Autumn has definitely arrived in the Cairngorms – the leaves in our woods are turning yellow and orange so quickly now. It’s a time for keeping cosy – so dig out your woolly hats and try these five seasonal activities in Grantown-on-Spey.
1. TAKE IN THE CHANGING COLOURS
We’ve already mentioned the effect of autumn on our forests and a walk is a great way to appreciate the glory of the season. Anagach Woods has a host of trails for different abilities, from a short circular walk to a longer trek taking in the Speyside Way to Cromdale.
Keep your eyes peeled for roe deer and red squirrel – you might even hear our resident woodpeckers.
Runners might also want to join the new parkrun event in Anagach. This takes place every Saturday morning, with a briefing starting at 9.20am close to the Strathspey Curling Club.
You could also take the viewpoint walk, starting near the Grantown Caravan Park. This offers excellent views across the town to the Cromdale Hills and south to the Cairngorms.
2. VISIT THE PICTURES
Grantown is proud to have its own community cinema, run by volunteers at the YMCA Community Centre.
This 47-seater movie theatre is an intimate place to see some of the best films of recent years. This season’s roster includes:
- Mamma Mia Sing-a-long, October 18
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show, October 25
- The Great Escaper, November 15
- Last Christmas, December 6
- Conclave, February 21
And there’s a fundraising quiz in January for all you film buffs. Visit the cinema website for more information and to book your ticket.
3. GET AHEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS CROWDS
We don’t like to mention the word too early in the season but Christmas is only a few weeks away. That means that our lovely High Street is gearing up to help you find the perfect gift for your loved ones.
We are spoiled for choice – our independent shopkeepers strive to bring you the best gifts. Highland Artisans collects craft from across the region, while the Spey Bank Studio makes many of their beautiful items on site, as well as paintings by local artists. Meanwhile, The High St Merchants has opened the Full Circle Art Gallery with a range of lovely pieces from artists across the area.
And of course, our wonderful cafes will be serving up hot drinks and cakes to keep you refreshed.
4. LEARN A NEW SKILL
If the weather is a bit damp, you can find some great indoor activities in Grantown. Highland Artisans has a regular schedule of classes and will be focussing on Christmas craft in the autumn.
And Smarty Art might have a new location and a new look this year but they are still providing brilliant family activities. Their paint-your-own ceramics can be a fantastic choice for birthday parties!
5. HAVE A SPOOKY TIME
Halloween is always a big night in Grantown. Many of our householders decorate their homes for local children to enjoy.
The YMCA Community Centre also gets in the mood by turning into a haunted house for the evening. The early evening is focussed on young families but after 6.30pm, it gets a bit scarier – you have been warned!