March 2020
We are working on a programme of talks for the 20/21 season some of which may well be on-line.
Postponed due to pandemic
"The Grant Raid on Elgin" - commemorating the events of March 1820
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the last time "the fiery cross was raised in the Highlands" (figuratively at least)
January "Inverallan Church Past and Present"
From the first church at Old Inverallan to the first building in Grantown and then the magnificent Seafield Memorial Church, there is a long and interesting story. Dr Steele, from his research, will present the story of the latter building.
November "Timber Floating"
The transport of timber by water was a saga in the history of more than one river. The roads were, of course, little better than rough, rutted tracks and transport was consequently slow and and costly. Transport by water was relatively cheap, simple and swift.
In the middle of the 18th century the Spey, 95 miles from its source to the Moray Firth, was of considerable importance commercially, and timber floating created work for a large number of men.
One of the most famous of the floater was Alastair Grant Mor, the Laird's champion, painted by Richard Waitt as one of the iconic Grant pictures.
October "The Regality of Grant"
In a charter of 1694, their Majesties King William and Queen Mary ordained that, "the town formerly called Castletown of Freuquhie, now and in all time to come to be called the Town and Burgh of Grant, and to be the principal burgh of regality, a market cross to be erected therein and proclamations to be made thereat ......
Wrong-doers might have been tied to the cross and scourged by the hangman. For example we know from the Regality Court books that in 1703 three women were charged with the crime of "conveying aquavite clandestinely to prisoners in Castle Grant, who drank to such excess that they died." The women were tied to the Regality Cross at Grantown, their bodies made bare from the belt upwards, and scourged with cords by the hangman, each receiving thirty stripes."
September Lynbreck Croft
Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer bought Lynbreck Croft in March 2016. With no farming background, they set about building a new farm business where people, wildlife, farm animals and nature live and work in harmony to build soil, increase biodiversity and produce nutrient dense healthy food. In their own words they "farm to be wild" and are passionate about helping reconnect people to land they live in and the food they eat
