WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2021 : EVENTS & INFORMATION : FREE
oC orie up IN THE
Cairngorms
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ftiy www.visitcairngorms.com
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Whisky tasting at Dalwhinnie Distillery
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WELCOME NOVEMBER 2021
Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and our special November edition of What’s On, the free events guide When the nights draw in and the temperature drops some animals begin to hibernate but we’re very happy to report that, this November, the Cairngorms National Park is coming alive! Talks are very much back on the agenda, with everything from history to wildlife to storytelling (see the listings on page 4). As is live music, with high profile acts coming to the Boat Hall, as well as Storylands ‘table tunes’ in Badenoch with local folk musician Hamish Napier. Of course, with Christmas just around the corner, there are also plenty of opportunities for you to bag stocking fillers at fairs, farmers markets and festivals, like the Spirit of Speyside whisky festival (see our feature on page 10) and the Ballater Winter Festival. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, there is something for everyone in the Cairngorms.
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
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Map
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What’s the Story... Coorie up in the Cairngorms 10-12
Eat, Drink & Activities 13-14
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: Hidden Highland Retreats | David Garcia
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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: visitcairngorms/whats on
NOVEMBER 2021 Events 23rd October - 1st November Finding Feathers, Hoarding Horns, Borrowing Bones | Sylvia Sim Solo Exhibition - St Margaret’s, Braemar. 11am-5pm. www.st-margarets-braemar. squarespace.com
22nd-31st October Light & Bright Art Exhibition & Sale Iona Gallery, Kingussie. 11.00am-4pm. T: 07775 528835. www.judechi.co.uk
3rd-8th November Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival - Various Events throughout Speyside. www.spiritofspeyside.com
5th-7th November Christmas Fair - Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. 11am-3pm. T: 01796 481355. www.athollestates.co.uk/events/christmas-fair
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October Spookfest - Landmark Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10.30am-5pm. T: 01479 841613. www.landmarkpark.co.uk Halloween Dinner Dance - McInnes House Hotel, Kingussie. 5.30pm-late. T: 01540 661967. www.mcinneshousehotel.com
Sunday 31st October Scottish Huntington’s Association Spooktacular Halloween Zipline Challenge - Aviemore Ziptrek Park, Alvie Estate. 9am-4pm. T: 07423 680741. www.hdscotland.org Cairngorms Farmers Market - Gynack Gardens, Kingussie. 10am-3pm. T: 07708 169813. October Spookfest & Foam Day - Landmark Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10.30am-5pm. T: 01479 841613. www.landmarkpark.co.uk
Monday 1st November Boat Talks: Simon Steer; Tales from Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm. T: 01479 831123.
Thursday 4th November Y Play Baby & Toddlers Group YMCA, 80 High Street, Grantown on Spey. 10am-12pm. T: 07816 103359. Grantown Library Book Group - The Courthouse, The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10.15-11.15am. T: 01349 781630.
Friday 5th November Guy Fawkes Fireworks Display Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6pm
20th-21st November
Sunday 7th November
Open Arms Christmas Market Dalraddy Holiday Park, Aviemore. 10.30am-5pm. www.facebook.com/ openarmscommunitygarden
Glenlivet Enduro - Bike Glenlivet. 9am-5pm. www.doonthabraeevents.com
Saturday 30th October
Cairngorms Farmers Market - The Square, Grantown-on-Spey. 10am-3pm. T: 07708 169813.
Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Grantown East Car Boot Sale - Grantown East Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre. 11am-3pm. www.grantowneast.com
Boat of Garten Repair Cafe - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 3-6pm. T: 01339 755306.
Tuesday 9th November The Storylands Sessions: Open Mic Nights hosted by Merryn Glover - Loch Insh Watersports Centre, Kincraig. 7-10pm. www.badenochstorylands.com/storylandssessions
Wednesday 10th November Concert by Gaia - St Bride’s Church, Newtonmore. 7.30-9pm. T: 01540 673422.
Thursday 11th November Flats & Sharps - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm. T: 01479 831123. Y Play Baby & Toddlers Group - YMCA, 80 High Street, Grantown on Spey. 10am-12pm. T: 07816 103359. Winter Waders & Wildfowl Walk with the Warden - Insh Marshes, Kingussie. 10am-2pm. www.events.rspb.org.uk/ events/8355
Saturday 12th November Cairngorm Ski Club Snowsports Equipment Sale - Dalfaber Golf & Country Club, Aviemore. 3.30-5.30pm. www.cairngormskiclub.co.uk/ski-sale
Sunday 13th November Boat Bairns Market - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 10am-2pm. T: 01479 831123. Glen Clova Half Marathon - Glen Clova Hotel. 12pm. www.forfarroadrunners.co.uk/ glen-clova-half-marathon open-air-art-craftfood-fair-at-grantown-east
Tuesday 15th November Boat Talks: Mitchell Semple The Dukes of Scotland and their magnificent houses Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm. T: 01479 831123.
Thursday 18th November Y Play Baby & Toddlers Group - YMCA, 80 High Street, Grantown on Spey. 10am-12pm. T: 07816 103359.
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NOVEMBER 2021 Events (continued...) Friday 19th November Race Night (in aid of Aviemore Winter Lights) - Cairngorm Hotel. 7pm. www.facebook.com/ aviemorecommunity Live Music with Duncan Chisholm - St Margaret’s, Braemar. 7.30-10pm. Tickets: www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk The Cairn Distillery in its historic setting talk - Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 7.30-9pm. www.thegrantownsociety.org
Sunday 21st November Braemar Local History Group: Postcard images of Braemar by Tom Kerlly Braemar Village Hall. 7.30-9pm. T: 01339 741511. www.braemarlhg.com
Tuesday 23rd November Storylands Sessions; Table Tunes & folk session with Hamish Napier - Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie. 7-11pm. www.badenochstorylands.com
Thursday 25th November Y Play Baby & Toddlers Group - YMCA, 80 High Street, Grantown on Spey. 10am-12pm. T: 07816 103359.
