Posts for March, 2024

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for an introduction to Pictish art and symbol stones. We will be looking at four Pictish 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 will show how the Picts contributed to the shaping 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.

Access to Inveraven Church 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.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Children are very welcome to attend. Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland’s vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle is an impressive medieval fortification standing on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon. Once we get to the castle, you’ll learn a bit about the architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow in Moray’s history.

This castle has recently reopened after masonry repairs. Access to the first floor is once again possible via a narrow, stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the The Drumin Castle car park. There is a short diversion to the castle car park via the B9136. This short circular walk will start from the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. Access is by foot along a pedestrian trail and will return by a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Toilets are not available on site.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was not occupied after this time. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was not occupied after this time. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul for an all ages stargazing session. We’ll have a briefing 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.

Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre and limited amenities are available in Tomintoul. 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 wet conditions. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

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.