What's On in the Cairngorms National Park April 2022

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

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Credit: Rothiemurchus

WELCOME APRIL 2022 Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and your special April 2022 edition of What’s On, the free events guide.

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It’s wonderful to see events coming back to the Park with a vengeance this month (see p 4-6) and, whether it’s guided walks, live local music, sporting competitions, markets, pub quizzes, wildlife or even karaoke that you want to enjoy, you can!

Of course, Easter falls this month and there are plenty of activities to keep all the family happy in the holidays. Some of our most iconic venues, for example, are hosting Easter Trails, such as the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore and Loch Insh Outdoor Centre in Kincraig. There are also many place-based and history-themed guided walks happening throughout the month.

Another breathtaking venue - Balmoral Castle - is hosting its ‘Run Balmoral’ event, too - along with returning running events at Glenlivet and Strathdon. But if you fancy something a bit less energetic, then don’t forget there’s also the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and many relaxing events running, from yoga to forest bathing to astronomy walks. Alternatively there’s a full programme of shinty matches, the Highland’s national game, if you prefer your sport as a spectator to participant!

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...

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Spring is in the Air

Eat, Drink & Activities 12-16

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: Roe Deer: Ruari Law www.instinctguides.com

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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

APRIL 2022 Events 1st-18th April Easter Trail - Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore. 10am-5pm. T: 01349 781650. www.highlandfolk.com Golden Egg & Lost Explorers’ Mystery Egg Competition - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10am-6pm. www. landmarkpark.co.uk 2nd April-30th May Spring Exhibition - Chapel House Arts, Kingussie. Monday, Thursday, Friday 1-5pm.

Saturday 10am-1pm. T: 01540 662438. www.facebook.com/KingussieHighStreet 9th-10th April Spring Exhibition - Chapel House Arts, Kingussie. Monday, Thursday, Friday 1-5pm.

Saturday 10am-1pm. T: 01540 662438. www.facebook.com/KingussieHighStreet 23rd-24th April Run Balmoral - Balmoral Castle, Crathie, Ballater. 8am-5pm. www.runbalmoral.com

27th April-2nd May Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Event -

Throughout Speyside. www.spiritofspeyside.com

Wednesday 30th March Abernethy Forest and the Backharn Valley Guided Walk - Castle Roy, Nethy Bridge.

2pm. www.facebook.com/secretstrathspey Thursday 31st March Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Friday 1st April Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge, 1pm. T: 01479 831476.

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www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/ reserves-a-z/loch-garten Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

The Anne Dickson Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Saturday 2nd April Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Sunday 3rd April Strathdon Stag 10k Trail Run - Strathdon Ranch. 9.30am-2pm. www.strathdonranch. co.uk/strathdonstag10k Cairngorms Farmers Market - Grantown on Spey. 10am-3pm. T: 07708 169813.

Car Boot Sale - Grantown East Station, Grantown on Spey 11am-3pm.

T: 01479 816262. www.grantowneast.com Glenlivet 10K - Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch. 11am-4pm. T: 01463 515136. www.chss.org.uk/supportus/fundrais-forus/events/glenlivet-10k Live Music with Scott Ramsay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Monday 4th April Live Music with Graeme Mackay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Tuesday 5th April TOMS Concert featuring Opera Bohemia’s performance of Marriage of Figaro - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm.

Tickets T: 01479 831213.

Pub Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 6th April Live Music with Chris Grant Guitarist/ Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Keith Mair - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Thursday 7th April Book Group - Grantown on Spey Library.

11.15am. T:01349 781630.

Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Friday 8th April Tommy Smith Saxophonist - St Margaret’s, Braemar. 8-10pm. Tickets: www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk/eventscalendar/tommy-smith

The Anne Dickson Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Saturday 9th April Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Johnny Cash Duo - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Sunday 10th April Aviemore & Vicinity Community Council Market - Aviemore Village Green. 11am-4pm.

T: 07925 150890.

