Posts for July, 2025

Please come and join the Clan Macpherson Association’s talk in the Ballroom at the Duke of Gordon hotel at 13.30 on Friday 1 August by Dr Jim and Mairi Macpherson about James Macpherson (1736-96) – The Historian
Hear how James Macpherson, world-famous for translating and editing the tales of Ossian, was also an historian and a key figure of the Enlightenment

The Big Bike Film Night is back in Boat of Garten on its mission – bringing the best short cycling films from around the world together for you.

Showcasing 2.5 hours of riveting bike films that have 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 to delight the two-wheel devotee!

The 2025 treasure chest of films includes:
• an exhilarating film that redefines what’s possible on a gravel bike on technically challenging terrains
• a celebration of grit, camaraderie, and the beauty of “Type 2 Fun”, this film is an ode to the ride, not the finish line
• a captivating film that promises to take you on a journey of compassion, community, and the joy of cycling
• an uplifting film that follows a group of adventurers who gather to cycle from town out to the local Ski Field and back, carrying all their gear, with the purpose to raise awareness about the climate impact that comes with travelling and adventuring
• an inspiring mountain bike ride through back country Queenstown, New Zealand that is both poetic and meaningful
• a life-changing experience for a group of friends who undertake a trip to a bothie in the Scottish Highlands to show what can be achieved by people with disabilities in relation to having adventures
• a film, set in Pakistan, that celebrates the art of “winging it” and how travelling by bicycle and the power of exploration can obliterate preconceptions and contribute to understanding others
• and a classic Kiwi story of a young trail blazer participating in a gruelling six-day mountain bike rally, exploring his boundaries with his own signature entirely unsupported style – fueled by a penchant for chocolate milk and a single-minded approach to making it happen ALL in the mix!

These short films are a great reminder of why we love to ride our bike; with stories that captivate us, stories that move us, and most importantly of all – inspiring us to get out and ride. All celebrate the fun, adventure, and joy that cycling enables.
So…listen to the voice inside you; it’s telling you to go. Grab your mates, GO ON… grab your bike and come along for the ride!!

PREVIOUS ATTENDEE’S COMMENTS:
“One of the most inspiring events of the year”
“The Big Bike Film Night is always a wonderful, eclectic, wacky mix of films and I love it!”
“If you haven’t experienced the cinematic excellence of The Big Bike Film Night – then YOU MUST!!!”

Doors and Bar open from 6.15pm, Film starts at 7pm.
Licenced bar | cash/card sales

A One Act play about the haunting memories of John Roy Stuart – memories of Love, war and the Battle of Culloden. His story and poetry told by Michael Nevin. With musical accompaniment from Sheena Farquhar singing, Bill Tayler on the harp and Jason Faulkner on the pipes.

Step back in time and uncover the mystery of the Picts with the Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage and Dark Sky Ranger. This engaging talk and tour will introduce you to the Pictish people, their unique art, and the symbol stones that continue to inspire centuries after they were carved.

Set within the ancient and atmospheric site of Inveravon Church—an important place of worship and pilgrimage for generations—we’ll closely examine the intricate carvings on the four remarkable Pictish stones discovered here. You’ll learn how these enigmatic symbols fit into a wider cultural story and how the Picts helped lay the foundations of modern Scotland.

This is an opportunity to connect with Scotland’s ancient past, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Speyside.

Practical Information:

Meeting point: Access to Inveravon Church and burial ground is via a single-track road off the A95, about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle. Follow the brown tourist sign for the Inveravon Pictish Stones.

Parking: Available at the bottom of the drive and in front of the church building.

Family-friendly: Young visitors are often fascinated by the Picts and are warmly encouraged to attend. All children and youth under 16 attend free.

Inveravon Church is currently under threat of closure and sale by the Church of Scotland. The local community is working hard to preserve it as a heritage centre and community hub. Your support helps keep this unique site alive and accessible for future generations.

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.

Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed.

This event is generously funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Our regular stallholders will be there to tell us about what they are doing to push the transition to a sustainable future, and to inspire us to join them in taking action. They are too many to name individually, but include representatives from the building industry, home energy advisors, wind farm developers, wildlife champions, experts in waste management and the circular economy, active travel and local farmers and food experts. It will again be a great family day out, and there will be something of interest whatever your stage of life – wooden toys and creative child’s play, help with keeping your home energy costs down, right through to willow coffins and natural burial. As well as our range of stalls, we will again have a programme of ‘Tent Talks’ running throughout the Show. This year we are asking our stallholders to feature the number 5: five sustainability achievements, pledges, priorities or future goals, or their 5-year sustainability plan. Maybe you too will be inspired to think of 5 things that you can do!

The Braemar Folk Festival returns for it’s fifth year with an absolutely stellar line up of artists performing evening concerts in the stunning atmosphere of St Margaret’s Braemar as well as fringe events in various cosy venues around the village from foot stomping sessions to instrumental workshops.

Further details and the line up will be posted in due course. Keep an eye on the website!

The Braemar Literary Festival, curated and staged by the Fife Arms in collaboration with The Queen’s Reading Room was established in 2022 and now returns for its fourth year.

Turn the page on your next big adventure and visit us in our storybook setting from 26th September to 28th September for a weekend celebrating the power and quiet beauty of the written and spoken word and the creative use of text across all artforms.

We have a stellar line up for 2025 and are delighted to be joined by acclaimed author and actor Sir Stephen Fry, prolific and best-loved author Sir Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling writer Monica Ali and the author/screenwriter of global sensation ‘One Day’, David Nicholls. Food writer and critic Tom Parker Bowles also returns alongside restaurant critic and columnist Giles Coren, as part of our fantastic literary line up plus

Join us for a fun, informative and no doubt, eye-opening day. Tayside Mountain Rescue team will be present to demonstrate their specialist equipment, answer questions, and showcase their vehicles, drone, and possibly one of their working dogs. Their much-loved mascot, Hamish, will also be joining us on the day.

Takings from ticket sales into Blair Castle & Gardens on the 6th September 2025 will be donated to Tayside Mountain Rescue. The money will go directly to support the vital work they do across our region.

Charity Day entrance is included with your Gardens and Grounds ticket.

About Tayside Mountain Rescue
Tayside Mountain Rescue is a volunteer run charity that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No-one gets paid and they rely entirely on funding to procure the tools and equipment necessary to rescue people and animals from our local mountains and hills. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you require rescue, they will be there, giving up their own time and expertise to help save you. We’re proud to support an organisation that plays such a crucial role in keeping people safe in our region.

Image credit Paul Booth

“Glenlivet — it has castles three: Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie…”

Step back in time and explore the hidden histories of Glenlivet on this easy, guided walk to the recently conserved 16th-century tower house of Blairfindy.

We begin at the world-famous Glenlivet Distillery, where our journey through one of Scotland’s most iconic glens begins — a landscape once shaped by powerful families, illicit distillers, and whisky smugglers.

On the way, enjoy stunning views and discover:

· Tales of smuggling and illicit stills in the hills of Glenlivet
· The strategic role of castles like Blairfindy
· How Glenlivet became a name known around the world for whisky

Blairfindy Castle, completed in 1564 by John Gordon, is a remarkable L-plan tower house — still standing proud after centuries. Thanks to recent conservation efforts by the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the castle is open to visitors for the first time in decades and now also supports nesting birds and pollinators.

Meeting point: Outside the Glenlivet Distillery Stillhouse
(under the green signpost marked “Blairfindy Castle ½ mile”)

Parking: Available at the Glenlivet Distillery car park

Booking advised: Reserve your spot in advance or email to confirm Heritage Ranger availability.

Suggested donation: £4 (supporting local heritage tourism – free for under-16s)

Family-friendly: Children love castles — and they’re very welcome!

Join us for a history walk through the world-famous glen of Glenlivet.

We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who help to fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Pilgrimage Expert David Pott talks at Kincardine Church