Saturday 27th November
Ballater Winter Festival - Throughout Ballater. 10am-late. www.facebook.com/ BallaterWinterFestival
Friday 29th October Live Music with the Anne Dickson Band The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. T: 01479 812368.
Monday 29th November Boat Talks: Kenny Kortland Cairngorms Connect Predator Project - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm. T: 01479 831123.
Late Night Christmas Shopping Event VisitScotland Ballater iCentre. 5-7pm. T: 01339 755306. Turning on Christmas Tree Lights & Carols - Village Green, Aviemore. 4pm.
Sunday 28th November Cairngorms Farmers Market - The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10am-3pm. T: 07708 169813. Outdoor Christmas Market - Grantown East Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre. 10.30am-2.30pm.
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Event listings available online
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p u e oC ori IN THE
Cairngorms
The Scots equivalent of the Scandinavian ‘hygge’ is ‘coorie’. It means to snuggle up and ‘nestle’ in a cosy spot… the perfect pastime in the Cairngorms after you’ve had some fresh air! Coorie as a word has undergone a resurgence in popularity, in no small part thanks to the best-selling book ‘The Art of Coorie’. Its author Gabriella Bennett spent some time researching in the Cairngorms and told What’s On:
"
T
he Cairngorms offers something really special frozen lochs in which to swim, and plenty of convivial pubs to warm up with a dram in after. It's that contrast that brings the spirit of coorie alive, and I can't think of anywhere that does it better than the Cairngorms." Downie’ s cottag
e
Here are a few ideas to get your ‘coorie’ on in the Cairngorms: The Park is full of gorgeous cosy hideaways, like log cabins, wooden chalets and bothies, set in the midst of nature with star-filled dark skies.
Stay
There’s Downie’s Cottage, for example, which sits above Braemar, and boasts a roaring fire, huge bathtub and sauna raphy ter Photog ona Parmen tri Ca can’t get more coorie than that after the ts/ epherd Hu Highland Sh hike up there! There’s even a super cosy Shepherd’s Hut in Nethybridge called ‘Coorie’. Why not check out our blog on the best cosy cottages on visitcairngorms.com for accommodation inspiration? 10
There’s no better way to warm up than clutching a hot drink, mug of soup or a warming dram of whisky, next to a roaring fire.
Sip
Speyside whisky is world renowned and The Spirit of Speyside festival takes place 3-8 November. Check out our listings on page 4 for events, such as tastings with cheese and chocolate (not together!) at The Boat Hotel.
But, whenever you come, drinking a dram in one of our Bar Bertie’s whisky bars, or distilleries, is a memorable experience. For example, 5 star hotel The Fife Arms, in Braemar, has just opened a dedicated whisky bar called Bertie’s, and Macdonald Aviemore Resort’s Laggan Whisky & Cocktail Bar is also a favourite. The Old Bridge Inn, in Aviemore, is even described by one visitor as “whisky heaven”!
Winter swimming is getting increasingly popular because of the ‘buzz’ it gives you; the cosy contrast between the cold water and a warm atmosphere afterwards is coorie at its best.
Swim
For the experienced cold water swimming enthusiasts we recommend a swim* in Loch Morlich followed by a hot drink in the Braving the tem perature Pine Marten Bar + Scran afterwards, enjoyed next to its s wood burner where they serve an impressive hot choc with marshmallows too Of course, a favourite activity in the Cairngorms, which many visitors come for, is walking. Pair a stroll with your brew of choice and a woolly hat and you’ll be coorie personified. After all, have you noticed how much better hot drinks taste when you’re outside?
Taking
ghts
in the si
Stroll
With so many different types of walks, from lowland glen walks to tougher hikes into the hills, there is definitely something suitable for every age and ability. If you’re looking for a starter suggestion, why not check our our new blog on starter walks for kids in the Cairngorms.
* Cold water swimming can be dangerous if adequate safety precautions are not taken please ensure you do this sport safely and in company, hiring a guide if you are unsure. 11
There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get from whizzing down the mountain on a bike and then entering, red cheeked, into a welcoming cafe afterwards for a warming drink. Obviously, we do not recommend having a dram if you plan to continue riding (we want coorie not a crash!) but there are some wonderful cafes on cycle routes in the Cairngorms.
For instance, the Old Post Office Cafe in Kincraig, which was awarded runner up in UK Cycling’s ‘Cyclist Cafe of the Year’ during lockdown. Or if you want to be right next to the action, there’s a charming cafe at the foot of the Bike Glenlivet trails (incidentally the sister cafe of the popular Nethy House). Why not check out our ‘cycle friendly cafes’ blog on www.visitcairngorms.com?
te Credit : Crown Esta
Sup
Spin
Perhaps the idea of plunging into the cold water for a swim (buzz or not!) has you breaking out into an even colder sweat. If so, then perhaps stand up paddle boarding in a cosy wet suit with a flask on board, would be more your type of coorie? Sup-ing is certainly not just for summer, even Santa Claus loves it in his (or her!) full finery.
Or why not take your flask of whisky/ hot choc and blanket and cosy up with your loved ones under the stars?
Santa on
SUP’s :
Strathsp
Stars
Tomintoul & Glenlivet has been awarded ‘Dark Sky Status’ which makes it one of the best places in the world to do this magical activity. Remember to make a wish on that shooting star…. Perhaps to come back to the Cairngorms in 2022?! lis : Gordon
Aurora Borea
Mackie
For more inspiration, check out our blogs on www.visitcairngorms.com 1212
ey SUP
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
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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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