"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.

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.

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