Posts for April, 2026

Part exercise, part social group, part exploration of the beautiful place we live in. Joy Rides are all about using your bike to get around and passing on the magic of time spent on two wheels to anyone that wants to join in, regardless of ability, confidence or equipment. When there’s good conversation and the chance for a cake stop, the riding doesn’t always have to be priority number one!

Rides are led by a qualified, experienced ride leader, who will plan the route to be suitable for all participants and will carry the necessary tools and equipment to sort out any trail-side mishaps. Routes will take in quiet road sections and multi-use off-road trails. You don’t need to be a mountain biker to join in, and almost any bike will be suitable, from hybrid/town bikes through to mountain bikes and e-bikes.

Part exercise, part social group, part exploration of the beautiful place we live in. Joy Rides are all about using your bike to get around and passing on the magic of time spent on two wheels to anyone that wants to join in, regardless of ability, confidence or equipment. When there’s good conversation and the chance for a cake stop, the riding doesn’t always have to be priority number one!

Rides are led by a qualified, experienced ride leader, who will plan the route to be suitable for all participants and will carry the necessary tools and equipment to sort out any trail-side mishaps. Routes will take in quiet road sections and multi-use off-road trails. You don’t need to be a mountain biker to join in, and almost any bike will be suitable, from hybrid/town bikes through to mountain bikes and e-bikes.

Part exercise, part social group, part exploration of the beautiful place we live in. Joy Rides are all about using your bike to get around and passing on the magic of time spent on two wheels to anyone that wants to join in, regardless of ability, confidence or equipment. When there’s good conversation and the chance for a cake stop, the riding doesn’t always have to be priority number one!

Rides are led by a qualified, experienced ride leader, who will plan the route to be suitable for all participants and will carry the necessary tools and equipment to sort out any trail-side mishaps. Routes will take in quiet road sections and multi-use off-road trails. You don’t need to be a mountain biker to join in, and almost any bike will be suitable, from hybrid/town bikes through to mountain bikes and e-bikes.

We invite you to come along and join us for our annual Spring Gathering 2026. Bring along your friends and family to gather and enjoy a marvellous BBQ, Scrumptious cakes and browse our variety of local vendors selling their crafts.

With fun activities for children big and small, we also showcase a number of local charities and fundraising events held here in our communities.

We look forwards to seeing you there!

Join us for an evening walk in the Cairngorms, with minibus transport from Ballater area.

Your guide will be on hand throughout to share stories, answer questions, and point out wildlife, plants, and the rich history of this remarkable glen.

After a scenic drive from Ballater, we begin our walk from the Spittal of Glen Muick car park. The path travels through woodland near the visitor centre, where red deer are often seen moving quietly through the undergrowth.

As you continue your walk along the track from the Spittal, Loch Muick stretches out before you like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the deepening twilight sky. Surrounded by steep glens and the broad shoulders of the surrounding hills, the loch offers a stunning Highland vista.

We follow the lochside trail to the old boathouse, crossing the outflow of the Loch, River Muick. With a bit of luck, you might spot a golden eagle soaring overhead or hear the haunting calls of red deer stags in the autumn months. With the warm tones of the photography golden hour, it’s the perfect time to capture breathtaking images of the landscape.

Our return route takes us past Allt-na-giubhsaich, Queen Victoria’s remote lodge, where she and Prince Albert would retreat from Balmoral.

Limited to 8 participants.

Come together with Cairngorms Connect and friends to welcome summer and co-create a seasonal gathering!

Creative, collaborative, workshops on Saturday 25th April, where we’ll bring together ideas for a gathering on Friday 1st May.

When: Saturday 25th April 11am-3pm / Friday 1st May 4pm to 6pm

Where: Talla Nan Ros Hall, Kingussie

Who: For all ages

Free, drop-in. Family-friendly, no previous experience or knowledge required. You can attend one or both events.



Information:

Bealltainn is an ancient celebration of the end of winter and the beginning of summer, welcoming in the new light and warmth, marked by humans for centuries.

Join us in craft, song, movement and stories and celebrate our rich shared local heritage – coming together to co-create a gathering to mark Bealltainn on Friday 1st May.

We encourage everyone to bring their own music, song, poems, stories, costumes or any cultural references to share and celebrate together.

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

September is a good time to look out for raptors like Hen Harriers hunting over the marshes. Buzzards are common and may be seen along the Tromie Trail. Butterflies and dragonflies will continue to fly as long as the weather is warm and sunny – Scotch Argus, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock and Black Darter are most likely. Many summer flowers have come and gone, but the blues and purples of Harebell, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Common Heather (Ling) and Bell Heather can be seen along the Tromie Trail. Other flowers may include the whites of Yarrow and Eyebright and the yellow of Lady’s Bedstraw.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

Some areas may be rough and/or slippy 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.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

Some areas may be rough and/or slippy 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. 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 sunshine-yellow Rock Rose.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

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

Come and celebrate National Meadows Day with us on a walk to enjoy the beauty of summer wildflowers!

We will walk the Invertromie Trail and see lots of different flowers, from the common, such as Bird’s-Foot Trefoil, Bedstraws and Stitchworts, to the uncommon, such as Rockrose and Petty Whin. The highlight of the walk will be gorgeous Tromie orchid meadow where we will hope to see five species of orchid, including Heath Fragrant Orchid and Small White Orchid.

We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing and grid ref: NN775998

Some areas may be rough and/or slippy underfoot. This 5K/3mile route is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Feel free to bring a packed lunch with you as we will be having a lunch stop. There are no facilities to buy food on site – the nearest shops and cafes are in Kingussie.

Under 12s free.