WHAT’S ON MAY 2022 : EVENTS & INFORMATION : FREE
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ftiy www.visitcairngorms.com
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Credit: Rothiemurchus
WELCOME MAY 2022 Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and your special May 2022 edition of What’s On, the free events guide. May is a marvellous month to be here, with so much going on, whether your passion is food, whisky, music or, of course, just being in the great outdoors! The theme of our feature this issue is ‘green health’ and the Cairngorms is one of the best places to boost yours, with many organised events, such as the Cairngorms Nature BIG Weekend, to guide you on your way if you’d like (see page 4). Visitors flock here to walk in particular and there are opportunities to couple this favourite pastime with other activities, such as drawing, meandering around a farmer’s market or going on a historical ‘storywalk’ (check out the full listings on page 10-11 for details). If you’re after a bit of art and local culture, then check out the art and photography gallery listings (Kingussie’s Iona Gallery is hosting an art sale in aid of Ukraine) and live music gigs: whatever’s your jam, there’s something for everyone. We’re also delighted to be welcoming back the highland games celebrations this year, with Atholl Estate kicking off with its parade and gathering on 28-29th, where you can witness strongmen from around Scotland battling it out in caber-tossing and hammer-throwing competitions!
For inspiration on all things activities, remember to check out our blog on www.visitcairngorms.com. Whatever your age or stage, whether you’re with family or friends or whether you’re here to find your zen, or find your adventure, there is something for everyone in the Cairngorms.
contents What’s On
4-7 & 10
Map
8-9
What’s the Story... 12-13
Green Health
Eat, Drink & Activities
11 & 14-16
This guide is available online visit visitcairngorms.com Published by and all advertising sales Cairngorms Business Partnership T: 01479 810200 info@visitcairngorms.com
www.visitcairngorms.com Produced by Landmark Press, Carrbridge T: 01479 841900 www.landmark-press.com Cover photo: Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend.
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WHAT’s ON You are in an all year round destination with lots going on. Check out what’s happening each day, for further information and details of new events added please visit: www.visitcairngorms.com/whats-on
MAY 2022 Events 27th April-2nd May Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Speyside. www.spiritofspeyside.com
April-31st May Spring Exhibition - Chapel House Arts, Kingussie. Free. Mon, Thurs, Fri 1-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm. T: 01540 662438. www.facebook.com/KingussieHighStreet
April-September Gerard Murphy Photography Summer Exhibition - Corgarff Community Hall, Strathdon. Free. 10am-5pm. T: 07501 086882. www.gerardmurphy.co.uk
6th-12th May Downton Abbey : A New Era - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort. 2pm & 7pm. macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk
11th-22nd May Textiles Exhibition - Iona Gallery, Kingussie. Free. 10.30am-4pm. T: 01540 673422.
13th-15th May CNBW Cairngorms Nature Big WeekendThroughout the Cairngorms. Book Events Online. cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com
13th-19th May
Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort. 2pm & 7pm. www.macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk
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14th-22nd May Green Health Week - Get Outside!
20th-22nd May The Bad Guys 2pm/Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness 7pm - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort. 7pm. macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk
23rd & 25th May Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness 2pm/Downton Abbey : A New Era 7pm - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort. www.macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk
24th & 26th May
Downton Abbey : A New Era 2pm/Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness 7pm - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort. www.macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk
25th-31st May Art sale in aid of Ukraine - Iona Gallery, Kingussie. 10.30am-4pm. T: 01540 673422.
