Posts for October, 2025

Returning on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Findhorn Valley, just six miles from Forres, Logie Steading invites you to discover a weekend full of seasonal cheer, creativity, and community spirit.

With over 55 of talented exhibitors joining us per day, this is a perfect opportunity to shop local and support small, independent businesses from across Moray and the Northeast of Scotland. From handcrafted gifts and artisan wares to delicious local produce, you’ll find something truly special for everyone on your Christmas list.

Logie Steading is already home to a vibrant community of makers and retailers, and the Christmas Markets bring even more creative energy to the site. Visitors can meet the people behind the products, hear their stories, and enjoy a festive shopping experience in a unique and welcoming setting.

With delicious hot food, live seasonal entertainment, and marshmallow toasting by the fire, we’re all set to celebrate the season with you and the whole family!

Start your Christmas shopping at Blair Castle’s annual Christmas Market. Explore stalls from Scottish artisans and local businesses in the Banvie Hall and the Ballroom and enjoy a tempting selection of festive foods and drinks on the castle forecourt.

The Castle will be dressed for Christmas and reduced entry tickets can be purchased on the day. The Gift Shop and Restaurant will be open as usual.

A walking workshop to collect the ‘living’ placenames of the high Cairngorms, as used by you – hill-goers, local residents, mountain enthusiasts – but which aren’t on any maps or recorded in any way. This workshop will be delivered by Sarah Hobbs. Please bring footwear and clothing suitable for a 1-2km walk.

This project will map, record and eventually share placenames used by many different folk who live or work in the hills, and the corresponding stories behind them. Aiming to highlight ongoing and varied human connections with mountain habitats in the Cairngorms, the project will create a snapshot of a point in time as the climate and land use changes.

Who it’s for: Anybody who lives, works or plays in the Cairngorm Mountains (the high hill ground), and who may have their ‘own’ names for places – from individual memories, to names made up by families or social groups.

This workshop has been made possible with funding from the Cairngorms Trust and support from the Cairngorms 2030 programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – thanks to National Lottery players.

This autumn, journey back through thousands of years of history at Inveravon Church, set along the beautiful River Spey. This exhibition, generously loaned from Grantown Museum, traces the story of the very first people who encountered this landscape as the Ice Age ended, through to the arrival of Picts and early Christians.

Explore how early hunter-gatherer societies lived, and learn about local hillforts and sacred sites, and how the enigmatic Pictish symbol stones connect us to this past. The Inveravon Pictish symbol stones are also on display, with interpretation that helps us understand their meaning and significance.

Whether you are fascinated by archaeology, heritage, or simply curious about the lives of those who walked this land before us, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to uncover the layers of history woven into the Spey valley.

This exhibition was made possible with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland.

From 16th–17th October, we welcome the Inspiration train — the official Railway 200 Exhibition Train, curated by the Railway 200 team and the National Railway Museum. This free, static exhibition offers a hands-on, family-friendly experience across four themed carriages:
• Railway Firsts – Discover groundbreaking innovations that shaped rail history
• Wonderlab on Wheels – Explore the science and engineering behind railways through interactive activities
• Your Railway Future – Learn about hidden roles in rail and career opportunities for the next generation
• The Partner Zone – Hear stories from local organisations and railway partners
Fully accessible and structured in 15-minute intervals, the exhibition is designed to last around an hour and promises to inspire visitors of all ages.

Our castle witch needs some help- she needs you to complete all the challenges in the castle to get the ingredients she needs for her potion!

Make a giant spiders web in the morning room, sneak past the ghost of the black colonel trying not to wake him, have a dance off in the exhibition room and bowl down some ghosts with some pumpkins in the Clan Farquharson Room!

Then celebrate with a hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows by the fire.

Booking is Essential. Tickets available from Braemar Castle or Braemar Pharmacy.

Friday 31st October 5pm to 7pm at Braemar Castle

Tickets: £7 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult- accompanying adults free.

Email info@braemarcastle.co.uk for more details or to book.

A wide range of events including walks, tours, talks and concerts, with something for everyone interested in learning more about heritage around Badenoch – come and join us as we celebrate, learn about and remember the heritage of this wonderful region.

The full programme of events can be seen here (since printing the Kingussie of Old event will be rescheduled for later in the year – we hope it will take place in October as one of our Winter Talks).

General knowledge quiz from The Grantown Society in aid of the Fiddler of Strathspey Festival.

Drinks available from the bar of the Royal British Legion bar before the quiz starts at 7.30pm sharp.

Teams of 6 maximum.

The award-winning writer, broadcaster, comedian, and lifelong Motherwell FC supporter is bringing his riotous stand-up show to Boat of Garten.

Expect sensational stories from his incredible 35-year career in radio, TV, and newspapers, served up with his signature no-holds-barred style.

This is your chance to witness Tam’s sharp wit and infectious humour live – a guaranteed evening of unforgettable entertainment.

Doors 7pm and show will start at 8pm.

Licensed bar – cash/card sales.

Following its launch success in May 2025, the Pledge | Process | Planet exhibition marked a first for designers and artists living and working in the National Park. 20 creatives came together to collaborate and stage their first exhibition. Now, thanks to funding from the Cairngorms Trust and National Heritage Lottery Fund this beautiful and thought provoking exhibition goes on tour in October 2025.

“What a lovely surprise – an inspiring exhibition. Interesting basis/idea and great to bring together local creatives and the natural environment of the area. Really, really loved the embroidery.”  Dawn and Dave, Greater Manchester.

“Incredible work – a huge thank you to the artists in the Park for sharing.” Anon

“Really interesting and inspiring. Thanks for letting us see.” Beau and Sandie, Paris

“Chord an taisbeanach seo, gu mor ruim. Torr obair a sas ann le diofar sgilean.” Sandra

The Cairngorms creative network formed to promote co-design and collaboration between creative practices in the National Park. Made up of over 100 members including visual and performing arts, the group aims to promote work opportunities, connect with other creatives, stage exhibitions and workshops and spark conversation as part of the Cairngorms 2030 programme.

Pledge | Process | Planet aims to spark conversation and connect landscape and community, to inspire collective action on climate change. By using creative disciplines to inspire conversations and action on climate change, it’s hoped this event will inspire a legacy beyond 2030, while building public awareness of creatives based in the National Park.

Supported by the Cairngorms Trust and the Scottish Government in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.