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
October 2023 Events
29th September - 1st October
Braemar Literary Festival 2023www.braemarliteraryfestival.co.uk.
30th September & 1st October
Thrive Ballater Bike Festivalwww.thriveballater.com E: info@cyclehighlands.com
1st - 31st October
Treasure Hunt - Discover the Secrets of Braemar - 14 The Square, Braemar. 9am-6pm. www.cairngormstrust.org.uk/secrets-of-braemar.
E: cairngormstrust@cairngorms.co.uk
29th September - 2nd October
FREE. Workshops & Rail Art Exhibitions with Artists in Residence - Iona Gallery, Kingussie. 10am-4pm. T: 01540 673422.
E: roya@a9partnership.co.uk (not tues weds)
6th - 8th October
Braemar Folk Festival 2023 - Various venues in Braemar. www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk/eventscalendar/braemar-folk-festival-2023
7th & 8th October
Aviemore Half Marathon & 10k For AllBadaguish Outdoor Centre, Aviemore. 11am-6pm. badaguishoutdoorcentre.org E: events@badaguish.org
Friday 29th September
LANDSEER - A Highland Romance - Grantown Museum, Burnfield House, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. www.grantownmuseum.co.uk.
E: info@grantownmuseum.co.uk
FREE. Live Music with Jono - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255.
E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Saturday 30th September
LANDSEER - A Highland Romance - Grantown Museum, Burnfield House, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. www.grantownmuseum.co.uk
E: info@grantownmuseum.co.uk
Highland League Football Match - Seafield Park, Grantown On Spey. 3pm. T: 07826 619110. www.strathspeythistlefc.com
FREE. Live Music with Jono - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255.
E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Sunday 1st October
FREE. Cairngorms Farmers Market - Grantown On Spey. T: 10am-3pm. E: alasdair.boyne@outlook.com
Boat of Garten Indoor Car Boot Sale - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 12-3pm. T: 01479 831123. E: info@boathall.org.uk
Wednesday 4th October
Hidden History Walk: Scalan Mills and Seminary - The Carrachs Car Park, Tomintoul. 1pm- 2.30pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Braemar Local History Village Walk - Invercauld Arms Hotel, Braemar. 3-3.45pm. www.braemarlhg.com/ history-walks
Folk Sessions at the OBI (every two weeks) - Old Bridge Inn Aviemore. 7.30pm. www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk.
Thursday 5th October
Heritage Ranger Tour: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones - Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones, Ballindalloch. 2-2.45pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Friday 6th October
Heritage Ranger Tour: Castle walk to Blairfindy from Glenlivet Distillery - The Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch. 11am-12pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Saturday 7th October
Golden Spurtle World Porridge ChampionshipsCarrbridge Village Hall, Carrbridge. 9.45am-4.30pm. www.goldenspurtle.com E: media@goldenspurtle.com
Coffee and Chat - Cromdale Village Hall, Cromdale. 10am-12pm. T: 01479 872809. www.cromdale.org/events
Exclusively Highlands Art, Craft, Food & Drink Market at Balmoral Castle - Balmoral Castle, Ballater. 10am-4pm.
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown On Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
FREE. Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. www.cairngorm.com
Sunday 8th October
The Village Green Market and Craft Fair - The Village Green Market and Crafts, Aviemore. 11am-3pm. T: 07925 150890.
An Intimate Audience With Kyle Falconer at The Old Bridge Inn - Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore. 7-11pm. www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk
Monday 9th October
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Tuesday 10th October
Heritage Ranger Walk: Drumin Castle & the Wolf of Badenoch - Drumin Castle Car Park, Ballindalloch. 2-3pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Wednesday 11th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk.
Thursday 12th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk
Friday 13th October
Wild Stargazing at Howe of Torbeg - Howe of Torbeg, Ballater. 7-9pm. T: 01339 756262. www.howeoftorbeg.co.uk/stargazingcairngorms
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk.
