Posts for October, 2024

Come and celebrate with us for an evening of delight and surprise! In a warm and relaxed evening at Am Fasgadh, Highland Folk Museum with hot drinks and nibbles, we’d love to share the creative work of this year.

The Storylands Sessions Word Workshops this season have been hosted at the Highland Folk Museum where we have been inspired by items from their collections, including a Women’s Land Army Jumper, vicious anti-poaching devices, a 200 year-old shepherd’s plaid, the Travellers’ tent and tinware, and a collection of wheeled items.

We have been privileged to learn from the Highland Folk Museum curators, Helen Pickles and Liz English, as well as local people for whom our focus that week is a way of life: sheepfarmer Campbell Slimon and Traveller John Macdonald.

Places are very limited, so book early

Ever wondered about the stars and constellations and wanted to find out more?

Guided stargazing sessions in small groups of up to 10 people at Howe of Torbeg in the stunning Cairngorms National Park, with its exceptional dark skies.

Simple & accessible, looking at the stars and learning a bit about them is the perfect way to get away from it all for a few hours, & spend some time in nature.

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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.

Married to the Duke of Gordon at 17, Jane became a leading hostess in Edinburgh, friend and principal Patron to Robbie Burns. In London society she became a close friend and “fixer” to William Pitt and Dundas as well as a mediator between King George 111 and the Prince of Wales. Back in Badenoch she was a zealous agricultural improver and founded Kingussie. Tonight’s Talk sets out to convince the audience that Jane Maxwell was and is, indeed, Scotland’s most remarkable woman.

The Cairngorm’s National Park is the UK’s largest and is one of the most important places for nature in the UK. It is home to around 18,000 people and is visited by around 2 million people each year. The Park has seen significant changes since it was designated 20 years ago. This Talk will look at the changes that have occurred, the work of the Park Authority and what are the big challenges for the next 20 years.

Time spent sailing the West Coast of Scotland and beyond provided Alan with time to reflect on ancient landscapes, navigation by the stars and the development of modern navigation technology. Alan will trace the origins and influences of Gods, emperors, explorers, empires and scientific developments that opened navigation and exploration around the globe. This will be a fascinating presentation that draws on history and personal experiences and has shaped the globalised world we know today.

A chance encounter between James Lamb from Dunkeld and Tashi Lama, a Buddhist monk from Tengboche monastery that coincided with a massive avalanche at Everest Base Camp changed both their lives and led to an enduring partnership and, following the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal in 2015, the establishment of The Little Sherpa Foundation. The Foundation is focused on supporting the Sherpa communities living in the Solu Khumbu area and funds the rebuilding of clinics, schools and infrastructure and the provision of grants and bursaries.
This evening will include illustrated Talks focussed on the mountains and Sherpa communities living in this part of Nepal by Cameron McNeish and James Lamb along with a film “Sherpa Speak” made by BAFTA award winning film makers Richard Else and Meg Wicks. There will also be a raffle and items for sale, including signed prints by James Hawkins.
Cameron McNeish is the well known walker, mountaineer, author and broadcaster. He is also a trustee of the Foundation. James Lamb is a walker and trekker who was in the Solu Khumbu when the Everest avalanche struck and established the Little Sherpa Foundation. Richard Else and Meg Wicks are film makers best known for their work on the BBC Adventure show.
This is sure to be a great evening with dramatic mountains, fascinating cultures and communities and inspiring activities and all in support of a wonderful, local Foundation.

Sam reached the summit of Everest at 4.45am on Thursday 18th May 2023, but this was only possible due to extensive and rigorous physical and mental preparations over the previous 2 years. As a Team GB biathlete, an ultra marathon runner and founder of “Fitnessat58” Sam was already in good physical shape, but the rigour of high altitude climbing requires particular preparation – and only those with absolute determination and mental resilience will finally get to stand “on top of the world.”
Sam Cairns stays in Kingussie and leads a hectic life as director of “Fitnessat58” plus also being a co-founder of the successful “The Lunchbox Boys.”
This Talk will take us through the highs and lows of the preparation along with the experience of climb itself – a dramatic and very personal story.

It’s easier than ever to find green toiletries and beauty products, but which ones should you choose? Come along and hear some local experts, from Oriflame and Weleda, talk about the options out there, then please share your own green beauty tips. What products have you tried? And which would you recommend?
Open to all.

This October, we’re offering the chance for children to get a taste of what it’s like to be a zookeeper with our exciting two-hour Junior Highland Keeper experience!

For children aged eight – 15, our Junior Highland Keepers will get hands-on opportunities to care for the animals, learn about their habitats, and understand the importance of wildlife conservation. Children will assist with feeding, cleaning enclosures, and preparing special treats for the animals such as Mishmi Takin, Bactrian Camel and Japanese Macaques.

Each slot has space for four children to participate. Children must be accompanied by one adult aged 16+ for the duration. The accompanying adult entry is complimentary.

Please email events@rzss.org.uk for more information.