Latest Past Events

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.

Heritage Ranger Tour- Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones

Join Glenlivet & Inveravon Heritage Ranger Lydia for an introduction to Pictish art and symbol stones. We will be looking at four Pictish Stones discovered in the churchyard of Inveraven, which has been a site of spiritual practice and pilgrimage for centuries. This tour will provide an overview to Pictish art and culture and will show how the Picts contributed to the shaping of modern Scotland. Access to Inveraven Church is off the A95 about half a mile north of the entrance to Ballindalloch Castle, and can be found by following the brown tourist sign directing visitors down the single track road to the Inveraven Pictish Stones. Parking is available at the bottom of the drive before you arrive at the church or in front of the church building. As we will be outside, please dress appropriately for changeable weather. Children are very welcome to attend. Please note that toilet facilities are not available on site. Well behaved dogs may attend but must be leashed. Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Heritage Ranger walk: Scalan Mills and Hidden Seminary

Scalan was originally the site of a secret Roman Catholic seminary where priests were trained in the 1700s. Scalan played a vital role in preserving and nurturing the Catholic faith during a time of severe persecution in Scotland. Following the departure of the priests in 1799, Scalan reverted to a farm. Two steading buildings were built housing corn threshing mills which served the Glenlivet farming community. The threshing machines and water wheels are still in place along with a wealth of historical graffiti telling the story of farming life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Join members of the Scalan Association and TGDT on a guided tour of the site and the mill buildings. We'll explore the seminary and mill buildings while unravelling the captivating stories written into the walls. In addition to its historical allure, the landscape surrounding Scalan is a haven for nature enthusiasts, with an abundance of oystercatchers, curlews, and lapwings during the spring and summer months. Don't forget to bring your binoculars along if you have them. We will be meeting in the Carrachs car park before proceeding by foot along a farm track, 1km from the car park at the end of the public road. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for changeable weather. Children are very welcome to attend. Toilet facilities are available on site during the summer season. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the mill buildings, but are not permitted in the seminary. Please note that sheep and other livestock live on site. Please be aware that there may be cattle present on the walk in. How to get to the Carrachs car park: Turn east off the B9008 at Auchnarrow (signposted for Scalan) and follow this road right to the end ensuring to follow sign for Chapeltown of Glenlivet. If you are using a navigation system, the postcode AB37 9JS will take you most of the way to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. Drive past Braeval Distillery and at the road end follow the 90-degree right hand turn which leads to the car park. This track is quite potholed and uneven in places so please proceed slowly and carefully. Funded by Foundation Scotland from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.