When is this event?
A series of writing workshops where we will explore our relationships with place. Come along to one workshop, or the whole series!
The way we each experience places can be vastly different – our unique emotions, knowledge, memories and company can all alter how we connect to the land. What and who we’re in company with shapes how we connect to a landscape.
With this as a starting point, writer, Elizabeth Reeder, will be hosting a series of writing workshops exploring the idea of companionship.
The workshops will explore what it might mean to have a companion species, or to be accompanied by a question, or to accompany someone with different knowledge of a place than you have.
And we’ll do some writing. The writing is for yourself and you’ll be under no obligation to share. (Although, we are considering collecting stories for those people who are interested in sharing them.)
No previous writing experience is necessary, and all ages* and abilities very welcome. *under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
These workshops are free, but places are limited. Please sign up to reserve a space.
Tuesday 12th April, 6pm-8pm, with an optional pre-workshop outdoor activity at 4.30pm.
Wednesday 13th April, 12midday. Elizabeth will be sitting at the Loch and writing. There is an open invitation to turn up and join her! (no booking necessary)
Thursday 14th April, 6pm – 8pm, with an optional pre-workshop outdoor activity at 4.30pm. A Writing workshop with Amanda Thomson and Elizabeth Reeder using Amanda’s book A Scots Dictionary of Nature as the basis for discussions and writing!
For any questions please contact Elizabeth directly on ekr.waxwing@gmail.com
Elizabeth Reeder, together with Robbie Synge (choreographer and filmmaker) and Amanda Thomson (writer) are Artists in Residence with Cairngorms Connect through the Endangered Landscapes Artists Residency programme.
This four hour (including breaks) guided walk starts at the spectacular Loch Morlich, before winding our way in the shadow of Cairngorm to the fairy green lochan. After some time to soak up the atmosphere, we continue on to the Ryvoan Bothy in its isolated spot.
On the way hear stories from local folklore of infamous cattle thieves, the bloody hand of Glenmore and the King of the fairies as well as having the chance to follow in the footsteps of a 18th Century Highlander by foraging for seasonal wild food and medicine.
Explore the old park that the Laird gave to his alcoholic sister, find out about how a desolate moor became the capital of Strathspey and learn about a mysterious death in Anagach Woods during the height of the Cold War.
This walk will include the opportunity to forage for seasonal wild food.
Find out how Boat of Garten developed from a simple ferry crossing of the Spey to the Highland Railway village.
The walk occurs on the same day as the Strathspey Railway Diesel Gala and will give guests great views of the railway and the trains.
More details TBC on the Facebook page.
This 2.5 hour guided walk begins at Grantown Caravan Park before travelling to Castle Grant along the old Highland Railway line (The Dava Way). We will then walk into Grantown to find out why the town was moved.
Hear stories about the Comyn Skull, Lady Barbara’s ghost and why a railway cutting is named after a outlawed clan.
There will also be a chance to forage for seasonal medicinal and edible plants.
This 4 hour guided walk (including breaks) will start at the medieval Castle Roy with its connections to the infamous Wolf of Badenoch, before walking past the elegant Aultmore House. We stop at a viewpoint to see an awe inspiring vista of the Cairngorm mountains before climbing up to the breathtaking Backharn Valley.
Hear stories from the local folklore of an ambush of cattle thieves in the Backharn valley, the evil white serpent and fairy changelings.
The walk will also include an opportunity to forage for seasonal wild food, just as highlanders did through the centuries.
Visit the ancient Pictish Stone at the old Inverallan churchyard and learn about the mysterious Picts. Hear stories of drowned Bailies and cursed Lairds. Visit the standing stones of Ballintomb and explore the unexplained cross shaped earthwork.
Grantown East Car Boot Sale
First Sunday of every month, March to November, 11:00-15:00
Spaces for 50 sellers
Spaces for sellers £10.00 each
Free entry and parking for customers.
To book a space, visit; www.grantowmeast.com/car-boot-sale-booking
Join artists Louise Emslie and Louise Kernaghan on an artful walk exploring concepts of the physical and metaphorical boundaries within the landscape.
Through a series of creative exercises that Louise and Louise will guide you through, we will ask ourselves ‘what does it feel like to walk along a line on a map and what will we discover along the way?’
We’ll be walking a total distance of 6.5k at a gentle pace along a smooth gravel track. All ages welcome (under 18s accompanied with a responsible adult). For more info, please email louise_emsile@msn.com
No previous art experience required and all materials provided.
This event is free, but please ensure to book as places are limited.
Our through hike goes from south to north cutting directly through the heart of Britain’s largest mountain range. The route will take us along the Lairig Ghru which is the best known hill-pass in Scotland. It climbs to an altitude of 835 metres and crosses through the central Cairngorms.
It is essentially a valley hike, so is sheltered from the worst of the elements and (if needed) bothies can provide extra protection. We will hike, wild-camp and cook as a team. Unpredictable weather will add to the test as we get these hard 30kms under our belt.
This trip will require a basic level of fitness and some experience with hiking in windy or rainy conditions. Our trips are not feats of endurance or about rushing up mountain peaks, they are immersive outdoors experiences, so there are always opportunities to rest and take in the views.
Our guides James and Scoob walk with you offering help and advice or sarcasm and negativity depending on the situation! We’ll laugh, we’ll swear, we’ll breathe the cleanest air, we’ll see hidden mountains and drink from clear mountain streams, we’ll have fun, we’ll learn and when we get to Aviemore we’ll drink the most well-earned beer of our lives. And we’ll leave with a story to tell and, after the blisters heal, a newfound spring in our steps…..
Where is this event being held?
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