Posts for January, 2026

Bruce, the comedian behind the 230k subscriber YouTube channel Scotland History Tours, comes to Boat of Garten with a new show. Laughs galore and quirky observations as he explains how Scotland Made the World.
His unique style showcases and celebrates Scottish culture and history, in a way that will not only keep you fully engaged, but have you rolling with laughter and screaming for more!
This show will deliver more jokes than you’d get from the YouTube videos, and some might even make you blush, but you’ll still leave having learned about Scotland’s role in the world while laughing along the way.
Nominated for comedy awards in Australia, at home in Scotland and even named Scottish Comedian of the Year, Bruce appeared on ABC series Stuff the British Stole and many UK TV and radio shows

Friday 6 March 2026 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Boat of Garten Community Hall

Join us on Monday 23 February 2026 at 7:30pm at Boat of Garten Community Hall for an evening celebrating cold water, wild places, and personal challenge.
Since 2016, Ben Sparham has been on a mission to swim every high loch and lochan in the Cairngorms. As he nears completion of his epic project, Ben shares tales from his high mountain swims — the beauty, the solitude, and the endurance it takes to dip into icy waters miles from anywhere.
Tickets £6 on the door
Boat of Garten Community Hall
Monday 23 February 2026 | 7:30pm
Available to stream later for a small donation – get in touch for the link!
Join the Boat Talks mailing list by emailing info@boathall.org.uk

Join us at Boat of Garten Community Hall on Monday 9 February 2026 at 7:30pm for a fascinating insight into the “ghosts of the forest.”
Dane Stewart from Highland Wildlife Park introduces us to the story of three rescued female lynx — from their precarious beginnings to thriving in the Highlands. Learn about the myths, folklore and conservation efforts surrounding these elusive cats, and the powerful local support that helped them find a new home in the Cairngorms.
Tickets £6 on the door
Boat of Garten Community Hall
Monday 9 February 2026 | 7:30pm
Available to stream later for a small donation – get in touch for the link!
Join the Boat Talks mailing list by emailing info@boathall.org.uk

Join us for a remarkable evening at Boat of Garten Community Hall on Monday 26 January 2026 at 7:30pm.
Gill Williams shares her journey from adventurous Oxford schoolgirl to police diver and sergeant — a career that took her from the depths of rivers to the height of mountain rescue. This is a powerful story of courage, compassion, and a lifetime dedicated to “looking for the dead and finding hope for the living.”
Tickets £6 on the door
Boat of Garten Community Hall
Monday 26 January 2026 | 7:30pm

Available to stream later for a small donation – get in touch for the link!
Join the Boat Talks mailing list by emailing info@boathall.org.uk

Join us for a guided night walk in the Cairngorms National Park, led by a qualified Mountain Leader and certified Star Ranger. Begin with an engaging Dark Skies / stargazing presentation before heading out to explore the landscape in darkness. Discover the area’s rich history and nocturnal wildlife as you walk beneath some of the darkest skies in Scotland. When conditions allow, you’ll see constellations, planets, and the Milky Way in breathtaking clarity.

Travel in comfort aboard our private minibus — affectionately known as the Starship — with collection available from the Ballater area. You’ll be whisked away to a tranquil location for an engaging Dark Skies presentation, complete with hot drinks to keep you warm. Location of the event will be in the Ballater / Braemar area depending on winter road conditions and localised weather forecasts. You can choose to travel in your own vehicle if preferred and meet us / follow us to the chosen walk location.

For full details follow the link.

Join us at The Iona Gallery in Kingussie for a fantastic weekend filled with creativity and delicious cuisine. This weekend is all about celebrating culture, community and supporting a great cause.

We will be accepting donations on the door for Hope & Play, a UK-based charity supporting Palestinian children. All donations beyond covering event costs will be given to them, and 100% of each donation goes towards their projects on food and water, art and play, and education.

**Registration is needed for some parts of the event, marked below, due to venue capacity. Other parts of the event are drop-in with no registration required.**



Friday 28 November

Film night with mint tea!

7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start – please register

We are delighted to share two award-winning films: ‘Foragers’ by Jumana Manna (60 mins), plus another short Palestinian film.

‘Foragers’ depicts the dramas around the practice of foraging for wild edible plants in Palestine/Israel with wry humor and a meditative pace. Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, it moves between fiction, documentary and archival footage to portray the impact of Israeli nature protection laws on these customs. ‘Foragers’ captures the inherited love, joy and knowledge in these traditions alongside their resilience to the prohibitive law.

Suggested donation: £10 – cash or card on the night.



Saturday 29 November

A day of family activities, crafts and art, Palestinian food, and talks. We invite you to join some or all of the day!

We will have a quiet reading area with books and resources, and will also be selling Palestinian products provided by Highland Wholefoods (great as Christmas presents!) Payments by card or cash.

