When is this event?
Members and supporters of Clan MacThomas from across the world will assemble at their traditional gathering place, Clach na Coileach (The Cockstane), in Glenshee.
The Clan Chief will address the clansfolk, there will be piping and traditional stories will be told.
The Ballater Highland Games are held annually on the second Thursday in August in Monaltrie Park, Ballater and in 2024 the Games will be held on Thursday 8th August.
There have been Games held in Ballater since 1864 and, apart from the war and pandemic years, the Games have continued uninterrupted until the present day. The Games have been honoured in recent times by visits from Their Majesties the King and Queen, The former, Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.
Many famous athletes and champions have competed at Ballater. Today the events form part of the circuits comprising the Glenfiddich Heavy Events Championship and the Grampian Games Qualifying Championship, which encourages the younger athletes to participate in the heavy and field events.
Ballater Highland Games prides itself in having something for everyone, young and old alike. On Games Day there are a number of varied trade stands, together with a funfair for the children. On occasion, personalities are to be seen, and one memorable day a military 25 pounder was fired to signal the start of the Hill Race.
The Junior Highland Games has been organised to allow children between the ages of 5 and 18 the opportunity to participate in games events normally reserved for adults and hopefully create interest for the future generations. The emphasis is on fun and is intended to provide educational experiences in an informal and participative way. The event will be held in the Braemar Games Field and has backing of The Braemar Highland Society.
Children will be able to participate as well as receive education and instruction in a number of traditional games events overseen by qualified instructors.
New competitors are welcome and instruction is provided. Events include highland dancing competition, piping competition and tug of war teams events.
Join our lichen expert for an accessible introduction to some of the species that thrive in the Caledonian forest. Whether you are an intrigued beginner or an avid naturalist, we aim to take you on a journey lichen no other!
The lichen walk will last 2-3 hours and will start from the Loch Garten Nature Centre car park. Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear.
A great trek if you’re new to multi-day trekking but want to experience the remoteness the Scottish Highlands can offer. Also good for those wanting an introduction to responsible wild-camping.
The Ben Avon plateau is distinguished by its sizeable granite tors. We will also experience the Sneck above the Garbh Choire and Mitre Ridge, famed for its remote rock climbing and golden eagles. Beinn a’ Bhuird at 1197 metres will be our highest point over the two days.
Munros:
– Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuide (Ben Avon)
– Beinn a’ Bhuird
All high quality and lightweight wild-camping equipment and food is included. Booking essential.
Scalan was originally the site of a secret Roman Catholic seminary where priests, known as ‘heather priests’ were trained in the 1700s when Catholicism was prohibited. Following the departure of the priests in 1799, Scalan reverted to a farm.
Two steading buildings were built housing corn threshing mills which served the Glenlivet farming community. The threshing machines and water wheels are still in place along with a wealth of historical graffiti telling the story of farming life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
A major project to conserve the mill buildings took place in 2019, restoring the waterwheel and lade in North Mill and improving visitor access to the site. This was funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Join members of the Scalan Association and Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia on a guided tour of the site and the mill buildings. In addition to being a special area of historical interest, this area of the Glenlivet Estate abounds with oystercatchers, curlews, and lapwings in the spring and summer months – be sure to bring your binoculars if you have them.
We will be meeting in the Carrachs car park before proceeding by foot along a farm track, 1km from the car park at the end of the public road. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.
Donations to the Scalan Association on the day are most appreciated and help them to care for this special place.
Children are very welcome to attend.
Toilets are available on site in the summer months.
Well behaved dogs are welcome in the mill buildings, but are not permitted in the seminary. Please note that sheep and other livestock live on site. Please be aware that there may be cattle present on the walk in.
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.
“Cathedral and Toun
Wyld wrath did engulf
Lone Lochindorb Castle
The lair of the Wolf”
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. 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 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.
Experience Insh Marshes from a new perspective!
Under the guidance of an instructor from Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, our team member will lead this special guided tour through the reserve, where you can experience the unique habitats and species at Insh Marshes from the water.
Choose either to canoe or paddleboard: feel free to bring your own if you have one, but don’t worry if not – thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes Programme through Cairngorms Connect, equipment hire is included with your ticket, if needed.
Participants will also be welcome to claim 20% off a meal or snacks in the Boathouse Restaurant to refuel after the event.
Children over 12 welcome, under 18s with an accompanying adult. We will meet at the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre car park.
It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events. We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August. In 2023 the Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August. Join members of the Cairngorms Astronomy Club and TGDT at the Field of Hope and at the Tomintoul Bird Hide to experience this special celestial phenomena.
The meteors are called the Perseids because they appear to originate in the constellation Perseus.
If the skies aren’t clear on Friday the 18th of August, another chance to view them will be offered at the same time on Saturday the 19th of August.
Where is this event being held?
British Grid: NO 14199 64291 What Three Words: ///spending.harp.haystack On the A93 twelve hundred yards north of the junction with the B951
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