What's happening in the Cairngorms National Park January & February 2023

Welcome to this bumper edition of What’s On, showcasing the events the National Park will be hosting throughout January and February 2023.

Whether you are looking for a cosy night in the pub with some live music, a little bit of heritage with Hamish Napier at a Storylands session or a Dark Sky experience in one of the best Dark Sky locations in the UK - the Cairngorms National Park has you covered! There are also pop up community cinemas in Grantown, Tomintoul and Newtonmore, Parkrun and Health Walks to kick off 2023 in sociable and active style, and The Dell of Abernethy has some truly fabulous gatherings planned in their tipi, not to mention the fun that is waiting for you at our ski resorts: The Lecht, Glenshee and Cairngorm Mountain.

The winter comes to life in the Cairngorms so get stuck into the snow, the culture and everything our lovely businesses and communities have to offer. And after all the action you can grab your favourite cosy jumper, a cuppa and coorie down by the fire… ohh sounds just lovely!

If you’re looking for inspiration while you’re here or even planning your next visit, make sure you check out www.visitcairngorms.com

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

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

2023 Events

28th & 29th January

The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore Sled Dog Rally - Glenmore, Aviemore. www.siberianhuskyclub.org.uk/2022shcgb-aviemore-rally

Friday 30th December

An Evening of Scottish Music Royal British Legion - The Square, Grantown on Spey. 7.30-10.30pm. T: 01479 873690.

FREE. Evening Talk: Wildlife Watching; Fun for ALL the Family by Mike DilgerThe Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30pm. T: 01479 872526. birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/talks-otherevents

Saturday 31st December

Nethy Bridge Hogmanay Torchlight Procession - 23 Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge. 6-7.30pm. www.fb.me/e/2pwhoryWP

Hogmanay Eight Course Tasting Menu - Rowan Tree Country Hotel, Loch Alvie. 7pm12am. T: 01479 810207.

Hogmanay Gala Dinner - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 7pm-1am. T: 01479 831258.

FREE. New Years Eve live music with Mother’s Ruin - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm-3am. T: 01479 812368.

FREE. Hogmanay Street Party - The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10pm-1am. T: 07859 911950. Sunday 1st January

FREE. Evening Talk: Birding, A Personal History by Alan Davies - The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30pm. T: 01479 872526. www.birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/talksother-events

Friday 6th January

FREE. Live music with Blind BrokenThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Saturday 7th January

Loch Morlich Running Festival - The Hayfield, Glenmore. 10am. www.fitnessat58.co.uk FREE. Live music with Anne Dickson Band - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Tuesday 10th January

Storylands Sessions Open Mic NightPtarmigan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 7-10pm. T: 07807 427006. www. badenochstorylands.com/storylands-sessions

Friday 13th January

FREE. Gordie Peters Karaoke - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Saturday 14th January

FREE. Live music with Mother’s RuinThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Monday 16th January

ONLINE Storylands Sessions - Folk Music with Hamish Napier. 7-9.30pm. T: 07971 561693. badenochstorylands.com/storylands-sessions

FREE. Evening Talk: Best of British Wildlife by Craig Jones - The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30pm. T: 01479 872526. birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/talks-otherevents

Tuesday 17th January

Storylands Sessions: Folk Music Workshop with Hamish Napier - The Iona Gallery, Kingussie. 7-9.30pm. T: 07971 561693. badenochstorylands.com/storylands-sessions

Wednesday 18th January

Matilda the Musical - Mobile Cinema, Main Car Park, Tomintoul. 5.30pm. screenmachine.co.uk. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Mobile Cinema, Main Car Park, Tomintoul. 8.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk.