28th-29th May Atholl Highlanders Parade & Gathering Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. atholl-estates.co.uk
Friday 29th April Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 10am-1pm. T :01479 831476. rspb.org.uk/reserves-andevents/reserves-a-z/loch-garten Whisky and Scottish Cheese Tasting The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 8-9.30pm. T: 01479 831258. www.tickets.spiritofspeyside.com The Anne Dickson Band - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Saturday 30th April
Battle of Cromdale Anniversary Guided Walk - St Margaret’s, Braemar. 8-10pm. Tickets: Cromdale Church, near Grantown on Spey. 10am-1.30pm. www.facebook.com/secretstrathspey Whisky Tasting Dinner - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 7-9.30pm. T: 01479 831258. www.tickets.spiritofspeyside.com
Live Music - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. Live Music with Gillys Gypsies Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Sunday 8th May
Sunday 1st May
The Storylands Sessions, Open Mic Night : JOURNEYS - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 7-10pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ storylands-sessions-open-mic-nighttickets-306283992667
Birdsong for Breakfast - Loch Insh Woods, Kincraig. 6-8am. www.events.rspb.org.uk/ inshmarshes Car Boot Sale - Grantown East, Grantown on Spey. Free. 11am-3pm. T: 01479 816262. www.grantowneast.com Nethy Bridge Spring Gathering - Playing Fields, Nethy Bridge. Free. 12.30-4.30pm. T: 01479 821400. www.nethybridge.com Whisky and Chocolate Tasting - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 8-9.30pm. T: 01479 831258. wwwtickets.spiritofspeyside.com
Wednesday 4th May Keith Mair Music - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Thursday 5th May Book Group - Grantown Library, Grantown on Spey. Fre. 10.15-11.15am. T: 01349 781630. Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Friday 6th May The Grahams Sha La La Tour - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7-10pm. T: 01479 831123. The Anne Dickson Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Saturday 7th May My Last Supper: One meal, a Lifetime in the Making By Jay Rayner - St Margaret’s, Braemar. 7.30-9.30pm. stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk Delta Smoak Live Band - Food in the Park, Blair Atholl. 7.30pm. www.facebook.com/foodinthepark Johnny Cash Duo - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Aviemore & Vicinity Community Council Market - Aviemore Village Green, Aviemore. 11am-4pm. T: 07925 150890.
Tuesday 10th May
Wednesday 11th May Wildlife Wander - RSPB Insh Marshes, Kingussie. 9.30am-1pm. www.events.rspb. org.uk/inshmarshes Evening Mammal Watching - Speyside Wildlife Mammal Hide, Inshriach Nursery, Kincraig. 7.30-10.30pm. www.cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com Keith Mair Music - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Thursday 12th May
Landscapes and Livelihoods & Panel Discussion - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 6-9pm. www.cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com Evening Mammal Watching - Speyside Wildlife Mammal Hide, Inshriach Nursery, Kincraig. 7.30-10.30pm. www.cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co
Friday 13th May CNBW Wild Glenmore Woodland Trail Glenmore Visitor Centre. Free. 9.30am4.30pm. cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com Hill Walk for Autistic Adults - Cairngorm CNBW Mountain Car Park. Free. 9.30am4.30pm. CNBW Guided E-bike trip to Dun da Lamh Hillfort - Laggan Wolftrax Centre. 10am2pm. CNBW Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 10am-1pm. T: 01479 831476. www.rspb.org.uk/reservesand-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten
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WHAT’s ON CNBW Tree Climbing in an Ancient Forest - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Boat of Garten. 10am-4pm. CNBW Wildlife Recording for NESBReC Short Walk - Dinnet Car Park. 2-3.30pm. CNBW Wild Words & Writing Workshop Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 3-5pm. CNBW Kids Ceilidh - Nethy Bridge Community Hall. 4-5.30pm. CNBW The Forest Village Dance: Concert, Ceilidh & Cocktails - Nethy Bridge Community Hall. 7-10pm. CNBW Remote Black Grouse Lek Live Stream Experience - Online, Free. Folk Concert with Sarah McQuaid Grantown Museum. 7-9pm. T: 01479 872478. grantownmuseum.co.uk/whats-on CNBW Evening Mammal Watching Speyside Wildlife Mammal Hide, Inshriach Nursery, Kincraig. 7.30-10.30pm. Live Music with Nick Kershaw Band Food in the Park, Blair Atholl. 7.30-10.30pm. www.facebook.com/foodinthepark CNBW Dark Skies, the Moon, & Wildlife of the Night - Tomintoul. 8.30-10.30pm. Rant Live Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore.Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co CNBW BIG Weekend Discount - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig.
