Posts for January, 2025

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.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Friday, February 7th at Inveravon Church & Pictish Stones at 7pm for a Moon at Inveravon telescope session to celebrate National Astronomy Week. On February 7th the Moon will be close to Beta Tauri in the constellation of Taurus in the evening sky. We’ll also be looking at the planet Jupiter as well as stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at Inveravon for 7pm.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cool February conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.

Toilet facilties are limited at Inveravon but there is a public convenience at Cragganmore near the parking on the Speyside Way.

Access to Inveraven Church is off the A95 about half a mile north 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.

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

A suggested donation of £5 on Eventbrite or on the night helps to support heritage and dark sky activities in Glenlivet & Inveravon. This event is generously funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Community Benfit Fund.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Saturday, February 1st at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul at 5:15 pm for a Crescent Moon with Venus, Neptune and Saturn evening telescope session to celebrate the start of National Astronomy Week. On February 1st the Crescent Moon will form a triangle with Venus and Neptune. The fantastic telescope target Saturn will also be visible below right. As the moon sets, we’ll also look at stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 5:15 pm.

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 one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cool February conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your telescope and stargazing experience more enjoyable. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees. Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre.

Suggested donation £5 through Eventbrite or on the night helps to support the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. Under 16’s free.

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.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

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

Valentine’s weekend: Stars and Moon walk

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Celebrate love under the night sky at our Stars and Moon walk event! Join us at the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre for a romantic evening surrounded by nature’s beauty. Enjoy a gentle stroll as you gaze at the twinkling stars above. We’ll enjoy hot chocolate and treats before going outdoors for a stargazing stroll 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 one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside for a portion of the session, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Sturdy shoes, lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.

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

Valentine’s weekend: Stars and Moon walk

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Celebrate love under the night sky at our Stars and Moon walk event! Join us at the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre for a romantic evening surrounded by nature’s beauty. Enjoy a gentle stroll as you gaze at the twinkling stars above. We’ll enjoy hot chocolate and treats before going outdoors for a stargazing stroll 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 one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside for a portion of the session, please dress appropriately for cold and changeable weather. Sturdy shoes, lots of layers, along with gloves and hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.

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

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Sunday, January 12th at 6:30 pm for an evening telescope taster session. We’ll be looking at the Moon and Mars in the constellation of Gemini. We’ll also be looking at prominent winter stars and constellations and will 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 one of the most northerly in the world. Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 6:30pm. We’ll then be walking a short distance down to a suitable viewing location in a group with red head torches that will help your vision adapt to the darkness.

As we will be outside in the highest village in the Scottish Highlands, please dress appropriately for cold January conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre.

Would you like to learn more about the night sky? Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust on Friday, January 10th at the Discovery Centre in Tomintoul at 5:30pm for a Seven Sisters, Stars, and the Moon afternoon telescope taster session. The Pleiades star cluster, famously known as the Seven Sisters or cataloged as Messier 45 (M45), is one of the most recognizable sights in the night sky. We’ll also be looking at Jupiter, at stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 5:30pm. We’ll then be walking a short distance down to a suitable viewing location in a group with red head torches that will help your vision adapt to the darkness.

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 one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cold January conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees. Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre.If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees.

Come join us on Friday, Jan 3rd, 2025 at 16:00 in Tomintoul for an afternoon of meteor spotting and stargazing.

The peak of the meteor shower in early January is promising in 2024 as it occurs a few days after the New Moon. During the maximum, you may see up to 60 meteors an hour on a nearly moonless sky. Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball meteors produing larger explosions of light and colour, which makes them a perfect target for astrophotography. Venus and Saturn will also be in the sky near to the moon.

Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 4:00pm. We’ll then be walking a short distance down to a suitable viewing location in a group with red head torches that will help your vision adapt to the darkness.

Join Cairngorms Astronomy Club and members of Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust to learn about the planets Saturn and Venus in the constellation of Aquarius. We’ll also be looking at prominent winter stars and constellations and will share resources for improving your celestial knowledge. Please meet at the Discovery Centre at 5:00pm. We’ll then be walking a short distance down to a suitable viewing location in a group with red head torches that will help your vision adapt to the darkness.

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 one of the most northerly in the world.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for cold January conditions and changeable weather. Sturdy footwear, lots of layers, along with gloves and a hat will make your stargazing experience more enjoyable. If conditions are unsuitable on the day of the event the organiser will email attendees. Toilets are available in the Discovery Centre.