Repair Cafe Cairngorms - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 2-5pm. T: 01479 831123. www.facebook.com/repaircafecairngorms Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Monday 11th April Live Music with Graeme Mackay Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Tuesday 12th April Spring Writing Workshops on Place with Elizabeth Reeder - RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 6-8pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-writingworkshops-on-place-with-elizabeth-reedertickets-266918800317 Pub Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 13th April Spring Writing Workshops on Place, with Elizabeth Reeder - RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 12pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-writingworkshops-on-place-with-elizabeth-reedertickets-266918800317 Stories Round the Fire: Birds of the Cairngorms National Park Children’s Ranger Event - Grantown Library, 4-5pm.

T: 01349 781630.

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

T: 01479 810233.

Thursday 14th April Wildlife Wander - RSPB Insh Marshes, Kingussie. 10am-1pm. T: 07719 079029. www.events.rspb.org.uk/inshmarshes Spring Writing Workshops on Place, with Elizabeth Reeder - RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 6-8pm. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/springwriting-workshops-on-place-with-elizabethreeder-tickets-266918800317

Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Friday 15th April The Fairy Hill of the Feshie Floodlands: Tales from Dalnavert - Dalnavert, Kincraig.

10am-12pm. www.storywalks.scot Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 10am-1pm.

T: 01479 831476. www.rspb.org.uk/reservesand-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten/ Good Friday Family Curry, Quiz & Skating Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig.

T: 01540 651272 www.lochinsh.com Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Gordie Peters Karaoke - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Saturday 16th April Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) Certificate U - Grantown Cinema, YMCA, Grantown on Spey. 3.30pm. T: 01479 872262. www.grantowncinema.co.uk/films/peterrabbit-2-the-runaway-u/ Solo: A Star Wars Story (12) - Grantown Cinema, YMCA, Grantown on Spey.

7-9.15pm. T: 01479 872262. www.grantowncinema.co.uk/films/ solo-a-star-wars-story-12/ Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Sunday 17th April Easter Egg Hunt - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 10am-12pm. T: 01540 651272. www.lochinsh.com/at-the-centre/whats-on/ Easter Egg Hunt - Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus. 10.30am & 2pm.

T: 01479 812345. www.rothie.net Cairngorms Farmers Market - Gynack Street Gardens, Kingussie. 10am-3pm.

T: 07709 169813.

Live Music with Scott Ramsay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6.30pm. T: 01479 810233.

Monday 18th April After Outlander Guided Walk Ardvonie Car Park, Kingussie. 1.30pm. www.facebook.com/secretstrathspey Live Music with Graeme Mackay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

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WHAT’s ON Tuesday 19th April Pub Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

8.45pm. T: 01479 810233.

Wednesday 20th April Live Music with Chris Grant Guitarist/Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Keith Mair - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Thursday 21st April Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Friday 22nd April Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Band ‘Rant’ - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Saturday 23rd April A Mindful Morning Yoga & Forest Bathing RSPB Insh Marshes, Kingussie. 8-11am.

Booking T: 07719 079029.

Run Balmoral - Balmoral Castle, Crathie, Ballater. 8am-5pm. www.runbalmoral.com The Auction - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 10am-5pm. T: 01479 831123.

‘Legendary’ a collaboration in music and storytelling - St Margaret’s, Braemar.

7.30-9pm. www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk/ events-calendar/legendary-braemar Live Music with Anne & Calum - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Twice Bitten Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Monday 25th April Live Music with Graeme Mackay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Tuesday 26th April Pub Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.8.45pm. T: 01479 810233.

Nethy Skywatching Astronomy Walk - Castle Roy, Nethy Bridge. 9.30-11pm. www.facebook. com/secretstrathspey Wednesday 27th April Live Music with Chris Grant Guitarist/Singer - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm.

T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Keith Mair - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co 6

Thursday 28th April Live Music with Scott Ramsay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Tweed Ceilidh Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Friday 29th April Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Event: Whisky and Scottish Cheese Tasting - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten.

T: 01479 831258. www.tickets.spiritofspeyside. com/event/959:2219/959:5790.

Woodland Wander - Loch Garten Nature Centre, Nethy Bridge. 10am-1pm.

