Cairngorms Connect

02/11/2026

"Fifth year of the hugely popular food and fun event defied storms"
Great write up about Hill to Grill in the Strathy in case you missed it!

Fifth year of the hugely popular food and fun event defied storms over Badenoch and Strathspey

31/10/2026

What a day! 🌿🍔🎶🎨🌳

Our fifth Hill to Grill took place last Saturday and, despite the storm warnings, the day was filled with the warm community spirit that makes this event so special!

A whopping 770 free Cairngorms Connect Venison and vegan burgers were enjoyed alongside a brilliant programme celebrating the people, landscapes, and wildlife of this place.

Thank you to everyone who came along and to everyone who worked to make the day such a success!

Check out our stories and Hill to Grill highlight for snapshots from the day. Plus, find out who guessed the location of the Hill to Gill deer & won a Cairngorms Connect Venison Box!

WildLand Limited NatureScot Forestry and Land Scotland RSPB Scotland Cairngorms National Park

🎶 Toe tapping music captured on the day, performed by Charlie and Cailean Mckerron

[Video footage shows people of all ages dancing to music, interacting with activities such as apple pressing and wood working, people chatting with Cairngorms Connect staff and partners at stalls, watching talks and demonstrations and enjoying burgers.]

Charlie Mckerron Fèis Spè Strathspey Storywalks Plant Listening Highland Hogroast Balliefurth Farm Shop Aaron Sterritt Woodwork Wooden Tom RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy Glenmore Forest Park

27/10/2026

27/10/2026

23/10/2026

🌦️ HILL TO GRILL IS STILL ON! 🎉

We can’t wait to see you all this Saturday! 💚 The weather might have other plans, but we’re not letting that dampen the fun.

We’re bringing the party indoors and undercover, with activities moving into Nethy Bridge Community Centre and under the stretch tent. 🙌

🍔 Come hungry! Drop-in activities kick off from 11am, including cooking demos and tasters with Cairngorms Connect Venison, plus delicious venison burgers grilled by Highland Hog Roast. All free!

🌿 While we’re sadly having to cancel the guided walks and cycle, there’s still loads to discover! Join Tamara Colchester for a special foraging show and tell, settle in for intimate Story Circles with Sarah Hobbs, and come along to Meet the Forest with NatureScot — alongside live music, films, performance and plenty more.

📅 Check out the updated schedule for all the timings, and see what else you can get stuck into with our drop-in activities from 11am.

A little less outdoors and a little more cosy indoors, with all the same Hill to Grill community spirit 💚

See you Saturday in Nethy Bridge! 👋

WildLand Limited NatureScot Forestry and Land Scotland RSPB Scotland Cairngorms National Park Glenmore Forest Park RSPB Loch Garten, Abernethy

[Image Description: Text on a light green background listing Hill to Grill updated schedule including music, storytelling, talks, and film screenings. There is a photo showing someone warmly dressed holding a Cairngorms Connect Venison burger by Catriona Parmenter.]

23/10/2026

[See our latest post for the UPDATED schedule] Indoor fun at Hill to Grill 🎶 🐜 🪰 🗣️🧚‍♀️

We’re in for a treat this year with a full programme of music, talks, and films!

We’ve got a brilliant indoor programme lined up for this year’s Hill to Grill, packed with music, fascinating talks, films and a little bit of folklore! ✨

🎶 Live music from Charlie Mckerron & Cailean McKerron
🐜 The wonderful world of wood ants with Nick Baker
🪰 Discover Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms
🗣️Live score of the film Tha Sinn an Seo by young people from Fèis Spè
🧚‍♀️ and magical story circles with Strathspey Storywalks

See the full schedule for inside the Nethy Bridge Community Centre.

We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and can move lots of the outdoor fun inside, so whatever the weather there’ll be lots to enjoy!

Looking forward to seeing you at Hill to Grill this Saturday 11am–3pm in Nethy Bridge.

[Image Descripitions: 1) Still from Tha Sinn an Seo (We are Here) showing a child peering round a tree at a deer captured on a camera trap 2) A collage of photos showing Sarah Hobbs, Nick Baker, Charlie McKerron, and Gen Tompkins who are all speaking and performing at Hill to Grill 3) Text on a light green background listing Hill to Grill indoor schedule including music, storytelling, talks, and film screenings. There is a photograph of a snowy mountain range along the bottom.]

21/10/2026

From apple pressing to woodworking to time travel ✨ everyone can get hands on at Hill to Grill!

🍎 Get in the mood for autumn and try your hand at apple pressing! We’ll have apples for you to turn into delicious juice, but feel free to bring your harvest from home.

