Posts for April, 2022

Join us at the award winning Lynbreck Croft with foraging expert Clare Holohan from West Highland Herbal and co-author of Scotland’s Wild Medicine for a day learning about wild plants.

You will learn how to identify and use local plants for all round health, which will include a walk around the grounds of the croft in the morning with some foraging and discussion on food and medicinal uses of the plants we find.

You’ll then gather for a feast lunch, which will include some croft grown produce, supplemented with anything edible we find in the morning.

In the afternoon, you’ll head back out with Clare to do some more practical learning, either making remedies or foods with whatever we have found. Throughout the day, we will talk a little about how we work with nature and our team of animals to build biodiversity across Lynbreck, a place that can provide for all of us.

Please read website Terms and Conditions before booking

A family fun day on the village Greens in the centre of Ballater on Royal Deeside involving over 50 trade, craft and charity stalls, with entertainment for children including hook-a-duck and bouncy castle. As well as the local shops, restaurants and cafes, there are food stalls on the Green. The Ballater Pipe Band plays and there is live musical entertainment on the stage from Banchory Strathspey & Reel Society, culminating in a giant inflatable duck race on the River Dee at 3pm and a Tote operates if anyone fancies a ‘flutter’ on one of the ducks.

Follow us on: www.facebook.com/ballaterduckfestival

For Green Health Week we are encouraging you to step outside, connect with and enjoy the Cairngorms National Park and give nature a go!

Whether you’re experiencing nature near your doorstep, or something further afield, there are lots of ways to feel good.

Green Health Week is a promotional campaign and part of NatureScot’s ‘Our Natural Health Service’ initiative. Go to the website for more info!

Join us for a guided woodland wander. Our route will take us along the shore of Loch Garten, wind its way beneath towering pine trees and visit tranquil Loch Mallachie. We will listen for the chirps of crossbills and the trills of crested tits, look for tell-tale signs of red squirrels and explore the undergrowth of Caledonian pine forest.

The walk will follow footpaths and last roughly 3 hours, please wear sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. Covid safety measures will be in place, more details can be found on the website. Toilets will be available at the beginning and end of the walk. Well-behaved dogs, on a lead, are welcome.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins.

Experience the peaceful wonder of the Dawn Chorus

Join us bright and early for a gentle stroll in tranquil Loch Insh Woods, listening for birdsong and learning how to identify which species are serenading us, with an optional coffee/breakfast* afterwards at the Boathouse Restaurant (at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre) who have kindly offered 20% off our order to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

We will meet in Loch Insh Outdoor Centre car park and walk through Loch Insh Woods on rough paths with exposed roots and some steps.

Children over 12 welcome, under 18s with an accompanying adult.

*Please note that the cost of breakfast is not included in the price of your ticket

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team 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.

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

Annual village gathering of Clubs and groups within Nethy Bridge, promoting ‘what’s on’ throughout the year. Together with village crafts people showcasing their wares there will be a spit roast, tea tent with home baking, musicians, children’s events and activities

Following the success of our Easter egg hunt last year, we’re gong to do it again a little earlier this year in aid of the Ukraine appeal.

Come and find all the hidden eggs in the Highland Games Park, and put them on your entry. Every child that enters will receive a handmade chocolate egg – until we run out!! Suggested donation for entering – or whatever you can afford – every single penny of the entry donations will go direct to the Ukraine appeal.

At the end of the weekend one lucky entrant will receive an extra special prize – just in time for Easter!!!

The lineup for this year’s Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, one of the world’s most anticipated whisky celebrations, has been unveiled.
Over five hundred events within the Festival, which runs from 27 April to 2 May, have been announced. These will allow ticket holders exclusive access to world famous distilleries, the chance to meet the craftspeople behind the liquid and immerse themselves in the heart of malt whisky country.

The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival team gathered yesterday (3 March) with key event partners to reveal some of the events on offer. Tickets will be available to buy on Tuesday 8 March.

Programme highlights include History of the Highball with whisky legend Sarah Burgess, an evening not to be missed with Glen Moray’s Iain Allan at Elgin Cathedral and one of a kind experiences at a number of distilleries not usually open to the public including Dufftown, Tamdhu and Tamnavulin distillery tours and tastings.

George McNeil, chairman of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, said:

“We have an impressive range of events on offer, with some stellar new additions to the 2022 programme including an eclectic amalgamation of Star Wars and whisky tasting in memory of Brett Ferencz known to many as the Scotch Trooper, with 25% of ticket sales going towards cancer research.

“The last few years have been difficult for everyone and as we begin to return to normality I know that the many partners and people who help to bring the Festival to life are gearing up to welcome people from all over the globe to Speyside.

“I hope to see people from far and wide joining us to celebrate the world’s largest producing whisky region, from whisky novices, budding master blenders and everyone in between. I look forward to welcoming people once again to an area I am lucky enough to call home.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:

“We are delighted to support the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival through our International Events Funding Programme. Its 2022 line-up of tastings, ceilidhs, distillery tours and more looks set to deliver another fantastic celebration of Scotland’s national drink. Uniquely Scottish events such as the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival can only serve to further strengthen the country’s reputation as a world-leading events destination.”