10.30am-12.30pm – drop in (no registration needed)

Crafts and activities, including:

Lego printing – with Colleen Coe, Timber + Stitch Studio
Kite-making
Storytelling – Palestinian folktales with Sarah Hobbs, Strathspey Storywalks
Colouring – Palestinian tatreez (embroidery) and Islamic patterns, contributed by artist Lizzie Hobbs

12.30pm-2pm – drop in (no registration needed)

A delicious home-made Palestinian lunch (and you can buy some of the ingredients afterwards!)

2pm-4pm – please register

Short talks about Palestine with local folk, followed by discussion. We are thoroughly delighted to welcome the following speakers:

Avigail Abarbanel was born and raised in Israel and served in the Israeli army. In 1991, at age twenty-seven she moved to Australia, and ten years later renounced her Israeli citizenship in protest. She’s beens speaking and writing about Palestinian human rights and against Israel’s Zionist settler-colonialism ever since. In 2010 Avigail moved to the Scottish Highlands, where she lives and works. She is a BACP Senior Accedited psychotherapist in private practice, a clinical supervisor, consultant and trainer. Avigail is a published author and the editor of Beyond Tribal Loyalties: Personal Stories of Jewish Peace Activists. (For more information please visit fullyhuman.co.uk and https://avigail.substack.com/).

Brendan Stephens is an international observer who represents ‘Friends of Madema and Burin’, having visited with other international volunteers to support farmers and harvest olives. Having spent time with Palestinians in both villages, he will share observations from his recent visit to the Occupied West Bank of settler and IDF activity and the impact of this upon increasingly isolated rural and farming communities.

Suggested donation: £5-10 – cash or card on the day.




This event is organised by The Olive And The Pine, a group of Badenoch and Strathspey residents who stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The group is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Palestinian heritage and culture, and who supports peace, justice and equal human rights in the region. The group includes a wide range of people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

We aim to raise awareness through learning circles, film screenings, arts and crafts, sharing Palestinian food, and fundraising.

The group chose its name because olive trees have long played a pivotal role in the cultural and economic life of Palestine, just as the pine tree is emblematic of Badenoch and Strathspey. As part of the systematic erasure of Palestinian life by the Israeli occupation, olive trees have been uprooted and replaced with non-native pines. The tree that symbolises natural abundance in our own region actually represents erasure and colonisation to Palestinians.

In this workshop you will create a stunning wreath using fresh foliage, seasonal decorations, and personal touches. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this workshop promises to be an enjoyable way to welcome the holiday season. The workshop will cover techniques for arranging greenery and adding unique ornaments, ensuring that each wreath reflects your personal style. All tools and materials will be provided as a decorating ready seasonal greenery base, you’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade wreath ready to adorn your home or to give as a heartfelt gift.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Price includes:

All necessary materials to decorate the wreath;
Sustainable greenery & foliage,
Decorations & ribbons
All Equipment
Breaktime refreshments- Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake
Why not make a day of it and stay for Sunday lunch afterwards (separate table reservation required)

Unleash the magic of the season and join us to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind Christmas table centrepiece.
​Using the highest quality fresh Nobilis pine and lush greenery as our base, you’ll learn how to build a fragrant, long-lasting display. We’ll then adorn your creation with a sophisticated mix of seasonal treasures: flickering candles, warm sticks of cinnamon, vibrant dried orange slices, and other festive sundries.
​This isn’t just a decoration—it’s an experience! You’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade piece that fills your home with the unmistakable scent and glow of Christmas.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!

Price includes:

All necessary materials to decorate the centrepiece;
Sustainable greenery & foliage,
Decorations & ribbons
All Equipment
Breaktime refreshments- Mulled wine, tea, coffee and cake.

Why not make a day of it and join us for Sunday lunch beforehand (separate table reservation required)

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

Ever wondered about the stars and constellations and wanted to find out more? Take some time out with a star gazing experience at Howe of Torbeg! Spend time in a gorgeous rural location & learn how to find key objects and constellations in the night sky on your own.

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.

Scotland has some of the best dark skies in Europe, including across the Cairngorms National Park, where Howe of Torbeg is situated, just outside Ballater, with simply amazing star gazing opportunities. A dark sky area is an area with exceptional dark skies and little to no light pollution.


On the night, we’ll gather in our Wee Studio for an interactive presentation, introducing you to the night sky. This is followed by an outdoor fire bowl & hot chocolate to keep you cosy & then a guided walk up the Glen to see the stars. Looking at the night sky will be a group experience guided by laser pointer.

No queuing for telescopes, we’ll be observing in the great outdoors, away from buildings.
Suitable for beginners.

Grantown and vicinity has a long tradition of brewers and distillers, licensed premises and off-licences. Join us on this virtual tour as we peer into dark corners and bright lounges and hear astonishing tales of some characters of long ago and more recent times. Researched and presented by Bill Sadler. (Drinks may be brought through from the bar!).