🔨 Give green woodworking a go with Aaron from RESTORE and learn about how they’ve been using hand tools to support Cairngorms Connect’s restoration work.

🪚 Build nest boxes for Goldeneye Ducks and Swifts to give these special birds somewhere safe to build a nest.

✨ And there will also be a magical time portal where you can travel to the landscapes of the future … ✨

Drop in activities will run throughout the day and there is something to suit all ages.
Head over to our Facebook Event to see the full schedule of timed activities: Hill to Grill: celebrating local forests and local food

Plus, there are still a few advance spaces on the Meet the Forest, Storytelling, and Foraging Walks as well as Exploring the Landscape by Bike! Sign up: https://hill-to-grill-activity-sign-ups-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

[Photos showing a beautiful crop of apples and autumnal leaves either side of kids using wood working tools during previous Hill to Grill events. Captured by Catriona Parmenter]

18/10/2026

Discover the delicious taste of wild venison at Hill to Grill!

👩‍🍳 Get inspired in the kitchen with Scottish food expert Catriona Frankitti, who’ll be cooking up tempting venison tasters, including pulled oak-smoked venison, venison tacos and warming venison broth.

🍔 Enjoy a FREE burger, expertly grilled by Highland Hogroast (while supplies last!).

🔪 Get to know your cuts during a butchery demonstration with local butcher Nikki Wilkinson.

🍽️ Take some venison home to cook for yourself! Pick up Cairngorms Connect venison from Balliefurth Farm Shop in the village.

🌿 Discover the story behind the meat. Wild venison is a high-quality, sustainable source of protein, and deer management plays an important role in conservation across the Cairngorms. We believe this locally sourced food should be accessible to local communities. Come and chat with Cairngorms Connect partnership staff to find out more about deer stalking for conservation and why it matters.

📅 Planning to come? Let us know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1616250406697257

🦌 Sign up for activities in advance: https://hill-to-grill-activity-sign-ups-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you next Saturday in Nethy Bridge, 11am–3pm!

📸: 1,2,4,5 Catriona Parmenter Photography, 3 Pete Short

[Image description: 1) Two chefs stand behind a table of venison dishes, showcasing delicious food and preserves with the Hill to Grill banner and trees behind. 2) A young child enjoys a venison burger at Hill to Grill, sampling locally sourced wild venison. 3) Nikki demonstrates how to prepare wild venison during a butchery demo, with the landscape and conservation benefits of local venison highlighted on the display behind her. 4) Mike from Balliefurth Farm Shop displays a pack of Cairngorms Connect Venison steak, available to buy and enjoy at home. 5) Two people get shown how to use scopes by Cairngorms Connect Deer Stalker Jack Ward.]

15/10/2026

🚲 Explore the Landscape by Bike at Hill to Grill! 🌲

Fancy exploring local forests on two wheels? Join Cairngorms Connect and H+I Adventures for a free guided cycle through the Cairngorms landscape this Hill to Grill!

Along the way, discover how we’re working to restore and enhance habitats, support wildlife and strengthen the natural processes that keep our ecosystems thriving. 🌿

📅 Saturday 24 October, 📍 Nethy Bridge
⏰ Bike Ride: 11:30am–1:30pm
🚵 For keen riders aged 10+ (under-18s must be accompanied by an adult)

🎟️ Spaces are limited, so book your place in advance! Sign up now: https://hill-to-grill-activity-sign-ups-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

🚲 Please bring your own bike and helmet. Need to borrow a bike or an adaptive bike? Get in touch before the event and we’ll do our best to help.

📸 Dan Milner, H+I Adventures

[Image Description: Two people ride bikes along a forest path surrounded by vibrant vegetation and tall trees.]

13/10/2026

Discover the woodland larder with foraging expert Tamara Colchester, Plant Listening!

Tamara will be leading free foraging walks from 11 am – 3 pm at Hill to Grill, Saturday 24th of October, at Nethy Bridge Playing Field!

Advance sign ups are full, but don’t worry, you can sign up for the walks on the day. First come, first served.

🍄 11:15am–12:15pm
🍄 12:45–1:45pm
🍄 2–3pm

Find out more: https://cairngormsconnect.org.uk/hill-to-grill
(If you've signed up and can no longer make it, please let us know before the event.)

[Image Description: 1) The trunk of a Silver Birch tree is dappled in Autumnal light with bracket fungi growing on both sides. 2) Someone wearing a green blue jumper holds a cream coloured bracket fungus in their hands. Photos by Catriona Parmenter Photography.]

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