Thursday 19th January

Aftersun - Mobile Cinema, Main Car Park, Tomintoul. 5.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk

The Banshees of Inisherin - Mobile Cinema, Main Car Park, Tomintoul. 8.30pm. screenmachine.co.uk

Friday 20th January

Matilda the Musical - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 2pm. screenmachine.co.uk

FREE. Stargazing; The Celtic Sky - Inveraven Church and Pictish Stones, Ballindalloch. 7-9pm. T: 07946 025981. www.eventbrite.com/e/ stargazing-the-celtic-sky-tickets-481734810787

The Banshees of Inisherin - Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 8.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk

FREE. Live music with Paul Kelly - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Saturday 21st January

Matilda the Musical - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 5.30pm. screenmachine.co.uk

Ron’s Gone Wrong - Grantown Community Cinema, Grantown YMCA Community Centre. 4pm. T: 01479 872262.

Avatar: The Way of Water - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 4.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk.

A ‘Taste of Burns’ Supper - The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. Booking essential. 6.45pm. T: 01479 872526.

The Road Dance - Grantown Community Cinema - Grantown YMCA Community Centre. 7pm. T: 01479 872262.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 8.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk.

FREE. Live music with Paul Cash DuoThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Sunday 22nd January

Telescope Workshop - Glenlivet Public Hall, Ballindalloch. 5.30-7.30pm. T: 07946 025981. lydia@tgdt.org.uk

Living (captioned film) - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 5.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk

Aftersun - Mobile Cinema, Newtonmore Grill, Newtonmore. 8.30pm. www.screenmachine.co.uk.

Monday

23rd January

FREE. Evening Talk: Great British Birds by Ashley Grove - The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30pm. T: 01479 872526. birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/talks-otherevents

Wednesday 25th January

FREE. Nethy Bridge Health Walk - Meet by Nethy Bridge Community Centre, Nethy Bridge. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.

Thursday 26th January

FREE. Evening Talk: No Man’s Land by Craig Jones - The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey. 8.30pm. T: 01479 872526. birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/talks-otherevents

Friday 27th January

Loch Insh Star Gazing - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 6-8pm. T: 01540 651272. www.lochinsh.com/product/star-gazing

Live music Folk Session Fridays - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 7.30pm-12am. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk

FREE. Gordie Peters Karaoke - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368

Saturday 28th January

Loch Insh Star Gazing - Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 6-8pm. T: 01540 651272. www.lochinsh.com/product/star-gazing

FREE. ONLINE The Chevalier de Johnstone, The Memoirs of a Jacobite in Exile by Clan Macpherson Museum - 7pm. T: 01540 673332.

FREE. Live music with Rant - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Sunday

29th January

Brunch Sundays - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 11am-2pm. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk.

Monday

30th January

FREE. ONLINE A Journey with Nan Shepherd; Podcast Trilogy - Pitlochry Festival Theatre Soundstage. 7-9pm. T: 01796 484626. www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Saturday 4th February

TOMS Concert with The Broen EnsembleBoat of Garten Community Hall. 7.30-10pm. T: 01479 831213.

FREE. Live music with Anne Dickson Band - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Friday 10th February

FREE. Gordie Peters Karaoke - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Saturday

11th February

FREE. Live music with Gilly’s GypsiesThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Tuesday 14th February

Storylands Sessions Open Mic Night - Ptarmigan Dome, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig. 7-10pm. T: 07807 427006. badenochstorylands.com/storylands-sessions Valentine’s Day Tasting Menu - The Rowan Tree Country Hotel, Loch Alvie. 5-10pm. T: 01479 810207. www.rowantreehotel.com.

Friday 17th February

Supper Club - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 6.30pm-12am. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk.

Saturday 18th

February

Supper Club - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 6.30pm-12am. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk.

Mrs Harris Goes To Paris (PG) - Grantown Community Cinema, Grantown YMCA Community Centre. 7pm. T: 01479 872262.

