Posts for April, 2026

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

On this leisurely walk, the breeding season is well underway so young birds and other creatures like Roe Deer will be keeping their parents busy. Lapwing chicks will be feeding, running and hiding while relying on their camouflage and their parents to defend them. The marshes and trail are full of life and colourful scented flowers including orchids

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 our knowledgeable Volunteer Wardens to see some of the amazing wildlife that Spring brings to Insh Marshes.

On this leisurely walk see the lush green Aspen leaves trembling and a variety of bird species, including Curlew (which we may hear calling), Lapwing and Snipe (which could be displaying) and song birds singing through the trees. During sunny intervals early butterflies like Orange Tip and Small Tortoiseshell will be flying.

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.

Please note that there has been low levels of Avian Influenza (bird flu) on the reserve this winter. Do not touch any dead or unwell birds if you see any, make sure to stick to the paths and keep dogs on a short lead.

Everyone’s favourite Squirrel Club leader Hey Duggee will be visiting Landmark Forest Adventure Park for a special character appearance weekend.

Visitors to the park will have the chance to meet Duggee during appearances throughout the day and capture a memorable photo with the much-loved character.

Meeting Hey Duggee is included with regular park admission tickets, making it part of a fantastic family day out.

From 27 March to 19 April, Landmark Forest Adventure Park will host an EGGS-tra special Easter celebration filled with family-friendly activities across the park. Visitors can take part in a Peter Rabbit-themed egg hunt, a Golden Egg competition in Bamboozeleum, and a chick colouring competition in the Butterfly House, alongside fun Easter displays and photo opportunities in Wonderwood. Over the Easter weekend (3–6 April), there will also be spring-themed LEGO workshops and glitter tattoos in Dinosaur Kingdom. Guests are encouraged to capture their favourite moments and enter the Easter Photo Competition for a chance to win a £200 Amazon voucher.

Join us for a guided night walk in the Cairngorms National Park, led by a qualified Mountain Leader and certified Star Ranger. Begin with an engaging Dark Skies / stargazing presentation before heading out to explore the landscape in darkness. Discover the area’s rich history and nocturnal wildlife as you walk beneath some of the darkest skies in Scotland. When conditions allow, you’ll see constellations, planets, and the Milky Way in breathtaking clarity.

Travel in comfort aboard our private minibus — affectionately known as the Starship — with collection available from the Ballater area. You’ll be whisked away to a tranquil location for an engaging Dark Skies presentation, complete with hot drinks to keep you warm. Location of the event will be in the Ballater / Braemar area depending on winter road conditions and localised weather forecasts. You can choose to travel in your own vehicle if preferred and meet us / follow us to the chosen walk location.

Scottish League Orienteering event with full range of courses.

Easter Sunday Fun Activity Day | Sunday 5th April | 11am – 4pm
Banvie Hall (The glass entrance doors at the far end of the Castle)

Meet the Easter Bunny at the Banvie Hall at 11am to guide you through our fun children’s activities this Easter Sunday. The events below will flow from one into the next and there are prizes for both competitions and the Egg Hunt.

– Easter egg decorating competition

– Easter egg rolling competition

– Easter Egg Hunt in Hercules walled garden

– Deer Feeding at the Deer Park |12.30pm and 2.30pm

Admission for the above activities are included with a Gardens and Grounds ticket.


Easter Sunday Tractor Rides –
Hop on board for an exciting tractor ride around Blair Castle Estate, see what wildlife you can spot on your 15-20 minute tour.

Tours will depart at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm.

£5 per person in addition to a Gardens ticket | 2-4 year olds – free

Book inside the castle entrance hall.

Unfortunately, our tractor rides are unsuitable for under 2’s and dogs are not permitted.

This autumn foraging course is an invitation to learn about the edible and medicinal autumnal plants and fungi found in the grounds of Blair Castle & Gardens. Autumn is a special time for foraging and this walk will give us time to celebrate the best of this season, join us as we discover many different varieties of mushroom, nutritious nuts and seeds and succulent berries.

The course consists of a 2.5 hour foraging walk, in which you will learn lifelong identification techniques, inspiring recipe ideas, and a wealth of ethnobotanical tales.

During the walk we will move through a variety of habitats – woodland, meadow, hedgerow and garden – taking time to connect with each surrounding environment, noticing their changing flora and subtle variations in character.

We will finish up with a wild tea and homemade cake and biscuits in Hercules Garden, with time to revise the plants learnt and how best to store them for future use.

All participants will also receive a personalised PDF containing information about all the plants met.

Meeting point: Meet on the green in front of the castle, next to the ‘The Cannon’ coffee cabin.

The Atholl Gathering and Highland Games will return to Blair Castle on Sunday 24th May 2026.

The Atholl Highlanders officially open the Highland Games with a ‘March On’, led by the sound of their pipes and drums.

Strongmen from around Scotland take centre stage to battle it out. Events include tossing the caber, putting the shot and throwing the hammer. There are plenty of other attractions, such as highland dancing, tug o’ war and piping competitions.

Trade stands, delicious food and drink vendors, and a handful of children’s rides make for a fun day out for the whole family. Don’t miss the races for both children and adults, and pack a picnic blanket to secure your spot on the hill.

Your ticket includes access to Blair Castle’s Gardens and Grounds.
Reduced entry tickets to Blair Castle will be available to purchase from the Entrance Hall on the day.

This spring foraging course is an invitation to learn about the edible and medicinal spring plants found in the grounds of Blair Castle & Gardens. Spring is a special time for foraging and this walk will give us time to celebrate the best of this season, as the plants wake from the winter providing the first flowers, leaves and nutritious seeds of the growing season.

The course consists of a 2.5 hour foraging walk, in which you will learn lifelong identification techniques, inspiring recipe ideas, and a wealth of ethnobotanical tales.

During the walk we will move through a variety of habitats – woodland, meadow, hedgerow and garden – taking time to connect with each surrounding environment, noticing their changing flora and subtle variations in character.

We will finish up with a wild tea and homemade cake and biscuits in Hercules Garden, with time to revise the plants learnt and how best to store them for future use.

All participants will also receive a personalised PDF containing information about all the plants met.

Meeting point: On the green in front of the castle, next to ‘The Cannon’ coffee cabin.