The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
AROUND TOWN
Orkney Nature Festival
Various venues, Orkney, until Sun May 19, various times and prices. Explore Orkney’s wildlife through walks, talks, activities, demonstrations and concerts. orkneycommunities.co.uk/ ORKNEYNATUREFESTIVAL
Fishing at Davochfin Farm
Davochfin Farm, Dornoch, IV25 3RW, 01862 810600, until Thu Oct 31, daily 10am-10pm (last admission for rod hire 7.45pm), £15£30 (children £8-£20), rod hire £5 per booking, fish per lb £5. Davochfin Farm has three fishing lochans filled with rainbow trout, making it a great day out for new and experienced anglers. Families can experience the excitement of catching a fish and then enjoy the fruits of their labour. Fishing equipment is available for hire, while ice cream and snacks can be purchased too. davochfinfarm.co.uk
Strichen Festival
Various venues, Strichen, 01779 821301, until Sat May 18, Fri-Sat, various times and prices. This friendly festival has been running since 1984 and offers a programme of music, verse, drama and dance, plus competitions and ceilidhs. buchanheritagesociety.co.uk
Wellbeing Walks at the Loch of Fyvie
Loch of Fyvie, Fyvie, Turriff, AB53 8JS, 01651 891266, until Sun May 19. Fri 10am (slow paced walk for adults). Sun 9.30am (moderately paced walk for adults) & 12.30pm (family-friendly walk), free but ticketed. Enjoy the scenery of the Loch of Fyvie while learning how to use nature as a tool to improve your mental wellbeing. nts.org.uk/visit/ places/ fyvie-castle
Fiends For Life: Free Dark History Tour of Aberdeen
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY, 01224 337700. Fri May 17, 6pm, free. Discover the darkest characters in Aberdeen’s history with this free tour focusing on notorious witches, murderers and ghosts. For ages 12-plus or at parental discretion. aberdeencity.gov.uk
Wine Tasting: TERROIR!SM Presents Alternative Italy
The Tippling House, 4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JE. Fri May 17, 6.30pm, £20. Wine tasting series, this month’s theme is Alternative Italy. This non-traditional Italian wine tour takes in unexpected grapes, unsung regions and offbeat methods. Tickets include five wine samples and a tutored tasting with wine and spirits specialists WoodWinters. thetipplinghouse.com
Ballater Walking Festival
Various venues, Ballater, until Fri May 24, SatWed, various times and prices. Outdoor festival for walkers of all abilities. Making the most of the views on easy, medium and strenuous walks across seven active days, events are led by locals, full-time rangers and professional mountain guides. Evening entertainment includes a welcome reception, quiz, musical evening, ceilidh and festival dinner. walkballater.com
Bird Workshop: Dawn Chorus
Braemar Car Park, Balnellan Road, Braemar, AB35 5YE, 07434 709646. Sat May 18, 6-9am, £20. In this introduction to bird songs and calls, you’ll listen to species by the River Dee and in the Caledonian woodland. Get to know the common species and understand how to identify different bird calls and songs. Suitable for beginners to expert birders. wild-discovery.com/ identification-workshops
Focus Craft Fairs
Victoria & Albert Memorial Hall, Station Square, Ballater, AB35 5QB, 01467 537753. Sat May 18, 10am4pm, free. The Focus Arts and Crafts Design Group is a non-profit association which has been in existence for more than 30 years. Their aim is to support and promote local art and crafts created by their members. Focus only sells items handmade by the group’s artisan members and they are proud to support local charities, including this year’s beneficiaries Alzheimer Scotland and Guide Dogs Scotland. scotlandcrafts.co.uk