FREE. Live music with Johnny Cash DuoThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Monday 20th February

ONLINE Storylands Sessions: Folk Music with Hamish Napier - T: 07971 561693. badenochstorylands.com/storylands-sessions

WHAT’s ON

Tuesday 21st February

Storylands Sessions: Folk Music Workshop with Hamish Napier - The Iona Gallery, Kingussie. 7-9.30pm. T: 07971 561693. www.badenochstorylands.com/storylandssessions

Stargazing & The Celtic Sky - Inveraven Church & Pictish Stones, Ballindalloch. 7pm. lydia@tgdt.org.uk

Wednesday 23rd February

FREE. Nethy Bridge Health Walk - Meet by Nethy Bridge Community Centre, Nethy Bridge. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.

Friday 24th February

Live music Folk Session Fridays - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 7.30pm-12am. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk.

FREE. Live music with Blind BrokenThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Saturday 25th February

FREE. Live music with Mother’s RuinThe Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Sunday 26th February

Brunch Sundays - Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge. 11am-2pm. E: hello@dellofabernethy.co.uk

Tuesday 28th February Moon in the Square Telescope SessionThe Square, Tomintoul. 7pm. E: lydia@tgdt.org.uk

Every Evening

FREE. Live entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233. Every Monday

FREE. Braemar Health Walk - Under the Mews, Braemar. 10am. T: 07816 110549. www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walk/braemar

FREE. Live Music with Graeme Mackay - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 810233.

Every Tuesday

FREE. Grantown on Spey Health WalkMeet at Anagah Wood, curling rink car park, Grantown on Spey. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549. www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walk/grantownon-spey

Quiz Night - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 8.45pm. T: 01479 810233.

Every Wednesday

FREE. Newtonmore Health Walk - Meet at Wildcat Centre, Newtonmore. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549. www.pathsforall.org.uk/walking-for-health/ health-walks/health-walk/newtonmore

FREE. Boat of Garten Health Walk - Meet at Boat of Garten Community Hall. 1.30pm. T: 07816 110549.

Every Thursday

FREE. Cromdale Health Walk - In front of the Kirk, Cromdale. 11am. T: 07816 110549.

FREE. Carrbridge Health Walk - Meet by the Old Bridge, Carrbridge. 11am. T: 07816 110549.

FREE. Kingussie Health Walk - Badenoch Centre, Kingussie. 10am. T: 07816 110549. www.pathsforall.org.uk/walking-for-health/ health-walks/health-walk/kingussie.

FREE. Aviemore Chess Club - Aviemore Community Centre Library. T: 07415 892669.

Every Friday

FREE. Glen Tanar Health Walk - Meet outside the Boat Inn, Abyone. 9.40am. T: 07816 110549.

FREE. Ballater Health Walk - Meet at the green hut on the green at the corner of bridge street and Netherly Place, Ballater. 10.30am. T: 07816 110549. www.pathsforall.org.uk/healthwalk/ballater

FREE. Tomintoul Health Walk - Meet at Bowling Club, Tomintoul. 10am. T: 07816 110549. Pub Night - The Apiary, The Lodge, Dalwhinnie. 6-9pm. T: 01528 522261.

FREE. Live music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Every Saturday

FREE. Live music - The Winky & Bothy Bar, Aviemore. 9pm. T: 01479 812368.

Every Sunday

FREE. Entertainment - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. 6-8pm. T: 01479 810233.

The ‘Big Ones’ For 2023

The Cairngorms National Park is a honey pot of superb and diverse fitness events - events that will challenge and inspire, in an environment that will touch your soul.

Here are our top picks for fitness and challenge events that will be taking place throughout 2023.

There is fabulous diversity - from 5 km you can walk to 60 km wilderness ultras. Take a look, feel inspired and get outside - your body and brain will thank you!

Loch Morlich Running Festival

Saturday 7th January takes in the canopy of Glenmore Forest and the shores of Loch Morlich beach. In competition or simply for fun; solo or with family and friends - what a way to kick off 2023.

Fitnessat58° Wellness Festival

Saturday 4th March - Join the first Wellness Festival and get exclusive access to an incredible line up of leading fitness and wellbeing influencers to support your wellness journey.

Glenlivet 10k April 2nd in the stunning landscape of the Glenlivet Crown Estate, the route follows quiet country roads that meander around the River Livet, passing ancient castles and offering amazing views of this secret glen.

