Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and the February 2022 edition of What's On

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 2022 : EVENTS & INFORMATION : FREE

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Landmark Forest Adventure Park

WELCOME FEBRUARY 2022 Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and your special February edition of What’s On, the free events guide The most romantic day of the year (for some!) falls in February and for this edition’s feature on page 8-9 we asked some local characters to share their favourite spots in the Park that hold a special place in their hearts.

There’s certainly a lot to love in terms of events happening in the area this month as face to face events resume towards some kind of normality.

The Cairngorm Hotel, for instance, is back in the swing of hosting its regular quiz nights, as well as its music nights with popular local musicians, such as Davy Holt, Anne Dickson and Calum Beange. But, if techno and disco beats are more your scene, then you’ll want to head to The Skiing Doo & Doo Below Bar in Aviemore on 5th February when DJ Big Mack is playing.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get creative and learn about the local culture. For instance, Cairngorms Connect and the Storylands are both running writing workshops (see listings on page 4-5 for full details).

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.

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contents What’s On

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Map

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What’s the Story...

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Sharing the Love

Eat, Drink & Activities 10-12

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: Loch Morlich Beach by Hendy Pollock clable. ine is recy

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WHAT’s ON

Friday 4th February Free Flow Chinese Tapas Night - The Pagoda, Grantown on Spey. 6-10.30pm.

T: 01479 873877. www.thepagoda.scot

Saturday 5th February 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: visitcairngorms/whats-on

FEBRUARY 2022 Events

Cairngorms Connect Writing Workshops on Place, with Elizabeth Reeder - Zoom.

10am-12pm. Email to book in advance elizabeth.reeder@mac.com DJ Set Big Mack All-Night-Long - The Skiing Doo & Doo Below Bar, Aviemore.

7pm-late. www.facebook.com/SkiingDoo1 Live Music with Anne Dickson and Calum Beange, Guitarist Singers - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 6th February 30th January-11th February Winter Fun - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10am-4pm.

T: 01479 841613. www.landmarkpark.co.uk

Sunday 30th January The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 38th Aviemore Sled Dog Rally 2022 - Hayfield, Glenmore. www.siberianhuskyclub.org.uk

Tuesday 1st February Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 2nd February ‘Meet the Ponies’ Walk & Talk - Insh Marshes, Kingussie. 10am-12pm.

Email to book in advance. insh@rspb.org.uk

Live Music with Scott Ramsay Guitarist Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Tuesday 8th February The Storylands Sessions ‘Open Mic Nights hosted by Merryn Glover’ - The Boathouse Restaurant, Loch Insh, Kincraig. 7-10pm. www.badenochstorylands.com/storylandssessions Quiz Night- Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 9th February Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 10th February

Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Chris Grant, Guitarist Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 3rd February

Friday 11th February

Book Club - Grantown Library, Grantown on Spey. 10.15-11.15am. T: 01349 781630.

TOMS Concert with Broen Ensemble Boat of Garten Village Hall. 7.30-10pm.

T: 01479 831213.

Live Music with Chris Grant, Guitarist Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

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Sunday 13th February

Saturday 19th February

Cairngorm Repair Cafe - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 2-5pm. T: 01479 831123. www.boatofgarten.com/boat-hall/ourcommunity/

Live Music with Anne Dickson and Calum Beange, Guitarist Singers - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Anne Dickson and Calum Beange, Guitarist Singers - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233.

Storylands Sessions ‘Table Tunes; folk session’ with Hamish Napier Ghillie’s Rest Bar, Duke of Gordon Hotel.

7-11pm.T: 07971 561693. www.badenochstorylands.com/storylandssessions

Tuesday 15th February Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 16th February Spider Storytime - Grantown Library, Grantown on Spey. 4-5pm. T: 07818 588222.

Cairngorms Connect Writing Workshops on Place, with Elizabeth Reeder - Zoom.

6-8pm. Email to book in advance elizabeth.reeder@mac.com

Tuesday 22nd February

Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 23rd February Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 24th February

Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Chris Grant, Guitarist Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 17th February

Saturday 26th February

Live Music with Chris Grant, Guitarist Singer Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Pre-loved Book Sale - Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater. 10am-4pm. T: 07805 731401.

Friday 18th February Grantown Society Meeting covering a selection of Royally connected visits, incidents and influences relating to Grantown - Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey.

7.30-8.30pm. info@thegrantownsociety.org

Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9-11pm. T: 01479 810233.

Sunday 27th February Live Music with Anne Dickson and Calum Beange, Guitarist Singers - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233.

Concert by Elmore String Quartet - St Bride’s Parish Church, Newtonmore. 7.30-9pm.

T: 01540 673422.

