Posts for August, 2022

The Family friendly Aviemore CycleMore starts at the Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore and ends at the Rothiemurchus Triangle.
Our route starts from the Old Bridge Inn, on the banks of the river Spey. You will cross the river by the old bridge, and follow the old Logging Way cycle route (beside the road) up to Inverdruie. There are 2 road crossings on this section, care is required. You will then turn right, following the minor road gently uphill to Blackpark. The route then forks right on a well-used landrover track, descending slightly to the entrance to Loch an Eilein car park. The clear and wide track continues beside the Loch for 1.5 km before turning left uphill on another clear track. This ascends steadily with a couple of steeper and slightly rougher sections for a further 2.5km to reach the historic Cairngorm Club footbridge.

Once you have negotiated the steps up to the bridge (assistance will be available), you will continue through the pinewoods on a good track. There may be one or two muddy sections here, before the track climbs more steadily to meet the private access road for Rothiemurchus Lodge. Turning left here, there is a level section for 1.5 km towards Loch Morlich. This is the half-way point, but you will have done most of the hard work! Turning right, you will head anti-clockwise around the Loch on forest tracks, emerging onto the Glenmore road at the Hayfield. Refreshments and 1st Aid will be available here, and there are toilets nearby at Glenmore Visitor centre and at Loch Morlich beach.

From the Hayfield, there is a short on road section passing through Glenmore Village, before turning right off the road to join the Old Logging Way. This is an established cycle route, which leads back to Rothiemurchus, and is mostly downhill. The route crosses the road above Coylumbridge, and there is a short pavement section at Rothiemurchus campsite. A further 1.5 km brings you to the finish area at Inverdruie, where you can enjoy a well earned rest, and of course collect your medal!

A discussion with Scottish writer and visual artist Amanda Thomson on her new book ‘Belonging’ which is a personal memoir which reflects on family, identity and nature. It is a love letter to Scottish nature, especially the northern landscapes of Scotland, and the Scots pinewood of Abernethy. Thomson is a lecturer at Glasgow School of Art and lives and works in the Strathspey. She will be interviewed by fellow Scottish writer Linda Cracknell.

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.

Following the Society talk on the 16th September, this walk will take in some of the sites of Grantown’s industries and provide some of the stories about the industrial past of what was founded as a manufacturing town. Booking is not necessary but anyone with mobility difficulties who could not normally manage the route can contact the organisers, well in advance, and it may be possible to provide appropriate assistance in the form of an all-terrain buggy.

Meetings are held at 10:15am on the first Thursday of each month where we discuss our latest favourite reads with tea, coffee & biscuits

A special community event in Dufftown, presented by leading Scottish folk performers, Hamish Napier (Grantown on Spey folk musician and composer) and musician/storyteller David Francis (Associate Director, TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). This event launches a year long arts project in Dufftown in partnership with the Peoples’ Parish.

Music from local performers, storytelling from David Francis, followed by a concert from the Hamish Napier Trio (with Patsy Reid and Innes Watson) who will perform music from Hamish’s award-winning album The Woods. The night will close with a Ceilidh Dance fuelled with stovies and the all important raffle!

A great evening of entertainment led by leading Scottish folk musician HAMISH NAPIER to celebrate the recent refurbishment of the Cromdale Village Hall.

See Eventbrite for full information and ticketing arrangements.

MESSAGE FROM CROMDALE HALL COMMITTEE

We are delighted to have received grant money to restore our lovely Cromdale Hall. The Cromdale Summer Dance will be a great night of music and ceilidh dancing – we have had to wait a terribly long time for community events like this to happen in the hall and now it’s finally coming.

EVENING PROGRAMME

Doors 7pm for 7.30pm

7.30pm Local performers – to be announced soon, including Cromdale’s own Eric Pirie on fiddle
7.45pm The Woods concert with the Hamish Napier Trio
Hamish Napier – wooden flutes, whistles, piano and stories, Patsy Reid – fiddle and viola, Innes Watson – guitars and viola) with a full performance of Hamish’s award-winning album ‘The Woods’

8.45pm Interval (food by The Claymore Bar)

9.00pm Ceilidh Dance, Part 1
10.15pm Stovies, then raffle
10.30pm Ceildh Dance, Part 2
11.00pm Finish

Make your family’s day (or potentially year!) that little bit more amazing with a 1-hour BattleZone outdoor laser tag experience. Where you’ll team up with other comrades (or families as they are more commonly known) for some tactical, adrenaline-fueled fun.

BattleZone is perfect for getting the kids away from their computer games and enjoying an outdoor gaming activity the whole family can participate in. With multiple lives and re-spawns, no one has to sit this one out!

In 2 teams, you’ll enter the woodland to sneak, crawl, hide and outwit the enemy. With a 250-meter shooting range, you’ll need to think tactically while the ultra-bright OLED screen on your weapon displays ammo and life as you play a diverse range of games and scenarios. Have you got the skills to survive?

Join us for a Family Paddling sessions on our purpose built paddling pond – a great environment for beginners.
We’ll introduce you to a range of crafts including open-top Canadian canoes, stand-up paddleboards and our mega SUP!
These sessions are great for beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of paddlesports. Suitable for all aged 3+ years.

Or take a trip down the River Spey! Surrounded by beautiful Cairngorm peaks, whether you’re a family, or perhaps a group of friends, our canoeing sessions are a real crowd pleaser!
Suitable for ages 7+ years, you’ll be provided with all the kit you need for a safe and enjoyable paddling experience.

Or enjoy 1-hour hire of our stand-up paddle boards out on our large, purpose-built pond.
The waters are calm and inviting, perfect for those looking for their first stand up paddle.