When is this event?
Soul Embers is a four-night Spring Equinox retreat held at Badeguish within the ancient landscape of the Cairngorms National Park. This intimate immersion offers protected space to slow down, reset, and reconnect with your intuition through nature. Through elemental ceremony, guided and solo nature immersion, sacred glasswalk and firewalk, Equinox threshold work, and deeply held circle, you’ll step away from noise and responsibility to listen more honestly to yourself. With comfortable and warm rooms, nourishing shared meals, and a largely phone-free environment, Soul Embers supports nervous system restoration, grounded courage, and a conscious new beginning aligned with the season you are stepping into.
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.
We will meet in the RSPB Insh Marshes Car Park – what3words: ///epic.youth.venturing / 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.
Every morning in the springtime, one of nature’s greatest choirs is performing. Experience the marvel of birdsong amidst Abernethy’s ancient Caledonian pinewoods in the company of our rangers, who will guide you through one of nature’s wonders and explain who is singing and why.
After a gentle walk along our trails by the loch, hot drinks and a light breakfast will be provided at the Loch Garten Nature Centre.
Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. An accessible all-terrain wheelchair is available for use if required.
No dogs are permitted on this event.
Join us for a magical dawn chorus walk at Loch Garten, followed by an exclusive early morning viewing of the Ospreys from the Nature Centre.
Meeting in the car park, we will head out on a short, gentle walk around the edge of the loch. As the forest awakens, we’ll take in the sights and sounds of the Caledonian pinewood at dawn, learning to identify the different birds that make up the dawn chorus.
After the walk, we’ll return to the Nature Centre for an exclusive morning viewing of the Osprey nest as the sun rises. Dawn can be one of the most active times for Ospreys, with birds often returning to the nest carrying fish, and in April, birds can be seen sky dancing overhead as they set up their territories.
Inside the Nature Centre, you can relax with tea, coffee, and a pastry while enjoying views of the nest, watching live cameras, and learning more about the history of ospreys at Loch Garten and the ecology of these remarkable birds.
Join us for a magical dawn chorus walk at Loch Garten, followed by an exclusive early morning viewing of the Ospreys from the Nature Centre.
Meeting in the car park, we will head out on a short, gentle walk around the edge of the loch. As the forest awakens, we’ll take in the sights and sounds of the Caledonian pinewood at dawn, learning to identify the different birds that make up the dawn chorus.
After the walk, we’ll return to the Nature Centre for an exclusive morning viewing of the Osprey nest as the sun rises. Dawn can be one of the most active times for Ospreys, with birds often returning to the nest carrying fish, and in April, birds can be seen sky dancing overhead as they set up their territories.
Inside the Nature Centre, you can relax with tea, coffee, and a pastry while enjoying views of the nest, watching live cameras, and learning more about the history of ospreys at Loch Garten and the ecology of these remarkable birds.
Love trees but not sure what you’re looking at (especially in the winter!)? Join us for a guided walk around Loch Garten to learn more about how to spot some of our most popular species.
The largest remaining remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest, we sit at the heart of a gorgeous pine forest dotted with birch, aspen, alder, willow, rowan, and a long history. But when the winter leaves fall many of these species can be difficult to differentiate.
Our expert ranger Ewan will take you on a 2-hour walk around our trails, showing how best to identify our leafy friends and indulge you in a bit of forest folklore.
This event will involve walking around 3 kilometres on rough and uneven ground. Outdoor shoes and warm clothing are required.
Children are welcome with a paying adult.
Love trees but not sure what you’re looking at (especially in the winter!)? Join us for a guided walk around Loch Garten to learn more about how to spot some of our most popular species.
The largest remaining remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest, we sit at the heart of a gorgeous pine forest dotted with birch, aspen, alder, willow, rowan, and a long history. But when the winter leaves fall many of these species can be difficult to differentiate.
Our expert ranger Ewan will take you on a 2-hour walk around our trails, showing how best to identify our leafy friends and indulge you in a bit of forest folklore.
This event will involve walking around 3 kilometres on rough and uneven ground. Outdoor shoes and warm clothing are required.
Children are welcome with a paying adult.
Starting in Aviemore, of approximately 150 miles via Laggan, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Inverness, Dava Moor and returning to Aviemore. The tour will conclude with a meal, presentations and prize giving. We are grateful to our main sponsors, Arnold Clark, all our other sponsors and supporters for their help.
The tour will be in aid of the following charities CHAS and Prostate cancer UK
Various market stalls selling hand made crafts and food
Join us on Monday 23 February 2026 at 7:30pm at Boat of Garten Community Hall for an evening celebrating cold water, wild places, and personal challenge.
Since 2016, Ben Sparham has been on a mission to swim every high loch and lochan in the Cairngorms. As he nears completion of his epic project, Ben shares tales from his high mountain swims — the beauty, the solitude, and the endurance it takes to dip into icy waters miles from anywhere.
Tickets £6 on the door
Boat of Garten Community Hall
Monday 23 February 2026 | 7:30pm
Available to stream later for a small donation – get in touch for the link!
Join the Boat Talks mailing list by emailing info@boathall.org.uk
Where is this event being held?
Badaguish is a unique place where you can safely explore and develop new and exciting skills, or just have a quiet restful stay amidst the superb forest and mountain scenery of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.
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