Saturday 14th May CNBW Dawn Chorus Bird Walk - Dun Coillich Community Woodland, Blair Atholl. 6.30-9.30am. CNBW Birdsong & Calls Masterclass - Wild Glenmore Woodland Trail - Glenmore Visitor Centre. Free. 9.30am-4.30pm. CNBW Volunteering Experience - Crathie Car Park, Balmoral. 10am-4pm. CNBW Jewels of the Air; Butterflies & 6
Moths Walk - Keiloch Car Park, Invercauld, Braemar. Free. 10am-1pm. CNBW Canoeing for Disabled Young People - Loch Morlich Sailing Club, Glenmore. 10-11.30am & 2.30-4pm. Free. CNBW Paddleboarding for Disabled Young People - Loch Morlich Sailing Club, Glenmore. 10-11.30am & 2.30-4pm. Free. CNBW Guided Wader Walk - Tomintoul Dark Sky Site and Bird Hide. B9008. 10am-12pm. Free. CNBW Red Squirrel Treasure Hunt - Visitor Centre, Tomintoul. 10am-5pm. Free. CNBW Tree Climbing in an Ancient Forest - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Boat of Garten. 10am-4pm. CNBW Hidden Wildlife - The Cabrach Trust Discovery Trails, Inverharroch Farm, Glenlivet. Free. 10am-12pm. CNBW Behind the Scenes of a Strathspey Estate - Kinveachy Lodge, Boat of Garten. Free. 10am-1pm. Charity Truck Show - The Showfield, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. www.facebook.com/TruckIn2gos CNBW Birds for Beginners - Glen Tilt Car Park, Blair Atholl. 10.30am-12.00pm. CNBW Stories Round the Fire: Minibeasts Grantown Library (Outside). Free. 10.30-11.30am & 2-4pm. CNBW Through the eyes of a capercaillie: Step into the Lek - CNPA Offices, Station Square, Ballater. Free. 11am-3pm. CNBW Going on a Bear Hunt - Milton Loch, Boat of Garten. 11am-1pm. CNBW Balmoral Red Deer Management on the Queen’s Estate - Balmoral Estate Car Park, Crathie. Free. 11am-1pm. CNBW Dun Coillich Community Forest Guided Walk - Dun Coillich Community Woodland, Blair Atholl. 11am-2pm. CNBW Marvellous Moths Ranger Event Glen Doll Visitor Centre, Glen Clova. 11am-2pm. CNBW Working Together; An Introduction
to Cairngorms Lichens - Feshiebridge Sculpture Trail, Kincraig. Free. 1pm. CNBW Conservation Volunteering with National Trust for Scotland - Linn of Dee Car Park, Mar Lodge Estate. Free. 1.15-4.30pm. CNBW Have a Go at Orienteering - Church Wood, opposite Craiglynne Hotel, Grantown on Spey. Free. 1.30-3.30pm. CNBW Exploring the landscape of Craigendarroch, Ballater: Walking, Talking & Sketching - Craigendarroch, Ballater. 2-5pm. CNBW Hidden History; Wildlife of Glenmore - Glenmore Visitor Centre. Free. 2-3.30pm. CNBW The Big Picture; a Rewilding Walk & Talk - Ballintean, Glenfeshie, Kingussie. 2-4pm. CNBW Woolly Meadow; a self-guided knitted birds trail - Tomintoul. Free. CNBW BIG Weekend Discount - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. Live Music with Mother’s Ruin - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Sunday 15th May CNBW Research Cairngorms Interactive Showcase - Kincraig Community Hall. Free. 9am-5pm. CNBW Lichen Identification; Intermediate Craigellachie NNR, Aviemore. 9am-1pm. CNBW Wild Glenmore Woodland Trail Glenmore Visitor Centre. Free. 9.30am-4.30pm. CNBW Tree Climbing in an Ancient Forest Loch Garten Nature Centre, Boat of Garten. 10am-4pm. CNBW Abernethy Tree Nursery - Forest Lodge, Abernethy NNR. Free. 10am-12.30pm. CNBW Family Interactive Activities - Glen Tanar Visitor Centre. 10am-4pm. CNBW Red Squirrel Treasure Hunt - Visitor Centre, Tomintoul. 10am-5pm. Free. Cairngorms Farmers Market - Gynack Gardens, Kingussie. 10am-3pm. T: 07709 169813. CNBW Woolly Meadow; a self-guided knitted birds trail - Tomintoul. Free. CNBW Family Foraging Walk - Anagach
