Want to come along to the opening ceremony of our new community homes? Curious to hear about the new bug hotel in Hazelbank Woods? Or keen to find out how the Fun Run went at the weekend?
Then read on!
Opening Ceremony for Community Affordable Homes
As many of you will know, the new community homes have been a long-term ambition for Strathdearn. These homes have only been made possible thanks to the incredible support of our funders, partners, and stakeholders over the years, and we are so proud to see them now lived in and enjoyed by local people.
To mark this very special milestone for both our community and everyone who helped bring the project to life, we will be holding a short official opening ceremony on:
Thursday 28th May
11.00am
We would be absolutely delighted if the community could join us.
Pupils from Strathdearn Primary School will be helping to cut the ribbon, and there may be some media and a local photographer present to capture the moment – a celebration of what a small community can achieve together.
… and we also have a little surprise guest lined up!
Hazelbank Woodland🌿 What’s been going on?
Recent weeks have seen steady progress in Hazelbank Community Woodland, with a range of positive work underway.
Highland Council Nature Restoration Project
We’ve been working with the nursery to sow native wildflowers and grasses in our newly prepared beds in the woodland. This project aims to increase biodiversity and create a richer habitat for wildlife. It’s been great working the children who have been discovering different plant and insects varieties and supplied us with some lovely art work reflecting this to pop around the newly sown area.
In the woodland just now you’ll find lovely pockets of wood sorrel, violets and wood anemone brightening up the ground under the trees.
We have recently begun an Arboricultural Survey to look at tree health within the woodland, carried out by Andrew Potter. This focuses on the mature trees in higher-use amenity areas. As a result, some tree maintenance work may be required, but we will keep the community fully updated of any actions needed.
Encouragingly, there have been sightings of ground-nesting birds within the woodland. This is wonderful news and a sign that the area is supporting local wildlife. We kindly ask all visitors to be mindful of this, especially when walking dogs, and to keep them under close control during the summer months.
Unfortunately, dog mess continues to be an ongoing issue within the woodland. This space is shared by the whole community, including the school and nursery, and dog fouling has affected these groups. While we have looked into installing dog bins, this would come at a cost to the community. There are existing bins located near both entrances to the wood – Old Mill Road (at the park and next to the post box), the Hub and Ard Park. We ask all dog owners could please clean up after their pets and follow a “leave no trace” approach.
Some of you may have noticed an IBC unit installed in the recently planted Fruit and Nut area. This will allow the children to water and care for the heritage apple trees they helped plant. Volunteers have clad the IBC with pallets, and with support from John Orr, the after-school club will be transforming it into a creative “five-star hotel” for bugs and beasties.
It’s also worth a wee visit to see the first apple blossom from our early cropper, Tom Putt. The rest won’t be far behind if we get a bit more sunshine and warmer weather.
A huge thank you to all our volunteers for the hard work and time they dedicate to the woodland – it really makes a difference! We are always looking for more people to get involved, so if you’re interested, please get in touch with Louise at louiseramsay@strathdearn.org.
Youth, Health & Wellbeing News
Highlife Summer Camp 2026 – Save the dates!
Save the dates!
We are pleased to confirm the dates for this year’s Summer Camp:
Monday 3rd August – Friday 7th August
9am – 3pm daily
Class: P1 – P7
We know how tricky it can be for families to plan ahead for the summer holidays, so we worked early with High Life Highland to confirm the dates as soon as possible to help everyone plan ahead.
High Life Highland have not yet confirmed pricing, and bookings are currently not open – but we will share all the details with the community as soon as they are available.
A 50% SCD subsidy will be available for IV13 residents.
Kidz Club (term-time only)
As the warmer weather arrives this term, the coaches have been making the most of being outdoors with the children, introducing fun new activities including pickleball and disc golf — both of which have been a huge hit! ☀️🏓🥏
We are also excited to welcome back John Orr, the Countryside Ranger, who will be teaming up with Louise, our Woodland Coordinator, to run a special session building a BUG HOTEL in Hazelbank Woods — very exciting! 🐞🌿
Ranger Visit:
📅 Wednesday 3rd June
🕒 3.15pm – 5.15pm
We’ll also be organising a fun water play session in the playground this term with squirt guns and outdoor games 💦😄 Keep your eyes peeled for announcements on Facebook!
