EVENTS

NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS Every year between 100 and 400 people walk the Wildcat Trail on January 1^st as part of the Hogmanay Celebrations. Check in at the Wildcat Trail between 10am and 12 noon and return before 4pm to receive a Certificate, a drink of mulled wine and local shortbread. No charge but donations to the work of the Trust and maintenance of the Trail, warmly welcomed.

REPAIRS TO THE WILDCAT TRAIL Following the floods in December 2006, work was carried out to re-route the Trail past the damaged areas. The path now climbs high above the Allt Laraid and takes the walker away from the banks of the Calder on a loop giving great views of Creag Dhubh before rejoining the river bank.

The Chairman, John Russell, and Company Secretary, Janet Davidson, on the new path at the Allt Laraidh.

REFURBISHMENT OF THE WELL OF THE ALDER 2007 The Trust undertook the clearance of a traditional well off Glen Road and created a safe access to it. Chairmand Past Chairman John Russell and James Davidson, and Vice-Chairman Ross Noble celebrate with a dram using water from the well.

FLOODS DAMAGE PARTS OF WILDCAT TRAIL December 2006 Heavy rain swelled the Allt Laraidh burn to the point where it tore away a 15 metre length of the Wildcat Trail. (see below, left) Dredging work on the Calder by a local estate altered the course of the Calder after the floods and obliterated a similar section of the walk which had passed along the top of an embankment. (see below right) The Trust sought advice on the best way to overcome the problem from the Spey River Board and Scottish Natural Heritage.

PICTURE THE WILDCAT October 2006 A weekend painting competition. The photo shows the judging. There were entries from locals and visitors, adults and children. The event was funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

MIDSUMMER – JUNE 23^RD 2005 Night time walk of the Wildcat Trail following a concert by Saor Patrol .

Those who have seen and heard Saor Patrol live never forget the visual image and vibrant energy of the performance. Their use of the pipes and drums brings the music and costume of the past back to life. A party of 40 set off round the Trail at 11pm. Although the moon only made one appearance, those who took part enjoyed the experience – and the dram and refreshments provided half way round.

Autumn Colour in the Cairngorms Watercolour Challenge. October 2004.

This open watercolour competition was based on the Wildcat Trail. We were not blessed with good conditions! The weather was wild and windy all the previous week and the Saturday of the competition was no better. The Sunday brought some sunshine, but most artists had already started their work by then.

Thirteen adults and an equal number of children took part, producing varied and interesting work of a high quality. Anisa Caine was the facilitating artist and gave two very good talks. The prize-winners each received a carved wooden bowl made from locally grown timber from Wildcat Country Furniture. Prizes were given in three categories: Work best representing the Cairngorms National Park, Best entry by an Adult and best entry by a School Pupil. The overall prize was won by a 10-year-old. Funding was received from the Cairngorms National Park Authority

September 2001 Publication of The Spey Your Special River

The then Chairman of the Trust, James Davidson, took part in an Earthwatch UK project in southern Chile to study river otters.

As part of the project he was given funding to produce a booklet for primary school children about the local environment. The resulting book about the River Spey, its geography, history and wildlife has many line drawings for colouring.

A copy was given to every pupil in primary schools along the River Spey and copies are now available in the Wildcat Centre at £2.00 per copy.

May 2001 Sunday Post Marafun

The Wildcat Trail was the venue in 2001 for the Sunday Post Marafun, an annual sponsored walk where walkers raise funds for their own chosen charity. Nearly 1,000 people took part over a weekend of

mixed weather.

The Trail was extended by a loop into Glen Banchor to bring the route up to the required 10 miles.

Opening of the Wildcat Centre April 20^th 2000

On April 20^th 2000 the Wildcat Centre was opened by Cameron McNeish. The Centre provides information on walking in Newtonmore and the surrounding area, sells OS maps and houses the Millennium Book of Newtonmore, a handwritten and photographic record of the people of Newtonmore at the time of the millennium.

Press cutting from The Sunday Post, April 23^rd 2000

Inaugural Walk. 1^st January 2000. Just under 400 people walked the Trail and willing adults were rewarded with a dram of the Dalwhinnie. Conditions were cold and windy but dry and conditions underfoot were good.

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