LOCAL EVENTS
MAY 2025
10
Aboyne Farmer’s Market
Aboyne Green, 10am - 2pm
11
The North of Scotland Pipe Band Championship
Banchory
One of the first major pipe band competitions of the year with 20+ pipe bands from across the North of Scotland and 30-40 competitive performances adjudicated by the North of Scotland Branch of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
17
Banchory Farmer’s Market
Bellfield Car Park, Dee Street
9am - 1pm
17-23
Ballater Walking Festival
2025 has a programme that is bigger than ever, with 6 days filled with walks from interesting strolls, special interest excursions, intermediate walks with stunning views, to adventurous, off grid climbs for the strenuous walkers.
JUNE 2025
1
Ballater Duck Festival
Ballater
Ballater Duck Festival — Ballater Community Trust
A yearly duck race event with live music, food and craft stalls and a pipe band. From 11am there will be stalls, local food producers and activities for children. At 3pm, 12 giant ducks will be launched upstream and will ‘race’ down the River Dee to the bridge; the first duck under the bridge.
14
Aboyne Farmer’s Market
Aboyne Green, 10am - 2pm
21
Banchory Farmer’s Market
Bellfield Car Park, Dee Street
9am - 1pm
JULY 2025
Aboyne & Deeside Festival
Various concerts and talks at a variety of venues around Deeside.
Illyria will be back on The Green, Aboyne on 31st July. This production will be The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare.
5
Aberdeen Highland Games
Jefferson Park
Aberdeen Highland Games – Aberdeen, Hunter Valley
We are all looking forward with great anticipation to Saturday 5th July 2025 for the next gathering at Aberdeen.
Come and participate in what may be deemed to be a traditional Highland Gathering here at Aberdeen in the glorious Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Savour the atmosphere of the Highlands and be part of this well recognised event.
10-13
Stonehaven Folk Festival
Stonehaven
35th Stonehaven Folk Festival » Stonehaven Folk Festival
Some of the best traditional and contemporary folk music. Concerts, ceilidh, sessions, singarounds, workshops. The famous Aqua Ceilidh and world Paper’n’Comb Championships!
12
Aboyne Farmer’s Market
Aboyne Green, 10am - 2pm
19
Banchory Farmer’s Market
Bellfield Car Park, Dee Street
9am - 1pm
20-25
Royal Deeside Golf Week
AUGUST 2025
2
Aboyne Highland Games
Aboyne Green
www.aboynegames.com
Having formed in 1867, Aboyne is regarded as “The Traditional Highland Games”. They continue to attract thousands of visitors to witness the annual display and competition of Scottish culture in one of the most scenic parts of Aberdeenshire.
The games will feature a comprehensive program of traditional Scottish events starting in the morning with junior piping competitions and local Highland dancing categories. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, attendees can watch a variety of competitions, including the Light Stone, Weight by Ring, Light Hammer, Caber Toss, and Weight over Bar. Light events include youth and adult races of varying distances, as well as long leap competitions.
9
Aboyne Farmer’s Market
Aboyne Green, 10am - 2pm
August CONT’d
TBD
Ballater Victoria Week
Ballater
A small committee of dedicated volunteers hosts a wide variety of events and activities for the entire family in the pretty Royal Deeside village of Ballater! Highlights have included Scarecrow Competitions and Trail, Films, Duck Races, Dog Show, Picnics, Pantomime/Hobby Horse Trials, Discos, Messy Play, Car Boot Sale, plus numerous Sporting, and Outdoor Events. The week surrounds The Ballater Highland Games.
14
Ballater Highland Games
Monaltrie Park
www.ballaterhighlandgames.com
Ballater Highland Games form part of the circuits comprising the Glenfiddich Heavy Events Championship and the Grampian Games Qualifying Championship. On Games Day there are a number of varied trade stands, together with a funfair for the children.
16
Banchory Farmer’s Market
Bellfield Car Park, Dee Street
9am - 1pm
23
Lonach Highland Gathering and Games
www.lonach.org
Scotland’s friendliest games! The Lonach Highland Gathering & Games is one of Scotland’s most iconic traditional summer events and takes place annually in Strathdon on the 4th Saturday in August.