Posts for April, 2024

Join foraging expert Tamara Colchester on a three-hour spring walk that will introduce participants to around 15 wild, edible and medicinal trees, flowers and plants, along with their etymology, folklore and how best to prepare them.

Learn as you go about poisonous plants, and how to safely identify and avoid them. This meditative, sensory walk will take you into the riotous abundance of spring, ending in a foraged herbal tea with delicious cakes and biscuits prepared with wild ingredients.

Ticket price: £45 per person, children (under 16 years old) £20.

Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm

When: Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th May

Where: The walk will take roughly 3 hours and will remain within the Gardens & Grounds of Blair Castle, so an ability to manage this distance is required.

About foraging expert, Tamara Colchester

Over the past eight years, Tamara has been studying wild plants and her journey began when she was carrying out research for a film about hunter-gatherers. Inspired by her initial findings, she embraced the idea of discovering how people can live off the land in the Northern Hemisphere and in particular the UK. She has built up an incredible knowledge of plants, their food and medicinal benefits, as well as becoming attuned to the seasons and understanding how our eating requirements change and adapt with the weather. In addition to learning about the plants, herbs, trees and flowers in the UK, she has also taken time to understand animal tracking, as to survive in the Northern Hemisphere an omnivore diet is essential.

We invite you to join us for a celebration of Ballindalloch Distillery, Whisky and Estate, an unmissable afternoon of whisky, food, music and fun.

Come and explore our beautiful Single Estate Distillery and discover what makes us unique in Speyside: our traditional manual production process and the circular economy within the Estate of our natural resources and by-products. From the very outset, the production of our Whisky was always destined to be “hands on”. With a clear commitment to tradition, the Single Estate nature of our process allows us to control every aspect of Whisky making. From the barley we grow at our Home Farm to the draff fed back to cattle across the Estate, we craft our Whisky in a way that generations past would have recognised.

Your ticket includes access to the Distillery production and operational areas. You will be joining us for an afternoon of Ballindalloch Single Malt Whisky drams, food from our Ballindalloch BBQ featuring Aberdeen Angus meat, the breed closely associated with Ballindalloch (a delicious vegan option will be available too) and tasty home-bakes from Lagmore Café.

As a family owned and working estate, the Macpherson-Grants invite you to experience many aspects of estate life through various fun activities. We will have archery, fly-fishing demonstrations (and for you to try), golf challenges, live music, and much more. Also, as Chieftain of the Aberlour Highland Games, current Laird, Guy Macpherson-Grant is looking forward to watching you join in some caber tossing and other Games sports. With so much to see & do, we guarantee you a great afternoon at Ballindalloch.

Spring Gathering Nethy Bridge Saturday 4th May, 1200-1600 – Nethy Bridge playing field.

Enjoy an afternoon out for all the family on our woodland area here in Nethy Bridge.

Many local crafters, fabulous food vendors, Local Charities and Groups have all signed up to showcase thier wares and promote what’s on throughout the year.

Our annual gathering also includes a tea tent with home baking and fun filled children’s activities such as an assault course and cookie decorating.

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.

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

Our goal is to challenge you physically and provide the ultimate mental escape in the midst of the stunning Cairngorms National Park.

Nestled within our secluded mountain lodge, the Cairngorms Experience Retreat offers a unique blend of outdoor fitness experiences and wellness adventure holidays. It’s the ideal destination for those seeking health and fitness vacations that transcend the ordinary.

This 2 Day Trek is for those who want to experience the psychological and physical wellbeing that the remote beauty and wildness of the Cairngorm mountains and glens bring. The sheer act of living, walking through and sleeping out in nature, unplugged from every day distractions can be life changing.

The Cairngorms is our home and we consider it to be a very special place. The only sub-arctic area of the UK, it is also home to a vast array of geological and biological interest. From its high rocky plateau and glacially carved corries, to its uniquely adapted wildlife and stunning alpine flora.

This trek will be over 2 days, and taken at a leisurely pace. It’s perfect for beginners and those looking to learn how to wild-camp responsibly, and gain skills and confidence to do so.

Our journey will start somewhere between Glenmore and Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre, depending on route and weather. It may take in more low-level environments such as the Caledonian Forest, or more of the rocky Cairngorm Plateau…

There’s a term we like to use here in Scotland, which is to “stravaig”, meaning to wander or roam, freely moving across the landscape however you feel. While we will follow a rough route decided by your guide, there will be plenty of opportunity to stravaig, hopefully allowing time to take in all of the beauty this part of the world brings.

Join us this Easter break from the 29th March- 15th April, where you can explore over 20 attractions and lots of Easter themed activity EGGS-tras all included in the ticket price!

What to expect this Easter?

We have some cool Easter-themed activities lined-up and fab prize giveaways starting with a ‘Chick Colouring Competition’ at The Butterfly House, with three ‘Easter Crafty Bundles’ up for grabs. Our ‘Golden Egg Competition’ in Bamboozeleum. How many golden eggs has the golden bunny collected for Easter…hm it’s anyones guess but if you do manage to work it out we have a ‘Giant Lindt Bunny’ for the lucky winner. The Easter bunny has been busy at Bunny Burrows in Wonderwood, there is one collassal carrot ready for harvest, but can anyone tell us how long it is- we have an 8-tier tower of boxed goodies for the winner of this ‘Giant Carrot Competition’! Enjoy dressing up as your favourite Spring character at Dress Up Corner and take a snapshot of your Landmark moment at our cool Easter display. If you like hunting for clues, follow the ‘Bunny Trail’ in Wonderwood and see if you can find the hidden bunny!!

Our park has over 20 attractions to keep the whole family entertained so your visit this Easter will be a brilliant jam-packed adventure!

A variety of local and talented vendors, from foodies to crafters, drinks, artists and everything in-between. Come support and shop local businesses, alongside providers in Aviemore. Based at The Winking Owl Craft Ale Pub and Bar in the heart of Aviemore. Keep an eye on our facebook page for any updates!

If you’re looking to add a sprinkle of adventure to your Easter celebrations, our Easter Adventure Trail ticks all the boxes!

We’ll kick off the day with some easter-themed archery games on the range where you’ll compete against one another to win a tasty chocolate egg trophy! Then after a fun-filled Easter egg hunt around our activity center, we’ll head to the BattleZone for some laser tag with an Easter twist!

You’ll want to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket though, as careful planning and team tactics will be required for you and your team to come out victorious on the battlefield.

When it comes to the mission objectives… Let’s just say the hunt for the Easter bunny is on!

Twelve little bunnies have hidden themselves around the Museum to quietly eat their carrots!

Keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot them hiding in the historic buildings.

Don’t forget to hop over to our gift shop before you leave to collect your prize!

No need to book – just turn up and buy your trail from reception.

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 April, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Please also wear appropriate shoes for wet conditions.