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
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The Big Bike Film Night at Boat Of Garten - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7pm. www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/44710
FREE. Live music with Willie Campbell - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255. E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Saturday 14th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk.
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
TOMS Concert with Maximiliano Martin & Friends
- Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 7.3010pm. T: 01479 831213. E: ann.nap@btinternet.com
Live music with Alan Frew - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255. E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Monday 16th October
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Tuesday 17th October
Heritage Ranger walk: Drumin Castle & the Wolf of Badenoch - Drumin Castle Car Park, Ballindalloch. 2-3pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Johnny Cash Roadshow - Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore. 7-11pm. T: 01479 815195. www.johnnycashroadshow.com
Wednesday 18th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk
Hidden History Walk: Scalan Mills and Seminary - The Carrachs Car Park, Tomintoul. 1-2.30pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Folk Sessions at the OBI (every two weeks) - Old Bridge Inn Aviemore. 7.30pm. www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk
Thursday 19th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk.
Children’s Autumn Foraging - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 10am-11.30pm. atholl-estates.co.uk/events/foraging
Heritage Ranger Tour: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones - Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones, Ballindalloch. 2-2.45pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Friday 20th October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk
Children’s Autumn Foraging - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 10am-11.30pm. www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/ foraging
Autumn Foraging at Blair Castle - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 1-4pm. www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/foraging
Heritage Ranger Tour: Castle Walk to Blairfindy from Glenlivet Distillery - The Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch. 11am-12pm. T: 07946 025981.
E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk.
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Wild Stargazing at Howe of Torbeg - Howe of Torbeg, Ballater. 7-9pm. T: 01339 756262. www.howeoftorbeg.co.uk/stargazingcairngorms.
FREE. Live music with Chris Grant - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255.
E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk.
Saturday 21st October
Abstract Art - Spey Bank Studio, Grantown on Spey. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 873375. www.speybankstudio.co.uk
Children’s Autumn Foraging - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 10am-11.30pm. www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/ foraging
Autumn Foraging at Blair Castle - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 1-4pm. www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/foraging
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Cinema Showing | Roald Dahls The Witches
(PG) - YMCA Community Centre, Grantown On Spey. 4-5.45pm. T: 01479 872262. www.grantowncinema.co.uk E: grantowncinema@gmail.com
Cinema Showing | M3GAN (15) - YMCA Community Centre, Grantown On Spey. 7-9pm. T: 01479 872262. grantowncinema.co.uk E: grantowncinema@gmail.com
Sunday 22nd October
Autumn Foraging at Blair Castle - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 1-4pm. www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/foraging Boat of Garten Repair Cafe - Boat of Garten Community Hall, Boat of Garten. 2-5pm. T: 01479 831123. E: repaircafe@boathall.org.uk
Monday 23rd October
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Thursday 26th October
Heritage Ranger Tour: Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones - Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones, Ballindalloch. 2-2.45pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Friday 27th October
Heritage Ranger Tour: Castle Walk to Blairfindy from Glenlivet Distillery - The Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch. 11am-12pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, Folk Trio Assynt at St Margarets - Braemar Village Hall, Braemar. 8-10pm. www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk.
Live Music with Jono - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255. E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk.
Saturday 28th October
Ballater Farmers Market - Ballater Church Green, Ballater. 10am-2pm. T: 07527 445520.
