Nature & Environment
Station to Station on the Speyside Way
Join us for a walk along a portion of the Speyside Way from Cragganmore to Blacksboat Station. Whisky enthusiasts will delight in the popular walking trail the Speyside Way. Cragganmore was the first distillery in Scotland to have its site selected and be built specifically to take advantage of its proximity to the Strathspey Railway. This walk follows the route of the old railway from Cragganmore station to Blacksboat Station and back again.
Heritage Ranger Walk: Drumin Castle
Join us for a walk around Moray's earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland's vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch.
Introduction to Beekeeping Course
This is a beginners course for anyone considering taking up beekeeping or simply wishing to learn more about honey bees. We'll meet in our training apiary near Elgin for a presentation then, after lunch, you will meet the bees. We will lend you a bee suit and gloves and show you the fascinating world inside a hive of bees, and teach you the basics of handling them. In the course you will learn about the life history of the honeybee and find out what is required to get you started as a beekeeper. We ask for a donation of £30 for the course and this includes refreshments during the day, a soup and sandwich lunch and the use of the protective clothing when we meet for the demonstrations in the apiary. Moray Beekeepers Association Training Apiary Birnie Elgin IV30 8SU Get your tickets from HERE
Sheep in the Uplands
Funded by University Innovation Fund from the Scottish Funding Council. SAC Consulting have arranged an exciting line-up coming to the North of Scotland at Ballindalloch Home Farm. Free event. Lunch is provided. Please contact samantha.stewart@sac.co.uk, 07788 568 691 if you have any specific queries. Reserve your spot HERE
Forest and Saltmarsh Foraging
Foraging is a super way to get out in nature, find out what wild foods are on your doorstep while looking after your mental health. Join our experienced instructors to experience a fun day out seeing what you can forage in your local area. The day starts at 10.00am and runs until 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch and drink. Also, there may be some rough ground to walk over so sturdy boots or shoes are recommended. These days have been kindly supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, and so all you need to pay is a £10 booking fee to secure your place. This event is for those over the age of 16. We are sorry but we are unable to have dogs attend these events. 10.30am to 3pm £10 booking fee Culbin Forest, Unnamed Rd, Kintessack, Forres, Moray IV36 2TG Sat 22 July Get your ticket HERE
Heritage Ranger Walk – Blairfindy Castle
"Glenlivet it has castles three, Drumin, Blairfindy and Deskie". This guided walk will take us to the 16th century tower house of Blairfindy and begins outside the iconic Glenlivet Distillery. On the walk in we'll enjoy stunning views over one of Scotalnd's most famous glens. You'll learn a bit about Glenlivet's rich history and some whisky history too. Blairfindy Castle was completed in 1564 by John Gordon. In 1586 Blairfindy passed to the Earls of Huntly, another branch of the family, who used it as a hunting seat. A panel above the arched doorway bears the Gordon arms and this date. In its heyday Blairfindy was a fine example of a three storey L-plan tower house and even today shows a remarkable degree of preservation. Research has shown that the castle was probably burned by troops after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and it was never repaired or occupied after this time. A project to stabilise Blairfindy Castle took place in 2019, funded through the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The castle is now open to visitors for the first time in decades and has been specially adapted to encourage nesting birds and pollinators. Please park at the The Glenlivet Distillery car park. The walk will start from outside the stillhouse under the green signpost marked 'Blairfindy Castle 1/2 mile' (see last photo). Access is by foot along a dedicated track. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather. Toilets are available inside The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre. Children are very welcome to attend. Well behaved dogs are welcome. We would like to express thanks to Foundation Scotland, who fund this event through the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Wild Print Workshop
Immerse yourself within a wildflower meadow through creative sessions that support a community conservation project that is planting for pollinators on the Altyre Estate, Forres. 2hr sessions (each for up to 4 people) will introduce you to the craft of block printing, capturing the plants and species who make their home in the meadow. Print your own tea towel, napkin, or table runner (provided), along with a plantable postcard to bring the meadow flowers to your own home. The cosy wildflower hide is a small but relaxing space, with a large viewing window onto the meadow. During the session there will be tea, coffee and homebaked cake to enjoy while you print, afterwards you are encouraged to enjoy a stroll through meadow to see the pollinators at work. This activity is enjoyable for all ages and abilities. Young children will need to be supervised. Access to the hide is a short walk through the meadow over uneven ground. Strollers can access the meadow but must be left outside the hide itself. Unsuitable for wheelchairs. Spaces must be reserved in advance as places are limited. The suggested donation is £12.50pp. Donations are non-refunable, but should you be unable to attend please let us know as early as possible so we can reallocate your space and find an alternative session for you if possible. Supported by Findhorn Bay Arts Combine to Create programme funded by Creative Scotland as part of Culture Collective Scotland.
