Events
Explore our local wellness events calendar connecting you to nature, our roots and the community.
From outdoor yoga sessions to guided forest walks and seasonal supper clubs, find the perfect event to help you slow down and nurture your body, mind & spirit in the natural beauty of Scotland.
Free Field Flower Farm: Christmas Pop-Up
Come along and tick some last minute festive gifts off your list!
British festive flower bunches, table arrangements, seasonal foliage and some lovely makes from her talented neighbours.
Friday 20th & Saturday 21st December
10am - 4pm at the Free Field Flower Farm!
Pre-orders for flowers are more than welcome too!
Yuletide Celebrations: Winter Solstice at The Fife Arms
From 22nd November the Fife Arms will be dressed in its festive finery, incorporating plants and foliage including ivy, mistletoe and holly, which are believed to hold symbolic importance in Yuletide traditions.
We celebrate the importance of light throughout the dark winter nights of December, when hotel guests are invited to delight in our Sunday evening Candlelit Classical Strings recitals in the Drawing Room.
On 21st December, celebrate the Winter Solstice with the ancient Scottish custom of decorating Yule Logs as we mark the shortest day of the year, as well as burning rowan twig bundles in our Courtyard firepit – believed to ward off evil and dark supernatural forces – which since ancient times, has become a way of households heralding in light and good luck for all.
Off Grid & Traditional Skills Fayre
Back for the second year running…. Off Grid & Traditional Skills Fayre 2024!
Bringing together people from across the country, all with a wide variety of skills and knowledge to share.
Some of the topics the event will feature include:
Beekeeping, weaving, jewellery making, foraging, preserving, growing food, herbalism, nutrition, home-schooling and more!
As this event is still in the early stages of planning, event organiser Ruth would like to hear from people who have knowledge about off-grid living and the skills required for this lifestyle. The event will be free to attend for those who can help with this and are not selling any products or services.
Please contact Ruth at offgridtraditionalskills@mail.com if you can help.
To book a space and for general enquiries, email offgridtraditionalskills@mail.com for a booking form.
SLOW LIVING SCOTLAND: FESTIVE FAYRE
FESTIVE FAYRE | SAT 7TH & SUN 8TH DEC | 10-4PM | THE SAWMILL, MILTON OF CRATHES, ABERDEENSHIRE
WE’RE BACK!!
I am thrilled to announce that on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of December, we will return with a brand new Christmas market…. A Festive Fayre!
This new mini-festive market will be held in the old Sawmill at Milton of Crathes near Banchory, Aberdeenshire. It’s free entry for all, and we even have a new theme in mind.
After meeting so many fantastic businesses through our new directories, I wanted to showcase some of their beautiful creations in a way that is more tangible than just on paper… or on a screen as it is. This time around, our mini-market will highlight local handcrafted goods made from natural sources using traditional methods.
Our small businesses will be there to discuss how they use traditional skills such as foraging, felting, silversmithing, beekeeping, soap making, weaving, and more to create their products and how important it is to them that we continue to keep these traditions alive.
There will be plenty of stalls to shop, products to buy and fantastic local makers to meet. I’ll also be there on the day to greet you with a complimentary winter tea!
So, save the dates, and I look forward to seeing you inside our cosy bothy market soon!
Christmas Makerie: Botanical Gift Wrap
Textile artist Aymee Charlton will guide participants on how to use easily accessible botanical colours to create beautiful, dyed silk ribbon and cotton fabric for the upcoming gift-giving season.
Participants will experiment with various botanicals to see how they interact on silk and cotton. Then, create beautiful prints alongside leaf printing. Once the fabrics are set and dry, you will be introduced to traditional Japanese wrapping, known as Furoshiki, using our newly decorated fabric and ribbon.
Aymee is a textile artist from Aberdeen and a Gray's School of Art alumna. She enjoys working with botanicals to apply print and pattern on silk and other natural materials. Her art practice embodies the idea of ‘care’, in both artwork and products created.
Age : 16+
Re:treat Apothecary Christmas Shopping Evening
It's Christmas, and Re:treat Apothecary is opening its workshop doors to welcome you to the Re:treat Apothecary Christmas Shop.
“Back again for 2024, and bigger than ever! Our Christmas Shop is home to our full range, all handmade right here in our Inverurie workshop. Shop eco-friendly gifts, handcrafted haircare and award winning organic skincare - including exclusive new products only available within re:treat Apothecary Christmas Shop.
An Evening of Wellness
Soothe the mind, body and soul all for a worthy cause!
Join organiser, Lianne Myles, for an evening of holistic wellness where we will practice gentle yoga, breath work, meditation and relax deeply in a healing sound bath to finish.
This evening retreat is suitable for all levels of ability and is adults only.
All proceeds going to MISS. A local charity supporting women & men through miscarriage and pregnancy after loss.
Tickets £45 (includes refreshments + welcome gift)
Winter Herbal Remedies
Winter Herbal Remedies @ The Haven in Stonehaven
Join The Haven for a workshop focusing on simple herbal remedies to keep you healthy during the winter months.
As part of this hands-on session you will make a herbal soak, herbal tea and a herbal potion to take home.
Funds raised from this event supports our charitable aims. The Haven also offer subsidised places.
To book your place, visit The Haven in Stonehaven on Eventbrite
Basket Weaving Course with Westfield Croft
Basket weaving with Frank from Westfield Croft
Join Frank for a one day basket weaving course at the Chapel or Garioch.
