Posts for May, 2024

This is a half day guided walk for those wishing to explore the Glenmore area and find out a bit about it’s natural and human history.

Purchase tickets for children under 18 HERE, under 5s go free.

You can also enjoy lunch after your walk, with filled rolls, soup, cake, and tea & coffee available to purchase.

DETAILED INFO

IS IT FOR ME?

This is perfect for anyone visiting Glenmore who has a few hours to spare and would like to find out more about our special local area while taking in its beautiful scenery. We’ll mostly be on forest tracks and may head off the beaten path a little bit, but the aim of the walk will be to enjoy spending time in the natural environment so no need to worry about hiking up hills!

Families welcome – please book tickets for under 18s at a reduced rate HERE. Under 5s are free of charge

CONTENT

Glenmore Lodge is surrounded by a stunning landscape, and nestled in a beautiful forest at the foot of the Cairngorms. Join us on a guided walk around our local area and explore what makes it special; from the endangered flora and fauna, to it’s human history.

Find out about:

– The protected Caledonian pine forest’s ancient origins and its more recent renewal
– How reindeer came to live in Glenmore
– The native species of wildlife that call the Cairngorms home
– The people who have lived and worked in the area
– You’ll get to hear about this from a friendly guide, while you explore the forest and enjoy the lovely scenery on offer!

‘Rise, winds of autumn, rise; blow upon the dark heath! Streams of the mountains, roar!’

Join a walk to explore the importance of the oral tradition in the Highlands and learn how everything is connected to our landscapes. Experience Ossian’s bardic tales in their natural environment. Listen to history, tales, and Ossianic poetry, while looking at the scenery that surrounded the bards and storytellers. Think about the concept of Dùthchas, a feeling of belonging, understand, how the Ossianic stories generated a fascination with our Highland landscapes far beyond the Scottish borders and why all these stories still matter, today.

On this walk, you will hear stories and have a chance to share your own. You will also be encouraged to participate in a dialogue about our understanding of landscape, culture, and belonging.

There will be ample opportunities to express your understanding of the land in creative photography.

Children: Children are very welcome to join. Please make sure, they are comfortable with the physical demands of the walk and are accompanied by an adult at all times.

Dogs: Friendly dogs are very welcome on these walks and they will at times be in the company of our Landscape Lore dogs, who usually come along on the adventure (If this poses a problem for you, please get in touch, so we can arrange for a dog-free walk).

Meeting Point: Glen Banchor, Newtonmore. The nearest bus stop is 25minutes walking distance away from the meeting point, or you can access it by bike or car. The exact meeting point will be shared with instructions and a pin on google maps after booking.

Route Description and Accessibility: These walks usually cover approximately 2-4km and an ascent of 100-200m. Parts of the route can be very boggy and there are some short, steep sections. We will walk through the foothills of the Monadhliaths and enjoy the views of hills, glens and valleys.

Please be aware that you will need sturdy footing and footwear, as the paths we take can be uneven, steep and rocky in parts.

At an average fitness level, these walks would take about 1 hour, however, I always plan with some extra time, as we will be taking breaks to chat, take photos and share stories.

In case of severe weather conditions, we reserve the right to change the route of the walk or cancel the event.

What to bring: Please bring waterproof clothing, as well as sturdy shoes, and be aware that sections of the path can be rather boggy. We recommend some additional layers, as the weather in the Highlands can change very quickly and be unpredictable at times.

Please also bring a protective cover for your camera, if needed and some snacks.

‘Rise, winds of autumn, rise; blow upon the dark heath! Streams of the mountains, roar!’

Join a walk to explore the importance of the oral tradition in the Highlands and learn how everything is connected to our landscapes. Experience Ossian’s bardic tales in their natural environment. Listen to history, tales, and Ossianic poetry, while looking at the scenery that surrounded the bards and storytellers. Think about the concept of Dùthchas, a feeling of belonging, understand, how the Ossianic stories generated a fascination with our Highland landscapes far beyond the Scottish borders and why all these stories still matter, today.

On this walk, you will hear stories and have a chance to share your own. You will also be encouraged to participate in a dialogue about our understanding of landscape, culture, and belonging.

