When is this event?
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’.
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 may attend but must be leashed.
Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
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.
Where is this event being held?
Drumin Castle car park. The road to the castle is currently marked closed due to bridge renovations but access to the castle car park remains open via the B9136.
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