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.
Winter Store
✨ Winter pop-up store at Guardswell Farm ✨
“Beautiful + considered gifts, incredible Scottish Makers, festive treats to eat at home and on the farm, cosy mulled apple juice, a roaring fire, a little collection of our favourite drinks for you to enjoy over the festive period, our old record playing... we can't quite describe how wintery and festive it is, but we'd love to welcome you to the farm for it.”
11am - 6pm
5th-8th December
12-15th December
18-22nd December
Come along and say hello.
Bowhouse Christmas Market 2024
The Bowhouse December market weekend will be held on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December and will feature an array of Scottish food and drink traders and a fine selection of Tea Green craft makers.
PLUS… WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS
The Greenshed Flower Studio is a luxury flower studio specialising in weddings, elopements and commercial floral ventures.
Their creative floral workshops offer the perfect opportunity to get stuck in and have a go yourself. Join us this December at the Bowhouse Festive Market to create your very own festive wreath using foliage sourced from Balcaskie Estate.
The workshops are drop-in over the weekend – no need to book!
Price per head: £26. Cash and card accepted
Winter Store
✨ Winter pop-up store at Guardswell Farm ✨
“Beautiful + considered gifts, incredible Scottish Makers, festive treats to eat at home and on the farm, cosy mulled apple juice, a roaring fire, a little collection of our favourite drinks for you to enjoy over the festive period, our old record playing... we can't quite describe how wintery and festive it is, but we'd love to welcome you to the farm for it.”
11am - 6pm
5th-8th December
12-15th December
18-22nd December
Come along and say hello.
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.
Fort William Mountain Festival: Winter Foraging with The Wild Cooke
Join Lucy, The Wild Cooke, for a short introduction session into the beautiful world of wild foods.
Even in the depths of winter, we can forage edibles, and I'll show you some of the best of the season in the shadows of Ben Nevis.
This event is part of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
Scottish Festival of Real Bread 2025
The Scottish Festival of Real Bread is back, and it’s the perfect way to kick off Real Bread Week 2025 (15 to 23 February)!
This celebration of the best in bread-making offers the chance to immerse yourself in the world of Real Bread, from simply eating it to debating the future of grain system.
Once again, a highlight of the Festival will be the awards ceremony of the annual Scottish Bread Championship, as well as a communal bread stall selling some of the finest loaves Scotland has to offer
Fort William Mountain Festival: Winter Foraging with The Wild Cooke
Join Lucy, The Wild Cooke, for a short introduction session into the beautiful world of wild foods.
Even in the depths of winter, we can forage edibles, and I'll show you some of the best of the season in the shadows of Ben Nevis.
This event is part of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
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.
Ballachulish Forgaing Workshops - April
Unleash your wild side and immerse yourself in the world of foraging with The Wild Cooke. This two-hour mini-workshop will tickle your taste buds!
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Foraging basics: Get a short introduction to wild foods, including identification, harvesting, and foraging ethics. This is a perfect session for someone that's new to the subject or a returning guest looking for a refresher.
Wild bites: As this workshop is the mini you will get the chance to try a snack and a drink utilising foraged ingredients.
Best of the season: each mini course will focus on the local highlights at the time so no two are the same!
Check out my longer & lunch courses if you are looking for a more in depth experience.
Ballachulish Forgaing Workshops - May
Unleash your wild side and immerse yourself in the world of foraging with The Wild Cooke. This two-hour mini-workshop will tickle your taste buds!
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Foraging basics: Get a short introduction to wild foods, including identification, harvesting, and foraging ethics. This is a perfect session for someone that's new to the subject or a returning guest looking for a refresher.
Wild bites: As this workshop is the mini you will get the chance to try a snack and a drink utilising foraged ingredients.
Best of the season: each mini course will focus on the local highlights at the time so no two are the same!
Check out my longer & lunch courses if you are looking for a more in depth experience.
Scottish Wild Food Festival
Scottish Wild Food Festival: A gathering and celebration of wild food and foraging in Scotland.
Set in the spectacular surroundings of Tir na nOg, the Scottish Wild Food Festival provides a feast of wild food. The festival encourages people of all ages to step outdoors and learn about local wild food. With dining experiences, foraging walks, wild cocktail making, bushcraft, talks and demos, workshops, live music and a marketplace, there really is something for everyone to get their teeth into! Explore, eat and relax in our main festival hub or take a walk around the grounds - beautiful woodland trails packed with wild food surprises around every corner.
Newton Dee Advent Fair
Join the Newton Dee community for a magical day at their Advent Fair!
Discover unique handmade crafts, festive treats, live music, and heartwarming community spirit.
A perfect way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends!
Free entry ✨
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!
Winter Infusion Workshop
Join Milla @leavesandsnails and Claire @redrocks2011 for their Winter Infusion Workshop on the 8th November in @chapeltonlife !
Create your own warming winter infusion using wild leaves, berries and herbs.
Spice up mulled wine, cider or non-alcoholic winter glogg. Taste and take some home!
