Posts for August, 2024

Are you ready to turn your dream home into a reality? Join us at Scottish Self-Build and Renovation (Highlands) 2024, kindly sponsored by Filpumps, on Saturday, 21 September 2024, 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 – click here to view the floor plan.

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, 21 September 2024
Open Times: 10 am – 4 pm
Venue: Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore

Embodying Braemar Literary Festival’s celebration of text in all its creative forms, British genre-splicing supergroup LYR take to the stage to perform an emotive and atmospheric set, featuring a powerful combination of the written and spoken word entwined with soaring original compositions.

With a talented and highly respected line-up comprising author and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Pearson, LYR have carved out a unique place within the contemporary British music scene with two critically acclaimed albums Call in the Crash Team and The Ultraviolet Age to date.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience LYR’s aural and lyrical talents in the intimate setting of Braemar.

Get ready for an intimate weekend of music in the heart of the Cairngorms this autumn.

Braemar Folk Festival returns with packed mainstage concerts in the atmospheric surrounds of St Margaret’s, while cosy venues throughout this quintessential highland village come alive with foot-stomping jam sessions, bespoke workshops and informal acoustic sets.

Nestled in the upper reaches of the Dee valley, among the mountains and Caledonian pine forests, there is plenty of opportunity to roam in the hills, swim in the rivers and lochs and enjoy the stunning nature and landscapes that this special part of Scotland has to offer.

Braemar Folk Festival is now an established and growing focal point in Scotland’s cultural calendar and was a finalist for ‘Event of the Year’ at the 2022 BBC Trad Music Awards. This October’s event is set to be the biggest yet — we can’t wait to welcome you to Braemar.

A night of ceilidh dancing with a live band in Mar Lodge’s Stag’s Ballroom to kick-off the Braemar Gathering weekend.

Doors open at 7:30pm. “Music starts at 8pm and will be provided by The Drams – they were so good last year we’ve invited them back!

Bring your own bottle, although Braemar Brewery drinks, and our own Pinewood Gin (made with botanicals from the estate) will be available to buy.

Stovies, included in the ticket price, will also be provided during the break.

Ever considered that your future might be here in the Cairngorms? Do you love the idea of working outdoors, dream of an office with a view, want to contribute to the community and crafts that draw nearly 2 million visitors to this part of the world every year, or simply value the perfect work life balance where adventure awaits? If so, you can find out about all the opportunities that are here for you by joining us on Thursday 12th September at Macdonald Aviemore Resort.

This informal event is open to everyone living and working in and around the Cairngorms. Whether you’re just leaving school and exploring your next steps, are actively looking for work, are in further or higher education and want to find out more about the opportunities and possibilities post-study, or are further down your career pathway and are looking to upskill or reskill – this event is for you!

Come along and find out about jobs that you might never have considered or even knew existed. With inspirational speakers, practical demonstrations, deep dive workshops, live job vacancies and more, you’ll hear from industry experts about all the possible careers on your doorstep, how to access them and current opportunities which may lead you to a fulfilling career.

We recognise that rural careers in a place like the Cairngorms are much broader than careers just within traditional industries . That’s why we’re excited to be joined by representatives from a wide range of industries including Environment and Conservation, Digital Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Food & Drink, Hospitality, Energy and Renewables, Forestry and Land management. A full list of exhibitors and workshop timetable will be released in early September.

Sign up today to secure your free space!

You’ll find us in the Osprey Arena at Macdonald Aviemore Resort – follow the signs for the Conference Centre. The venue is located in the centre of Aviemore with good public transport links, free onsite parking and ammenities nearby for refreshments.

Book your tickets now

We have a stellar line up for 2024 featuring sessions from renowned novelists, historians, artists, food writers and actors.

Discover more about each event via the links below and book your ticket. Please note tickets are nonrefundable.

Saturday, 21st September
10:00 Tom Parker Bowles in conversation with Matthew Fort

11:30 Kate Mosse on 30 Years of the Women’s Prize for Fiction

12:45 Jessie Burton in conversation with Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room

14:00 Frances Morris and Fiona Bradley: The Life and Work of Artist Phyllida Barlow

15:30 In conversation with Jon Sopel – Renowned British Journalist – SOLD OUT

17:00 Ken Follett in conversation with Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room

18:30 LYR

Sunday, 22nd September
10:00 Alan Cumming in conversation with Fiona Kennedy – SOLD OUT

11:30 Simon Armitage in conversation with Nick Barley

13:15 Jinny Blom

14:30 Discover Award-Winning Jinny Blom’s Garden at the Fife Arms – SOLD OUT

Food & Drink

Refresh between talks, with some tasty food in the village. If you’re in the mood for tea and scones or sandwiches, Gordon’s Tearoom, The Bothy or Hazelnut Patisserie are the perfect venues. For a heartier meal, book a table at The Flying Stag, and indulge in pub classics like fish and chips whilst enjoying live music and poetry in the evening, or visit Farquharson’s Bar and Kitchen located in the village. And when the day is done, head over to the Invercauld Mews Pub to enjoy a drink and chat about the days highlights with fellow bibliophiles.

Join us for a closing reception to celebrate the Commonplace Book project with Cairngorms Connect Venison canapes and drinks.

cairngormsconnect.org.uk/commonplace-book

Come for a Wildlife Wander with someone from our knowledgeable team to see some of the amazing wildlife that late Summer brings to Insh Marshes.

September is a good time to look out for raptors like Hen Harriers hunting over the marshes. Buzzards are common and may be seen along the Tromie Trail. Butterflies and dragonflies will continue to fly as long as the weather is warm and sunny – Scotch Argus, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock and Black Darter are most likely. Many summer flowers have come and gone, but the blues and purples of Harebell, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Common Heather (Ling) and Bell Heather can be seen along the Tromie Trail. Other flowers may include the whites of Yarrow and Eyebright and the yellow of Lady’s Bedstraw.

Some areas may be rough underfoot. It is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies, and we recommend sturdy footwear.

Come along and enjoy a fun 45minute class where kids will use existing pre cut stencils or cut their own (with help of accompanying adult) and screen print either a wooden wall tile or tote bag.

This is a fun way for kids to try screen printing and take home a ‘me made’ product.

Suitable for children age 5 – 18
Class run by Timber and Stitch Studio

Come along to The Old Bridge Inn on August 7th 3pm – 8pm and give screen printing a try with Colleen from Timber + Stitch

You can hand screen print your own T-shirt -£20 or tote bag-£15
Create your own design (perfect to keep the kids entertained) or use a pre-made design
Just ‘pop up’ to the table in the outdoor seating area and give screen printing a go.

Everyone that screen prints will be entered into a raffle to win a £50 Old Bridge Inn voucher – Yay!
Suitable for kids age 5+ and adults too