When is this event?
Join us for an activity-packed, history-focused charity day at Blair Castle, set against the stunning landscapes of Highland Perthshire.
Sunday 13th October 2024 10:00 AM – 16:00 PM
Ticket includes lunch in the ballroom plus exclusive activities
£25 per adult, £11.50 per child. (For children under 5, admission is free.)
This autumn, we are excited to present our “Women of Blair” charity day in collaboration with Smart Works Scotland, a remarkable charity that empowers women to re-enter the workforce through clothing and coaching. By purchasing a ticket, you’ll be supporting this important cause.
The ticket price includes a warm buffet lunch in the ballroom, where a cosy open fire will be lit. Female staff from the estate will be available to answer any questions about their role in this history-rich organisation.
Additionally, several special activities will be running on the day, you must book your place on each activity. Activities can only be booked if you are a Women of Blair x Smart Works Scotland ticket holder. All proceeds from the day will be donated to Smart Works Scotland.
We will have a designated Smart Works Scotland clothes drop-off area at the castle, please bring any workwear you would like to donate to the charity.
Hercules Garden Tour with Gardener, Jim
10:00 – 11:00
Join our knowledgeable gardener, Jim, as he guides you through the beautiful garden, sharing his expertise on the herbaceous borders, fruit trees, and vibrant pond.
Children’s Mini Ranger Experience with Ranger, Julia
10:00 – 11:00
The perfect activity for little rangers! Join Julia as she shows children what it’s like to be a ranger. She’ll explain how she monitors the wildlife on the estate, and together, you’ll help tidy a small area—stacking tree branches so wildlife can enjoy a new habitat. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Nature Walk with Ranger, Julia
11:15 – 12:15
Be at one with nature and enjoy the autumn colours on a walk through a variety of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and hedgerows. Julia will share insights into the wildlife residing at Blair Castle, and with a bit of luck, you’ll spot some of it too.
‘Women of Blair’ History Talk with Archivist, Keren
12:45 – 13:15
Step back in time and listen to captivating stories of how the duchesses lived in the castle over the years. Discover their daily routines, way of life, and the visitors who came to stay.
Lunch in the Ballroom with Atholl Estate’s Staff
13:00 – 14:30
Warm up after an autumnal walk and join some of the great female staff of Atholl Estates for a cozy buffet lunch in the ballroom. The fire will be lit, making this a really special autumnal lunch.
Castle Tour with Head Guide, Magda
14:45 – 15:45
Focusing on the incredible women who lived in and visited Blair Castle, Magda will guide you through its rooms, each revealing fascinating stories about the Women of Blair.
What’s on for children
Colouring competition in the Banvie hall
If you were starting a new job, what would your outfit look like? Would it be bright and colourful, or smart and stylish? Draw your best idea, and you could win a prize!
Adventure playground
Brand new for 2024 is our hidden playground in the woods. Our forest play area features a fantastic assault course for children to run, jump, balance and climb among the trees. It includes a wooden castle fort perfect for imaginative play and a sheltered picnic area with rustic log seating.
Children’s Mini Ranger Experience with Ranger, Julia
The perfect activity for little rangers! Join Julia as she shows children what it’s like to be a ranger. She’ll explain how she monitors the wildlife on the estate, and together, you’ll help tidy a small area—stacking tree branches so wildlife can enjoy a new habitat. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
About the charity
Smart Works are a UK based charity that exists to give women the confidence they need to reach their full potential, secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives. The women who go to Smart Works are referred from Job Centres, mental health charities, women’s refugees, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service and youth organisations.
63% of clients secure a job in a month. Once a woman has gained a role, she is welcomed back for a Second Dressing and receives a capsule wardrobe to last until her first pay cheque.
There will be a work clothes donation box at the castle, please bring any unwanted smart clothing to donate to the charity.
During Scottish Archaeology Month, join local archaeologist Dave Macleod and STGA guide John Halliday on a walk over part of the Dava Moor. Explore recorded archaeological sites over four thousand years from the Bronze Age to the coming of the railway and some that Dave has discovered himself. John will recount stories about the people and the place in more recent times and both shed more light on this fascinating place that so many people come to explore by foot and bike.
The Dava Moor, a wild, bleak or romantic spot north of Grantown. Walk with John as he reveals during Scottish Archaeology Month, the history, legends, placenames and former settlements of a previous time. Part of the route will retrace that which John took Cameron McNeish on in an episode of ‘Roads Less Travelled’ for BBC Scotland’s Adventure Show.
John Halliday is a local STGA guide for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for generations. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.
Join John Halliday a STGA guide on a walk along the Dava Way from near the former Dava Station to Grantown.
This is a distance of 13.8km or 8 miles along the former railway line.
The estimated 4 hour walk with stops along the way from the Dava Moor, Huntly’s Cave, The Braes of Castle Grant, the East Lodge and finishing in the Square beside Burnfield.
Numbers are limited to eight as transport will be provided at 10 am from Burnfield Car Park beside Grantown Museum.
Join The SPIN Project to explore ancient woodlands and discover the conservation and restoration work taking place across the Cairngorms Connect partnership area to protect and enhance this landscape.
The route will be roughly 15km with some rough surfaces and is suitable for beginner mountain bikers.
Feel free to bring your own bike if you have one, but don’t worry if not – thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, bike hire from Backcountry Scot is included with your ticket, if needed.
Discover Cairngorms Connect events are designed to give you an introduction to Cairngorms Connect while experiencing the landscape in different ways, in collaboration with local businesses and organisations.
Please note the exact location of the event will be provided upon booking.
It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events.
We don’t want finance to be a barrier to people attending and so have made some tickets available for free or by donation – please take advantage of this if you need to.
Donations go towards our ongoing community engagement work, supporting more people to connect with this landscape. We’re able to offer these ticket options thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme.
We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.
Join The SPIN Project to explore ancient woodlands and discover the conservation and restoration work taking place across the Cairngorms Connect partnership area to protect and enhance this landscape.
The route will be roughly 15km with some rough surfaces and is suitable for beginner mountain bikers.
Feel free to bring your own bike if you have one, but don’t worry if not – thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, bike hire from Backcountry Scot is included with your ticket, if needed.
Discover Cairngorms Connect events are designed to give you an introduction to Cairngorms Connect while experiencing the landscape in different ways, in collaboration with local businesses and organisations.
Please note the exact location of the event will be provided upon booking.
It is important that all people have equal access to Cairngorms Connect events.
We don’t want finance to be a barrier to people attending and so have made some tickets available for free or by donation – please take advantage of this if you need to.
Donations go towards our ongoing community engagement work, supporting more people to connect with this landscape. We’re able to offer these ticket options thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme.
We are happy to provide for your requirements, wherever possible eg. BSL interpreters, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.
Discover Grantown-on-Spey, Capital of Strathspey and 18th century planned town during Scottish Archaeology Month. Local STGA guide and resident John, will describe the origins of the town, buildings and history. Followed by a route along the old military road through Scots pine woodland to the famous River Spey and Old Spey Bridge. Recounting tales of past events and local characters, the walk will return by a different route to the High St and Square.
Glenbeg or the small glen is located near Grantown-on Spey. A mixture of farmland and grouse moor, the glen has a rich history since the Bronze Age and more recently with clan Grant.
Join John on his guided walk during Scottish Archaeology Month, over a circular route following a tarred road and farm tracks, listening to past events, interpreting the landscape and with great views to the Cromdale Hills and the Cairngorrms.
John Halliday is a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association Green Badge holder for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for centuries. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.
Join Cairngorms Connect and friends for a day celebrating and exploring local forests and enjoying delicious local food.
We are excited to welcome you to our free outdoor festival celebrating local forests and sustainable local food. We’ve got a whole host of exciting activities planned for people of all ages and abilities, from guided walks to cooking demonstrations.
*Learn about the importance of deer management to restore local forests while enjoying a free BBQ with wild Cairngorms Connect Venison and other local, foraged, and gathered produce.
*Meet a local butcher who will teach us about preparing different cuts of venison and what they are best used for.
*Get hands on and help make Goldeneye Duck nesting boxes.
*Discover new ways to incorporate local food into your everyday meals with simple and inspiring cooking demonstrations from Scottish food expert Catriona Frankitti.
*Explore nearby Dell Woods on a guided walk with woodland and wildlife experts from NatureScot and learn more about how our local forests are managed to provide benefits for people and nature.
*Immerse yourself in the folklore and stories of the forest with Sarah from Strathspey Storywalks.
*Join in the many family-friendly games, crafts and activities throughout the day.
*And more to be announced soon!
Hill to Grill is an outdoor event, taking place in tents and on the Playing Field behind Nethy Community Centre, so please dress appropriately.
The event area is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies, but the grassy ground could be a little rough in places so please take care.
Join our guide Sue Sykes for a guided stroll around Dell Woods at Nethy Bridge, a short 10 – 15 minute drive from the Hotel. Possible sightings include Blue, Coal, Crested, Great and Long Tailed Tits, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Crossbill, Goldcrest, Robin, Siskin, Treecreeper, Wren, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk, Buzzard, Song Thrush, Red Squirrel, Roe Deer.
Where is this event being held?
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