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

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

1

ftiy www.visitcairngorms.com

2

Marty Davies

WELCOME JANUARY 2022 Credit:

Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park and your special January edition of What’s On, the free events guide

ntern

David Li

There’s no better way to wave goodbye to 2021 and step into 2022 in style with a visit to the Cairngorms National Park this January!

There’s fun to be had for all the family at Landmark Adventure Park, on the really chilly days a visit to the Tropical Hot House is sure to warm your cockles. Meet the duetting reindeer and take a pic with the mystical unicorn who greets you on arrival.

The Loch Morlich running festival takes place 2nd January, a family friendly event with up to 400 runners taking part in this 5/10K challenge and you have the annual Aviemore Sled Dog Rally on the 29th. Both family friendly events and there are plenty of easy walking routes lochside, a great opportunity to explore!

You can join in one of the open mic sessions for Badenoch The Storylands for an evening of storytelling & music. Download the free Storylands app to start your journey!

For those of you who fancy trying out some snowsports you’ve got 3, yes THREE resorts to choose from! The Lecht, Cairngorm Mountain & Glenshee all offer snowsport tuition and if the weather’s good there’s no better way to get out and enjoy the mountains.

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

4-5

Map

6-7

What’s the Story...

Keep smiling and Be safe 8-9

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: Siberian Husky Club of GB Rally, Glenmore by Robin McConnell

azine is re This mag

. cyclable

3

WHAT’s ON DECEMBER 2021 Events Thursday 30th December Cinderella Christmas Panto - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort, 2-4pm. T: 01479 815100. www.macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk Live Music with Tweed - The Winking Owl, Aviemore. 9.30pm.

Maggie Adamson & Friends Concert - Royal British Legion, Grantown on Spey. 8-10pm.

Tickets are £12.00 cash only from the Royal British Legion or The Bookmark in Grantown.

Friday 31st December Christmas Fun - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10am-4pm.

T: 01479 841613. www.landmarkpark.co.uk Festive Mince Pie Specials & Afternoon Tea Services - Strathspey Steam Railway, Aviemore. T: 01479 810725. www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk Chapel House Arts November December Exhibition - Kingussie. 1-5pm.

T: 01540 662438. www.fusedandlight.co.uk Hogmanay Party - The Boathouse Restaurant, Loch Insh, Kincraig. 7pm.

T: 01540 651394. www.lochinsh.com Hogmanay Gala Dinner - The Boat Country Inn, Boat of Garten. 6pm-1am.

T: 01479 831258. www.boathotel.co.uk Hogmanay Free Outdoor Party The Old Bridge, Aviemore. 9pm. www.facebook.com/theoldbridgeinn Hogmanay Street Party - The Square, Grantown on Spey. 10pm-1am.

Fireworks - Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore.

12-12.15am. T: 01479 810233. www.cairngorm.com/whats-on

4

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/whats on

JANUARY 2022 Events 2nd January-11th February Winter Fun - Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge. 10am-4pm.

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

7th-9th January Dannsa Step Dance Weekend - Talla Nan Ros, Kingussie. T: 07780 925663. www.dannsa.com

27th-30th January The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 38th Aviemore Sled Dog Rally 2022 Hayfield, Glenmore, Aviemore.

Saturday 1st January Kingussie Shinty Festival Veteran’s Match Market Stance, Kingussie. 1pm.

Cinderella Christmas Panto - Spey Valley Cinema, Macdonald Aviemore Resort, 2-4pm. T: 01479 815100. www.macdonaldspeyvalleycinema.co.uk

Sunday 2nd January The Loch Morlich Running Festival Glenmore. 10am-2pm. www.entrycentral.com/festival/2861

Thursday 6th January Grantown Library Book Group - Grantown on Spey. 10.15-11.15am. T: 01349 781630.

Y Play - YMCA, Grantown on Spey.

10am-12pm.

Friday 7th January Roots Freeskiing film: Braemar Premiere Braemar Village Hall. 7-10pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roots-braemarpremiere-tickets-217472505117

HAPPY

Tuesday 11th January

Thursday 20th January

The Storylands Sessions; Open Mic Nights hosted by Merryn Glover - Boathouse Restaurant, Loch Insh, Kincraig. 7-10pm. www.badenochstorylands.com/storylandssessions/

Y Play - YMCA, Grantown on Spey.

10am-12pm.

Wednesday 12th January Stick Man Storytime - Grantown Library, Grantown on Spey. 4-5pm. T: 01349 781630.

Thursday 13th January Y Play - YMCA, Grantown on Spey.