Woods, Grantown on Spey. Free. 10am-12pm. CNBW Stunning Clais Fhearnaig Hike Stable Block, Mar Lodge Braemar. 10am-3pm. CNBW Scalan Heritage Trail Guided Walk Glenlivet. 10am-1pm. CNBW Glen Doll Wildlife Walk with a Ranger - Glen Doll Visitor Centre. 11am-3pm. CNBW Hidden Beasties - Female polar bear walkway, Highland Wildlife Park. 11am-3pm. CNBW Through the eyes of a capercaillie: Step into the Lek - CNPA Offices, Station Square, Ballater. Free. 11am-3pm. CNBW BIG Weekend Discount - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. CNBW Off-road Wheelchair Walks - Loch Morlich Beach Car Park, Glenmore. Free. 12.30-2pm. CNBW Highlands Mammals Self-led Treasure Trail - Anagach Woods, Grantown on Spey. Free. 1-4pm. CNBW Exploring the River Dee landscape, Ballater: walking, talking, collecting & drawing - Old Line Road picnic area, Sluievannachie, Ballater. 2-4pm. CNBW Off-road Wheelchair Walks Anagach Woods, Grantown on Spey. Free. 2.30-4pm. CNBW Ecdysis: Live Theatre - Loch Morlich Beach, Glenmore. 3.30-4.30pm. CNBW BIG Weekend BBQ - Location TBC, Grantown on Spey. 4-9pm. Live Music with Alfie McQuade - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Wednesday 18th May Keith Mair Music - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Thursday 19th May Charity Golf Tournament - Grantown Golf Club. 9am-4pm. www.rcsv.org T: 01479 841749. Tweed Ceilidh Band - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Friday 20th May Quiz Night - Advie Hall, near Grantown on Spey. 7-10pm. T: 07701 078207. www.facebook.com/adviehall 7
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WHAT’s ON Rant Live Band - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Saturday 21st May Verlon Thompson & Friends in Concert St Margaret’s, Braemar. 7.30-9.30pm. www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk Live Music with Davy Holt - Food in the Park, Blair Atholl. 7.30-10.30pm. www.facebook.com/foodinthepark Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Wednesday 25th May In the footsteps of our ancestors; Loch Vaa & Avielochan Guided Walk - Boat of Garten Community Hall Car Park. 10am-1.30pm. www.secretstrathspey.com Keith Mair Music - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Thursday 26th May Tweed Ceilidh Band - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Friday 27th May Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 10am-1pm. T: 01479 831476. www.rspb.org.uk/reservesand-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten/ ‘One for the Road’ Live Band - Food in the Park, Blair Atholl. 7.30-10.30pm. www.facebook.com/foodinthepark Gordie Peters Karaoke - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Saturday 28th May Aviemore Food Festival - Village Green, Aviemore. 11am-4pm. T: 07510 035135. www.craicevents.com Live Music with Iain Forbes - Food in the Park, Blair Atholl. 7.30-10.30pm. www.facebook.com/foodinthepark Fergus McCreadie Trio St Margaret’s, Braemar. 8-10pm. www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - Winking Owl, Aviemore. Free. 9pm. T: 01479 812368. 10
Tuesday 31st May Legends of Loch Morlich Guided Walk - Loch Morlich Car Park, Glenmore. 10am2pm. www.secretstrathspey.com
Shinty www.shinty.com Saturday 30th April MacAulay Cup: Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 3pm.
Saturday 7th May Kingussie v Fort William - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.
Sunday 8th May Badenoch Ladies 2nds v Inverness - The Dell, Kingussie. Time TBC.
Saturday 14th May Kingussie 2nds v Fort William - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm. Strathspey v Beauly - Grantown Grammar, Grantown on Spey. 2.30pm.
Saturday 21st May Newtonmore v Lovat - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm. Kingussie 2nds v Kinlochshiel - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.
Sunday 22nd May Badenoch Ladies v Aberdour - The Dell, Kingussie. Time TBC. Badenoch Ladies 2nds v Strathspey - The Dell, Kingussie. Time TBC.
Saturday 28th May Newtonmore 2nds v Caberfeidh - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm. Strathspey v Inverness - Grantown Grammar, Grantown on Spey. 2.30pm.