The boring but important stuff:-
Spaces are very limited so if you’d like a spot, please don’t delay!
Cost £28.50pp
For more information or to book, contact Claire @redrocks2011
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!!
Deep Roots Fayre
A family-friendly Fayre filled with conscious creators, holistic healers, nourishing food, workshops, and talks will be held throughout the day.
10am-3pm at Dunecht Village Hall, Aberdeenshire
£2 entry, which allows you to attend as many workshops as you wish
Children (under 16) free
Free arts & crafts for kids, as well as free snacks
Winter Food Fair
Winter Food Fair at Ardross Farm Shop
Join Ardross Farm for a day celebrating all that is wonderful about winter. Coorie in with us and meet our wonderful local suppliers. Learn how to cook with local game, beat the bugs with micro greens and kimchi, taste our free-range turkeys, and taste some delicious preserves. It’s going to be tasty!
Free entry ✨
Tea Green Winter Market: Aberdeen Art Gallery
Join Tea Green at Aberdeen Art Gallery this winter for an unmissable market! Once again this beautiful venue will be packed full of an inspiring showcase of independent creative businesses based all across Scotland!
Discover a carefully curated selection of sumptuous textiles, beautiful & bold jewellery, unique & functional ceramics, vibrant illustrations, and so much more!
PamPicks Aberdeen Pop-Up
… S T E P F O R W A R D
the next PAMPICKS POP-UP is coming soon!
Aberdeen is the location & more specifically, Downstairs at 4 Marine Terrace, Ferryhill … so what are you waiting for? Pop the dates in the diary, let your friends & family into decorative antiques & vintage know…I’ve been super busy loading the van with treasures from my buying trips…So many super finds, perfect gifts for the festive season, as well as pieces to brighten your home & make you smile in the busy upcoming period
Thursday 31 October - Sunday 3 November
Downstairs at 4 Marine Terrace, Aberdeen, AB11 7SF
11-5
Birnam Book Festival
Legends, Lore, Stories and Song26-27 October 2024at Birnam Arts
“Join us to explore legends and lore with themes around the Scottish witch trials still resonating today. See how these play out among the shadows of Birnam Wood, where Macbeth’s characters dwelt. After the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio, marked in 2023, now we uncover the real stories of Macbeth’s Tayside locations.
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.
Mantras & Malas - Make Your Own Prayer Beads Workshp
Ever wondered what mantras are and how to make or use a set of prayer beads?
Enjoy a peaceful Sunday afternoon with us. We’ll combine teachings, guided meditations, and the traditional art of mala-making so that you can take home your own 108-bead mala.
We will begin with a peaceful guided meditation and short teaching on the meaning and purpose of mantras. Then we can enjoy the peace of concentration as we thread our mala, choosing the beads and colours that we wish to use for our own personal set of prayer beads.
(All beads and craft equipment provided).
Everyone welcome.
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.
Autumn Plant sale
Our Autumn Plant Sale takes place from 10.30am till 12 noon on Saturday 5 October. Hardy shrubs and easy-going herbaceous perennials will be among the types of plants available to buy at very reasonable prices.
All plant donations, clearly labelled, are gratefully received. Please hand plants to the helpers on the day, letting them know if you have brought anything rare or unusual so we can price it accordingly.
Our sales have become increasingly popular and usually sell out, so we advise arriving in good time!
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.
End of Summer Garden Party @ The Taybank
Join the Taybank team on Saturday, September 28th, for a last hurrah in their gardens before they close for the year.
They’ll have music throughout the day and evening from @theoutskirts, @djtrendywendy, and friends, street food and drinks, garden games, face painting, and cosy campfire areas.
The party is free and open to all from 12-10pm!
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 Festival 2024: Herbal Tea Blending Evening Workshop
Connect to the soul of the land, creating your personal botanical infusions from locally grown plants!
Learn what leaves and herbs you can use, how to collect and process them, how to blend them to create bespoke flavours.
Come along to spend a warm September morning / a cosy evening with Leaves and Snails! We will drink tea, talk, connect and create!
Provenance Festival 2024: Herbal Tea Blending Afternoon Workshop
Connect to the soul of the land, creating your personal botanical infusions from locally grown plants!
Learn what leaves and herbs you can use, how to collect and process them, how to blend them to create bespoke flavours.
Come along to spend a warm September morning with Leaves and Snails! We will drink tea, talk, connect and create!
Autumn Market @ Rosemains Steading
After the success of its last market, Rosemains Steading is delighted to announce its upcoming market on Saturday, September 21st.
Join them for a fantastic family day out at the Steading, featuring talented artisans, creators, and independent businesses from the Lothians. Enjoy delicious food and drink from local suppliers, tour the breweries and more.
Grampian Yoga Association 40th Birthday
Forty years of promoting yoga within the region!
Join the Grampian Yog Association in celebrating their 40th Anniversary!
Enjoy a day of experiencing yoga, exploring community stalls and making a difference with your donations.
Saturday 7th September, 9 am-5 pm
Free entry, yoga sessions by donation
All proceeds go to Friends of Anchor