What's On in the Cairngorms National Park March 2019

What’s On FREE

MARCH

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Insider’s Guide: Let’s Get Physical Special Offers!

Events: Over 90 Inside

www.visitcairngorms.com

The busy summit of Ben Macdui

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1 Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1 Insider’s Guide. . . . . . . . . . . 12 1 Eat and Drink . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1 To Do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The What’s On guide is also available online at www.visitcairngorms.com

Published by and all advertising sales Cairngorms Business Partnership Tel: 01479 810200. info@visitcairngorms.com www.visitcairngorms.com Produced by Landmark Press Carrbridge www.landmark-press.com Tel: 01479 841900.

Photo credits: Front Cover: Loch Vaa by Neil McDade/Spectacular Scotland.

Photography: David Maclennan, Alastair Hubbard, Braemar Junior Highland Games, Active Outdoor Pursuits, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Andi Probert, David Lintern.

What’s On W in march

elcome to the Cairngorms National Park and the March edition of What’s On, the free events guide. Spring has definitely sprung! This is the time when the Park really wakes up from winter and looks forward to summer, with popular attractions like Landmark Forest Adventure Park coming out of ‘winter mode’ and becoming fully operational (opening weekend at Landmark is 30-31st March).

One of March’s highlights is definitely the jampacked Braemar Mountain Festival, which takes place on 28th February - 3 March. Head over here to learn new skills from avalanche awareness to cross country skiing to snowshoeing - or simply sit back and listen to various adventurers taking to the stage telling their tales. If the festival whets your appetite for backcountry skiing in particular, then you’ll love Glenmore Lodge’s ‘Wild Ski’ weekend on 15-17th March.

With the warmer, lighter weather it’s always easier to leave the comfort of your home for an evening of entertainment, whether it be a talk at the Boat Hall, a quiz at the Glen Hotel in Newtonmore or Ballater Ceilidh day at the Victoria & Albert Halls.

If you’re after live music, the Park certainly delivers, with so many choices to soak up the atmosphere, such as The Winking Owl, the Fife Arms Hotel and The Old Bridge Inn, to name just a few.

The Cairngorms National Park has something for everyone!

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Contents

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what’s on in march

ou are in an all year round destination with lots going Y on. Use the listings to plan your fun! The Events of Interest list outlines exhibitions and events of interest over more than one day, the Calendar section gives you a day by day list of events and Day by Day shows regular events. For more information on all the events below please refer to www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson

9am-4.30pm. T: 07867 771001. www.facebook.com/upbattle/ Painting Weekend Workshop with Carina Prigmore: Acrylics from Scratch The Laundry Gallery, Aviemore.

10am-5pm. T: 07779 253313. www.thelaundrygallery.net

30th-31st March

Events of Interest

2nd-3rd March

Opening Weekend Scottish Ski & Boardercross Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10am-4.30pm.

Championships Glenshee Ski Centre.

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

what’s on march 2019

28th February-3rd March Braemar Mountain Festival (BMF) Braemar. T: 01339 741675. www.braemarmountainfestival.com

1st-3rd March BMF: Exhibition “What a Story a Pair of Boots Could Tell” St Margaret’s Braemar. 10am-4pm.

BMF: Various Winter Skills Courses including Walking, Snowshoeing, Ski Touring, Navigation, Avalanche Awareness, First Aid, Ski Tech, History Walks, Hill Runs & Cross Country Skiing Braemar. Booking www.braemarmountainfestival.com

1st March-3th April F Philippa Mitchell l

Exhibition of Paintings Chapel House Arts, Kingussie.

10am-4.30pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) 10am-1pm (Wed, Sat).

T: 01540 662438. www.chapelhousearts.co.uk F Free Entry to Event l 4

11th-15th March Strathfest Music & Calendar of Events Performing Arts Festival 2019 for Children & Young Wednesday 27th February Adults up to 18 Years Throughout Badenoch & Strathspey. l F Free Emergency Life 9.15am-4pm. www.strathfest.com Support Training including CPR & Defibrillator 11th-16th March St Andrews Church, Aviemore.

