Braemar Mountain Festival 2023
All skill sessions will meet at Castleton Hall unless otherwise indicated
Thursday 2nd March
7.30pm Opening Night Procession with Braemar Pipers from the Fife Mews to the Highland Games Pavilion. Flaming torches, skirl of the pipes and a night procession to the iconic Games Pavilion.
8.00pm Mountain Food and Music at the Highland Games Pavilion. Let’s celebrate the start of the Festival weekend with good food, drink and music!
Friday 3rd March
9.00am Off Piste Ski Performance. Take your skiing to the next level with BASI 4 level instructor Alison Thacker Full Day.
9.30am Introduction to Winter Walking. Join mountain leader Bill Dallas for a full day winter walk with opportunities taken to develop winter skills along the route. Full Day
10.00am Wildlife Walk with our local guide, Emma O’Shea. Meet at the Keiloch car park near Braemar. 4 hours
10.30am “Regeneration” an illustrated talk with ecologist and author Andrew Painting
2.00pm Braemar History Walk. Join a local expert for a walking tour around the village. Meet outside Invercauld Arms Hotel 1 hour
7.30pm Ceilidh in the village hall with music from The Blaeberries. Bar and stovies. A perennial favourite. Who doesn’t love a good ceilidh?
Saturday 4th March
9.00am Introduction to Ski Touring with Di Gilbert. An ideal opportunity for skiers new to mountain ski touring to develop their skills and confidence. Full day.
9.00am Winter Skills (for women only) with Emma O’Shea. Let Emma guide you through all the essential skills for the Scottish winter conditions. Full day.
9.00am Introduction to Navigation Skills with Derek Edge. For those with little or no map and compass skills. Half day.
9.00am Mountain First Aid with Phil Glennie. Phil returns to the Festival to instruct mountain orientated first aid skills. Half day.
9.30am Introduction to Winter Skills with Mountaineering Scotland. Join Ben Gibson who will guide you through all the essential skills for the Scottish winter conditions. Full day.
10.00am Glen Ey Walk with The Cairngorm Club’s Ken Thomson and Judy Middleton, followed by tea and cake. Perfect! Meet at Muir Cottage(Club Hut) Inverey 5 hours
10.30am Montane Woodlands, a talk by Shaila Rao, head ecologist at NTS Mar Lodge featuring the film “Keystone” with Dave MacLeod.
1.30pm Sabrina Verjee – ‘Where There’s a Hill’ talk and Q&A, followed by book signing. Ultra runner Sabrina took the Wainwright Round record to below 6 days on her fourth attempt.
1.30pm Mountain First Aid with Phil Glennie Phil returns to the Festival to instruct mountain orientated first aid skills. Half day.
2.00pm Braemar History Walks. Join a local guide for a walking tour around the village. Meet outside Invercauld Arms Hotel 1 hour
5.00pm Snow Running Race at Glenshee Ski Centre – see their website for details https://www.snowrunning.uk/
7.30pm Scottish Climbing Night. An evening with Guy Robertson, Greg Boswell and Hamish Frost – including Tall Cliffs and Lost Pigeons, St Kilda Adventures Aboard the Half Light. Prepare to be blown away by Hamish’s stunning photography and Guy’s climbing. Plus Greg Boswell’s Winter Climbing Presentation. Greg often pairs up with Guy to push the boundaries of Scottish winter climbing. Licensed bar.
Sunday 5th March
9.00am Winter Hill Navigation (for women only) with Emma O’Shea. Full day.
9.00am Introduction to Snow-shoeing with Bill Dallas. A mountain based walk which will utilise snow shoe techniques if conditions allow. Full day.
9.00am Guided Ski Tour with Di Gilbert. As with all our ski sessions this comes with a no-snow-refund-guarantee. Book with confidence for your day out with Di. Full day.
9.00am Winter Mountaineering 1:4 with Mountaineering Scotland. A session on more advanced winter skills for those looking to develop their abilities. Full day
9.00am Intermediate Navigation Skills with Derek Edge. For those wishing to develop and enhance their navigation skills and confidence. Half day.
9.00am Hill run with Sabrina Verjee. Join Sabrina and Deeside Runners for a sociable run from Castleton Hall. It will be tailored to all hill running abilities 1 -2 hours
10.00am Ecology Walk with Andrew Painting. A walk through the naturally regenerating pine woods of Glen Quoich. Meet Glen Quioch car park. Bring a packed lunch. 4 hours
10.00am Visit the Braemar Mountain Rescue Centre. Team members will show you round their centre – see the vehicles, equipment and learn more about their voluntary work.
10.30am Anna Fleming, climber and writer in conversation with Suzie Edge.
2.00pm Braemar History Walk. Discover Braemar’s history with the Braemar local history group. Meet outside Invercauld Arms Hotel 1 hour
3.30pm Iain Cameron – The Vanishing Ice, a talk about Scotland’s disappearing patches of snow.
7.30pm Brit Rock Film Tour visits Braemar Mountain Festival. We wrap up the Festival with three cracking films as the Brit Rock Film Tour rolls into town. Licensed bar. Licensed to thrill…