There will be ample opportunities to express your understanding of the land in creative photography.

Children: Children are very welcome to join. Please make sure, they are comfortable with the physical demands of the walk and are accompanied by an adult at all times.

Dogs: Friendly dogs are very welcome on these walks and they will likely be in the company of our Landscape Lore dogs, who usually come along on the adventure (If this poses a problem for you, please get in touch, so we can arrange for a dog-free walk).

Meeting Point: Kingussie (accessible by public transport), more details will be provided after booking.

Route Description and Accessibility: These walks usually cover approximately 5-7km and an ascent of 200-300m. We will walk through the foothills of the Monadhliaths and enjoy the views of hills, glens and valleys.

Please be aware that you will need sturdy footing and footwear, as the paths we take can be uneven, steep and rocky in parts.

At an average fitness level, these walks would take about 2 hours, however, I always plan with some extra time, as we will be taking breaks to chat, take photos and share stories.

In case of severe weather conditions, we reserve the right to change the route of the walk or cancel the event.

What to bring: Please bring waterproof clothing, as well as sturdy shoes, and be aware that sections of the path can be rather boggy. We recommend some additional layers, as the weather in the Highlands can change very quickly and be unpredictable at times.

Please also bring a protective cover for your camera, if needed and some snacks.

Encounter the amazing history and wildlife of the beautiful area around Tomintoul on a short to moderate guided walk (2 – 4km) 1.5 – 2 hours. Led by a local expert who will share their local knowledge and expertise to ensure you get the most from your visit to Tomintoul and Glenlivet!

Meet at Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre, The Square, Tomintoul AB37 9ET every Saturday 10am.

Please dress according to the weather, good footwear recommended.

Free but donations to Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust very welcome

Join one of our experienced rangers on a half day walk into the stunning Northern Corries leaving from Cairngorm Mountain. You’ll gain an insight into the landscape and environment and discover amazing views and facts about this wild mountain environment. Walking at a gentle pace you will also stop for lunch with plenty of stops for photographs too.

Experience wellness travel at its finest with our carefully curated active getaway that seamlessly fuse adventure, fitness, and relaxation. Embark on an unforgettable journey toward improved wellbeing in a location that’s nothing short of breath-taking.

Join us on this extraordinary adventure, where the Cairngorms National Park becomes the backdrop for your health and wellness transformation.

Our goal is to challenge you physically and provide the ultimate mental escape in the midst of the stunning Cairngorms National Park.

Nestled within our secluded mountain lodge, the Cairngorms Experience Retreat offers a unique blend of outdoor fitness experiences and wellness adventure holidays. It’s the ideal destination for those seeking health and fitness vacations that transcend the ordinary.

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust in The Square, Tomintoul for an all ages telescope moon viewing session. The first quarter moon on the 16th is a great time to view and learn about the moon. We’ll meet at Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre at 43 The Square, Tomintoul.

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.

We’ll have the Celestron telescope and a smartphone bracket on the night that will allow you to take the moon home in your pocket!

Toilets are available in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre.

If the weather isn’t suitable on the day, we’ll endeavour to run an alternative session in the days following.
As we will be outside in April, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Please also wear appropriate shoes for wet conditions.

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for an introduction to Pictish art and symbol stones. We will be looking at four Pictish 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 will show how the Picts contributed to the shaping 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.

Access to Inveraven Church 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.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Children are very welcome to attend. Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

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

Join us for a walk around Moray’s earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland’s vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle is an impressive medieval fortification standing on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon. Once we get to the castle, you’ll learn a bit about the architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow in Moray’s history.

This castle has recently reopened after masonry repairs. Access to the first floor is once again possible via a narrow, stone staircase. Sensible footwear is recommended.

Please park at the The Drumin Castle car park. There is a short diversion to the castle car park via the B9136. This short circular walk will start from the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. Access is by foot along a pedestrian trail and will return by a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Toilets are not available on site.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

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

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This 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 Scotalnd’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 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. 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.

Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was not occupied after this time. 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’ (see last photo).

Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather.

Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.