Posts for January, 2024

Over two days and nights we will look for Dark Bordered Beauty in the Aspen stands of the Dee, Aberdeenshire. This species is scarce and will require a focused trapping effort as well as daytime searches. We will also operate traps at higher altitude to try for a couple of Scottish specialities. Target Species include Dark Bordered Beauty, Northern Dart and secondary species include Northern Arches, Cousin German, Chestnut-coloured Carpet, Grey Mountain Carpet, Pretty Pinion, Dark Tussock and Scotch Annulet. Two nights, two days, starting on the evening of 2nd August, finishing lunchtime 4th August.

We will be showing the film ‘The Bough Breaks’ which has, at its heart, the work of visionary conservationist and ecologist, Alan Watson Featherstone. His charity, Trees for Life, has been restoring Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forest since the 1980s.

The film also explores the wider ‘Rewilding’ movement and how its model of large-scale forest restoration can mitigate some of the global conservation and climate crises currently threatening life on Earth.

Alan’s personal journey illustrates the urgency for more individual responsibility in the stewardship of our planet and the enormous legacy one man can gift to the future, by staying true to his personal vision.

This award-winning film (75mins) was produced by the small team at Mousehole films and the screening will be followed by a Q & A session with the film makers.

Tea and coffee will be available.

Contributors to the film include those listed below, who each explain how Alan’s approach has inspired them and why it is so important we follow his lead:

– George Monbiot (Orwell prize-winning journalist, activist and author of Feral and Regenesis)
– Roy Dennis MBE (pre-eminent conservationist and author of Restoring the Wild)
– Dr Duncan Halley (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research)
– Shaila Rao (Ecologist, Mar Lodge Estate/BBC Springwatch/Winterwatch)
– Dr David Hetherington (Ecologist and author of the Lynx and Us)
– Dr Louise Ross (University of Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences)
– Paul, Sophie and Louise Ramsay (Bamff Wildland)
– Lynn Bowser (Argaty Red Kites)
– Molly Doubleday (RSPB Capercaillie Advisory Officer)

Boat of Garten’s Family Fun Day is back!! Put the date in your diary today!
The day will be packed with family fun and games, a Makers Market and Food Trucks with awesome cuisine.
📅 Saturday 22 June 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
If you are interested in holding a stall, or showcasing your produce, please get in touch.

Are Car Boot Sales your ‘thing’? If so, book in for our first sale – it’s in August this year!
📅 Sunday 25 August 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), September (outdoor) and October (indoor) this year.
If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.

Remember, remember… the 29th of September!
📅 Sunday 29 August 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), September (outdoor) and October (indoor) this year.
If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.

At the Outdoor Draughts Board at The Square, Grantown-on-Spey – Opening of the 2024 Season. All welcome.

🌈 Calling all adventurers! 🚀

The Gruffalo is making a special appearance at Landmark Forest Adventure Park at intervals on February 10th and 11th, 2024! 🌲 Plan your visit and immerse yourself in the wonder of the deep dark wood 🐍🦊🦉

Come along and meet the beloved character and remember to bring your cameras as there will be lots of photo opportunities 📸✨ As well as a visit to the park and accessing all the usual attractions you can also meet this favourite Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler character.

Book tickets to the park at: www.landmarkpark.co.uk

Thrive is first and foremost about riding bikes! This is one of the UK’s top cycling areas and we want to celebrate this! This is a family orientated events and we strive to make sure we have something for everyone at our event. Keep an eye on our socials and website for event updates.

Glenshee likes to keep us on our toes. Historically, there has either been not enough snow or too much snow. However, there is no denying when Glenshee is good, she is very good.

If conditions allow, we do plan to hold the British Skimo Championships on Saturday 16th March 2024 at Glenshee.

For those in the know, there seems to be little point in advertising a course because it always changes. Who knows where we will go but there will be multiple ascents and descents. There is very likely to be more than one lap with a harsh cut off time – dictated by the fastest racer of the day. The final course will only be known on the day but the maps below will give some idea for ideal conditions. The fastest racer is declared the winner.

We will plan to race on Saturday 16th March but if the conditions are unfavourable we will race on the Sunday. We will not reschedule this race if we have to cancel.

Image credit Ed Smith.

The LDWA organises many challenge events and local group social walks, as well as listing many more organised by other organisations.

This year they are taking on the Speyside 100 – a challenge event which is 100 miles long, none stop and must be completed within a defined time limit

(Social walks are normally led walks of around 20 miles – click here to go to the LDWA website to find out more).