Kidz Club general information:
📅 Every term-time Wednesday afternoon
🕚 3:15pm – 6pm
📍 Strathdearn Primary School
After-school fun for primary school children, led by High Life Highland coaches at Strathdearn Primary School!
Open to all families with an IV13 postcode, Kidz Club runs every Wednesday from 3:15pm – 6:00pm. It’s a great chance for children to unwind, get active, and have fun in a safe, friendly environment.
With healthy snacks provided and no screen time, sessions are packed with activities including games, sports, Lego, crafts, and plenty of free play.
Plus, enjoy special visits from High Life Highland Countryside Rangers, where children can learn about local wildlife and nature in a hands-on, engaging way.
Come along, make friends, and join the fun!
To book:
Bookings can be made again via High Life Highland Bookings: https://booking.highlifehighland.com/programme/2
Please use the following activity codes when booking:
ACT003762 for P1–P3 Strathdearn Kids Club
ACT003763 for P4–P7 Strathdearn Kids Club
To register for your FREE account, please visit https://onlinejoining.highlifehighland.com/pay-as-you-go
Please ensure the account is created under your child’s name, otherwise the activity will not appear. Once registered, you will then be able to log in and book as above.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Matthew: matthew.allan@highlifehighland.com
Baby & Toddler Group
Bring your little ones along for playtime while you enjoy a cuppa and a chat with other local parents and carers!
📅 Every term-time Thursday morning
🕚 9.30am – 11.30am
📍 The Strathdearn Hub
Bookbug sessions
Bookbug brings the magic of songs, rhymes, puppets, and stories, and is part of a fantastic Scottish Book Trust programme that encourages story sharing to support children’s language, social skills, and overall development.
📅 Upcoming sessions dates: 18th June
P7s visit
The tots love when the P7s come to visit! Coby, Edie and Hugo do a wonderful job reading stories, playing games and of course, getting creative with the playdoh!
📅 Upcoming sessions: 28th May / 25th June
Teen Social Group
All 11 – 19 year olds welcome! Come along and challenge your pals to a game of badminton, pool or table tennis, or just enjoy having a space to hang out and chill.
Tasty snacks available 😋
Please note the club now runs as one combined group.
📅 Every term-time Friday evening
🕚7pm – 9.30pm
📍The Strathdearn Hub
The Snug
Come along and catch up with neighbours and friends, at The Snug!
Join us for a cuppa, a bite to eat, and a friendly catch-up in a warm, relaxed space..
📅 Every Tuesday & Friday
🕚10am – 3.45pm
📍The Strathdearn Hub
If you — or someone you know — would like to join us but need help with transport, please get in touch at enquiries@strathdearn.org and we will do our best to assist.
Strathdearn Primary School at The Snug
We were delighted to welcome pupils from Strathdearn Primary School at the Snug on last Friday with their chosen books!
It’s a joy to see different generations of Strathdearn coming together through reading, with older members of our community sharing their time, encouragement and experience with the younger ones.
These sessions will help build the pupils’ confidence and nurture a lifelong enjoyment of reading — and the warmth and support of the community makes it all the more special.
The students will be joining us for the final Friday Snug of each month from 11.30am–12pm.
Next dates: June 26th
Zumba at The Strathdearn – confirmed as permanent class!
We’re delighted to announce that thanks to the high attendance of Zumba during the 4-week pilot, it has now been confirmed as a permanent class!
This fun, energetic session is family-friendly, with children aged 8+ welcome to join in.
📅 Every Wednesday (beginning 10th June)
🕚 7pm – 8pm
📍 The Strathdearn Hub
Pilates at The Strathdearn
Pilates with Marina and Morna continues to be a community favourite! ✨
Come along to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and enjoy a full-body workout – suitable for all ages and abilities.
📅 Every Monday
🕚 11:15am – 12:15pm
📍 The Strathdearn Hub
Otago at The Strathdearn
Otago with Val is a gentle movement programme designed to help prevent trips and falls. It’s ideal for older adults and anyone returning to exercise. The class focuses on leg-strengthening and balance-retraining exercises that gradually progress in difficulty, and it also includes a walking plan that can be followed at home or in a group setting.
