Dragons in the Cairngorms National Park

Old curling ponds, lochs and bogs are to be surveyed to help gauge the numbers and varieties of dragonfly and damselfly in a national park.

Cairngorms National Park is believed to provide habitat for 13 types of the large insects.
A pictorial guide to the creatures has been produced to aid volunteers in identifying them.
The effort is part of a five-year project to update the National Dragonfly Atlas.
The park authority said a number of its species were rare.

It said the northern damselfly and white faced darter were classified as endangered by conservationists, while the azure hawker was classified as threatened.

Cairngorms biodiversity officer Stephen Corcoran hoped the leaflet would encourage more people to look for the insects.

He added: "The status of dragonflies across the park is unknown, and it is not clear what impact climate change may have on them.
"A new national atlas is urgently required to map any change and highlight potential threats.
"To succeed in this ambitious project good national coverage is needed, particularly in the Cairngorms, which is the stronghold for several rare species many of whom are under recorded."
The insects are associated with freshwater for breeding.

Adult dragonflies are on the wing from May until October but the best time to see them is usually June and July on warm, sunny days with little wind.

Large numbers are known to be found around pools in Abernethy, Glenmore, Rothiemurchus, Glen Tanar Estate, Insh Marshes and Dinnet National Nature Reserve.

Dragonflies are harmless, but inquisitive, and feed on other flies and insects including midges.

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Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

The festival runs from May 1-10, and offers visitors, be they from down the road or across the world, a taste of what Speyside has to offer throughout the year.
Many distilleries and attractions not usually open will open their doors for a glimpse of what they do – and do so well.

With over half of all the distilleries in Scotland within an hour or so of each other, the festival is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the land, and the pure waters that flow through her.

From the avid whisky buff to the traveller or local, the festival has it all. There are about 300 events including 180 whisky tours and tastings, 21 whisky dinners, 12 bracing whisky walks, 12 cooperage tours and numerous distillery tours. The opening dinner will be at The Balvenie Maltings in Dufftown, where the 2009 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards will be presented.

An exclusive Malt Whisky School, a three-day masterclass, has been introduced this year. This adds to the many fantastic experiences on offer.

Gordon and MacPhail in Elgin offers a range of tastings throughout the festival which include whisky combined with food including chocolate, cheese, salmon, or haggis.

There are also straight-out whisky tasting and tours as well.

Be sure to book for these at www.gordonandmacphail.com .

Many distilleries are open for you to just arrive and go on a tour, but for others you may need to book. Some are free and costs vary for others, so it is always best to check.
And if you see one, you haven’t seen them all. The diversity is such that each offers something different.

One thing is for sure, you wouldn’t have whisky if you didn’t have a cask – or is it a barrel?

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Self Catering & Holiday Cottages in Scotland

Munroe Bagging in Scotland

Are you inspired to head for the highlands this summer? Whether you are looking to bag your first munro, or you are a veteran of the hills, Cairngorm National Park has plenty mountains for you to conquer.

For people who really enjoy walking and hiking, Munro Bagging is about finding and experiencing new hills and mountains you might not otherwise have thought of walking on - often in glorious solitude well away from the crowded tourist spots. It can be a lot of fun and immensely satisfying too!

The following three websites will help you find the perfect route to help you accomplish in bagging that perfect munro: Munro Magic, Go4aWalk, and Scotland's Munros with VisitScotland.
And for after the day's walk, or any walker's less active companions, why not admire the beauty of the mountains from the comfort of a cosy self-catering cottage? Have a look at Cairngorms Holiday Cottages, and you will see how easy it is to find a self-catering property within your budget.

Pylons in Cairngorms Park rejected for now

ANTI-PYLON protesters were celebrating last night after Highland councillors rejected controversial plans for a 137-mile overhead power line stretching from Inverness-shire through the Cairngorms National Park to the Central Belt.