Annual Community 7.30-9.30pm. T: 01479 810990.

Charity Shop Sale http://bit.ly/Lucky2BeHere Abernethy Church, Nethy Bridge.

Mon 11am-5pm & 6-8pm.

Tues, Wed, Fri 10am-4pm, MAKE SURE Thurs 10am-4pm & 6-8pm, ‘WHAT’S ON’ Sat 16th 10am-12pm.

KNOWS T: 07738 175708.

WHAT’S ON! F l

15th-17th March Wild Ski Weekend: Backcountry Ski Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore. www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

16th-17th March UpBattle Splitboarding Demo/Derby Weekender Cairngorm Mountain, Aviemore.

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Contact Sarah at

info@visitcairngorms.com

or register your event online at

www.visitcairngorms.com/whatson

to get your events in Copy deadline 3rd March for April 2019 edition.

Sunday 3rd March

Saturday 2nd March

Braemar Mountain BMF Talk: Cairngorm Fauna BMF: Braemar Mountain Rescue Centre Visit Festival BMF Launch Jukebox by Alec Finlay Braemar Rescue Centre. 10am. & Concert Braemar Village Hall. 10am.

St Margaret’s Braemar.

BMF Talk: ‘Your World Yoga with Live Music 5.30pm. Tickets: Upside Down’ by Susie Boat of Garten Community Hall.

Leiper www.braemarmountainfestival.com 10-11.30. T: 07958 463259.

Braemar Village Hall. 10am.

BMF Mountain Food & BMF Talk: Seton Gordon Downie’s Cottage Open Day Music ‘A Life In Birds & Braemar. 11am-3pm.

Castleton Hall, Braemar. 7pm.

Mountains’ by James www.downiescottage.co.uk Live Music with Rob Macdonald Lockhart BMF Talk: Mountain Life Heron & The Tea Pad Braemar Village Hall. 12pm.

by Rob Brooker Orchestra/Awkward BMF Talk: Scottish Trippin Braemar Village Hall. 12pm.

Family Portraits BMF Talk: A Double Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore. 8.30-11pm. by Trippin Crew Braemar Village Hall. 2pm.

Ramsay Round by Nicky www.oldbridgeinn.co.uk/events Spinks Strathspey Thistle v Friday 1st March Braemar Village Hall. 2pm.

Deveronvale Highland BMF Talk: Adventure League Football Match BMF Talk: Mountain Film Making with Stefan Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey. 3pm. Weather Forecasting with Morrocco www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc Geoff Monk Braemar Village Hall. 4pm.

Braemar Village Hall, 10am.

BMF Talk: The Living BMF Talk: Vanished Ocean Cairngorms by Anke Addy BMF: Best of Kendal Film Festival

by Dorrik Stow Braemar Village Hall. 4pm.

Village Hall, Braemar.

Braemar Village Hall, 12pm.

F Race Night & Disco l 7.30pm. Tickets: BMF Talk: SUP to St Kilda with DJ Reaper www.braemarmountainfestival.com

by Dean Dunbar Royal British Legion, Grantown Braemar Village Hall, 2pm. on Spey. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

Monday 4th March T: 07826 619110.

BMF Talk: Preparing Boat Talks: ‘Sea Kayaking for a Day on the Hill BMF: Mountaineering Talk in Greenland’ with Doug

by Braemar Mountain with Dave McLeod & Di Cooper Rescue Gilbert Boat of Garten Community Hall.

Braemar Village Hall, 4pm.

Braemar Village Hall, 7pm. Tickets: 7.30-9.30pm. www.braemarmountainfestival.com BMF Ceilidh Tickets: T: 01479 831123.

Braemar Village Hall, Race Night in aid of www.boathall.eventbrite.com 7.30pm. Tickets: Mucklefest Thursday 7th March www.braemarmountainfestival.com Ballater Golf Club. 7.30-11pm.

The Osprey Music Society T: 01339 755567.

