Posts for May, 2023

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.

Setting off at around 7pm on the Saturday night from the Cairngorm Ski Centre Carpark, we will head onto the Cairngorm Plateau. As we do so we will witness the last light of the day and the sun setting at approximately 9pm. As we ascend into darkness, we will use torches and night navigation skills to summit the highest mountain in the Cairngorms, Ben Macdui.

At this time of year in the Cairngorms, the nights are short so it won’t be long until we are able to witness the sun rising again. Before this happens we will make time to appreciate the night skies with opportunities for night photography and, if we’re lucky, to witness the natural phenomenon of noctilucent clouds.

Before we head back down to the car park, we take time to enjoy the setting with hot drinks (brewed by your guide) This is a great opportunity to have a wee blether and take in the dawn from an elevated mountain setting.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

The breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow. Colourful wild flowers include sweetly scented orchids, which attract beautiful butterflies and dragonflies. We will lookout for the scarce Scotch Argus butterfly which feeds on flowers like the sunshine-yellow Rock Rose.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

The breeding season for birds is coming to an end, however there is still plenty of other life to be seen on the marshes and in the meadow. The heather should be in full flower and field gentian may be coming into bloom. Wild flowers like knapweed and scabious provide nectar for butterflies. We will lookout for the nationally scarce scotch argus butterfly which breeds on the reserve and can be the most common butterfly to be seen in August. Dragonflies like black darter and the impressively large golden ringed may also be seen.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

A spectacular Ultra Trail race based in the UK’s largest National Park.
The route is predominantly on good tracks and paths and visits many iconic locations in the Cairngorms including Derry Lodge, Hutchisons Hut, the Lairig Ghru, Corrour Bothy, Linn o’ Dee and Mar Lodge.

Now in its third year, the race is fully supported from a great and experienced event team with a high finish rate and friendly staff.

Mar Lodge estate offers spectacular Highland scenery and is home to Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve. Numbers are therefore limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Date: Saturday 3rd June 2023 Distance: 60km Ascent: 1146m/3760′

Venue: Mar Lodge, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire AB35 5YJ. Mar Lodge Estate is 4 miles west of Braemar.

We are pleased to confirm that camping is available at the race venue on the Friday and Saturday nights. This is a very cost effective way re accommodation & based at the venue no additional travel is involved. Cost is £5 (TBC) a tent/camper van per night. Please note this is basic camping in a field, kindly provided by Mar Lodge Estate specifically for the event. Fresh water is available & toilets (portable toilets) are provided. There are no changing, washing up, shower facilities or electric provided. If you would like to book camping at the venue please email: info@highterrainevents.co.uk

Event Description

The Glenshee 9 hill race is a 19 mile/5,500ft run across the 9 Munro’s bordering Glenshee Ski Centre in the East Highlands.

The race is run in an anticlockwise circuit across the following summits in this order:-

Creag Leacach (987m)
Glas Maol (1068m)
Cairn of Claise (1064m)
Tom Buidhe (957m)
Tolmount (958m)
Carn an Tuirc (1019m)
Carn Aosda (917m)
Carn a’Gheoidh (975m)
The Cairnwell (933m)

Start and finish is at Glenshee Ski Centre

There is one road crossing after approximately 13 miles (GR NO 147800) This checkpoint is also a cut-off which must be reached by 2.30pm. (ie. 3.5 hours from the start for faster competitiors up to 4.5hours for older age categories). This will be strictly enforced.

Route details can be found at www.stevenfallon.co.uk/glensheeroute.html

Entry Fee
Entry fee includes post race refreshments from Glenshee Catering. All profits from the race will be donated to Braemar MRT who will be providing event safety cover. 300 limit. Closing date Thursday 3rd August 2023.

Wave Start
We will operate a two wave start. A 10am start for those in Veteran categories who would like this option (it is not mandatory!) and the main race start at 11am. We would not expect you to pick the 10am start if you are able to comfortably reach the road crossing within 3.5 hours.

Rules
This is a Category A long race and competitors are required to have completed similar events in the last two years.

Entrants must be over 18 years old.

Competitors will be required to carry full body cover, whistle, map (this map must extend at least 2km beyond your race route in all directions and be waterproof), compass and some emergency food. PLUS any additional clothing dependent on the forecasted weather conditions.