E: ballaterfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Hill to Grill: Celebrating Local Forests and Local Food - Nethy Bridge Playing Field, Nethy Bridge. 11am-3pm. www.cairngormsconnect.org.uk/hill-to-grill
E: enquire@cairngormsconnect.org.uk
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
The Illuminator Night Trail Race - Glen Tanar, Aboyne. 6.30pm. www.illuminatorrun.co.uk
Live Music with Jono - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812255. E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Sunday 29th October
Rothiemurchus & Aviemore Tennis Club American Tournament & BBQRothiemurchus Tennis Club, Aviemore. 11am1pm. T: 07711 318016. www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/ RothiemurchusandAviemoreTennisClub E: tennisratc@gmail.com
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WHAT’s ON
Cairngorms Farmers Market - Kingussie. 10am-3pm. T: 07709 169813. E: alasdair.boyne@outlook.com
Monday 30th October
Autumn Exhibition with Fuse & Light - Chapel House, Kingussie. 1-5pm. T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk
Tuesday 31st October
Heritage Ranger Walk: Drumin Castle & the Wolf of Badenoch - Drumin Castle Car Park, Ballindalloch. 2-3pm. T: 07946 025981. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk
Weekly Events
Every Monday FREE. Braemar Health Walk - Under the Mews, Braemar. 10am. www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walk/ braemar T: 07816 110549.
Ultra Slow Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion. 10.30am. T: 07541 372524.
Beginner Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion. 11.35am. T: 07541 372524.
Clubbercise with Louize - Kincraig Community Hall, Kincraig. 6-7pm. Fun fitness classes (in the dark with disco lights) for all levels of fitness. T: 07740 984247. www.facebook.com/clubbercisewithlouize
FREE. Live Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com
Every Tuesday FREE. Grantown on Spey Health Walk - Meet at Anagach Wood, curling rink car park, Grantown on Spey. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Nethy Bridge Health Walk - Meet by Nethy Bridge Community Centre. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Ballater Health Walk - Meet at Glenmuick Church Hall, Ballater. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.
Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 8.45pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com
Every Wednesday FREE. Newtonmore Health Walk - Meet at the Wildcat Centre, Newtonmore. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Boat of Garten Health Walk - Meet Boat of Garten Community Hall. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.
Collection Store Tours At Highland Folk Museum - Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore. 2-3pm. T: 01349 781650. www.highlandfolk.com
Beginner Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion. 6-6.45pm. T: 07541 372524.
Line Dancing - Grantown British Legion. 6.30-8pm. T: 07541 372524.
FREE. Live Music with Chris Grant - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. www.cairngorm.com
Open Mic at the Skiing Doo - Skiing Doo, Grampian Road, Aviemore. 8.30pm. E: skiingdoo@gmail.com
Every Thursday FREE. Cromdale Health Walk - In front of the Kirk, Cromdale. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Carrbridge Health Walk - Meet by the Old Bridge, Carrbridge. 11am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Kingussie Health Walk - Badenoch Centre, Kingussie. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Aviemore Chess Club - Aviemore Community Centre Library. 7-10pm. T: 07415 892669. E: cbailey2@ sky.com.uk (5th & 26th October only - usually weekly).
FREE. Live Music with Scott Ramsay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. www.cairngorm.com
FREE. Live music with Tweed - The Balavoulin, Aviemore. www.tweedceilidhband.com. 9pm. E: info@thebalavoulin.co.uk
Every Friday FREE. Glen Tanar Health Walk - Meet Glen Tanar Visitor Centre. 10am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Tomintoul Health Walk - Meet at Bowling Club, Tomintoul. 10am. T: 07816 110549.
FREE. Live music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
FREE. Live Music with Ann & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. www.cairngorm.com
Every Saturday
FREE. Parkrun - Speyside Way, Dalfaber Drive. www.parkrun.org.uk/aviemore
FREE. Live music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.
Every Sunday FREE. Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com
Please go to www.pathsforall.org.uk for further Health Walk information.
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DARK SKIES AND A Happy Soul
The Cairngorms National Park is home to some of the darkest and most magical skies in the world: the night is darker, the stars brighter and the vastness more palpable.
Yes - the skies really do feel bigger in the Cairngorms National Park! If you have ever looked up and wanted to discover more, you will not find a more spectacular starting point.
The wonders of our dark skies are there for everyone to embrace. Finding a quiet spot on a starlit walk, taking in a loch side illuminated by moonlight… just stepping out and looking up into the depths of the Cairngorms night sky - these are breathtaking moments that will become etched on your soul.
