When is this event?
Moray’s earliest surviving tower house is 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.
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 Heritage Ranger led castle 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 fantastic views over the glen. 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 never repaired or 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.
Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Peaking on December 13th, the Geminids are set to be the most impressive meteor shower of 2023. Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and TGDT to experience this special celestial phenomena.
The meteors of the Geminid meteor shower are very bright, moderately fast, and are unusual in being multi-coloured – mainly white, some yellow and a few green, red and blue. These colours are partly caused by the presence of traces of metals like sodium and calcium, the same effect that is used to make fireworks colourful.
Please meet at the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre at 18:30 and come dressed for outdoor weather. We’ll have a briefing in the Discovery Centre before taking a short walk down to the Field of Hope or over to the school field dependent on conditions. Parking is available in the square. If the weather isn’t suitable on the night a presentation will take place indoors at the Discovery Centre and the Dark Skies Exhibition will be accessible.
Suggested donation of £5 will contribute to our local lighting improvement plan in the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.
Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Run Balmoral is a two-day running festival, plus mountain bike duathlon, catering for all age groups.
It is held in the stunning grounds of the Balmoral Estate with the famous Castle providing a spectacular backdrop. All races are held on traffic-free roads and trails, offering wonderful views of the Deeside countryside and the Cairngorm mountains.
In addition to the races, there’s a vibrant Event Village offering a range of quality catering facilities and numerous fun activities for children.
It’s a true family day out.
Brooklynn Guest House and Strathspey tours will be holding guided Stargazing tours during November and December, guests will be taken out into a dark sky area in the Cairngorms and guided through the dark sky, identifying constellations and the planets. These tours are ideal for beginners and families. Contact us for further information .
Come and join us to turn on the Christmas Tree Lights on the Village Green. There will be hot chocolate, mince pies, gluhwein, some Christmas carols & loads festive cheer! Children invited to come along at 3.45pm.
We can Forest Bathe all year round and during winter we can seek shelter under the vast Scots Pine canopy and with the chance of crisp, clear skies we’ll combine our forest bathing session with star gazing once our eyes have woken up to the darkness and tuned in to our surroundings.
Forest Bathing Walks, or Shinrin-yoku is the practice of immersing yourself in nature; ‘bathing’ in the awesome goodness that trees release into the atmosphere; reaping the benefits from magic little things called ‘phytoncides’ and receiving mental calmness from the fractal patterns, vibrant shades of green and calming blues around us – what better place to do this than the Cairngorms National Park.
We shall aim to be out for 1 hour and I will guide you through a series of ‘meditations’ aimed at opening your senses and reconnecting you with yourself and the environment around you. My co-guide Pete, will spend time interpreting the night sky for us and allowing us time to explore the stars before we finish with tea, hot chocolate and festive snacks to bring our experience to a close and thank the land we have been supported by during the session.
Loch Garten, Abernethy Reserve – meet at Loch Mallachie Car Park.
Ready, set, run!
New year, new goals. Why not kickstart the year as you mean to go on?
Back for its 5th year, join the team at Fitnessat58° for our increasingly popular Loch Morlich Running Festival. Set for Saturday 6th January 2024 from 10am, this event is located at the heart of the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park.
An event designed for everyone, participants will make their way through the canopy of Glenmore Forest towards the shores of Loch Morlich beach. Whether in competition or simply for fun, take part with family and friends on our 5K or 10K run.
And, if running isn’t your cup of tea, why not sign up to walk the beautiful forest track?
Starting at Hayfield, Glenmore, the day will begin with a warm up session led by Fitnessat58° instructor and Team GB athlete, Sam Cairns. Following the forest tracks, you will then be guided by marshals towards Loch Morlich beach where you will be greeted by delicious home bakes and your team of supporters… not to mention one of our handmade wooden medals to keep as a reminder of your success.
Whether you are just starting out in the sport, or an experienced triathlete chasing a PB, this event will give you the chance to push yourself whilst experiencing some of the best views the Cairngorms has to offer.
Join us at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre on Saturday 8thh June 2024!
Registration will be open from 9:30am at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, giving you plenty of time to set up your transition zone.
Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns will lead an event brief and warm up on Loch Insh beach at 11:45am, before the race begins at 12pm.
The race will start and finish is at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. There will be vehicles available for you to leave your belongings during the race.
Car parking will be available at the Kincraig Shinty Pitch, next to the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, just two minute walk from the car park to registration.
The Speyside Triathlon Distances
1. 500m swim
2. 18km cycle – 70% gravel/forest tracks and 30% road
3. 10km run – 90% gravel/forest tracks and 10% road
What is required?
- Wetsuit (optional but recommended – our partners Tiso have an excellent open water swimming range, check it out in store or online!)
- Mountain bike and helmet. Gravel bikes are also acceptable
- Bike repair kit (optional – please note we cannot accommodate bike repairs along the course)
- Running shoes
- Warm, dry kit for after the race
- Personal snacks, gels and water
What’s included?
- Entry fee
- Warm up with Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns
- Chip timing and results sent out on the day
- A well deserved medal at the finish
- Photos of the event free of charge
- Full first aid cover
- Enthusiastic marshals to cheer you on
- Water stops along the course
- Prizes for the top three female and male athletes
- An exclusive Speyside Triathlon discount at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre AND Tiso outdoor shop located in Aviemore
It wasn’t so long ago that vibrant, wild forest stretched across much of Scotland. Beavers and cranes were at home in extensive wetlands. Salmon and trout filled the rivers. Lynx, wolf and wild boar stalked wooded glades. Today, although it’s easy to be seduced by the raw beauty of the landscape, Scotland has become one of the most ecologically depleted nations on Earth.
It doesn’t have to be this way. A bold vision for the future is slowly emerging where nature works, where wildlife flourishes and crucially, where people thrive. It’s called rewilding.
Using stunning imagery created by the SCOTLAND: The Big Picture photography team, this presentation showcases the country’s beauty and drama, but also poses an intriguing question: What should Scotland look like?
Where is this event being held?
Please park at the The Drumin Castle car park. 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.
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