Cairngorms go "large" this weekend!
The BIG weekend starts tomorrow (Friday, May 12).
Three days will be spent celebrating the wildlife of the Cairngorms National Park.
Said TV naturalist Nick Baker: "Nature BIG Weekend 12-14 May is an amazing celebration of its fantastic wildlife."
With over 50 activities taking place there will be something for everyone, from families to the more seasoned nature lover.
The festival will see a welcome return for Mr Baker, who is again inviting nature lovers to join him on his "Minibeast safari" – or to hear him talk about his life as a wildlife presenter, in Blair Atholl.
His anecdotes about a life filming some of the most bizarre and exotic creatures across the world have already once delighted a Cairngorm audience and he enthused: "The national park is such a fantastic place for nature and I can’t wait to find out what secret creatures Blair Atholl has hiding on the estate."
There are dozens of activities taking place across the weekend for all ages, the little ones able to explore the fairies and trolls at Ryvoan and bigger ones enjoying a wild sleepout with the rangers, while the early ones can catch a black grouse lek at dawn.
"You can go behind the scenes at Balmoral Estate, head to Glen Tanar for a jam packed day of family activities or try your hand at some bushcraft skills in Tomintoul and Braemar," said Nick.
Two very special events will open and close the weekend at Boat of Garten and Balmoral. Pete Cairns, the renowned photographer and conservationist, will be presenting SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, a dynamic multimedia presentation which showcases Scotland’s wildlife and wild places while also portraying a vision for Scotland’s future. The presentations will be followed by a discussion from a panel of experts.
The events fall into three main categories:
Family Fun: "Open your children’s minds to the wonder of the Cairngorms! We have it all from wee beasties to magnificent hunters and Neolithic fire to woolly woods. These events are particularly designed with families in mind."
Nature Lovers: The park authority is giving all-comers the chance to immerse themselves in "a unique nature experience" in the company of a Cairngorms expert, with opportunities to get close to some amazing species and go "behind the scenes" with those who live and work in the park.
Get involved: "Give something back to the Cairngorms as you get involved with one of our volunteering events. It’s immensely satisfying to offer your time to vital conservation work, you’ll have fun, meet new people and know you have made a real difference."
* Book your place, get more information and find a list of all the events at www.cairngorms.co.uk/big-weekend