Please note that although it is held in summer, it is Scotland, and well over 50% of the route lies above the 900m contour line. The route is not flagged and there are no water stations. Competitors will cross a number of burns which normally flow even in very dry summers.

Forest Bathing in Spring brings with it glorious sunrises that slowly unfold across calm lochs and the dawn chorus bursts into life above us. Although we’ll be starting early, awakening our senses as the day breaks will give us the perfect chance to start our day connecting with nature.

Forest Bathing, 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.

During a Forest Bathing session you can expect to be out for about 1 ½ hours, walking at a slow pace in nature and I will guide you through a series of ‘invitations’ aimed at opening your senses and reconnecting you with yourself and the environment around you. We spend time sharing what we are noticing to the group and finish with tea and snacks to bring our experience to a close and thank the land we have been supported by during the session.

During a guided forest bathing session, you can expect to walk less than a mile at a slow pace. The small group ensures we can feel supported and take our time as we wake up with the day.

This event is part of the Cairngorms Nature Festival which runs from 12 – 21 May 2023. It’s a ten day festival with over 80 exciting events across the Cairngorms National Park celebrating the incredible landscapes and nature found here.

To see full event details and book events please visit: https://www.cairngormsnaturefestival.co.uk

Forest Bathing, 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.

During a Forest Bathing session, you can expect to be out for about 1 ½ hours, walking at a slow pace in nature and I will guide you through a series of ‘invitations’ aimed at opening your senses and reconnecting you with yourself and the environment around you.

We spend time sharing what we are noticing to the group and finish with tea and snacks to bring our experience to a close and thank the land we have been supported by during the session.

This event is part of the Cairngorms Nature Festival which runs from 12 – 21 May 2023. It’s a ten day festival with over 80 exciting events across the Cairngorms National Park celebrating the incredible landscapes and nature found here.

To see full event details and book events please visit: https://www.cairngormsnaturefestival.co.uk

The first World Human Foosball Championships will be held in the Cairngorms National Park to raise funds for the Cairngorms Trust to support projects across the area.

Get a team of friends, family and colleagues together for a day of fun, 5 a side foosball! No previous experience is necessary just bring your enthusiasm.

Date: Saturday 20th May 2023
Time: First match 9am, finals from 1pm
Entry is open to teams of 5 over 16 years old.
Early bird entry price is £50 per team to enter until the 28th April. Thereafter £100 team with last entries on the 12th May so we can get the play lists ready. With 1 free car parking space per team.

This event is being held to raise funds to support projects that to support the landscapes, wildlife, local culture and economic health and encourage sustainable and community led local development within the Cairngorms National Park.

Please use our Just Giving page to ask friends, family and colleagues to support you and your team by donating to the Cairngorms Trust.

Spectators are welcome on the day with a suggested entry fee donation of £2 per person to the Cairngorms Trust.

There will be food stalls available on the day along with family friendly entertainment.

The Cairngorms Trust is working with the team from Craic Events on the organisation and management of the event on the day.

This event is part of the Cairngorms Nature Festival which runs from 12 – 21 May 2023. It’s a ten day festival with over 80 exciting events across the Cairngorms National Park celebrating the incredible landscapes and nature found here.

To see full event details and book events please visit: https://www.cairngormsnaturefestival.co.uk/

Join us for an idyllic and gentle paddle on the picturesque River Spey. With the beautiful Cairngorm peaks as your backdrop, paddle this majestic river with your family or friends in stable Canadian canoes. Your guide will show you how to maneuver your boats before you head off to enjoy a guided tour, spotting wildlife and relaxing in the beautiful natural surroundings as you go.

Suitable for ages 7+ years, you’ll be provided with all the kit you need for a safe and enjoyable paddling experience. Once we’ve reached our destination by boat, you’ll be picked up and brought back to base.

This event is part of the Cairngorms Nature Festival which runs from 12 – 21 May 2023. It’s a ten day festival with over 80 exciting events across the Cairngorms National Park celebrating the incredible landscapes and nature found here.

To see full event details and book events please visit: https://www.cairngormsnaturefestival.co.uk/”