📅 Every Friday
🕚 10am – 10:45am
📍 The Strathdearn Hub
Pricing for High Life classes
✅ First class free for anyone who’d like to give it a try!
Included with a High Life membership:
- Family: £19.35/month (discounted from £42.99)
- Individual: £13.05/month (discounted from £28.99)
Or pay as you go:
- £8.55 per class (standard rate)
- £5.15 per class (over 60s)
ℹ️ For details on discounted membership: projects@strathdearn.org
📞 To book: 01479 813 140
💻 Or online: online.highlifehighland.com
High Life Highland Membership – Over 50% Discount for Families and Individuals
As a wellbeing member, High Life Highland will provide a 10% discount off the standard membership price as they would like to support and contribute to the Strathdearn Community’s health and wellness. Further to this, Strathdearn Community Developments have committed to fund 50% of your High Life membership, to support their residents residing in the postcode area of IV13.
This reduces the price of a family membership to £20.25 per month and £13.50 for an individual membership per month.
The highlife membership offers you and your family access to range of health and fitness opportunities in 28 leisure centres throughout the Highlands. The membership includes the following access/use:
• Swimming pools
• Leisure waters
• Fitness suites
• Strength and conditioning areas
• Fitness room/ Strength and conditioning inductions
• Swimming lessons for adults and children (term time)
• Extensive range of group fitness classes for all abilities and interests
• Running track
• Climbing walls
• Saunas, steam rooms and spa pools*
• Dynamic wellbeing activities and classes in partnership with NHS Highland
• Children’s activities
• Single court activities – badminton, pickleball, squash, table tennis etc.
• Discounts on personal training, private swimming lessons and small group fitness.
• Early entry to the popular School’s Out Activity Programme
*Please note there is an additional charge for the use of the Health Suite at Inverness Leisure.
To sign up or for more information, email projects@strathdearn.org or call 07703 328333.
Please note: All membership addresses will need to be verified as IV13 postcodes (i.e. utility bill dated in last 3 months) to benefit from SCD subsidy.
Bannatyne Health Club membership subsidy
IV13 residents can enjoy over 50% off for Bannatyne Health Club all-inclusive membership!
An all-inclusive membership with Bannatyne provides the opportunity for you to take advantage of their extensive health club facilities including swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi. There are several personalised services, including access to expert personal trainers and complimentary fitness evaluations when you join.
Further discounts include:
• 10% discount in the spa (Spa Days, Products, and Treatments)
• 10% discount in the café
• 10% discount on retail products
• 50% off the first spa treatment
Price: £20 / month (discounted from £46.99 / month + no joining fee)
For more information on all that Bannatyne can offer, visit the website: www.bannatyne.co.uk/health-club/inverness
To sign up or for more information, email projects@strathdearn.org or call 07703 328333.
Please note: All membership addresses will need to be verified as IV13 postcodes (i.e. utility bill dated in last 3 months) to benefit from SCD subsidy.
Community eBikes
Explore the area on one of the community’s eBikes – for free!
Thanks to our partnership with The Strathdearn, SCD is continuing to fund a 2-week free trial for all local residents. Just pop into the Hub and take an eBike out for a spin!
Already used up your free trial days? No problem – locals can still enjoy discounted rates at just £15 per day.
We now have handy route cards available, showcasing some of the best local day trips – perfect for a bit of adventure.
And for families, we have got Kids Ride Shotgun attachments (suitable for ages 2–5), so your little ones can come along for the ride too!
To book:
- email: enquiries@strathdearn.org
- or complete online form https://thestrathdearn.org/hire-an-e-bike/
- or call 01808 511700
Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConneXions
SCD team have collaborated with Badenoch & Strathspey Community ConneXions (BSCX) to help support this important service which extends to the people of Strathdearn. Local volunteers are required for BSCX to be able to accept referrals within our area.
