Discover what’s coming up each season near our luxury lodges. We have gathered together our favourite local events to help you make the most of your visit to the Aviemore area. From sporting events to live music and ceilidhs, there’s something for everyone in the Cairngorms National Park.
Lynn and Sandra, owners of this 150-acre croft near Nethy Bridge, are passionate about working with nature to produce the best food they can. For this day-long workshop, which includes lunch, they team up with Clare Holohan, co-author of Scotland’s Wild Medicine, to help attendees learn about wild plants. Check out their monthly croft tours, too.
Nature fans will enjoy the selection of regular talks that take place at this hotel in Grantown-on-Spey. Be transported to France, Tasmania and South Africa, or top up your knowledge on everything from white-tailed eagles to Britain’s garden birds. Places must be booked in advance.
Several local pubs put on live music in the evenings. Try the Winking Owl, Cairngorm Hotel and Balavoulin in Aviemore and the Cairn in Carrbridge. The Boat of Garten village hall also runs a great programme of events which can include live music with a bar.
Fill your lodge’s fridge and cupboards with local produce. Every Wednesday throughout the summer, the Winking Owl pub and restaurant in Aviemore hosts an outdoor food and craft festival, and roughly once per month on a Sunday, Grantown-on-Spey hosts the Cairngorms Farmers Market. Check their Facebook page for the next date.
There’s no need to let your fitness slip while you’re on holiday – join the hordes of other runners every Saturday morning as they pound their way out and back along the Speyside Way.
Enjoy a unique Shakespeare production set against the magnificent backdrop of a mediaeval castle and its exquisite grounds. Wrap up warm and bring your picnic blanket, taking your pick from As You Like It (7 July), MacHamLear (30 July) or Midsummer Night’s Dream (26 August).
Enjoy a stroll around these important wetlands with an expert on flora and fauna.
If, for you, a visit to the Highlands isn’t complete until you have birled your partner in a Strip The Willow, these weekly events will be right up your street.
Don your running shoes for a spectacular race through the ancient Abernethy Forest. Once complete, enjoy free entry to the Abernethy Highland Games.
Don’t miss this electrifying event: the largest annual motorcycle rally in Europe. Watch Harley Davidson motorbike riders from across the globe roar through the colourful roads of the Cairngorms.
Fun for all the family, you’ll want to sculpt out time for this one. Goggle at the show-stopping works that carvers can create in just four hours, and enjoy local stalls and the tea and beer tents.
This mini festival celebrates the tunes and dances of Strathspey, with competitions for young and old, a concert and a ceilidh where you can join in with local country dance pros.
Found 300m above sea level, surrounded by mountains, Loch Morlich is an unbeatable location for an open water swim. There are distances to suit all levels and a skins option for those with experience.
Discover the fascinating stories of Strathspey’s lesser-known neighbour, Badenoch. Walks, talks and online events.
While registrations for the famous Loch Ness Marathon close quite early, you can sign up to participate in the shorter events much closer to the day.
Spend your day saluting Scotland’s breakfast of champions as contestants from around the world compete in two porridge-making categories: traditional and speciality. Topped with whisky tastings, raffle prizes, and a pipe band parade, you’re in for a treat.
Time your visit to one of our lodges with this local running challenge and enjoy relaxing your tired muscles in the hot tub afterwards.
Built in 1895, this traditional Victorian hunting lodge is the perfect place to view a stunning fireworks display.
Led by a local pipe band, join jolly Santa and his reindeer on a march from the school to the Cairngorm Hotel. Under a blanket of fireworks, sing out the evening with carols, mince pies and mulled wine.
Eat, drink and be merry at the Highland’s largest Hogmanay party – featuring local music and vendors.
Kick off the new year with a 5k or 10k race in the heart of the Cairngorms. Running or walking, all abilities are welcome.
In this quaint setting, celebrate iconic Scottish poet Rabbie Burns with an evening of traditional food and festivities.
Challenge yourself with one of the UK’s most scenic half marathon routes. For seasoned runners, this course provides excellent PB potential.
Lace up as you lap the stunning Glenlivet Crown Estate, touring ancient castles and glorious glens. Proceeds go to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
From beach yoga to wildlife watching, soak up the awe-inspiring nature and landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. Choose from 80+ events across ten days in May.
Saddle up for Bikemore, the annual multi-day festival championing life on two wheels, featuring film screenings, inspirational talks and more.
Time for a dram: sample Speyside’s world-famous whisky heritage at this annual festival. Choose from 500+ events with local whisky distilleries, industry experts and fellow lovers of this legendary Scottish spirit.