It is now virtually certain that Scottish & Southern Energy's proposals for a £200 million upgrade of the high-voltage link will go before a public inquiry. Members of Highland Council's planning committee voted unanimously to reject the pylon proposals at a meeting in Inverness yesterday after councillors heard representations from the power company and a number of objectors.

They said the pylons would have "significant adverse" impacts on the amenity of four lengths of the route - Beauly-Eskadale and Cannich-Guisachan in Inverness-shire, the River Spey-Feagour Wood and an area west of the A889, and east of the A9 in Badenoch and Strathspey. The proposed pylons are up to 200ft high and the line, between Beauly and Denny, near Falkirk, would pass through the Cairngorms National Park. Councillors also said more detailed information was needed regarding the potential impact of the development on minor roads in the area and they wanted an opportunity to consider a government report, to be published later this year, which will examine the possible link between high-voltage overhead transmission lines and childhood leukaemia.

A spokesman for Scottish & Southern Energy said after the meeting: "We have to listen to what is being said and we will talk to the main stakeholders to look at all options.

Carrbridge, in The Cairngorms National Park is a Beautiful Highland Village

Carrbridge, in The Cairngorms National Park is a Beautiful Highland Village

Carrbridge, in the Cairngorms National park is absolutely lovely. This beautiful village is known as the original ski area of Scotland, and it is the first. It is also known for it's many stone bridges. These arched bridges were built in order to accommodate work horses. There are many still standing today.

"Landmark forest adventure park" is a great opportunity for an outing with the kids. There is so much to explore, you are sure to be kept busy all day, and will want to return again, and again. From water coasters to "sky diving" the thrills are sure to please. Here you may climb the tallest fire tower in the country, and meet the Clydesdale horses. The kids are sure to be delighted with all there is to do here.

"Highland wildlife park" in Kincraig is another attraction that is sure to delight young and old alike. Here you will drive your own car through the reserve, watching the wild animals in their own habitat. There are many traditional Scottish animals as well as other exotic, wild animals from aroung the world. They even have a program where you may become "warden for the day", where you may get up close, and help to feed, train and clean the animals. You must be eighteen or over for this one, but what an exciting adventure.

Explore the beauty of the ancient stone bridges that you will find in Carrbridge. Spend the day skiing in one of the finest resorts in this area, followed by a fantastic meal in one of there excellent restaurants. Enjoy the walking trails, or have a picnic. No matter what you choose, you will have a wonderful time while visiting Carrbridge.

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Outsider Cancelled

You hear it first on http://www.cairngormsholidaycottages.com/

The Outsider has been scrapped, apparently due to poor ticket sales.

The festival was due to be held in Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms on June 27 and 28, but a decision was taken to cancel the show earlier this week.

Sharleen Spiteri, Teenage Fanclub and The Futureheads were among music acts confirmed to play at the event, which also included outdoor activities, film and children's entertainment.

But, last night, the website had all the details relating to ticket sales and other key elements removed.
Organisers promised to make an official announcement on Monday and will blame the current economic climate that has seen several music festivals struggle to sell tickets.

Other 2009 festivals recently forced to cancel include the first ever Homecoming festival, which had been planned to take place on Irvine beach.

Organiser Pete Irvine, of Unique Events, said: said: "The Outsider programme was ambitious and ground-breaking.

"It combined live music and DJs with debate and discussion, film, comedy and food in a beautiful and setting.

"However, due to the economic downturn and the audience numbers now projected, we feel we cannot produce an event that provides a festival experience at the level that is expected and deserved.

"Clearly, a recession is not the time to realise this bold new concept, but we still believe the Outsider was right for its time and perfect for its place.

"We are hugely disappointed that it is not going ahead.

"A great number of people have supported and worked on the Outsider so far and we thank them all.
"We offer our sincere apologies to all ticket holders for any inconvenience and disappointment.

"All ticket holders will receive a full refund and we have also agreed to reimburse booking fees.

Reimbursement will be processed automatically at your original point of sale." An insider revealed: "The recession is hitting the live music scene and festivals appear to be particularly badly hit.