Posts for September, 2025

Hill to Grill is back!

Join Cairngorms Connect and friends for a day celebrating and exploring local forests and enjoying delicious local food

When: Saturday 25th of October 2025, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where: Nethy Bridge Playing Field

Tickets: Hill to Grill is completely free but why not click ‘Going’ on our Facebook, so we can make sure we have enough burgers for everyone!

Due to increased popularity, some elements of the event will require booking in advance – there will still be lots of drop-in activities on the day too. More info coming soon!

We’re excited to welcome you to Cairngorms Connect’s free outdoor festival celebrating local forests and local food. We’ve got a whole host of exciting activities planned for people of all ages and abilities, from woodworking to cooking demonstrations.

Learn about the importance of Deer management to restore local forests while enjoying a free BBQ with wild Cairngorms Connect Venison and other local, foraged, and gathered produce.

Meet a local butcher who will teach us about preparing different cuts of venison and what they are best used for.

Discover new ways to incorporate local food into your everyday meals with simple and inspiring cooking demonstrations from Scottish food expert Catriona Frankitti.

Immerse yourself in the folklore and stories of the forest with Sarah from Strathspey Storywalks.

Join in with family-friendly games and activities throughout the day
Hill to Grill is a largely outdoor event, mostly taking place in tents and on the Playing Field behind Nethy Community Centre, so please dress appropriately, and prepare for all weathers.

The event area is accessible for wheelchair users and buggies, but the grassy ground could be a little rough in places so please take care.

Ballater Golf Club are delighted to welcome Shamrackle on Saturday 27th September!

Tickets now available and include a basket supper. Call 01339755567 to book a table.

Originally hailing from the high desert of Northern New Mexico, Cahalen has been touring solo, as a duo with Eli West, and with his band Western Centuries over the past 15 years. Cahalen has performed on stage with the likes of Tim O’Brien, Kelly Joe Phelps, Hot Rize, David Grisman, Dirk Powell, Crooked Still, Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas, Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain and Kris Drever. Well known for his singular turn of phrase and curiously poignant songs, he dips deep into the well of tradition while continuously pushing boundaries of contemporary songwriting. Cahalen is equally at home on guitar, banjo, mandolin, singing three part harmony or unaccompanied.

Cahalen has played all over the United States, Canada, The UK, Ireland and Western Europe, and at festivals such as Transatlantic Sessions, MerleFest, Red Wing Roots, Rockygrass, Wintergrass, Celebrate Brooklyn!, Strawberry Music Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, Meadowgrass, Timber!, Shetland Folk Festival, Larmer Tree, Kilkenny Roots Festival, Celtic Connections, Bluegrass Jamboree and many more.Cahalen is based out of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently working on an exciting new project, he is also a regular at many sessions, eats as much black pudding as possible and can be found in one of the many beautiful parks or along the Clyde with his dog most evenings.

Carrie Fertig is delighted to be participating in North East Open Studios at St. Margaret’s Saturday 13th – Sunday 21st September, 2025. Carrie is an interdisciplinary artist working in performance, video, sculpture, and installation and also a metalsmith and maker in flameworked glass, the latter often getting incorporated into her performances and videos.

The Poozies have been mistresses of cosmic shape-shifting for a miraculous 34 years. Pioneers from the beginning, with a healthy dose of sass and irreverence, they paved the way for sparkly women folkies in a beardy man’s world.

The band continue to be anchored by the glorious bass of founding member Mary Macmaster’s electro-harp, while the irrepressible riotousness of Eilidh Shaw & Sarah McFadyen’s twin fiddles and the shimmering joyfulness of Mike Bryan’s guitars burst off to happily explore other musical dimensions.

Come and see them at The OBI this September!

Grantown’s YMCA Community Centre Haunted House is back and it’s better than ever!

Bring your family, bring your friends and have ‘spooktacular’ fun this Halloween.

Take a tour around this Victorian building at night as it turns into a Haunted House with ghouls and ghosts around every turn.

Families with younger children are invited from 5pm to 6pm. There will be hot drinks for sale and sweetie bags for all. Donations welcome.

Grantown YMCA Community Centre is hosting a night of curry, quiz questions and good laughs.

Tickets cost only £10pp which includes a selection of delicious food from a curry and sundries buffet.

Also included is a multiple round quiz which is open to groups of up to 6 people and there will be a fully-licenced bar as well.

Booking is essential.

The Annual, (last Saturday in September), Strathspey Canine Club Companion Dog show is at the Nethy Bridge Community hall and fields. All proceeds from show entries will be donated to Munlochy Animal Aid. Entries (cash only), are in person from 12:00 noon and judging starts at 1:00pm. Pedigree, Novelty(including fancy dress) and Obedience classes for any dog over 6 months, whether pedigree or mixed breed.
Trophies, Rosettes and Prizes for the winners. Raffle, Tombola, bottle stall etc will be open from 12:00 noon. Refreshments, Soup, Sandwiches and home baking available from our very popular kitchen open to all.
Please note: Only undocked dogs & legally docked dogs may be entered, No C.C, Res C.C & J.W. winners in Pedigree classes. No Obedience C.C. winners or Bitches in season in Obedience classes.

This is a community event for families, you dont need to have a dog or enter a dog to come along and watch.

Join us for a full day of workshops designed to restore balance, improve body awareness and connect with natural movement.

9-10.30am: Restore Foot Function, Play & Balance with Louise of Foot Forte Podiatry and Nathan of Play with Strength. Discover how to build stronger, healthier feet with playful movement and balance drills. Suitable for all abilities and ages.

11-12.20pm: Holistic Approach to Dog Training & Communication with Jalen of Paw Prides. Learn techniques that deepen trust with your dog and build an understanding of how they express themselves. Ideal for both new and experienced dog owners. Dogs welcome to join if they are comfortable in a group environment.

1.30-3pm: Explore Body Awareness, Breath & Movement Flow with Nathan. Experience rope flow for coordination, rhythm and mindful movement. Suitable for all abilities. Ropes provided on the day.

3.30-4pm: Shoes optional stroll. Finish the day with a relaxed walk in nature, connecting with each other & to integrate all that you’ve learned.


Follow booking link & click on group sessions tab to see booking options.

Are you ready to turn your dream home into a reality? Join us at Scottish Self-Build and Renovation (Highlands) 2025, kindly sponsored by Filpumps, on Saturday, 13 September 2025, from 10am to 4pm at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore. Whether you’re planning to build, renovate, or embark on smaller home improvement projects, we’ve got you covered!

Why Attend:
Discover a one-stop hub for all the expertise you need to bring your project to life. From architects to building materials, energy efficiency to bespoke furniture, we’ve got it all under one roof.

Expertise on Hand:
Architects, Cost, Planning and Structural Advice
Building Materials
Energy Efficiency, Grants and Incentives
Ground Works
Heating and Cooling
Insulation
Kitchen, Bathrooms and Interior Design
Private Water Systems
Timber Frame
Windows and Doors … and many more!

Save the Date:
Date: Saturday, 13 September 2025
Open Times: 10 am – 4 pm
Venue: Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore