What’s On in Highland Perthshire December 2016 www.HighlandPerthshire.com Christmas Eve, 1843: the cruel money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the ghost If you have an Event you would of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who warns like to advertise Scrooge that he faces damnation unless he mends his ways. Can Scrooge be redeemed? All will be FREE OF CHARGE decided by the three spirits who visit him in the info@explorescotland.net with course of the night . . . With a scintillating score by Lesley Bricusse, Date/Time/Event/ Venue/Price whose credits include Pickwick, Dr. Dolittle and Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, the NB We try to make sure all the information we show features the wonderful Thank You Very post is accurate, but please check directly with Much, I Hate People and the classic Sing A the venue concerned before committing yourself. Christmas Carol! Click here to book or call Box Office on 01796 484600
Edradour Distillery Shop Only open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm daily. Closed 16th Dec to 4th Jan Tel: 01796 472095 www.edradour.com
Continuous Events Friday 2nd December to Friday 23rd December SCROOGE! The musical. Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry PH16 5DR This festive musical, based on Dickens’ muchloved A Christmas Carol. Book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It started life as the memorable 1970 film starring Albert Finney before transferring to the stage. The Scottish première production featuring a large cast and live band, spectacular sets and costumes, and spooky special effects promises to be one of the most memorable Christmas musicals ever staged at PFT!
fabulous coffee. Explore our shop for fantastic Christmas gift ideas and some real one offs, we are open every day except Mondays! Embrace the outdoors and enjoy the warmth of Highland Safaris.Tel 01887 820071 www.highlandsafaris.net
Beatrix Potter Interactive Exibition and Garden. Birnam Arts & Conference Centre Station Road Birnam Dunkeld PH8 0DS
Suitable for adults and children alike housing a history section and a Victorian play area. £3 per person. Tel: box office 01350 727674 www.birnamarts.com
Thursday 1st December – Saturday 31st December Daily 10.00am – 5.00pm Cinema, Live Event/Broadcasts The Christmas Collection The Birks Cinema PO Box 7517 Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, Aberfeldy PH15 2WH By Dunkeld PH8 0DS see website for details & listings book online or Birnam Arts host their annual Christmas CollecTel 0871 902 5754 tion Exhibition by invited local artists and crafts www.birkscinema.co.uk persons. There will be a chance to buy fantastic Christmas gifts ranging from paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, soaps and more... the exhibition is further complemented by Christmas merchandise within the Beatrix Potter shop, also in Birnam Arts – take a look! Tel: 01350 727674. Weekly Events
November to mid March - Open SUNDAYS Daily (closed Mondays) Wintertime at Highland Safaris. Every Sunday “Sunday Session” Highland Safaris, Aberfeldy PH15 8-11pm, McKays Bar & Restaurant 2JQ 138 Atholl Road Pitlochry PH16 At Highland Safaris we absolutely love the winter5AG . Session night where a mixture of musitime. A crisp, cold day in the great outdoors can be truly invigorating – our Red Deer Centre can offer the perfect balance of discovery and fun for all ages. After the refreshing exploration outdoors nothing can beat being welcomed into Highland Safaris cosy and inviting atmosphere. Warm up by the fire in our award winning café, set in a stunning location we serve locally produced food, delicious weekend brunches, home baking and
cians or those of you learning a musical talent gather round to sing, strum or drum what they know best, a great fun night open to everyone. Free entry. McKays, Atholl Road, Pitlochry. Tel: 01796473888 www.mckayshotel.co.uk
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What’s On Highland Perthshire WEDNESDAYS Every Wednesday, 9pm, Open Music Sessions. Bankfoot Inn, Main Street, Bankfoot PH1 4AB Open session for musicians of all abilities to gather and play music - any music. Local musicians assemble to play a variety of instruments and sing songs. Open to all. Join in if you want, play an instrument, or just sit in and enjoy good music. Tel: 01738 787243 www.bankfootinn.co.uk
THURSDAYS Every Thursday 7.00pm to 10.30pm Birks Cinema Celtic Acoustic Music Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy PH15 2DA Everyone is welcome to come along to play or just enjoy the music, which may be anything from folk, blues, bluegrass or instrumental. It is free entry, sit in comfort in the upstairs cinema bar, with a drink and song. Further details Doug 01887 820165
Every Thursday 6 to 9pm Schiehallion Hotel, 6 Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2AF (opposite the Coop Petrol Pump)
Two course Chinese Meal £10.95. The Schiehallion is newly renovated, locally owned hotel based in the centre of Aberfeldy, offering luxurious en suite bedrooms, a large bar serving a wide variety of local ales, wines and spirits and an extensive menu to suit all. Tel: 01887 820421
Every Thursday Traditional Fiddle Session The Taybank Tay Terrace Dunkeld PH8 0AQ Pete Clark leads a traditional fiddle session in the bar from 8.30pm - again all musicians are welcome to come and join!! Tel: 01350 727340 www.thetaybank.co.uk
Birks Cinema Celtic Acoustic Music Every Thursday 7pm to 10.30pm Birks Cinema Celtic Acoustic Music Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy PH15 2DA Everyone is welcome to come along to play or just enjoy the music, which may be anything from folk, blues, bluegrass or instrumental. It is free entry, sit in comfort in the upstairs cinema bar, with a drink and song. Further details Doug 01887 820165
FRIDAYS Friday night Folk” 8-11pmMcKays Bar & Restaurant 138 Atholl Road Pitlochry PH16 5AG
sounds. Free entry. Tel: 01796473888 www.mckayshotel.co.uk
SATURDAYS
Saturday 3rd December 7.30pm The Real Inspector Hound By Tom Stoppard Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, By Dunkeld PH8 0DS
Amateur Dramatics - Written by Tom Stoppard back in 1961, The Real Inspector Hound hilariously parodies the stereotypical Agatha Christie whodunnit. Feuding theatre critics, Moon, a fusty philanderer, and Birdfoot, a pompous and vindicTop quality Perthshire Bands, playing a variety of tive second-string critic, are swept into the whostyles including covers, blues, rock, jazz … dunnit play they are reviewing. In the spoof AgaTel: 01796 474020 tha Christie-like melodramas which ensue on the www.theoldmillpitlochry.co.uk lavish set of Muldoon Manor, the body under the sofa proves to be the top critic who was meant to review the play that Moon was brought in to “Saturday night live@McKays” replace. In good old whodunnit style, all the char9-12pm, McKays Bar & Restaurant acters are kept within the house, unable to leave, 138 Atholl Road Pitlochry PH16 and all know the murderer is present amongst 5AG. Live bands from Scottish, Irish, Pop, rock, them. As mists rise above the isolated Muldoon Blues, Jazz, Motown and many more. Sing dance Manor, Moon and Birdfoot become dangerously implicated in the lethal activities of an escaped and clap the night away... Free entry. madman... but who is the murderer?! £8 Tel: 01796473888 Tel: 01350 727674. www.mckayshotel.co.uk
Every Saturday from 9pm Live Music , Old Mill RestaurantPub, Mill Lane, Pitlochry PH16 5BH
“Saturday Night Fever” 12-1.30am Sunday 4th December 2.00 – McKays Bar & Restaurant, 138 4.00pm Atholl Road Pitlochry PH16 5AG A Glittering Christmas - kids workresident DJ plays some of the latest tunes to shop dance the night from 11pm-late, if you come in Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, after 11pn there is a £3.00 door charge. By Dunkeld PH8 0DS Tel: 01796473888 www.mckayshotel.co.uk
Daily Diary Events Friday 2nd December 7.30pm The Real Inspector Hound By Tom Stoppard Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, By Dunkeld PH8 0DS Amateur Dramatics - Written by Tom Stoppard back in 1961, The Real Inspector Hound hilariously parodies the stereotypical Agatha Christie whodunnit. Feuding theatre critics, Moon, a fusty philanderer, and Birdfoot, a pompous and vindictive second-string critic, are swept into the whodunnit play they are reviewing. In the spoof Agatha Christie-like melodramas which ensue on the lavish set of Muldoon Manor, the body under the sofa proves to be the top critic who was meant to review the play that Moon was brought in to replace. In good old whodunnit style, all the characters are kept within the house, unable to leave, and all know the murderer is present amongst them. As mists rise above the isolated Muldoon Manor, Moon and Birdfoot become dangerously implicated in the lethal activities of an escaped madman... but who is the murderer?! £8 Tel: 01350 727674.
Saturday 3rd December Pitlochry Christmas Festival Atholl Road, Pitlochry
Following the success of last year’s Christmas Festival, the 2016 event will have market stalls, a storyteller, children’s winter games, loads of street entertainment and the switching on of the ChristTraditional folk music from musicians all over mas Tree lights outside Fishers Hotel in the centre Scotland using an array of different instruments to bring you some of the best Scottish beasts and of Pitlochry. For more details call Vicki on tel: 01796 472242
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2016
Ages 7+ We’re sure at Birnam Arts that you’ll all agree there’s nothing nicer than a homemade Christmas decoration that tells a story... Join the glittering Birnam Arts team to create a unique Christmas decorations, using gold and silvers and glorious, sumptuous glitters - the perfect gift for Mum, Dad, Granny or Gramps; one that will be treasured for years to come! Wear old clothes, likely to get sticky and did we mention there’s glitter involved?! Juice and Biscuit provided. £5 Tel: 01350 727674.
Sunday 4th December 12 noon to 3.00pm Blair Atholl Christmas Market Blair Atholl Village Hall
A wide sellection of stalls, including Good-Life Farming, Scottish Hardwood Products, Preserves, Local Honey, Nancy’s Macaroons, Jewellery, Therapies, Watermill Bakery, Therapies, Mary’s Meals and more. Free entry. Refreshments available too,
Saturday 10th December 11.00am Rapunzel - Puppet Theatre 4+ Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, By Dunkeld PH8 0DS It’s Santa Day in Dunkeld... and it’s loads of fun at Birnam Arts for the wee ones! Narrated by a wonderful frog, this fun adaptation has all the elements of a traditional tale…the witch, the beautiful girl locked in a tall tower and, of course, the handsome prince who attempts to save Rapunzel. With specially recorded music and beautifully made rod puppets, this is a show that will be adored by children and adults alike. “The children were totally wrapped up in the story and the frog was an absolute hero!” Sauchie Nursery. £5 Tel: 01350 727674.
What’s On Highland Perthshire
2016
Saturday 10th December 1.00pm Sunday 11 December at 6.00pm Santa and the Reindeer in Dunkeld The Lobster - Heartland Film SociThe Square, Dunkeld, PH8 0AW ety The Dunkeld and Birnam Santa Day is recognised Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy
is on their Christmas wish-list. They’ll receive an early present as well, but only if they’re good! Book early to avoid disappointment. Booking is essential - Tickets: £10 per child. + ALSO Christmas Sunday Lunches in the Ballroom. Enjoy a break from Christmas shopping with a three-course seasonal Sunday lunch next to the roaring fires in Blair Castle’s magnificent Ballroom. £25.50pp.Booking is essential + ALSO Tour the Victorian Christmas Castle. From 10am-4pm. Experience the castle decorated for Christmas as it was in the Victorian era when the 7th Duke of Atholl and his family lived here. Finish your visit with a stroll around the gardens in the crisp winter air. Tickets: Adults £8.20, Conc. £7.00, Child £4.95, Family £22.00. Tel: 01796 481207 or email: office@blair-castle.co.uk
Stax of Motown are one of the UK’s leading Soul bands, celebrating the music from these two individual iconic record labels. Based in Scotland these musicians have a passion for Soul and have performed with Hue & Cry, Curtis Stigers, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Wolfstone, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Skerryvore, The Average White Band and Carol Kidd to name a few! Formed in April 2010 by Leon Thorne, the vision was to create a band that wouldn’t compromise in doing justice to artists such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Edwin Star, Stevie Wonder, and many more - Stax of Motown have more than succeeded in their vision… Tonight will be one sizzling Christmas party! £15 Tel: 01350 727674.
Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, By Dunkeld PH8 0DS
nationally as one of the best Christmas events in Scotland. Santa and his Reindeer leave the Birnam Hotel at 1pm, they come over the bridge into Dunkeld and arrived at Santa’s Grotto at Drill Hall, in the centre of Dunkeld in the Square. Children from local groups, along with locals and visitors will join the parade. Children visit Santa’s Grotto between 1.30pm - 4pm to meet the jolly chap! ALSO Dunkeld & Birnam’s community Christmas Market is in Dunkeld Square it is full of wonderful crafts, gifts and local produce, it starts at 11am - 4pm and have hot refreshments available, including yummy hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream.
The Lobster (Greece, UK 2015 118 min Cert 15) director: Yorgos Lanthimos Strange, thrillingly ambitious, and definitely an acquired taste -- but for viewers with the fortitude it should prove a savory cinematic treat. At once a full immersion into a strange and surreal world, and a witty and clever reflection of our own society, THE LOBSTER is a thrillingly audacious vision fully brought to life by Lanthimos and his terrific cast - Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw & Olivia Coleman. Winner Cannes Jury Prize. Recover afterwards in the bar at the Birks with the rest of us. Information and online booking www.birkscinema.co.uk or phone 01887 822845. Everyone is welcome to HFS screenings Sunday 18th December 11.00ambut become a member any time for just £10.00 3.00pm Sunday 11th December 7.00pm get 12 months of reduced prices on all HFS Winter solstice - family fun days Christmas Concert - Pitlochry Cho- and films at The Birks plus free DVD loans of HFS films Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, ral Society and all the benefits of belonging to a friendly film Dunkeld, Perth & Kinross, PH8 0HH Atholl Palace Hotel, Atholl Road, society Find out how the darkest days of winter affect www.heartlandfilmsociety.org Pitlochry PH16 5LX wildlife. Children’s activities, quizzes and nature The annual Christmas Concert also includes trail. Suggested donation for activities – £2 per Breadalbane Academy Junior Choir. The Music Saturday 17th December Doors child. Tel: 01350 727 337 Director is Norman Beedie, Brahams Liebeslieder www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk 8.00pm Waltzes, with Seasonal Greetings by Dougal Lee. Stax of Motown Soul/Rock Tickets £12 (under 16s £1) Can be purxchased in advance ay Atholl Palace Hotel, Viva, and from Birnam Arts, Station Road, Birnam, Friday 30th December 7.00pm Choir members or at the door. Otello: Rossini: (2014) - Film By Dunkeld PH8 0DS
Sunday 11th December 10.00am3.00pm Santa + Victorian Christmas Castle + Christmas Sunday Lunches Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, PH18 5TL. + Bagpipe-playing Santa will be back, a hugely popular event. Santa will be in his magical grotto in one of the oldest and atmospheric parts of the castle where he will hear from boys and girls what is on their Christmas wish-list. They’ll receive an early present as well, but only if they’re good! Book early to avoid disappointment. Booking is essential - Tickets: £10 per child. + ALSO Christmas Sunday Lunches in the Ballroom. Enjoy a break from Christmas shopping with a three-course seasonal Sunday lunch next to the roaring fires in Blair Castle’s magnificent Ballroom. £25.50pp.Booking is essential + ALSO Tour the Victorian Christmas Castle. From 10am-4pm. Experience the castle decorated for Christmas as it was in the Victorian era when the 7th Duke of Atholl and his family lived here. Finish your visit with a stroll around the gardens in the crisp winter air. Tickets: Adults £8.20, Conc. £7.00, Child £4.95, Family £22.00. Tel: 01796 481207 or email: office@blair-castle.co.uk
Saturday 17th December 10.00am to 2.00pm Pitlochry Market Pitlochry Business Centre, Armoury Rd.
Local Traders, Produce and Crafts. For more details email: stalls@pitlochrymarket.co.uk or www.pitlochrymarket.co.uk
Cecilia Bartoli takes on the role of Desdemona in this Zurich Opera House production of Rossini’s opera conducted by Muhai Tang. Based on Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’, the opera tells the story of the love between Otello, John Osborn, and Desdemona which is subverted and turned to a tragic end by the machinations of the wicked Iago, Edgardo Rocha. “Rossini’s Otello has had a handful of stagings in recent years but none as potent as this… This is very much an ensemble performance, meticulously staged and intelligently sung… The performance is a powerful one musically” Gramophone. Tel: 01350 727674.
1st January 2017 1pm to 4pm Saturday 17th December 11.00am- Pitlochry New Year’s day Street 3.00pm Party. Winter solstice - family fun days Atholl Road, Pitlochry Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, Each year thousands attend the Pitlochry New Dunkeld, Perth & Kinross, PH8 0HH Year’s Day celebrations when the main street Find out how the darkest days of winter affect wildlife. Children’s activities, quizzes and nature trail. Suggested donation for activities – £2 per child. Tel: 01350 727 337 www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Sunday 18th December 10.00am3.00pm Santa + Victorian Christmas Castle + Christmas Sunday Lunches Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, PH18 5TL. + Bagpipe-playing Santa will be back, a hugely popular event. Santa will be in his magical grotto in one of the oldest and atmospheric parts of the castle where he will hear from boys and girls what
Atholl Road is closed and filled with new year revelers, dancing to a Ceilidh Band. Children are not forgotten either with Silly McBee the clown. Free soup, sausage rolls thanks to local butchers MacDonalds, (the whole MacDonald family give up their time every year, to support this event). Time table:- Hog Roast - 12 to 4pm served in floury baps with Homemade Apple Sauce outside the Auld Smiddy. 1pm - Vale of Atholl Pipe Band opens the Ceilidh, with Eddie Rose opening the party. 1.15 to 4pm - Ceilidh dance to Jack Delaney’s Ceilidh Band with Compere Eddie Rose. 1.30, 2.15, 3pm - Silly McBee, the Clown performances in Fishers Hotel (50p entry), tickets purchased from New Year’s Day Ceilidh Steward (wearing yellow top) in Fishers hotel. 3.30pm – The Raffle draw (which funds the event each year). 4pm - Party closes with Auld Land Syne
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