Photographing Landscapes Class
This two-day workshop is ideal for the photography lover of any skill level. Landscape Weekend –From Start to Finish This two-day workshop is ideal for the photography lover of any skill level. It consists of a full day of outdoor shooting on Day One, followed by 2.5 hours of shooting in the morning of Day Two, and ending with 3 hours of processing. The workshop will introduce you to taking RAW photographs and the benefits it can offer to your photography. Learning Objectives: • Composing your shot • Reading the light • Exposing your photograph • Creating a dynamic photograph • Processing a RAW image Eligibility The workshop is suitable for all existing photography skill levels. • Age 13 and above (for younger ages, please get in touch to discuss) • A camera, which can shoot in RAW • A laptop with ability to connect to the internet (wireless is available at training room) • Ability to walk on uneven ground and for distances of several miles Lunch and Refreshments Tea/coffee is provided when we are in the training room, but it can be useful to bring a flask or other drinks, particularly for Day 1. Please bring your own lunch and snacks for both days. Booking Place numbers are limited; therefore early booking is required. For any questions about the Workshop or content, contact Gary at: info@garymurisonphotography.co.uk Acorn Centre Lower Cabrach Cabrach AB54 4EU
Mushrooms for Beginners
Mushrooms for beginners around Loch an Eilan. Get the basics of how to identify families and find some tasty edibles and safe medicinals Foraging is a super way to get out in nature, find out what wild foods are on your doorstep while looking after your mental health. Join our experienced instructors to experience a fun day out seeing what you can forage in your local area. The day starts at 10.00am and runs until 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch and drink. Also, there may be some rough ground to walk over so sturdy boots or shoes are recommended. These days have been kindly supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, and so all you need to pay is a £10 booking fee to secure your place. This event is for those over the age of 16. We are sorry but we are unable to have dogs attend these event 10.30am to 3pm £10 booking fee. Loch an Eilan, Aviemore, Moray PH22 1QT Sat 9 September Contact telephone: 01309 690450 Call to check latest times or cancellations. Buy tickets HERE
Glenfiddich to Glenlivet Walk
A linear walk with Dorenell and Glenlivet Ranger Services along Moray core path SP29 from Bridgehaugh in Glenfiddich through to Glenlivet. Join the Rangers from Dorenell Ranger Service and Glenlivet Ranger Service for a walk up the River Fiddich all the way to its source then over the watershed to meet the River Livet. We’ll park at the finish point in Glenlivet and be transported by coach to the start at Bridgehaugh, south of Dufftown. The route will follow Moray core path SP29, going past Glenfiddich Lodge and up Glenfiddich itself where we’ll have an opportunity to see Elf House cave and the McHardy stone. Once up on the watershed, we’ll hopefully have views across to the Cairngorms before following the Suie Burn down to the River Livet and out to Glenlivet. Along the route, the Rangers will talk about the Cultural and Natural History of the area and will be on hand to point out any wildlife along the route which could include Red Deer and various birds of prey including Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles. Although starting off on patchy tarmac track the route is mainly rough landrover tracks with a number of small stream and river crossings. A larger river crossing towards the end can be avoided by a bridge further upstream but walkers should come prepared for potentially wet feet. Mark Johnston is Head Ranger for the 23000ha Glenlivet Estate. The Crown Estate acquired Glenlivet (now managed by Crown Estate Scotland) in 1937 which today comprises over 30 let farms, 1500 acres of commercial forests and a sporting tenancy including grouse moors, salmon fishing and deer stalking. Stephen Reeves is Head Ranger for the Dorenell Ranger Service, set up by EDF Renewables in July 2019 as part of the Dorenell Wind Farm on Cabrach and Glenfiddich estate. Based at the Dorenell Wind Farm Visitor Centre, the Rangers are responsible for delivering the Access Strategy and Habitat Management Plan whilst delivering environmental education and guided walks in the Cabrach and surrounding area.