Run Balmoral

22nd and 23rd April has races for children, a range of distances, a duathlon and even a corporate team option - as iconic as its location, this event has something everyone can get stuck into.

Grantown Try Tri

Back for Spring 2023 and embodies everything that is great about giving it a go. Beginners and kids can feel as involved as the pros, and you can race as a team. The atmosphere will be phenomenal.

Cairngorm to Coast

(aka C2C) is a 100km hike and bike challenge that takes place along the beautiful scenery of the Dava Way on the 27th May. What a way to see the magnificent Cairngorms.

The Cairngorm Ultra

Saturday 3rd June; a 60 km trail race, spectacular and challenging in equal measure. The trail from Mar Lodge is superb: race in true wilderness. Places are limited and sought after.

Bikeathon 2023

With Cycle Friendly Kingussie, Sunday 18th June is set to be a bumper celebration, marking 30 years since the first Bikeathon. Family friendly and brilliant fun. The Cairngorms on two wheels are hard to beat.

Lairig Ghru Hill Race

Sunday 25th June is a Long Hill Race run over 43 km between the police stations of Braemar and Aviemore, a classic race over the historic drover road.

Aviemore Half Marathon & 10K

The perfect autumn challenge. Starting from Badaguish, runners will take in the fabulous forests, lochs and mountain scenery - let the landscape spur you on; the colours will be breathtaking.

The Glenmore 24

2nd and 3rd September takes endurance to the next level. With 12 or 24 hour options, runners will be on a 4 mile loop (with a wee hill on mile 2 and 3!).

The Aviemore Triathlon

Sunday 17th September - The Loch Morlich waters and the Glenmore forest trails are unbeatable. This triathlon has to be one of the most beautiful on the tri circuit - come and get stuck in!

The Illuminator

At the end of October, this is night trail running at its best. Setting off from the beautiful Glen Tanar Estate, the trail is challenging, the dark sky awe inspiring and the lighting zone a true spectacle. Race the Cairngorms by night.

Starting small…

The Glen Clova Half Marathon

Our November closer. Picturesque, undulating and with runners needing to be ready for winter sun, rain, ice or snow (and maybe all four). This one is for the dedicated…but what an end to your running year!

Here are Sam Cairns from Fitnessat58° Top 3 Tips for Winter Training

1. Take the time to warm up - a cold start increases your risk of injury, the time spent on your warm up will pay dividends.

2. Dress for the conditions - use layers when you train outside, and remember to take them off and put them back on again depending on your body temperature, with extra protection for your head, hands and feet.

3. Mindset - is key for winter training. Dig deep and understand your ‘why’. This will help you to get out on the coldest of days.

All of this adventurous chat can feel overwhelming, tiring (!) and a bit out of reach.

But the good news is that being active does not have to mean hours pounding the trails if that is not your thing - it can be as simple as a 20 minute daily walk and stepping into nature is brilliant for our emotional wellbeing too.

Start small and keep it simple. And the New Year is the perfect time to get going. You can make your walk social too - Health Walks throughout the National Park are regular, social and great fun.

Parkrun Aviemore is a fabulous community event, it can actually be a Parkwalk…and maybe you will build up to a Parkrun...

Keep it small. Keep it simple. Enjoy it. You will not get a more beautiful place to do just that.

The list goes on and on - The Cairngorms and each of its villages & towns is brimming with festive & fun things to do, there truly is something for everyone to make sure you have a super special Christmas which will leave you with everlasting memories. The Cairngorms really are Where Winter Comes To Life.

Cairngorms Characters Podcast Series

Explore the nature, culture, history and sports, as well as the food and drink of the Cairngorms National Park, in a truly immersive new podcast series – an ideal listen and further inspiration while you’re here in the Cairngorms.

‘Cairngorms Characters’ explores the lives of the people who live and work in the Cairngorms National Park and how their lives are interlinked with the local landscape. Scan the QR code to listen to the series today!