The Nairn Book & Arts’ Festival is moving to September: 31 August to 4 September 2011

The Nairn Book & Arts’ Festival is moving to September: 31 August to 4 September 2011

An exciting programme of events is planned for the Nairn Book & Arts Festival 2011, and will deliver a diverse programme of poetry, writers, drama, music, film, art and workshops which will include international, national and local talent .

The performances of well known and respected authors, musicians and artists will allow the community and its visitors to enjoy listening and participating in events which will be hosted in a variety of venues throughout the picturesque seaside town.

The Mighty Deerstalker: 19 March 2011

‘The Mighty Deerstalker is a turbo-charged roller coaster of 10k and 5k run.

It's fun, it's fast, it's action-packed and it's as tough as you can bear.

The Laird welcomes you to the Tweed Valley where water and mountains will give you pain and pleasure in the equal measure before making back to the finish line to share the tales of derring-do over a pint of Deerstalker Ale. The onus is on fun but this is also a serious challenge, involving off-road terrain, steep gradients and exciting obstacles.

Remember, Deerstalkers do it in tweed.’

Childrens Music and Dance Workshops with Omar Afif at Banff Castle: 4 to 15 April 2011

Childrens Music and Dance Workshops with Omar Afif at Banff Castle

Omar Afif is a Gnawa musician and dancer from Morocco who now lives with his family in Banff. Following on from his successful workshops with Artsability, Omar is excited to run a series of workshops at Banff Castle located on the beautiful Moray Coast of Banffshire.

The workshops are for children and teenagers and will teach drumming, Gnawa dancing and African singing.

To find out more or to book a space, Contact Omar on tel # 07985 939980 or e-mail omafif2@hotmail.com

Come have enjoyable session and learn something new!

Glen Affric WinterFest 2011: 18 to 21 Feb 2011

Glen Affric WinterFest 2011 gets you out into some of the most beautiful mountains that Scotland has to offer.

WinterFest 2011 is all about just getting out there and giving it a go. You be able to join guided high and medium level walks, whilst brushing up on those essential winter skills.

There will also chances to try a snow-hole experience or to strap on webbed feet and have a blast snow-shoeing.

The Castle Trail of Aberdeen and Grampian

Are you a romantic at heart? Are you drawn to dramatic ruins and fascinating tower houses?

Then the Northeast corner of Scotland is the place to come explore.

The Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands are called ‘Castle Country’, and with over 70 castles in various states of repair (or disrepair), and you can see why.

Grampian is matchless in the richness of its castle tradition, and Scotland's Castle Trail brings together some of the most splendid examples of castellated architecture together on a clearly sign-posted tourist trail.

The Castle Trail is centred around 13 beautiful castles. From the baronial towers of Craigievar, 17th-century yew hedges and gardens at Crathes and the impressive ruins of Huntly Castle. Head to the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains to spy out the Queen's holiday home at Balmoral. See the prize Aberdeen Angus herd and wander the pristine gardens and elegant rooms of Speyside's Ballindalloch Castle, owned by the same family since 1546.

The Regional pages along with the Aberdeen, Grampian, & Moray property pages on the EmbraceScotland website can help you find that perfect self-catering home away from castle.
Come explore Scotland’s heritage, and instead of taking a holiday, have an adventure!

Reseaching Your Scottish Ancestry

Are you planning a trip to Scotland to help trace your Scottish ancestry?

Thanks to the internet, researching your family history has never been easier.

Scotland’s People is the official government source of genealogical data for Scotland, and has one of the largest online sources of original genealogical information. With almost 50 million records to access, you are bound to successful in connecting generations.

With Ancestral Scotland, you can explore your Scottish roots, browse their database of Scottish clans and surnames, and trace your family tree with the official genealogy website of VisitScotland.

So if you have a passion in tracing your Scottish roots, then come experience the real Scotland with EmbraceScotland.

Come stay with us & let us welcome you home!

New Brewery for Loch Ness Area

Siblings brewing up taste of Loch
Published: 18 January, 2011 Inverness Courier

TWO brothers are the latest to tap into the Highlands' thriving specialist beer market by launching a new brewery business from their pub in Drumnadrochit.

Hoteliers and real ale enthusiasts Allan and Stephen Crossland are to create the Loch Ness Brewery more than 150 years since beer was last produced locally.

The move comes a week after The Inverness Courier revealed that the established Black Isle Brewery in Munlochy has secured its first export order, supplying its Goldeneye Pale Ale to Sweden's state controlled off licences.

Five different beers will be produced by the Crosslands, who have run the village's Benleva Hotel for nine years. They already host an annual beer festival and sell products from other Highland breweries. Having carried out extensive tasting, research and sought advice from other independent brewers, the brothers hope to start serving up their own beers for real in March.

To read the full article, click here

WORLD WAR 2 WEEKEND at Duff House: 26 to 27 February 2011

WORLD WAR 2 weekend at Duff House
Banff, Aberdeenshire

Get a prisoner’s eye view of life in a Scottish POW camp on this dramatic, fact filled tour of Duff House. During World War 2, Duff House was a prison camp for German soldiers and sailors and was bombed by the Luftwaffe.

Join historian Allan Burnett as he reveals moving stories of the German U-Boat sailors who came here.

Booking is highly recommended.

Scottish Tourism Week: 28 February – 4 March 2011

Scottish Tourism Week, now in its sixth year, is around the corner and promises to be an exciting week. Tourism has again shown its importance, resilience and potential for the Scottish economy creating real long term employment that by its nature is non-transferable.

The week will become a focus for change with the strengthening of the clear industry voice in the build up to the May Holyrood elections, building on the success of previous Scottish Tourism Weeks in order to create a positive political climate for future growth in tourism, which will in turn support and attract greater levels of private investment.

Scottish Tourism Week will take place across Scotland from 28th February - 4th March 2011. The week is aimed at raising the awareness of tourism as Scotland's most sustainable industry and this year's theme is 'Tourism the Heart beat for Scotland'. Scottish Tourism Week unites the private, public and elected sector to work towards a positive single agenda to drive forward tourism across Scotland.

It will be one of the most innovative, interactive and informative events on this year's calendar - book your place now!

More information can be found at http://www.stforum.co.uk/scottishtourismweek/stw2011.aspx or contact Elaine at the STF office – tel: 0131 220 6321 email: events@stforum.co.uk.