You will make a small round basket from willow whilst learning a number of different weaves and techniques.
When: November 9th 2024
Where: Chapel of Garioch Memorial Hall, AB51 5HG
Times: 10am till 5.
Cost: £80 which includes full instruction, all materials and use of tools.
PETAL - Christmas Collection Launch
“PETAL will reopen on Friday the 8th of November with our gorgeous Christmas Collection of stock, and will have festive drinks and nibbles all day to celebrate the launch...
Please join us from 10am, open as usual with spiced winter tea on the go, and warm mulled cider and mince pies from 4pm - 8pm!
We will have a REALLY special promotion in store on the day, as a little thank you to all our wonderful customers.
We really can't wait to welcome you all, and we hope you'll help spread the word!!
Calligraphy & Pumpkin Painting Workshop
What better way to welcome the spooky season than to spend it learning the mindful art of modern calligraphy and using the skills you learn to paint and hand letter your very own ceramic pumpkin with the help of local calligraphy expert and wedding stationery designer, Donia Rae Designs.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to refine your craft, you’ll walk away with new techniques, creative inspiration, and plenty of hands-on practice.
What You Can Expect:
- Step-by-step instruction
- Personalised feedback
- A fun, creative atmosphere with like-minded learners
- All materials are yours to take home
Westerton Farm: Pick Your Own Pumpkins 2024
Join us between 11-31 Oct to hand-pick the perfect pumpkin grown right here at Westerton Farm. Eat, play and shop whilst you're with us too!
Our hugely popular autumnal event returns for its sixth year. Beat the bale maze, conquer the bale mountain and if you want to stay and play, we’ll have a barn full of fun with areas for under 4s and 5s and older.
With an outdoor play area, goats and alpacas to see and food and drinks in our cosy farm shop and barn – Westerton is the perfect destination for a fun-filled pumpkin experience this October.
Plenty? 2024
FESTIVAL | PLENTY? 2024
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October 2024
From 12pm-4pm
Tickets Free (but booking required)
Event programme...coming soon!
Plenty? festival returns! Taking place across the Barn’s site, this year’s gathering brings together a diverse mix of performances, talks, installations, creative activities, workshops, apple pressing and more. Join us, as together we ask, ‘how much is enough?’ through play, conversations and reflection.
Plenty? is a festival, suitable for all ages, that reimagines a traditional harvest celebration and focuses on the idea of ‘degrowth’ in a consumerist world that demands more and more. At Plenty? Festival, we aim to foster a joyful, open, and exploratory atmosphere where diverse perspectives and ways of thinking can come together.
Apple Sunday 2024
The Annual Apple Sunday Festival is back on 29th Sept from 10:30am-4pm
For entry, we just ask for a donation to our charity.
Enjoy an autumn day packed with fun for all ages and treat yourself to some of the delicious varieties of Pitmedden Garden’s own apples & pears…
Among the entertainment this year:
• Facepainting, Storytelling, Trails & Craft Area
• The Balloon Mannies & Family Lawn Games
• Woodturner Demos
• Music from Ythan Fiddlers, Tarves Folk Club & Meldrum Academy
• Local Craft & Food Stalls
• Pitmedden Garden Homebakes, Refreshments & Hot food
No tickets required - please bring cash for any purchases.
RARE at Ellon
RARE at Ellon
Where Creativity Unites.
A Makers Market in Aberdeenshire.
Textiles / Jewellery / Print / Homeware / Art / Ceramics / and More...
Saturday 28th September
9am to 3pm
Free Entry
Neil Ross Square, No.41 Bridge Street, Ellon
Provenance Festval 2024: Highland Harvest Feast
As part of this year's Northeast of Scotland Provenance Festival, Glen Tanar Estate is delighted to collaborate with Kincardine Castle Kitchen and Lost Loch Distillery to offer an exclusive dining experience in the Coats Room at Glen Tanar.
The three-course menu, expertly crafted by Kincardine Castle Kitchen, showcases the finest seasonal produce from Glen Tanar Estate, including succulent rainbow trout from our loch, tender roe deer from our forests and moorlands, and rich heather honey from our apiary. Each course is thoughtfully paired with exquisite drinks from Lost Loch Spirits, enhancing the flavours with their exceptional spirits. This intimate event is limited to just 20 guests, seated at communal tables in the elegant Coats Room, ensuring a warm and engaging dining experience.
Cost: £90 per person
Entry requirements: Over 18s only
Autumn Equinox Plant Walk @ The Haven
We're not quite ready to bid farewell to Summer, but Autumn is around the corner, and many trees are starting to turn already.
Join The Haven on the Autumn equinox for a walk to see what plants can help us through winter.
Experience a relaxing and informative herb walk on the Autumn Equinox. Discover the wonders of plants as we explore the local landscape. Haven Herbalist Natalie will share knowledge about herbs' various medicinal and culinary uses. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the healing properties of these plants.
Outdoor Yoga @ Haddo House
Join Align Wellness for outdoor yoga at Haddo Terrace Garden!
Align Wellness has collaborated with the team at Haddo House to offer a wonderful outdoor yoga experience in the terrace garden.
What to expect:
Hatha Slow Flow Yoga
The perfect combination of a mind and body movement-based practice. This class will be a gentle, meditative pace, including traditional sun salutations and hatha yoga poses, which will be held longer, emphasising peace and calm as we enjoy practising in the beauty of the Haddo House terrace garden. You will be guided through this practice with breathwork, allowing you to connect with your breath with each intentional slow-flow movement.