Posts for July, 2023

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.

“Cathedral and Toun

Wyld wrath did engulf

Lone Lochindorb Castle

The lair of the Wolf”

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. 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 Heritage Ranger led castle 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 fantastic views over the glen. 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 never repaired or 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.

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

Experience Insh Marshes from a new perspective!

Under the guidance of an instructor from Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, our team member will lead this special guided tour through the reserve, where you can experience the unique habitats and species at Insh Marshes from the water.

Choose either to canoe or paddleboard: feel free to bring your own if you have one, but don’t worry if not – thanks to funding from the Endangered Landscapes Programme through Cairngorms Connect, equipment hire is included with your ticket, if needed.

Participants will also be welcome to claim 20% off a meal or snacks in the Boathouse Restaurant to refuel after the event.

Children over 12 welcome, under 18s with an accompanying adult. We will meet at the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre car park.

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, off-road wheelchairs, adapted bikes etc. If have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch.

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August. In 2023 the Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August. Join members of the Cairngorms Astronomy Club and TGDT at the Field of Hope and at the Tomintoul Bird Hide to experience this special celestial phenomena.
The meteors are called the Perseids because they appear to originate in the constellation Perseus.
If the skies aren’t clear on Friday the 18th of August, another chance to view them will be offered at the same time on Saturday the 19th of August.

A free guided hike taking you along the Cairngorm’s impressive northern corries.

This 12km loop takes us around some of the finest terrain in the Northern Cairngorms. After gradually ascending passed Coire an-t Sneachda and Coire an Lochain we then hike up onto the Cairngorm Plateau itself, where in fine weather we are offered incredible views across the unique high ground and out north towards Aviemore and Strathspey. We then continue along the tops of the Northern Corries eventually descending back down towards the Cairngorm Ski Centre. This hike has a total of 800m ascent and includes a large variety of terrain, from well built pathways to small sections of boulderfields.

A good level of fitness is required, however previous hiking experience is not essential.

We will be meeting at 10:00. Please be sure to arrive promptly with appropriate kit for the hike, as indicated by the kit list. We will spend a short amount of time checking equipment and then aim to start the hike no later then 10:15.

Please note: if you do not bring the correct equipment you will be unable to join this hike. If you are unable to bring all of the items listed in our kit list please get in touch and I will try my best to provide what is required.

Do you have what it takes to help Ranger Saranne track this secretive creature at the Highland Folk Museum?

There have been reports of signs of a ‘dragon’ at the Highland Folk Museum but if it does exist – it has proved to have been very elusive.

The curators have asked local Countryside Ranger Saranne to take a look on Tuesday 11th or 25th July between 10am – 12pm. And she could do with some helpers with keen eyes, ears and noses aged 6-10 years old (P2 – P5). Do you have what it takes to use your senses as you explore the museum trying to track down this secretive creature?

10am – 12pm each day, suitable for 6 – 10 yr olds. ££
Booking essential https://www.highlifehighland.com/schools-out/

Annie Ives from Skills for Bees will be facilitating this workshop. She will explain the need for pollinator habitats, how you can create them in your own and a community spaces and get a chance to plant up a planter with wildflowers for your community to enjoy. Nancy Chambers, Manager of the Cairngorms Trust will be on hand to answer any questions about the new Cairngorms Trust Nature Resilience Fund which includes funding for community pollinator and wildflower projects.

Hayley Wiswell, conservation officer from the Cairngorms National Park Authority will be facilitating this workshop. She will explain the need for pollinator habitats, how you can create them in your own and a community spaces and get a chance to plant up a planter with wildflowers for your community to enjoy. Nancy Chambers, Manager of the Cairngorms Trust will be on hand to answer any questions about the new Cairngorms Trust Nature Resilience Fund which includes funding for community pollinator and wildflower projects.

“Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie”. This Heritage Ranger led castle 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 fantastic views over the glen. 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 never repaired or 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.

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.

“Cathedral and Toun

Wyld wrath did engulf

Lone Lochindorb Castle

The lair of the Wolf”

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. 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.