The Japanese Pagoda
Escape Rooms
Pagoda Bistro
Cairngorms Escape Rooms
Treat yourself to a delicious meal and sample a cocktail or two!
Locked in a mysterious room with only 60 minutes to break out, do you have what it takes to escape the Japanese POW Camp or overcome the Wolf of Badenoch to break free? Find the clues, solve the puzzles, make your escape! Great fun for all the family.
Indoor & Outdoor dining available. Open Tues-Sat 10am -8pm, Sun 10am-6pm We look forward to welcoming you!
www.escape-cairngorms.co.uk Tel: 01479 873877 Seafield Avenue, Grantown, PH26 3JF
Atholl Gathering at Blair Castle
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GREEN HEALTH ARE YOU LOOKING AFTER YOURS? Most of us are increasingly aware of the importance of looking after our physical and mental health, but do you know how to strengthen your green health?
The Cairngorms National Park is the perfect place to give your green health a boost, particularly in May, which is National Walking Month. It’s also the month when the Park plays host to both Green Health Week (14-22) and the Cairngorms Nature BIG Weekend (12-15). Both of these offer lots of opportunities and inspiration for you, and your family, to deepen your connection with the awesome nature you’re surrounded by here, and reap the many health benefits. Sometimes people mistakenly think that to benefit from nature you have to take on an epic outdoor challenge, kitted out in high-tech gear, but this simply isn’t true. You don’t have to scale Cairngorm Mountain or bike the steep SnowRoads to get your green fix (though you can!). Lifting your green health levels could be as simple as sitting on your doorstep with a cup of tea listening to the birdsong. Or taking your socks off and feeling the grass
on your bare feet. Or watering your plants, indoors or outdoors. Learning is always more fun with others, though. Why not come along to one of the events happening in the Park this month, which will help you understand your green health better?
Ways to boost your green health at Cairngorms Nature BIG Weekend! ● Join a bear hunt in Abernethy ● Take part in a squirrel hunt in Tomintoul ● Canoe in Glenmore ● Listen to stories around the fire ● Be guided on an off-road wheelchair trail ● Go behind the scenes on Balmoral Estate and see how it’s run ● Ceilidh & cocktail event ● BBQ and music in Grantown on Spey ● Sunrise forest bathing ● Bird song and calls masterclass & birds for beginners www.cairngormsnaturebigweekend.com to see all the events and book your place!
Hello from the Park’s first ever Green Health Ranger! I’m Louise Emslie, and I’m the new Green Health Ranger for the Cairngorms National Park. You might be asking yourself ‘what is green health?’ Well, it’s all about people connecting to nature and the outdoors for the health benefits it has to offer. My job is to promote the benefits of ‘green health’ and give everyone, regardless of age and ability, the opportunity to connect and enjoy it! And what better way to do that than heading out for a walk? Our Community Paths and Trails leaflet is the perfect tool to decide what’s best.
Here are my top 3 favourite easy walks in Badenoch & Strathspey... The Lochan Trail (Aviemore): Craigellachie is an oasis in Aviemore, with beautiful birch woodlands. The walk is ½ mile, along a surfaced path with gentle gradients and is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon.
Credit: James Gordon
The Heron Trail (Boat of Garten): Another wonderful walk, with some fantastic opportunities for bird watching. The loop takes you to Milton Loch, along a well-constructed path and is ½ mile long. You might even see and hear some swifts flying high at this time of year.
Credit: Jim Barton
The Strone Road (Newtonmore): For something a bit longer, this 1 ½ mile circular walk goes along a quiet, paved road and gives some of the best views in the Cairngorms.
Clay Pigeon Shooting • Monday to Saturday. Age 12 and above. • Ground available from 2pm. Last booking time - 4pm. • 7 trap styles including a ‘running rabbit’. • Prices: 25 shots - £50.00. 50 Shots - £75.00 All equipment provided.Instruction & Safety PPE all provided. Instructor always remains with participants. Call 01540651255 to book. Bookings to be made 24hrs in advance if possible.
Please click the activities link on our website for further information, how to get here and to discover the other activities & attraction available at Alvie Estate
www.alvie-estate.co.uk 14
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
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Advance booking essential Don’t miss out - Scan here now!!
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