Posts for June, 2023

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.

Whether you live nearby or are visiting from further afield, our aim is to inspire and help everybody to connect with nature.

This season, we’re piloting a limited series of immersive forest walks (also known as forest bathing) that have been specifically designed to provide a rich experience of Abernethy Forest. Even for those who already love the outdoors, many say that forest bathing differs dramatically from their usual experience of being in nature.

Our guided forest bathing walks are specifically designed to provide opportunities to quietly connect with the details of nature, and relax, restore, and recalibrate.

We’re delighted to visit the Velosolutions pump track in Boat of Garten for the North region qualifier for Ride the Worlds.

The top 3 riders in each category will qualify to race in the final of the Race the Worlds Series.

Series details and Ts & Cs found here – https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/RaceTheWorlds.

An opportunity to learn or develop a skill in willow weaving at workshops in the community woodland. Come along and relax, enjoy meeting people or sit quietly by. Come for an hour or all stay all day. Donations appreciated.

Looking to reconnect with nature and embrace your creative side?

To celebrate our summer exhibition, The Forest, we’re holding a special one-off workshop, combining the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin yoku (AKA forest bathing) and ceramics.

Running on Friday July 7, 10am-2.30pm, you’ll start the day with a session led by Highland Quietlife in beautiful Anagach Woods in Grantown-on-Spey. Cath will lead you through ways to find a connection with the forest and trees around you.

Then at the Spey Bank Studio, our lead tutor Angus Grant will show you how to make a pinch pot, using natural objects to add texture to your clay.

And best of all – Angus will glaze and fire your ceramics and you’ll get them to keep as a memento of the day.

A new art exhibition from the Spey Bank Studio in Grantown. The Forest showcases paintings and photography inspired by the beautiful woodlands and trees of Strathspey and the Cairngorms National Park.

Featuring work by a host of well-known artists, including Campbell Bryson, Graham Niven and Esther Tyson, this is the first summer show from the Spey Bank Studio. These striking new artworks show us new ways to look at the nature around us.

Join us for Woolly Weekend – fun activities for all the family.

Follow the journey of wool from lamb to loom, from shearing, dyeing, carding and spinning to many crafts including knitting, crochet, weaving, waulking the cloth and lots more.

Visit our marquee to see lots of wool based crafts in action and have a go yourself.

Hope to see ewe there!

Donations welcome, car parking charges apply.

News spreads that the Prince has landed, and a small redcoat patrol finds itself isolated in potentially hostile territory. Will the locals rise up in the name of the Prince, or will the soldiers of King George be able to keep the peace a little longer…

Come and enjoy this weekend of living history – brought to the museum by the Alan Breck’s Volunteer Regiment.

11am—5.00pm each day.

Come and experience an authentic 18thC Township from the era of Jamie and Claire. See traditional skills, such as pole lathe, try dressing up and meet the inhabitants of our Township. There will also be a talks & demonstrations programme through the day including weaving/spinning/dying and a talk by author Maggie Craig.

Don’t miss our local waulking group, Comhlan Luadh Bhàideanach, in action as well as our costume competition – a great day out for all Outlander fans! No need to book—just come along.

Museum entry by donation, car parking charges apply. With thanks to the Inverness Outlanders for all their help and support.

The workshops which combine outdoor experiences with yoga, mindfulness and connection to nature are designed to make the outdoor and action sports space accessible to more people. During the two days, participants will learn the basics of route planning, navigation, and safety in the outdoors, as well as enjoying shared meaning-making, storytelling and yoga sessions.