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Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey countryside events
| Inverness and Nairn | Badenoch and Strathspey |
Top Five Must Sees
- Merkinch Nature Reserve Great place to see dolphins on the Moray Firth.
- Culloden Avenue Enjoyable sculpture trail to follow along beautiful wooded avenue.
- Ardersier Common Beautiful coastal and sheltered grassland walks with lots of wildlife.
- Falls of Foyers Spectacular gorge and waterfall. Home to many red squirrels.
- Beauly Priory Ancient building and lovely quiet picnic spot.
March
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
- 01 August 2012 The Beach Olympics, Nairn
- It's an Olympic year so come and try your hand at some beach-based Olympics events like Shell Scramble, Beaky Bills Race and the Tidal Test. Fun environmental activities for all the family. Meet at the Beach Warden's Hut, Nairn Central Beach, Nairn.
2pm - 3.30pm, Grid Ref - NH 879572, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - John Orr 01463 710786
- 08 August 2012 The Beach Olympics, Nairn
- It's an Olympic year so come and try your hand at some beach-based Olympics events like Shell Scramble, Beaky Bills Race and the Tidal Test. Fun environmental activities for all the family. Meet at the Beach Warden's Hut, Nairn Central Beach, Nairn.
2pm - 3.30pm, Grid Ref - NH 879572, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - John Orr 01463 710786
- 09 August 2012 Woodland Olympics, Farr
- It's the Nature Olympics! Come along and find out who gets gold in the animal kingdom. Meet at the School Wood car park in Farr, south of Inverness.
2pm - 4pm, Grid Ref - NH 685337, Grade A [Children £3]
Contact - Katy Martin 01463 710786
- 13 August 2012 Woodland Olympics, Abriachan
- It's the Nature Olympics! Come along and find out who gets gold in the animal kingdom. Meet at the Abriachan Forest car park in Abriachan, near Inverness.
2pm - 4pm, Grid Ref - NH 541354, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - Katy Martin 01463 710786
- 29 August 2012 Focus on Bats and Moths - a workshop at Banavie
- This workshop will provide you with the skills to spot and identify bats and moths that use the area around the Caledonian Canal. Please phone to book a place and to find out where to meet.
8.30pm - 10pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Free]
Contact - Stephen Wiseman 01463 725561
- 31 August 2012 Bat and Moth Night at Farr, near Inverness
- Come along and find out a bit more about creatures of the night - bats and moths! Meet at School Wood car park, Farr, near Inverness.
8pm - 10pm, Grid Ref - NH 685337, Grade A [Free]
Contact - Katy Martin 01463 710786
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September
- 01 September 2012 Bushcraft at Abriachan
- Try your hand at making a shelter, building a fire or foraging for food with experts on hand to guide you. Exact location given out on booking.
2pm - 4pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - Katy Martin 01463 710786
- 05 September 2012 Focus on Bats and Moths - a workshop at Fort Augustus
- This workshop will provide you with the skills to spot and identify bats and moths that use the area around the Caledonian Canal. Please phone to book a place and to find out where to meet.
8.30pm - 10pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Free]
Contact - Stephen Wiseman 01463 725561
- 08 September 2012 Fungal Foray at Farr, near Inverness
- Fungi are all around us and we need them for all sorts of reasons. Come along and find out more about them. We'll be cooking up some of the edible ones we find. Exact location given out on booking.
2pm - 4pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Katy Martin 01463 710786
- 12 September 2012 Focus on Bats and Moths - a workshop at Inverness
- This workshop will provide you with the skills to spot and identify bats and moths that use the area around the Caledonian Canal. Please phone to book a place and to find out where to meet.
8.30pm - 10pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Free]
Contact - Stephen Wiseman 01463 725561
- 15 September 2012 Explore Glen Strathfarrar
- Come along and get to know beautiful Glen Strathfarrar, an incredibly beautiful part of the world. Booking essential. Bring lunch. Meeting place given out on booking.
11am - 3pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade B [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Corinne McCallum 01463 710786
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October
- 17 October 2012 Linger at Lochindorb
- Join the ranger for a walk along the shore of this remote and beautiful loch with its ancient castle and unusual wildlife. Exact location given out on booking.
11am - 1pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - John Orr 01463 710786
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November
- 17 November 2012 Explore the River Beauly
- Come along and get to know the River Beauly and its wildlife. A walk of roughly 5km. Bring lunch. Booking essential
11am - 3pm, Grid Ref - Given out on Booking, Grade B [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Corinne McCallum 01463 710786
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Top Five Must Sees
- Ellan Wood Carrbridge. Excellent wood ant colonies.
- Uath Lochans Beautiful pools and dragonflies in summer.
- Roches moutonnées Glacially scraped rocks, creating dramatic scenery.
- Loch Imrich A hidden woodland gem in the heart of Newtownmore.
