DIARY OF EVENTS

 
Here is a listing of local events. If you have an event you would like to include in this listing, please forward details to James Stewart, Allt Na Fearn, Killiecrankie, PH16 5LN. Telephone 01796 473553 or e-mail BAATA@james-stewart.co.uk.

  TV SERIES - "CONQUER THE CASTLE"
  COMMENCING TUESDAY 3 JANUARY 2008 with WEB ACCESS for EXILES wi

  'Conquer the Castle', a new TV series, was filmed on Atholl Estates over the summer of 2007. In the form of a competition. six contestants from cities in the UK discover what it is like to run and work on an Estate and compete against each other each week in performing the everyday tasks normally undertake by Estate employees. Watch each week to see which contestants win the tasks set, and find out who will overall 'Conquer the Castle".

  In Scotland, the first episode will be shown on STV on Thursday 3 January 2007 at 7.30pm and run over 12 half-hour episodes. Sky Real Lives (Channel 253) will run the series throughout the UK starting on Sunday 3 February at 5.30pm.

  For the fullest details on the whole series including, location information, biographies of Atholl Estate staff involved in the series and links to information about the activities that you can also participate in please, go to the dedicated Atholl Estates web page at TV Series & Estate Information.

  For Exiles and overseas viewers, each new episode (and previous episodes) may be viewed on the internet by clicking on this Link to Conquer the Castle

ATHOLL'S GOLDEN EAGLE WEBCAM
2008

As from April, 2008, visitors to Atholl Estates, will be able to view a Golden Eagle nest, with the parents and young in occupation. A digital camera link is being created for this spring’s nesting so that visitors to Atholl Estates will be able to watch the young eagles’ progress. The eagle cam link will be available to estate visitors and the public visiting Blair Atholl offering a very special and rare opportunity to see one of Scotland’s iconic birds of prey nurturing their young in the moorland wilderness.


 For fuller details on the project and all the latest developments you may access the appropriate page on the Atholl Estates Website by clicking on the link here, Golden Eagles.

This project is a collaborative effort between Atholl Estates, Tayside Raptor Study Group and Natural Research, with generous funding support from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Community Investment Scheme, Natural Research and SNH.

 ETAPE CALEDONIA - Highland Perthshire's Closed Road Cycle Competition
 Sunday 18 May 2008

The 2008 Etape Caledonia Closed Road Cycle Competition will take place in Highland Perthshire on Sunday, 18th. May 2008.  For full details and entry forms please go to the event website at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk

Britain's top Skiers including Alain Baxter, Noel Baxter, Finlay Mickel and Andrew Noble have entered the Race as part of their Summer Training schedule along with Graham Bell and Mark Beaumont, the cyclist who recently broke the record for cycling around the World!

To view pictures of the 2007 Etape Caledonia Cycle Competition,  courtesy of BAATA Member, James Rattray, please go to :- www.explore-highland-perthshire.com/etape_caledonia.htm

ATHOLL HIGHLANDER'S PARADE
Saturday 24 May 2008

The very colorful Atholl Highlanders Annual Parade, with inspection by John Murray, 11th. Duke of Atholl, will take place on the parade ground before Blair Castle at 2.30 pm on Saturday, 24 May 2008. Accompanied by their Pipe Band, the Highlanders will open the proceedings with the traditional firing of their mountain gun, a ceremony guaranteed to start things with a 'bang'.

For more details please click on the link to the Castle Web Site above or;
Contact : Admin Office, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, 01796 481 207.

ATHOLL GATHERING AND HIGHLAND GAMES
Sunday 25 May 2008

The Atholl Gathering and Highland Games will take place at Target Park, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, on Sunday, 25 May 2008 commencing at approximately 1.15 pm. The games will be opened by John Murray, 11th. Duke of Atholl, in the time honored way by beating his sword four times on his shield. There will then followed an afternoon of traditional heavyweight competitions and races including the Atholl Highlander's Race, run in full regimental regalia.
Admission :- Adults £5.00; Seniors £3.00; Children £2.00.

Contact : bookings@blair-castle.co.uk Tel. No. 01796 481 207.

 Blair Castle Celtic Night
 Wednesday 28 May 2008

An opportunity to sit back and watch all things Scottish in a Traditional Highland Night, featuring the Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band, Highland dancers and much more. A great evening of entertainment for all in the remarkable setting of the Parade Ground of Blair Castle.

Adults £6.50, concessions £4.50 and accompanied children free. Seating available.

Blair Castle Charity Day
Thursday 26 June 2008

The proceeds of this year Charity Day at Blair Castle will be divided between the Memorial Artists' Charity and Scotland's Garden Scheme.

Blair Castle Celtic Night
Wednesday 9 July 2008

An opportunity to sit back and watch all things Scottish in a Traditional Highland Night, featuring the Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band, Highland dancers and much more. A great evening of entertainment for all in the remarkable setting of the Parade Ground of Blair Castle.

Adults £6.50, concessions £4.50 and accompanied children free. Seating available.

Tourism Association Gala Night
Wednesday 16 July 2008

Blair Atholl Area Tourism Association will once again be using the Memorial Park, Blair Atholl to hold its two very popular Annual Gala and Family Fun Nights, the first on Wednesday, 16th. July 2008 commencing at 7.30pm.   Proceedings will once again be opened with a march-on by our own award winning Pitlochry & Blair Pipe Band.