F Live Music with The l presents Scottish Opera F Cowans l Live Music with The Highlights The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm. Shire T: 01479 812368.

The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

F Free Entry to Event l www.thewinkingowl.co T: 01479 812368. www.visitcairngorms.com

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Thursday 28th February

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Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-9.30pm.

Tickets: T: 01479 831123. info@boathall.org.uk The Worlds Biggest Pub Quiz Glen Hotel, Newtonmore.

9.30-11pm. T: 01540 673203.

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“Margaret Fay Shaw of Canna” Laggan Village Hall. 2pm. info@lagganheritage.com

Saturday 16th March

Strathspey Thistle v Buckie Thistle Highland League Football Match Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey. 3pm.

Monday 11th March www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc F Evening Talk: ‘Life l Before the Lens’ by Iolo Owdyado Theatre Williams Presents: Twisted Tales Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown Boat of Garten Community Hall.

Friday 8th March on Spey. 8.30-10pm.

Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) T: 01479 872526. www.bwwc.co.uk 7.30-9.30pm. T: 01479 831123.

F Live Music with Keith l Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater.

Mair 7-10pm. www.ballaterfilms.co.uk Wednesday 13th March The Winking Owl, Aviemore.

Boat Reel: A Star is Born Monthly Lunch Bunch 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

(15)(2018) Anderson’s Restaurant, Boat of www.thewinkingowl.co Boat of Garten Community Hall.

Garten. 12.30-2.30pm.

T: 01479 810004. www.ct4u.co.uk 7.30-9.30pm. T: 01479 831123.

Sunday 17th March F Live Music by l Live Music with John F Live Music with Gilly l Harbottle & Jonas Doyle, John Mckusker & The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

The Boat Country Inn, Boat Michael Mcgoldrick T: 01479 812368. of Garten. 7.30-10.30pm.

Glenbuchat Hall, Strathdon. www.thewinkingowl.co T: 07525 471794.

7.30-10.30pm. www.harbottleandjonas.com Tickets: 01975 641303.

Monday 18th March F l Live Music with Gilly Boat Talk: Working to Friday 15th March The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

Protect Children in War F Grantown Society l T: 01479 812368.

Zones March Meeting Bazaars, Boat of Garten Community Hall, Fetes and Festivals Talk Saturday 9th March Boat of Garten. 7.30-9.30pm.

Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown Encounter with an Eagle T: 01479 831123. on Spey. 7.30-9pm.

Ranger Guided Walk T: 07709 270044.

F Evening Talk: An l Glen Doll Ranger Base, Glen www.thegrantownsociety.org Evening of Wildlife Clova, Kirriemuir. 11am-3pm.

Live Music with Mt.Doubt Photography by Nigel T: 01575 550233.

Braemar Gallery. 7.30-10.30pm.

Spencer F Live Music with Rod l T: 01339 741681.

Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown Webster on Spey. 8.30-10pm.

Live Music with Brother The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm. Sea T: 01479 872526.

T: 01479 812368.

The Flying Stag Bar, Fife Arms Thursday 21st March Hotel, Braemar. 8-11pm.

Sunday 10th March F www.thefifearms.com l Evening Talk: Winter Laggan Heritage Talk Wildlife by Nigel Spencer F Live Music with Alfie l with Fiona Mackenzie The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm. Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30-10pm.

T: 01479 812368.

F Free Entry to Event l T: 01479 872526. www.thewinkingowl.co What’s On

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Friday 22nd March

Thursday 28th March

Sunday 24th March

Laggan Heritage Talk Creative Writing Course with Dr. Chris Robinson. in Screen Writing “History of Medicine in The Pagoda, Grantown on Spey.

9.30am-4.30pm. T: 01479 821765. Lochaber” Laggan Village Hall. 7.30pm. www.thepagoda.scot info@lagganheritage.com Haughs of Cromdale 10K Friday 29th March Road Race Cromdale Hall. 1.30pm.

Monthly Ceilidh/Music Afternoon T: 01479 873488.

British Legion, Aviemore. 2-4pm.

