Posts for January, 2026

Join us for a remarkable evening at Boat of Garten Community Hall on Monday 26 January 2026 at 7:30pm.
Gill Williams shares her journey from adventurous Oxford schoolgirl to police diver and sergeant — a career that took her from the depths of rivers to the height of mountain rescue. This is a powerful story of courage, compassion, and a lifetime dedicated to “looking for the dead and finding hope for the living.”
Tickets £6 on the door
Boat of Garten Community Hall
Monday 26 January 2026 | 7:30pm

Available to stream later for a small donation – get in touch for the link!
Join the Boat Talks mailing list by emailing info@boathall.org.uk

Are Car Boot Sales your ‘thing’? If so, book in for our first sale of the year! All indoors so we don’t need to worry about what the weather will be doing. Great time to get rid of stuff in time for spring or grab a bargain.

Sunday 22 March 2026
12:00
Boat of Garten Community Hall (main hall)

If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.
Contact Boat Hall:
info@boathall.org.uk
01479 831123
£10 per car/space to be paid in advance

Immerse yourself in creative fun for a morning of nature painting with Ellie Dimambro-Denson.

In 2024, Ellie challenged herself to walk 250 kilometres across the Cairngorms Connect partnership: the UK’s biggest habitat restoration project and 600 square kilometres of ancient forest, peaty bog, and magnificent mountains.

On her journey she captured her experiences in beautiful watercolour, using natural pigments she made herself from the plants that grow within the landscape.

Join us at the Loch Garten Nature Centre for a beginner’s workshop on the world of wild watercolours:

~ Get an introduction to making paint pigments from nature

~ Learn tips & tricks on how best to capture your favourite scenes through watercolour

~ Enjoy the mindfulness and peace of painting in an ancient forest location

This workshop is for beginners but all abilities are welcome!

This is an indoor event at the Loch Garten Nature Centre but please bring warm layers in case you feel inclined to take inspiration directly from the outdoors! The centre is a short, 3-4 minute walk from the car park over even ground, however if you require further assistance, an all-terrain wheelchair is available to use for free. Please contact us in advance if required.

Get ready to zig-a-zig-ah! This fun, family-friendly dance workshop invites adults and children to learn energetic routines inspired by the iconic Spice Girls. From “Wannabe” to “Spice Up Your Life,” you’ll dance, laugh, and celebrate friendship, confidence, and teamwork – just like the Spice Girls themselves!

Everyone is welcome! No dance experience is needed, this workshop is all about having fun, moving to the music and enjoying a shared family experience.

“Say you’ll be there” and grab your tickets now!

Experience the passion and drama of Moulin Rouge in this adults-only dance workshop! Explore theatrical moves inspired by the iconic musical, bringing the romance, energy, and flair of the world of cabaret to life.

After the workshop, unwind with our own showing of Moulin Rouge on the big screen, immersing yourself in the unforgettable songs and dramatic love story that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Unleash your inner vaudeville vixen in the final chapter of our Cell Block Tango experience!

Join us for an adults-only dance workshop inspired by the iconic world of the hit musical, Chicago. But that’s not all – after dancing, settle in for a special screening of Chicago on the big screen! Experience the glitz, glamour, and unforgettable music of the film while celebrating all your energy from the workshop.

We’re delighted to be part of this year’s Christmas Eve Parade in Aviemore – a truly special community tradition. Join us outside the hotel as:
• Speysound Radio broadcasts live from 5pm
• The Badenoch & Strathspey Pipe Band lead Santa and his sleigh
• Santa arrives with the Cairngorm Reindeer at approximately 6.20pm
• Complimentary mulled wine and hot chocolate will be provided by the hotel
• The evening finishes with the Cairngorm Hotel firework display
Wrap up warm, bring the family, and celebrate Christmas Eve with us.

Come and Join us to sing Christmas Songs by the tree on the green in Boat of Garten followed by carols in the church and then more singing – with mulled wine and mince pies by the Boat Hotel

Come and join the Feis Spe Band for a Christmas Cèilidh
at the Newtonmore Village Hall on 28th December, 3 – 5 PM

Entry: Adults – £10, Children – £5
Family (2 adults + 3 children) £30

Enjoy dancing, refreshments and raffle

Book your tickets:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/feisspe

For our Christmas special screening, as requested by our community, we bring you CINEMA PARADISO! Come and enjoy it on the big screen for our final event of the year.

Giuseppe Tornatore’s classic gem of nostalgic cinephilia from 1988. A celebration of youth, friendship and the everlasting magic of the movies, Cinema Paradiso won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and is considered a classic of world cinema.

The story of Salvatore, a successful film director, returning home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood.Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the highs and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier.

As usual, doors will be 6.30pm, with film on at 6.40pm.

Fiver tickets for all.
Run by the community, for the community.