Posts for October, 2024

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and members of the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Dark Sky Park Group at the Field of Hope, Tomintoul for a comet spotting session. Please meet at the Field of Hope from 6:00pm.*

The comet will be closest to Earth on October 12th with good visibility in the northern hemisphere. Assuming clear skies we hope to be able to see it in the telescope at the Field of Hope. As comets are notoriously unpredictable, there’s no way to know at this time exactly how bright this comet will become. The comet is named after the observatories that discovered it. In this instance it was discovered by the Tsuchinshan or “Purple Mountain” Observatory in Nanjing, China on January 9th, 2023 and also by the ATLAS telescope in South Africa on February 22nd, 2023.

We’ll have the Celestron telescope on hand for comet spotting.

(*If the weather conditions are unfavourable on the 12th, the event will run again on Sunday, October 13th.)

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. Not only does this remote area have stunning dark skies but it also has easy access allowing everyone to enjoy a night sky brimming with stars.

Public toilets are available in Tomintoul at Tomnabat Lane, opposite the public carpark. As we will be outside in October please dress appropriately for cool autumn conditions and changeable weather.

Limited parking is available at the Field of Hope, but you can also park in the village and walk down to the bird hide.

Tickets are free for this event. Donations are also always appreciated and can be made on the night if you wish.

Thanks for supporting our Dark Sky Park!

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join us at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul for an all ages stargazing session during the new moon. We’ll have a presentation in the Discovery Centre before walking down to a nearby stargazing site in a group to look at stars, planets, and constellations and share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland’s second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.

The new moon is an ideal time to go stargazing as the moon is not visible in the sky, which means there is no moonlight to wash out the light from fainter stars.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. Please also wear appropriate footwear for potentially wet and wintry conditions.

If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

Toilets are available in Tomintoul and in the Discovery Centre.

Suggested donation £5 on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house, reputedly built for Scotland’s vilest man, Alexander Stewart—the infamous Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle, an impressive medieval fortification, stands on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Upon reaching the castle, you’ll learn about its architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow over Moray’s history.

Drumin Castle has now reopened after masonry repairs, with access to the first floor now possible via a narrow stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will begin at the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. The route follows a pedestrian trail to the castle and returns via a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Suggested donation of £4 helps to support heritage tourism in Glenlivet & Inveravon. Children and youth under 16 are free. Children love castles and are very welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day.

Please note that toilets are not available on site.

This event is funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Heritage Ranger talk: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones

Join the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger for an introduction to the Picts, their art and symbol stones. We will be examining the intricate carvings on the four stones discovered in the churchyard of Inveraven, which has been a site of spiritual practice and pilgrimage for centuries. This tour will provide an overview to Pictish art and culture and demonstrate how the Picts contributed to the founding of modern Scotland.

This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into Scotland’s past, allowing you to connect with its ancient roots. Join us for an afternoon of discovery and insight in stunning Speyside.

Access to Inveraven Church and burial ground is off the A95 about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones.

Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building.

Children are usually fascinated by the Picts and are encouraged to attend. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

This event is by donation. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day. Children and youth under 16 are free. Like many churches across Scotland, Inveravon Church has unfortunately been earmarked for closure and sale by the Church of Scotland. The local community is currently in the process of exploring ways to keep it open by creating a heritage centre and community hub. Thousands of tourists visit the stones every year from every corner of the globe and it would be disappointing if they were no longer accessible. Funds raised from talks and events help to support community and heritage events run by the Friends of Inveravon Church.

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site. Public toilets are available in Cragganmore at Ballindalloch Station on the Speyside Way or in Aberlour. There are also customer facilities available at the nearby Lagmore Cafe when open.

Well behaved dogs are welcome to attend but must be leashed.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotland’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’.

Discover nature on Atholl Estates this Autumn. Our Ranger, Julia, has an action-packed programme during October.

From Children’s events like mud pie making in the forest and crafting your own bird feeder, to rewarding volunteer days and nourishing Autumnal walks for adults.

Contact [email protected] 01796 481355 for more information.

Information Centre: The Information Centre is the white building at the back of the Bridge of Tilt car park.

Volunteer Session
Saturday 5th October 10am – 1pm
Location TBC

Book onto this volunteer session with Julia, where you could be planting trees, maintaining paths or surveying the different species on the estate. Please email [email protected] ahead of the session to book your place and to find out more info.

Castle Grounds Nature Walk
Sunday 6th October time TBC
Blair Castle

Join Julia for a guided 1-hour walk through Diana’s Grove and St. Bride’s.

This walk is perfect for those looking to enjoy nature and learn some interesting things about the nature on the grounds at Blair Castle. Please note, the walk will only proceed if the wind stays within safe limits.