Saturday 23rd March Monday 25th March T: 01479 810004. www.ct4u.co.uk Creative Writing Course F Evening Talk: Trials & l F Cairngorm CC Social l in Screen Writing Tribulations of a Natural Ride The Pagoda, Grantown on Spey.

History Presented by 112B High St, Aviemore. 6.30-9.00pm.

9.30am-4.30pm. T: 01479 821765.

Mike Dilger www.cairngormcc.co.uk/events www.thepagoda.scot Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown F Live Music with Keith l Spring Food & Craft Fair on Spey. 8.30-10pm.

Robinson Newtonmore Village Hall.

T: 01479 872526.

The Winking Owl, Aviemore.

10am-2pm.

9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Charity Zip Slide Challenge Wednesday 27th March www.thewinkingowl.co F Aviemore and District Aviemore Zip Trek Park, Kincraig. l 12-5pm. T: 01463 516005.

Lucky2BHere Free March is full of events www.alzscot.org/fundraising/ Emergency Life Support but don’t forget there are adrenaline/4402_zip_slide_ Training including CPR & activities running all month challenge_aviemore Defibrillator to get you out into the great F Live Music with George St Andrews Church, Aviemore. l outdoors.

7.30-9.30pm. T: 01479 810 990.

Gordon See adverts throughout the The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm. www.facebook.com/Aviemore-Districtmagazine for details.

Lucky2BHere-196214954214963 T: 01479 812368.

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What’s On

what’s on march 2019

Boat Reel : Bohemian Rhapsody (PG)(2018) Boat of Garten Community Hall, 7.30-9.30pm. T: 01479 831123.

F Live Music with Stevie l MacLeod The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 812368. www.thewinkingowl.co

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Saturday 30th March

Every Wednesday

what’s on march 2019

Ballater Ceilidh Day Victoria & Albert Halls, Ballater.

10am-11pm. www.Facebook.com/ DeeDonCeilidhCollective Strathspey Thistle v Forres Mechanics Highland League Football Match Seafield Park, Grantown on Spey. 3pm. www.facebook.com/strathspeythistlefc F Live Music with Gilly l The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 812368.

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Every Day in March Every Monday Ballroom Dancing with Kenny Nairn The Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie. 8.30-10.45pm. www.dukeofgordonhotel.co.uk F Live Music l Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Community Cafe St Andrews Church Hall, Aviemore.

10am-4pm.

Rotary Club of Spey Valley Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

6-8.15pm. T: 01479 810233. www.speyvalley.rotary1010.org Creative Writing Workshop Aviemore Community Centre.

7-9pm. To book call: sharedstoriescairngorms@gmail.com The Killiecrankies Cabaret Band Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie.

8.30-10.30pm. T: 01540 661302.

F Live Music with Tweed l Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

F Live Music with Davy l Holt Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9.30-11.30pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

Every Thursday

Cairngorm Drama Classes Elephants in the Pantry, Grantown Every Tuesday on Spey. 1.15-2.15pm, Community Lunch 3.15-4.15pm, 4.15-5.15pm.

T: 07826 846980.

Boat of Garten Village Hall.

12.30-1.30pm. T: 01479 831123. www.facebook.com/Cairngormdrama F Live Music with George Junior Youth Club l YMCA Community Centre, Gordon Grantown on Spey.

The Duke of Gordon Hotel, 6.30-8pm. T: 01479 872262.

Kingussie. 8.30-10.45pm. www.grantowncommunitycentre.org www.dukeofgordonhotel.co.uk F Ballroom Dancing with l Quiz Night Kenny Nairn Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

The Duke of Gordon Hotel, 9.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Kingussie. 8.30-10.45pm.

F Free Entry to Event l www.dukeofgordonhotel.co.uk What’s On

F Open Mic Night at l

The Winky The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 812368.

F Live Music with Tweed l Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9.30pm.

Every Friday Cairngorm Drama Classes Boat of Garten Village Hall.