While each ride, demonstration, competition or stall is subject to availability on the night, the entertainment usually includes the following:-

Rides, Displays & Entertainment:- Model Steam Train Rides; Tractor Hay Rides; Carriage Rides;Bouncy Castle; Silly McBee the Clown; Face Painting; Highland Dancing; Pipe Band; Farm Animals; and vintage vehicles.

Competitions:- Foot Ball Competition; Target Golf; Ranger Service Fun Competition; Pet Competition; Ferret Forecast Competition; Name Ten Unusual Objects; and a Raffle

Demonstrations of:- Sheep Shearing; Horse Logging; Spinning: Roman and Jacobean Soldiers (not to be missed!), together with a CAR BOOT SALE, Tea, Cake, Ice Cream and Candy Stalls.
A GREAT EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.




For Bookings in respect of Car Boot Sale and Stalls - Contact Lin on 01796 481 269.

Association Secretary :- Avril - 01796 483 339

Evening of Scottish Entertainment
Saturday 26 July 2008

An evening of Scottish Entertainment will take place in Blair Atholl Village Hall on Saturday 26th. July 2008, from 8pm. until mid-night. The Scottish Folk Duo SCHILTRUM play a mixture of instruments including: Highland Bagpipes, Guitars, Scottish Small pipes, Electronic Bagpipes, Bluegrass Banjo, Bodhrans, Whistles, Flutes, Harmonica, Tenor Banjo and Mandolins. Added to this are songs and tunes along with stories, jokes and poems from near and far. A Scottish drum band will perform half way through the evening.

There will be a stall at the event with Scottish goods for tourists and Scottish CD’s and DVD’s. There will also be a display of Scottish weaponry from around the time of the battle of Killiecrankie. Tickets £8.00 at the door.

Contact:- Gibby on 07708 172 696 - Email:- info@schiltrum.co.uk

Tourism Association Gala Night
Wednesday 30 July 2008

Blair Atholl Area Tourism Association will be holding its second Gala Night in the Memorial Park, Blair Atholl on Wednesday, 30th. July 2008. This very popular Annual Gala and Family Fun Night, will commencing at 7.30pm,   The proceedings will once again be opened with a march-on by our own award winning Pitlochry & Blair Pipe Band.


While each ride, demonstration, competition or stall is subject to availability on the night, the entertainment usually includes the following:-

Rides, Displays & Entertainment:- Model Steam Train Rides; Tractor Hay Rides; Carriage Rides;Bouncy Castle; Silly McBee the Clown; Face Painting; Highland Dancing; Pipe Band; Farm Animals; and vintage vehicles.

Competitions:- Foot Ball Competition; Target Golf; Ranger Service Fun Competition; Pet Competition; Ferret Forecast Competition; Name Ten Unusual Objects; and a Raffle

Demonstrations of:- Sheep Shearing; Horse Logging; Spinning: Roman and Jacobean Soldiers (not to be missed!), together with a CAR BOOT SALE, Tea, Cake, Ice Cream and Candy Stalls.
A GREAT EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.



For Bookings in respect of Car Boot Sale and Stalls - Contact Lin on 01796 481 269.

Association Secretary :- Avril - 01796 483 339

Local Skills Trail
Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 August 2008

The Blair Atholl Area Tourist Association will present the 2008 Local Skills Trail, featuring local Artist and Crafts on the 6th and 7th August. The event, now in its third year, provides visitors with an opportunity to see local artists and craftspeople at work in and around Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie.

Featured skills at ten locations include sugar craft, book-binding, kilt making; milling, fly tying, picture framing, painting, blacksmithing, clocks repairs, drystone dyking, bespoke handbags, textile art, spinning, horsemanship and plant care. Visitors will be provided an opportunity to try their hand at some skills and a spectacular model railway will also be on show.

The decision to feature most of the artists and craftsmen at home or at their place of work rather than
at a central location eliminates the need to move
equipment. A number of skills will be on show in the
Killiecrankie Village Hall and at the Blair Atholl Country
Museum.

The opening times at each locations will vary; full details will be contained in a leaflet that will be available in local retail and accommodation outlets in the weeks leading up to the event in August. Each location will be clearly identified by a roadside sign.

The names of all those who visit all locations during the course of the two-day event will go into a Prize Draw.

Contact :- Peter Barr on (01796) 474 130

Evening of Highland Fun - For All the Family
Wednesday 13 August 2008

Atholl Country Life Museum, (registered Scottish Charity no. sco35882) will be holding an “Evening of Highland Fun” for all the family in the Memorial Park, Blair Atholl on Wednesday 13th August 2008 commencing at 7.30pm.  An opening performance by the Robert Wisemens Dairies Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, will be followed by a few words of welcome in Gaelic, Highland Dancers, Highland Ponies, Drystane dyking, Scottish Soldier, Roman Soldier, Hay bogey hurls, bouncy castle, Silly Mcbee the clown, face painting, car boot sale, Ice cream van, Ferret forecast - Highland Hog Roasts from 7pm.

For car boot sale bookings contact John on 01796 481 232.

Blair Castle Celtic Night
Tuesday 19 August 2008

An opportunity to sit back and watch all things Scottish in a Traditional Highland Night, featuring the Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band, Highland dancers and much more. A great evening of entertainment for all in the remarkable setting of the Parade Ground of Blair Castle.

Adults £6.50, concessions £4.50 and accompanied children free. Seating available.

BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS & COUNTRY FAIR

Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August 2008

GLENFIDDICH PIPING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday 25 OCTOBER 2008

GLENFIDDICH FIDDLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sunday 26 OCTOBER 2008