Posts for September, 2023

Central America’s best kept secret, it really is an incredible place. From cloud forests to pristine beaches it has it all stretching from the Caribbean to the pacific. With over 28% of it’s land under government protection containing 800 species of birds many of which are endemic, 260 mammals and a staggering 65,000 species of insects it boasts the highest biodiversity rate of the planet.

Create a beautiful Christmas wreath at Blair Castle this December. Under the watchful eye of Fiona from Verbena Flowers, enjoy a two-hour workshop in the Ballroom. Choose from fresh flowers, foliage, pinecones and dried fruit as you let your creative spirit flow.

With roaring fires, a warm mince pie and a hot brew to hand, it’s the perfect way to kick-start your festive season.

Join foraging expert Tamara Colchester on a three-hour autumnal walk that will introduce participants to around 15 wild, edible and medicinal trees, flowers and plants, along with their etymology, folklore and how best to prepare them.

Learn as you go about poisonous plants, and how to safely identify and avoid them. This meditative, sensory walk will take you into the riotous abundance of autumn, ending in a foraged herbal tea with delicious cakes and biscuits prepared with wild ingredients.

Where: The walk will take roughly 3 hours and will remain within the Gardens & Grounds of Blair Castle, so an ability to manage this distance is required.

Join us in Abernethy Forest for a behind the scenes masterclass with Cairngorms Connect Venison.

• Cairngorms Connect deer stalkers will talk about the methods, equipment, ethics, and sustainability of deer stalking for conservation management and will give a hands on demonstration of lardering the deer.
• A local butcher will then teach us about preparing all the different cuts of meat and what they are best used for, and you can even have a go yourself.
• We will then relocate to the tepee at the Dell of Abernethy for a live cooking demo over the fire by a local professional chef. Discover creative venison dishes and different ways to incorporate venison easily into our diet.
• And finally, we’ll share a meal of delicious dishes at a long communal table.

This event is being filmed and footage from it will feature as part of a new five-minute film produced by Cairngorms Connect about Deer Management that will be available online and screen at public events later in the year. The filming will be low key and will not distract from the event itself.

Video and photo release forms will be provided at the event, but please be aware that if you do not wish to be filmed we’d recommend attending a future Venison Masterclass event instead.

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.

A wide-ranging Historical Talk by Neil MacGregor centred on his great-grandfather Alexander MacGregor, born at Milton of Cromdale circa 1828, brewer and manager at Balmenach Distillery, proprietor of the Black Bull Inn, Grantown and hotel tourism magnate operating in Braemar, Ballater, Nairn, and Oban. Refreshments available.

Talk is free but donations are welcome. (Note: Public talk at 7.30pm follows closed AGM of The Grantown Society at 7pm).

Part Autobiography, part hard hitting call to action.

Building a naturalist is a journey through the development of a life-long biophile. Expect a journey that spans the last 44 years and zings all over the planet – connecting via experiences – familiar UK habitats to stories from more exotic shores.

Nick touches on subjects as broad as how keeping caterpillars in a jam jar lead to working with Britain’s rarest butterfly, how playing with grass-snakes helped Nick tackle a cobra, the similarities between Badgers and Black Rhino and how the most endangered species in the world is a child playing free in nature.

This talk explores why this is and suggests how we go about rewinding a young generation and in doing so – save the world.

All welcome to join.

No charge but donations gratefully accepted.

Tours start outside the front of the Invercauld Arms.

All welcome to come along.

No charge but donations gratefully accepted.

Tours start outside the front of the Invercauld Arms.

The Big Bike Film Night is on a mission to bring the best cycling short films from around the world together for you.

Showcasing 2.5 hours of moving bike films that has everything a cycle-centric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration; the evening is unashamedly and utterly, utterly, utterly designed and devised for the two-wheel devotee!

The Badenoch communities hold an annual heritage festival which builds on the very successful Kingussie festivals held previously.

This year’s Badenoch Heritage Festival will be held from 17-23 September 2023.

As usual, there will be a wide range of events including walks, tours, talks and concerts, with something for everyone interested in learning more about heritage around Badenoch.

Details of the events being held will be posted here nearer the time, once they are finalised. Booking details will then be posted on Eventbrite.