If you would like to learn and see a bit more, check out some of the fabulous Dark Sky experiences throughout the National Park. October to March is the perfect time to explore our dark skies - let the wonderful folk of the Cairngorms guide you: from Storywalks and night time forest bathing to the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Dark Skies Park, the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world, there are loads of choices... to see our dark skies come to life…
The Tomintoul and Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum is a cracking starting point on your Dark Sky discovery. The new exhibition takes you on a journey of the night skies, it includes an amazing virtual reality experience which provides an opportunity to take a peek at the universe, blackholes and the milky way! The centre hosts a number of events throughout the year.
Awarded the coveted Dark Sky Park status in 2018, it is the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world and a wondrous spot to see the Northern Lights.
These guys know their stuff - explore the wonders of star gazing with the naked eye; see the hidden depths of space revealed by a telescope and the magic of aurora borealis (if you are lucky!).
www.cairngormsdarkskypark.org
The night sky is full of stories - Gaelic and Pictish tales that are thousands of years old; from warrior goddesses to one-eyed giants… hearing and seeing these incredible Scottish stories play out across the skies gives a whole new dimension to your stargazing experience.
Strathspey Storywalks combine walking, stars and stories to create an experience that is firmly rooted in Highland heritage. Tales that connect legends, stars, planets and seasons, and folk of the Highlands living and working the land. www.storywalks.scot
Highland Quietlife forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) sessions under the comforting blanket of the night sky are more than just a little bit special.
A relaxed walk through the ancient pine forest of the Cairngorms, spending time immersed within a darker landscape, turning on our own ‘night vision’ and exploring the textures, sounds and night sky around us. This is a time to reconnect with yourself and nature in a very relaxed session – with tea and snacks to finish!
www.highlandquietlife.co.uk
Loch Insh is a fabulous dark skies spot. Lots of warm layers, a low light torch and a fully charged smartphone will be needed to get the most out of your Dark Sky experience on the woodland trails around the loch.
You will be guided to some magical local hideaways, with naked eye observation and the chance to be taught how to capture night photos on your phone.
Loch Insh by night is quite something - cloaked woodland trails, the loch illuminated by the moon, the gentle pulse of the water lapping the shore line and peace & tranquillity. This is what the Cairngorms is all about. www.lochinsh.com
Loch Muick is a special spot and by star light it is next level spectacular. Checkout Hillgoers who have some fabulous Dark Sky Walks - a wander up the Capel Mounth Road, an amazing sunset over the Loch (golden hour is magical… bring your camera!), a starry night and a ‘Star Ranger’ to guide you. A breathtaking and grounding experience. www.hillgoers.com
Enjoy a night under the stars in the Cairngorms National Park, with a truly unique wild stargazing experience at Howe of Torbeg.
Join a guided tour with a dark sky guide and start your stargazing experience around a firepit, with a warming drink - lovely! A wander into a local glen to gaze at the night sky will leave you with a full and happy heart! www.howeoftorbeg.co.uk/stargazingcairngorms
If you would like a more solitary Dark Sky experience you can book a private tour with a Cairngorms Dark Skies Safaris guide, an exclusive experience just for you.
With complete flexibility to travel to where the sky is darkest, the Cairngorms Dark Skies Safaris will give you a memorable evening of dark sky discovery. www.strathspeytours.com/tours/dark-skies
Highland Wildscapes can combine a guided hike or a day of landscape photography with an adventure beneath the dark skies of the Cairngorms in the evening: witness the power of the night sky stargazing or even an astro-photography session. www.highlandwildscapescom
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Taking the time to look up is precious; to feel stillness, smallness and peace.
Dark Sky Park Midnight Aurora - Sam Robinson
Seeing the Cairngorms by campervan is a wonderful way to experience the many different sights, sounds and landscapes here, while also enjoying our local communities and their amazing hospitality. So we created...
