Workshops: Saturday
Song workshop with Ellie Beaton
*You must purchase a ticket to participate in this workshop
When: Saturday 3rd October at 10am
Where: Braemar Highland Games Pavilion
Ellie Beaton is an award-winning Folk Singer from Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire. With a commanding voice that ripples with warmth and confidence, she embodies the traditional style of Aberdeenshire balladry. Described as “One of the most outstanding voices in Scotland’s folk scene,” by The Herald, she was crowned BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2025.
Alongside her workshop, Ellie will also be performing with her trio on Friday 2nd October in St Margaret’s, and hosting our Late Night Session on Friday 2nd October from 10pm - late.
Fiddle workshop with Jack Smedley
*You must bring your own instrument and purchase a ticket to participate in this workshop
When: Saturday 3rd October at 10am
Where: Braemar Highland Games Centre
Jack Smedley is a very talented fiddle player, performing across a number of high-profile traditional and folk bands based in Glasgow. He was one of the founding members of RURA, as well as performing with duo Foley Smedley, Staran, and Drams Ceilidh Band.
Jack will be performing with Staran on Friday 2nd October in St Margaret’s.
Guitar workshop with Innes White
*You must bring your own instrument and purchase a ticket to participate in this workshop
When: Saturday 3rd October at 10am
Where: Braemar Highland Games Centre
Innes White is a highly sought-after multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer based in Glasgow. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Innes has toured across Scotland, the UK and the globe, with credits on over 40 albums.
He is a familiar face at St Margaret’s Braemar, having performed with Kim Carnie and Sian this year, and is returning this October to perform with Staran on Friday 2nd October.
Wild Swimming
*You must register for your place to participate in this workshop. Limited places available.
When: Saturday 4th October at 9am
Meeting point: Outside Braemar Brewing Co.
Truly Immerse yourself in nature on this invigorating experience for the mind and body. This workshop will be led by Annie Armstrong, an experienced naturalist, wild swimmer and outdoor educator, grew up exploring the wild spaces around Braemar.
She created Wild Braemar to share her love and knowledge of the natural world, and her passion for conserving and restoring the wild beauty of Scotland. She is a qualified Open Water Swimming guide, outdoor first aider, a volunteer ranger for the Cairngorms National Park and a Forest School Leader.
Foraging
Tickets on sale soon!
When: Saturday 3rd October at 10am
Meeting point: Community well opposite The Fife Arms hotel
Natasha Lloyd, founder of Gathering Nature, is a qualified and highly experienced Medical Herbalist, Forager, Mycotherapist and Author, based in the Cairngorms National Park. Her passion for all things plants and herbs, started very young with gardening and discussions with her mum, alongside a copy of A Modern Herbal, by Mrs Grieves - a book which Natasha still uses today.
Natasha trained at the College of Phytotherapy and then at the University of East London, achieving a BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine in 2013. She has been practicing since qualifying as a medical herbalist, and have been teaching foraging for 21 years. Natasha is the in-house Forager at The Fife Arms in Braemar, offering bespoke Foraging experiences for the guests.
Floral Arranging
Tickets on sale soon!
When: Saturday 3rd October at 10am