Posts for August, 2022

Grantown has a long and important military history. One element of this was the Home Guard in its various forms through the years. Dr Steve Goodall, following extensive research, will present this story at the Society’s October meeting. This is free and open to all who are interested.

Grantown was founded as a manufacturing town, particularly for making woollen and linen goods and this evening’s presentation will examine some of the industries, the sites and the stories.

Join artist and historian, Dr Charles Fletcher and Curator, Dan Cottam on a walk up into the past of the abandoned crofts on Dava Moor. A walk on the beautiful and terrible moor that set the scene for Maurice Walsh’s novel ‘A Key above the Door’ celebrating the novel’s 100 anniversary for Scotland’s Year of stories. The stories of the people who
lived on the moor and the landscape itself are told as we journey to find the scene of the crime where Walsh begins his tale.

Artist and historian , Dr Charles Fletcher talks on his exploration of the history of abandoned crofts that lie on the high grounds between Grantown and Forres that inspired him.
discover a rather dark past intertwined with stories from lives spent on a beautiful but unforgiving moor…

Part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary retelling of ‘ The Key above the Door’ which was set on the Dava,
for Scotland’s Year of Stories.

Thrive Bike Friday 23rd September to Sunday 25th September 2022

Kate Allum and Susan Stewart



Thrive Bike is an action packed long weekend of energy, excitement and entertainment.

Our goal is to motivate people to cycle, improve their wellbeing, and help the local community prosper while protecting our environment. With a range of organised rides, events and attractions, all people are welcome and respected at Thrive Bike. Along with our business partners Cyclehighlands, Astar Digital and BioCom, we love Ballater and want to see its community benefit from adventure tourism.

At Thrive Bike we have top bike brands offering demo rides including Headline Sponsor Kona and Project Sponsor Merida.

We have guided electric and non-electric mountain bike rides for adults, including women only, and children. Our partner, Eguide Scotland, provides a mix of guided rides so there is an opportunity to get on a bike no matter your ability. Scottish Adventure are facilitating two road rides in The Ballater Dash and The Ballater Reliability Rides.

The Ballater Dash is a personal challenge designed to test your route planning, navigation and riding skills at your own pace and ability. The Ballater Reliability Rides are self supported on a choice of organised routes. Riders navigate their chosen route and complete the course without external help, other than from fellow riders. We recommend stopping to take photos, or for cakes and coffee!

We have a children’s play area; Stunt Show, Climbing Wall, Sender Ramps and a host of other things to do for non-bikers. You will also learn more about how you can take care of your personal wellbeing and contribute to the community, economy and environment in the Thrive Zone. The Food Zone provides a chance to replenish your energy at one of the local food vendors.

Profits from Thrive Bike will be invested in the local trail network by working with landowners, the Aberdeenshire Trail Association and existing, sanctioned projects.

As we go to press we are securing Guest Speakers and more activities so please visit the website and find us on social media.

Get your hands dirty as you learn how to make ceramics with slabs of clay at the new Spey Bank Studio in Grantown-on-Spey.

No prior experience is needed for this fun class, which will teach you how to use slabs and coils to make a beautiful mug.

What you will learn

– The basics of slab building
– How to make a mug
– Pulling handles
– Simple glazing techniques

Dates
This course runs over two sessions:
– Saturday September 10, 10am-1pm
– Saturday September 17, 10am-12pm

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for a talk on Pictish art and symbol stones. We will be looking at four Pictish 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 will show how the Picts contributed to the shaping of modern Scotland.

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.

Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building.

As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Children are very welcome to attend.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site.

Company of Wolves presents a solo work by Anna Porubcansky.

Unbecoming is a performance about loss and rage, told by a woman and a mother.
Rage, at all we become when we don’t feel like we have a choice. Loss, of all we haven’t become.
And how we unbecome.

Using traditional song, soundscape, myth and movement, Unbecoming is a dreamworld, a rich and sublime
space where image, memory, desire and fear all reside. Watch a woman unravel, layer upon layer stripped away,
to reveal a human, unmasked. How much of what we are is what we’ve chosen to be?

“genuinely powerful … a captivating portrait of a woman caught in the dissonance of contradictory desires”
-The List

“Anna Porubcansky’s… looping and overlaying of recorded layers and real-time vocalisings echoed the complex
layers of a woman caught in a swithering vortex of choices and desires” – The Herald

Join Ruth and Alan for a light-hearted celebration of birdwatching and the role women have played within it

Bird migration is a fascinating and magical phenomenon, but how and why does it work? By following several familiar (and several less familiar) birds on their journeys to and from the UK, Mark explains its mysteries without taking away the magic – and you’ll never look at Robins and Mallards in the same way again…..