All information correct at time of going to print.

To check out the most up to date information please visit our events calendar at www.visitcairngorms.com

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SHARING THE

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Since February is the most romantic month of the year, with Valentine’s Day on the 14th, What’s On asked some of the locals to reveal their most loved places in the Cairngorms National Park.

Tamasina Cassidy – Judith Thurlow, co-owner of holiday co-owner of The Rowan rental company Seasgair: Tree Country Hotel, Handpicked Lodges with her husband Jonny: “I love the walk in Glenfeshie to the bridge over the River Feshie, “Whenever Jonny and I get a short break together, we always go for a walk up Craigellachie Nature reserve.

It takes about 1.5 hours, is a great way to see the view across Aviemore, Cairngorms and the River Spey and, if you time it right, you can watch the steam train puffing towards Boat of Garten. Because we do it quite regularly, it is an amazing way to chart the change in seasons.”

Perhaps the perfect Valentine’s Day would be to do this hike followed by a 5 course tasting menu (£55) and a glass of Prosecco at The Rowan Tree Country Hotel?

which has a lovely path in from Invereshie. It’s great fun clambering on the rocks and playing in the river with the family. There’s lots to love here.”

Cath Wright, founder Andy Bateman, and forest therapy owner of Scot guide at Highland Mountain Holidays: Quiet Life: “Inshriach and Invereshie “My favourite place to Forest Bathe under a full moon, or as the sunrises and a new day begins, is along the shores of our beautiful lochs in the Cairngorms National Park, protected by the ancient Scots Pine trees.”

National Nature Reserve is one of my favourite places. It has some wonderful side valleys that drop through a fringe of first growth native Caledonian pine forest. Draped in lichens, the atmosphere is fantastic, a place where time has stood still!”

Ann Vastano, artist and co-owner, the Old Post Office Café Gallery in Kincraig: “Looking out across the four small Uath lochans at Farleitter Crag set amidst the lofty pines of Glen Feshie is a breathtaking location any time of year.” (See overleaf for Ann’s painting of this view)

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Garry Cormack, lead guide and founder of Hillgoers: “I have a deep affection for the beautiful Lochnagar, the White Mounth plateau, the corrie, loch and the area as a whole. I feel connected with the hill like an old friend, whenever we meet we always have a good time!

The lichen, moss, burns, waterfalls and snow up high. The ptarmigan and eagle. The red deer and mountain hare.

There is no better mountain in the north east of Scotland.”

Skiing, Braemar

Laggan Wolftrax

Craigellachie Nature Reserve

Moor of Feshie, Tom Bailey

Lochnagar

Anna Riddell, founder and Loch Garten biking guide at RideOut Coaching:

Uath Lochans, Farleitter Crag River Feshie

Loch Vaa Old Pack Horse Bridge, Carrbridge

“I love Laggan Wolftrax as my favourite place to ride as the mountain biking trails are challenging and exciting with the most incredible views in all directions.

It’s wild, rugged, and so beautiful.”

Sarah and Alastair Hubbard, co-owners of Cranford Guest House, Braemar “We love both ski touring in the mountains and cross country skiing in the glens.

Braemar is the perfect base for both!”

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Spud the Piper (Callum Fraser): “ was brought up in Carrbridge and my dad played the pipes here for 30 years. It means the world to me, this spot on top of the bridge, as I always think of him when I’m stood up there”

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The Japanese Pagoda

Escape Rooms and Bistro Cairngorms Escape Rooms 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.

Pagoda Bistro Treat yourself to a delicious meal and sample a cocktail or two!

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

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SUMMER

WINTER

FACILITIES INCLUDE:

FACILITIES INCLUDE:

The Cairnwell chairlift will run from May to September/October (weather permitting) and has hooks for mountain bikes. You can ride down the mountain on the land rover track.

22 Lifts & 38 Runs to suit all levels of skiers andboarders Equipment Hire, Snow sports School, Shop & 3 Mountain Café’s.

Please note this is not a beginners ride.

Opening times are 8.30am - 5pm (7 days a week during season) Base café is open daily 8.30am to 4.45pm

FTIY Tel: 013397 41320

E-mail: info@ski-glenshee.co.uk Website: www.ski-glenshee.co.uk Braemar, Aberdeenshire AB35 5XU

Enjoy a great day out to our designer department store and café all under one roof.

Free parking and just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Aviemore.

Open Monday - Saturday

BROWSE OUR NEW SPRING COLLECTIONS Spey Valley Shopping Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore PH22 1PN www.speyvalleyshopping.co.uk

MDH00543 Aviemore - Spring Spey Valley Shopping Ad 93x137mm.indd 1

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