T: 01479 831476. www.rspb.org.uk/reservesand-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten The Anne Dickson Band - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co Saturday 30th April Battle of Cromdale Anniversary Guided Walk - Cromdale Church, Grantown on Spey. 10am-1.30pm. www.facebook.com/ secretstrathspey Whisky Tasting Dinner - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 7pm. Tickets: T: 01479 831258. www.tickets.spiritofspeyside. com/event/959:2216/959:5789/ Live Music with Davy Holt - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Live Music with Gilly’s Gypsies - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm. www.thewinkingowl.co

Shinty www.shinty.com Saturday 2nd April Kingussie v Kinlochshiel - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

Newtonmore v Fort William - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Saturday 9th April Newtonmore v Kingussie - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Kingussie 2nds v Newtonmore - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

Saturday 23rd April Newtonmore v Cabers - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Sunday 24th April Badenoch Ladies v Inverness - The Dell, Kingussie. Time TBC.

Saturday 30th April Newtonmore v Kinlochshiel - The Eilan, Newtonmore. 2.30pm.

Kingussie v Fort William - The Dell, Kingussie. 2.30pm.

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‘The m ighty W ren Instinc t Guide ’, s

Cairngorms IS IN THE AIR

IN THE

April is a fantastic time to visit the Park, full of new sounds, smells and life…

At this time of year, the dawn chorus goes up a notch, lambs and calves pepper the landscapes, colourful plants start to grow and the longer days means there’s more time to explore and spot wildlife.

“Everything is getting jump-started,” says Ruari Law, of Instinct Guides.

“And it’s exciting to see different species arriving from far and near.”

‘Meadow Pipit’, Instinct G uides ’,

‘A red deer in the forest Instinct Guides

As he says, good weather helps, especially to spot raptors as they don’t like to sit in the rain or wind! “The fact that the trees have not got all their leaves and the grass is not as high, also helps as you can see wildlife better.”

But, as Ruari and other wildlife guides stress, your desire to spot wildlife should never be at the expense of disturbing them.

As Cath Wright, of Speyside Wildlife, adds: “during spring and summer, it is extremely important to be mindful of nesting wildlife & follow legal responsibilities.”

If you want to know more about what your responsibilities are, please check out: www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot Speyside Wild

life guided grou

eks Aviemore Quad Bike Tr oo Safari C n la Hei

What to Spot:

• Lapwings: the first sign that spring is on the way in this area, followed by oystercatchers

• Swallows: which fly from further afield, usually arrive this month • Ospreys: also start returning in April • The changing plumage of many birds, which tend to flaunt their features and become bolder and more colourful, to find a mate at this time of year • The new polar bear cub at the Highland Wildlife Park which, all going well, visitors should be able to see now! There is also a new female Eurasian elk (these are the largest living deer species) called Ash, who arrived in February as part of a breeding programme to breed with resident elk Raven • Frogspawn! Great locations for this include the Craigellachie Nature Reserve and the Lilly Loch in Rothiemurchus • The baby heilan coos while you’re riding a quad bike through Rothiemurchus Estate with Quad Bike Treks Aviemore!

What to Do:

• Download an app, like Birds of Britain, which include images, sounds and descriptions of how they typically fly • Try cupping your ears with your hands, closing your eyes and immersing yourself in the sounds around you; you will be surprised how many birds you will hear • To learn more about birdsong, why not do a 2 day ‘Spring Masterclass’ with experts from Speyside Wildlife

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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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Highland Weekend in Support of UkrainE 1st - 3rd April #HighlandForUkraine

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This weekend sees businesses and communities across the Highlands linking up to hold a series of fundraising events and activities in support of the humanitarian efforts for Ukraine.

Keep up to date with details of events taking place across the Cairngorms by visiting our Facebook Page and online events calendar: www.visitcairngorms.com/whats-on/events-calendar Want to win a holiday to the Cairngorms? Enter the raffle for your chance to win. Prize details and how to enter can be found across our social media channels. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee www.dec.org.uk

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Landmark Forest Adventure Park

ONE OF THE UK’S T OP 10 PARKS!

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Advance booking essential Don’t miss out - Scan here now!!

www.landmarkpark.co.uk