- Feshie Woods Picturesque pine woods on the banks of the River Feshie.
April
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May
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June
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July
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August
- 07 August 2012 Survival Skills (2) - Water, Kincraig
- Join the ranger in a stunning location on the second of an exciting series of events looking at the key skills of survival. Today will focus on water collecting, its importance and filtering. Limited spaces so booking is essential. Location given on booking.
9am - 1.30pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade B [Adults £5, concessions £3, family £12]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
- 08 August 2012 Where the Wild Things Are, Inschriach near Kingussie
- Who is the wildest of the Wild Things? An adventure for young children based on the beautiful book by Maurice Sendack. Meet at the main car park for Inschriach NNR, on minor road south from Feshiebridge.
1.30pm - 3pm, Grid Ref - NH 853012, Grade A [Children £3]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
- 10 August 2012 Winnie the Pooh, Carrbridge
- Fun and games with Winnie The Pooh and friends in Ellan Wood, Carrbridge. Meet at the main car park in Carrbridge and follow the arrows.
Start between 2.30pm & 3.30pm, Grid Ref - NH 904228, Grade A [Children £3]
Contact - Saranne Bish 01479 873914
- 14 August 2012 Survival Skills (3) - Fire, Kincraig
- Join the ranger in a stunning location on the third of an exciting series of courses looking at the key skills of survival. Today will focus on fire - collecting material, safe procedures and techniques used in making a fire to keep us warm. Limited spaces so booking is essential. Location given on booking.
9am - 1.30pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade B [Adults £5, concessions £3, family £12]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
- 21 August 2012 Survival Skills (4) - Foraging, Kincraig
- Join the ranger in a stunning location on the fourth and final day of an exciting series of courses looking at the key skills of survival. Today will focus on food. Collecting food, preparing food and cooking food will all be covered. This will include preparing meat. Limited spaces so booking is essential. Location given on booking.
9am - 1.30pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade B [Adults £5, concessions £3, family £12]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
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September
- 01 September 2012 Wonderful Weird Wood Ants! Carrbridge
- How many wood ants can you find in Ellan Wood, Carrbridge? Bet you can't find them all!
11am - 3pm, Grid Ref - NH 908227, Grade A [Children £3]
Contact - Saranne Bish 01479 873914
- 09 September 2012 A Mysterious Mushroom Meander, Inschriach NNR
- Life without fungi would not be easy for us and a bit pongy! Come along and find out more about these amazing organisms. We will even cook up some of the edible ones. Exact location given out on booking.
2pm - 4pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Duncan MacDonald 01479 873706
- 21 September 2012 Out with the Otters at Dawn, Strathspey
- Creep about in the early hours looking for these beautiful elusive creatures... no guarantee we’ll see any but it’ll be fun trying! Meeting place to be given on booking.
7am - 9am, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade C [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Saranne Bish 01479 873914
- 28 September 2012 Out with the Otters at Dawn, Strathspey
- Creep about in the early hours looking for these beautiful elusive creatures... no guarantee we’ll see any but it’ll be fun trying! Meeting place to be given on booking.
7am - 9am, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade C [Adults £5, concessions £3]
Contact - Saranne Bish 01479 873914
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October
- 10 October 2012 Monarchs of the Glen, Laggan
- The red deer rut is one of Scotland's finest wildlife spectacles, with the glens echoing to the roaring of stags. We will look for other wildlife too. Exact location given out on booking.
4.30pm - 7pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
- 12 October 2012 Monarchs of the Glen, Laggan
- The red deer rut is one of Scotland's finest wildlife spectacles, with the glens echoing to the roaring of stags. We will look for other wildlife too. Exact location given out on booking.
4.30pm - 7pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
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December
- December Christmas Arts & Crafts Winter Lights Switch-on, Grantown
- Try your hand at making your own natural Christmas decorations as the town is lit up with festive lights. Look for details in the local press nearer the time.
6.30pm - 8pm, Grid Ref - NJ 034280, Grade A [£3 per person]
Contact - Saranne Bish 01479 873914
- 21 December 2012 Winter Solstice, Kincraig
- Our ancestors celebrated the passing of the sun, so come along and relive the past at an ancient ring cairn with stunning views. Hot drinks will be provided. Exact location given out on booking.
2.30pm - 4.30pm, Grid Ref - Given out on booking, Grade A [Adults £3, concessions £2]
Contact - Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706
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Photo information
Inverness & Nairn
Photo 1: © Chris Wimbush
Photo 2 and 3: © Highland Council Rangers
Photo 4: © Anne Burgess
Photo 5: © Chris Downer
Badenoch & Strathspey
Photo 1: © Mick Garratt
Photo 2: © Ronnie Leask
Photo 3: © Sarah Charlesworth
Photo 4: © Gordon Hatton
Photo 5: © Richard Webb
With the exception of Highland Council Ranger Service photos, all other images are licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons License.