Braemar’s Festival de Noel aims to bring a sprinkling of alpine magic to the Cairngorms this winter – with an action-packed programme of events from December 6 to 8.
The festivities begin with a festival dinner by the team from Fish Shop Ballater, taking place at Braemar’s Highland Games Pavilion at 7pm on the Friday evening. Fish Shop – which shot straight into the Michelin Guide upon opening last year – has been named one of the best new restaurants in the world by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.
Saturday’s schedule has activities for all ages, from wreath making classes, relaxing sound bath sessions and wine tasting workshops. The day’s activities will be followed by food carts, mulled wine and roaring fire pits outside St Margaret’s from 4pm ahead of a Celebration of Christmas Concert featuring Bon Accord Silver Band, jazz duo Rachel Lightbody and Tom Gibbs and children from Braemar Primary School – with plenty of opportunity for audience participation.
Sunday sees the return of the Ghillie’s Larder and Ghillie’s Tipple markets – serving up the best in fresh, seasonal, local produce as you stock up for Christmas. A Christmas Fayre in the Village Hall will offer a range of local and artisan crafts.
Santa Claus is coming to town and his grotto in Braemar Mews will be open throughout the day for children to share their Christmas wishes and receive an early Christmas gift.
Festivalgoers will be serenaded by carols from the singing group ‘Wheesht!’ at all market venues, while a horse and carriage whisks shoppers around the village in style.
As the sun sets on another Braemar Festival de Noel, drinks and nibbles will be served in the Fog House and courtyard at the Fife Arms Hotel from 3pm.
Looking ahead to this year’s Festival de Noel, organiser Colin Hunter said: “It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas, and what better way to get in the spirit than Braemar’s annual Festival de Noel.
“This packed three-day event gives you the chance to get all your Christmas gifts and food in one place – driven around the village in a horse and carriage, rather than having to battle the crowds downtown!
“We’ve got a nearly-sold-out pop-up dinner with the incredible team from Fish Shop Ballater, wine tasting, wreath-making, fantastic music, a visit from Santa, choirs a-carolling and no less than three brilliant markets selling food, drinks and a range of Christmas gifts and crafts.
“Saturday’s Celebration of Christmas concert at St Margaret’s – with festive favourites from the Bon-Accord Silver Band, jazz from Rachel Lightbody and Tom Gibbs and a turn from the kids at Braemar Primary School – is guaranteed to get even the world’s biggest scrooge singing along.
“Full details and tickets at stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk – we’ll see you there!”