10am-12pm.

Sunday 16th January Cairngorm Repair Cafe - Boat of Garten Community Hall. 2-5pm. T: 01479 831123. www.boatofgarten.com/boat-hall/ourcommunity

Screen Machine: Encanto - Car Park, Newtonmore Grill. 5.30-7.30pm.

T: 01315 503734. www.screenmachine.co.uk Screen Machine: No Time to Die - Car Park, Newtonmore Grill. 8-10pm.

Monday 17th January Screen Machine: Dune - Car Park, Newtonmore Grill. 5-7pm. T: 01315 503734. www.screenmachine.co.uk Screen Machine: West Side Story Car Park, Newtonmore Grill. 8-10pm.

Tuesday 25th January Storylands Sessions; Table Tunes Folk Session with Hamish Napier - Ghillie’s Rest Bar, Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie. 7-11pm.

T: 07971 561693.

Thursday 27th January Y Play - YMCA, Grantown on Spey.

10am-12pm.

Saturday 29th January Travel through Central Asia & Iran Braemar Village Hall. Tickets on door. 7.30pm.

Live Music with Arthur Coates & Alex Kustorok - Glen Buchat Hall, Strathdon.

7.30pm. T: 01975 641303.

All information correct at time of going to print.

Please check www.visitcairngorms.com and contact events directly for most up to date information.

5

6

7

Keep smiling and Be safe in our winter wonderland!

With the first snow of the season blanketing the valley last month and the temperature dropping significantly, winter is well and truly here. For some members of our community, like the mountain rescue teams, this means the busiest time of year - so how can you make the most of the wintry weather and ensure you keep safe? We asked a couple of local heroes for their advice!

A day in the life of snow plough driver Tom Moody, Cairngorm Mountain

I get up at around 4.30am and I’m out on the mountain, in my piste grooming machine, by about 6am. I don’t mind being up early, you just get used to it and I’ve been doing this job for 40 years! My job is to make sure that the tracks under the ski lifts are smooth with no snow drifts, so it’s safe.

Often the visibility is not good so you have to have your wits about you and know the lie of the land.

I’ll be out there until about 10am doing the tracks and flattening out the pistes before they’re safe enough to open. I like that every day is different and I’ve got the mountain to myself. It’s just me, my machine and the radio getting on with moving the snow.

Always take a Map and Compass

Don’t rely solely on your mobile for navigation

Julian Fennema is the training officer for Braemar Mountain Rescue Team. He implores hill walkers never to underestimate the might of the Cairngorms mountain range, particularly in winter, when navigation becomes much harder and navigational issues account for about 25% of the team’s call outs.

“So many of the things you use to keep yourself on track disappear in winter, like burn lines, crags, etc. They’re just not there anymore! You have to rely on your navigational skills,” he says. “Visitors can underestimate the Cairngorms, which has a very different weather system and a slightly more brutal environment than the likes of the Lakes or the South Downs.”

Heed local weather warnings

Wear prop Footwea

per ar

Glenmore Lodge

Alistair Dargie is the area manager for Highlands South of the Ambulance Service. He says the main reason for callouts in winter are slips, trips and falls and suggests one of the best investments people can make is buying grips for their shoes, which work wonders in icy conditions.

“This area truly is a wonderland in winter, there’s so much good walking, cross country skiing and biking, so come and enjoy it, just make sure you dress appropriately, in warm, waterproof clothing, and heed local weather warnings!”

Experts like Julian also urge anyone venturing out in the hills to not rely solely on your mobile phone for navigation, as many people tend to do.

Not to mention the fact that many parts of the Cairngorms don’t actually have reception, cold temperatures tend to adversely affect mobile phones.

At the end of the day, he says, the best tools for navigation are the old fashioned map and compass! And, if you are in any doubt at all of your winter skills, then there are plenty of courses and guides available in the area, such as Glenmore Lodge (see photo) search for them on www.visitcairngorms.com.

Mountaineering Scotland is also running a series of winter mountain skills talks, with one in Aviemore at Tiso’s on 22nd February.

If there’s an ‘amber’ warning, he advises people don’t venture out, especially those that don’t know the area. And if it’s a ‘red’ warning, you need to remain inside. Cosy up by the fire and enjoy the wild weather whipping around you outside!

We are very grateful for all our community led volunteer services that keep us safe, particularly in winter. You can donate to both Braemar Mountain Rescue Team and Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team via their websites.

Wear warm waterproof clothing

Buy Grips for your shoes

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

10

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

11