan Dome)
7.30pm – 8.15pm:
Music and poetry readings (Ptarmigan Dome)
8.15pm – 9pm:
Arts and crafts Gallery (Boathouse Restaurant)
9pm -10pm:
Music and poetry readings (Ptarmigan Dome)

A licensed bar is available throughout the evening.

Free, but booking is essential and limited placed are available – please email thijs.claes@rspb.org.uk to secure your place.

(Guests are also welcome to order a curry buffet at £19.95 at the Boathouse Restaurant’s curry night before the event, from 4.45pm. Please contact them directly and well in advance to reserve a table.)

Celebrating the longest day, with a solid dose of dancing. It’s been a long time in the making and a bit of a musical bucket list moment for team OBI, but finally we welcome SambaYaBamba to rock your world. Here’s what they say…..

Pure, organic, dance music – powerful and irresistible. SambaYaBamba is a musical tour-de-force hailing from the sundrenched streets of tropical Glasgow. A 30-odd-piece drumming bateria and brass section rooted in the musical traditions of the Brazilian carnaval yet at the same time, very much tailored to a the Glasgow crowd. They are equally at home on a huge stage, in a street parade or in a basement club. Their set twists and turns from full scale samba to drum and bass and beyond with a tightness and commitment to the rhythm that is a joy to behold. Local legends and loved across the samba scene.

And who better to jump on the DJ float for this carnival, but Karawane. DJ / producer / promotoer of good music and good causes, Afrobeat – salsa – cumbia – world edits – proper party music dug from the crates of the globe.

Your host OC will also play spin a few numbers, in celebration of a 15th summer at the helm of this wonderful river side oasis.

Food trucks, outside bar – fun fun fun – sun sun sun.

Kids welcome, dogs on leads, leave no trace, be nice, good vibes only.

(then hang around for Sunday night, as Scotland take on Hungary in our potential Euro decider)

An all day, outdoor free party, on the banks of the river spey.

The Pine Marten Bar and Shred Sleds are proud to present THE PINE MTN LAB!

This is not your average comp – we have Shred Sleds snow skates to demo all day. Features for all abilities for snow skating and snowboarding and prizes galore from all our amazing sponsors, supporting the event along with an awesome raffle.

Dj’s from all over will be spinning all day to keep up the hype, followed by an after party inside the Bar.

There will be a BBQ going on alongside Highland Slice serving up some awesome Pizza!

This is not an event you will want to miss – get involved, get your pals involved, come shred, come spectate and come sesh!

Hoorna Good Times Guaranteed!

The Integrated Land Use Conference will take place in, and around Kingussie.

Organiser: UHI

The Integrated Land Use conference will take place 26 – 28 March 2024 in, and around Kingussie.

This year will be focussing on where we have come from and where we are going in terms of land management and use. What has changed and what has worked. Many aspects will be discussed like community, attitude/behaviour evolution, inclusivity, diversity, forestry, agriculture, wildlife and game management, energy, tourism and many more exciting topics.

The event will be packed with a mix of field-based and conference-style activities and talks. The speakers will share their knowledge and specialist expertise in the sector, and it will be a fantastic networking opportunity. We are looking forward to seeing you all at the conference.

Following a very successful and popular 2023 Youth Challenge, the event will return in 2024 and again hosted at Badaguish by the Speyside Trust.

This popular fundraising event has will again be an exciting weekend with Problem Solving and Skills Development as well as Orienteering and Camping.

Teams of 4 of school pupils aged 13-16 will compete by age group.

* Please email events@badaguish.org should you wish further information or are considering entering a team.

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust in The Square, Tomintoul for an all ages telescope moon viewing session. The first quarter moon on the 16th is a great time to view and learn about the moon. We’ll meet at Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre at 43 The Square, Tomintoul.

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.

We’ll have the Celestron telescope and a smartphone bracket on the night that will allow you to take the moon home in your pocket!

Toilets are available in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre.

If the weather isn’t suitable on the day, we’ll endeavour to run an alternative session in the days following.
As we will be outside in March, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Please also wear appropriate shoes for wet, and wintry conditions.

Come and enjoy our farmers market in the middle of Grantown On Spey. Lots of producers sharing their wonderful produce.