1.15-2.15pm, 3.30-4.30pm, 4.30-5.30pm. T: 07826 846980. www.facebook.com/Cairngormdrama Community Cafe YMCA Community Centre, Grantown on Spey. 10am-2pm.

T: 01479 872262. www.grantowncommunitycentre.org Live Music with Carl Wilson Singer & Guitarist Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie.

8.30-10.30pm. T: 01540 661302.

F Live Music with Davy l Holt Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Every Saturday F Aviemore Parkrun 5km l

timed walk/run Route 7 Cafe, Aviemore.

9.30am (run brief 9.20am).

T: 01479 873918. www.parkrun.org.uk/aviemore Live Music with Nigel Dyson Singer & Guitarist Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie, 8.30pm. T: 01540 661302.

F Live Music l Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9.30-11.30pm. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com

l www.visitcairngorms.com

Saturday 9th March

Live Music with Anne & Calum Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm.

T: 01479 810233.

F Scottish Night with l Ceilidh Dancing Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie, 8.30pm. T: 01540 661302.

Shinty www.shinty.com Saturday 2nd March Newtonmore 1sts v Kilmallie The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Kingussie 2nds v Glenurquhart The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

Saturday 23rd March

Strathspey v Beauly Grantown Grammar, Grantown on Spey. 1.30pm.

Kingussie 1sts v Lochaber The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

Kingussie 2nds v Kingussie The Dell, Kingussie. 12pm.

Newtonmore 1sts v Kingussie The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Newtonmore 2nds v Caberfeidh The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Saturday 16th March Newtonmore 1sts v Oban Camanachd The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Kingussie 2nds v Lovat The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

Strathspey v Lochaber Grantown Grammar, Grantown on Spey. 2.30pm.

Saturday 30th March Newtonmore 2nds v Skye The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Details correct at time of going to press please note events may change.

what’s on march 2019

Every Sunday F l

CHECK OUT 100 THINGS TO DO IN THE CAIRNGORMS #100thingstodoCNP www.visitcairngorms.com/100

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map

See www.visitcairngorms.com for more information on each of the villages in the area.

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eat & drink

ook out for local produce & help LCairngorms reduce food miles within the National Park. We really

are spoilt for choice.

If you’re still stuck for ideas have a look at the next few pages and you’ll soon be inspired!

THE CROSS AT KINGUSSIE RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS

eat & drink things to do

Fine Dining in the Cairngorms Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner AA Three Red Rosettes Good Food & Michelin Guides 2019 www.thecross.co.uk 01540 661166

Royal Tandoori Restaurant and Take-away OPEN 7 DAYS

Evening 5-10.30pm Authentic Indian Cuisines 10% Discount on Take-away Meals A La Carte Menu Freshly Prepared Coffees Private Function Room ~ Ideal For Stag, Hen Or Birthday Parties

Cairngorm Hotel

Tel: 01479 811199 or 01479 811118

43 Grampian Road, Aviemore PH22 1RH www.royaltandoori.uk.com

The Place to Eat and Meet Opposite Aviemore Railway Station

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& RESTAURANT

In the lively Lounge, All Day ‘til Late with Regular Entertainment + Live TV Sports

Restaurant Open Tues - Sun 6 - 8:30pm Reservations recommended

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Family Run hotel with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Freshly prepared food using local and seasonal produce.

Large selection of Wines, Malts and Gins.

Loch Alvie, by Aviemore - 2 miles south on B9152

T: 01479 810 207

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Great Freshly Prepared Food All Day Beers, Wines, Spirits & Malts

www.rowantreehotel.com

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Bed & Highland Breakfast from £54 pppn Book Direct on 01479 810233 to Guarantee The Best Prices

Grampian Road Aviemore 01479 810 233 n www.cairngorm.com

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6 Family Friendly Attractions • Welcoming, safe and hassle-free • Fun and adventure for all ages • The creation of many happy memories • Great value and time well spent

www.aviemorefamilyadventures.co.uk

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to do

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to do

here’s a whole host of things to do in the Cairngorms National Park and more and more people are discovering just how special this place is.

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