Meet Julia at the deer park in the Blair Castle grounds. Participants will need to have a valid gardens ticket.

All About Owls!

Saturday 12th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Join Ranger Julia for the well-loved story ‘Owl Babies,’ followed by making your own owl nest and playing some fun owl-related games. You’ll also learn some fascinating facts about our magnificent feathered friends.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Mud Pies In The Forest

Wednesday 16th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park

Join the Ranger (or should we say Head Chef Julia?) in the forest to make some mud pies. We will be decorating them with leaves, berries, and sticks we have foraged. We will provide spoons and crockery for digging and making our pies!

Best for: Age 3 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.

Parents: Waterproof suits, messy clothes, and wellies are recommended for this activity. Please bring wipes or water to clean little hands after the session.

Spells and Magic In The Forest

Thursday 17th October 11am – 12pm
Glen Tilt Car Park

Join Ranger Julia in the woods and delve into the world of spells, wands, and magic. Children will make and decorate their own wands and create potions that make magical things happen.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the information sign in the Glen Tilt Car Park. The car park is free.

Parents: Waterproof suits and wellies are recommended for this activity. We may require you to play along and pretend the children have turned invisible!

Make Your Own Bird Feeder

Saturday 19th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre, Blair Atholl

Autumn is a critical time for our feathered friends as they need to gear up for the colder months! During this activity, children will make their own simple bird feeder to take home, allowing them to look after the birds in their garden.

Best for: Age 4 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: We will be filling our bird feeders with nuts, so this activity may not be suitable for those with nut allergies. Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Visitor Centre Signage Launch

Wednesday 23rd October 1pm – 4pm
Information Centre

Join our Ranger and Marketing Manager, Jess, for a special “show and tell” of the new signage in the visitor centre.

Drop in any time to explore the new displays and feel free to ask Julia or Jess any questions about volunteer days or opportunities with Atholl Estates. Refreshments will be provided.

The signage was part-funded by a grant from the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Spooky Activities

Thursday 24th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Join the Ranger (or should we say Witch Gertrude?) for some Halloween fun, games, and spooky laughter. Activities could include earning points by throwing bean bags into pumpkins or bobbing for apples. Spooky costumes are encouraged!

Best for: Age 5 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Autumn Crafts

Saturday 26th October 11am – 12pm
Information Centre

Autumnal crafts and colouring session. Come along and create something autumnal to get us in the mood for the season. We could be collaging hedgehogs or creating things with leaves to take home.

Best for: Age 3 and up.

Finding us: Meet Julia at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl (next door to the chippy). The car park is free and there are toilets next door to the centre.

Parents: Younger siblings are welcome to join in or watch the session, there is plenty of space to park prams.

Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. A donation pot will be available at each event, and we would greatly appreciate any contribution you feel is appropriate for the session you attend.

All proceeds go directly to The Cairngorms to help care for wildlife, maintain paths and car parks. Ensuring both our enjoyment of the outdoors and the thriving of natural habitats.

Ever wondered about the stars and constellations and wanted to find out more?

Guided stargazing sessions in small groups of up to 10 people at Howe of Torbeg in the stunning Cairngorms National Park, with its exceptional dark skies.

Simple & accessible, looking at the stars and learning a bit about them is the perfect way to get away from it all for a few hours, & spend some time in nature.

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Join Cairngorms Connect to get hands on doing practical habitat restoration work.

Help us to block up old, but still active, ditches on a small area of bog woodland in Glenmore Forest, using hand tools and wood. The aim is to hold more water in the peat, slow the loss of water from the site and to benefit the bog vegetation.

Tools and work gloves will be provided, as will instructions so no experience is necessary.

However, please note this is a physically demanding volunteering session, which includes walking roughly 2km to site and moving around on rough and wet ground with drainage ditches.

It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events. We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters. If you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house, reputedly built for Scotland’s vilest man, Alexander Stewart—the infamous Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle, an impressive medieval fortification, stands on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon.

Upon reaching the castle, you’ll learn about its architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow over Moray’s history.

Drumin Castle has now reopened after masonry repairs, with access to the first floor now possible via a narrow stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will begin at the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. The route follows a pedestrian trail to the castle and returns via a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Suggested donation of £4 helps to support heritage tourism in Glenlivet & Inveravon. Children and youth under 16 are free. Children love castles and are very welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Donations can be made through Eventbrite or in person on the day.

Please note that toilets are not available on site.

This event is funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This easy guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we’ll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotland’s most famous glens. You’ll learn a bit about Glenlivet’s rich history and some whisky history too.

Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators.

Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked ‘Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile’.