If you think you could spare an hour or two to help your community who may need just a chat or a call to say hello, please contact the BSCX office on 01479 810004 or visit Community Transport | Badenoch And Strathspey Community Connxions | Aviemore (bscx.co.uk) (https://www.bscx.co.uk/)
Community Events
THANK YOU
Community Fun Run – Saturday 23rd May 2026
What an incredible day at the Strathdearn Fun Run
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took part, supported, volunteered, marshalled, donated, and cheered along the route. The event was a fantastic success, and it was wonderful to see everyone come together from across the community, alongside so many new faces visiting from outwith the area.
Congratulations to all our runners — and especially to our overall category winners:
10K Winners
Adult Male – Donnie MacDonald (#100) – 39:00
Adult Female – Tracy Philip (#63) – 49:27
Child Male U16 – Tom Hulse (#47) – 43:12
Child Female U16 – Thalia Dicken (#74) – 1:26:31
5K Winners
Adult Male – Fraser Bigham (#93) – 26:47
Adult Female – Andrea Fitter (#12) – 31:03
Child Male U16 – Freddie Carter (#37) – 24:01
Child Female U16 – Isla Bigham (#001) – 38:52
Well done to every single runner who crossed the finish line — whether you were racing for a PB, fundraising, or simply taking part for fun, you all made the day special.
We would also like to say a massive thank you to all the local businesses who kindly donated prizes for our raffle, helping make the day even more special.
Special thanks also to:
Tastes of Tomatin for providing the burgers after the race.
Runningimp for our personalised T-shirts.
Trophiesplusmedals for our medals and trophies.
Rachel & James for kindly allowing us to use their fantastic running route around Balvraid.
We are absolutely delighted to share that we raised an amazing £1487.83 for MND Scotland through our raffle and donations – thank you so much to everyone who contributed!
Your generosity truly means the world, and we are so grateful for the incredible support shown towards such an important cause.
Save the date! Our next fun run will take place on Saturday 22nd May 2027 – we hope to see you all there!
Spring Food, Drink & Craft Market – Saturday 30th May 2026
A showcase of talented vendors and kids’ entertainment.
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
11am – 3pm
Free entry
Summer Fun Day – Saturday 13th June 2026:
Our Annual Summer Fun Day is BACK!
Family entertainment from 4pm – 7pm
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
Get ready for an afternoon filled with family fun!
Free entry
4pm – 7pm:
Bouncy castles
Rodeo bull
Fire engine visit
Face painting
Circus & balloon workshop
Reptile handling
PLUS! VR Reality Sessions – £5 per person
A brilliant extra add on for kids (and grownups!) who love immersive gaming.
Stalls and extras available:
Homebaking stall
Pick n Mix stall
Hot food available
Licensed bar throughout the day
From 7pm – 11:30pm:
Enjoy free entry to come along, have a drink, and sing and dance the night away with the amazing “City Limits” band!
It’s shaping up to be an incredible community day — hope to see you all there!
Bounce in the MUGA – Thursday 2nd July 2026:
School’s out for summer!
All Strathdearn children are invited to the MUGA on Thursday 2nd July from 12pm to bounce to their hearts’ content as soon as the school bell rings for the summer holidays.
Free entry
Pick ’n’ mix and juices will also be available to buy.
Come celebrate the start of the holidays with us
Hoedown at the Hub – Saturday 15th August 2026:
Yeehaw! We’re inviting everyone to dress up in their best Country & Western outfits and join us for a toe‑tapping Hoedown at The Hub.
4:00pm – 11:30pm
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
Get ready for an unforgettable night of country fun featuring:
~ Shania Twain & Dolly Parton tribute acts
~ Line dancing classes (no experience needed!)
~ Rodeo bull – unlimited rides included
~ Hot food provided
~ Licensed bar
~ DJ playing country classics & party tunes
Tickets:
- Adults: £15
- Children: £5
All tickets include line dancing class, unlimited use of the rodeo bull, and hot food.
If you would like to come along, please complete the google form by clicking the link below
or tickets available at The Strathdearn office (opening hours 10am – 4pm) Monday – Friday.
Dust off your boots, grab your Stetson, and join us for a night of music, dancing, and country‑style fun for all ages!
Flower Show – Saturday 5th September 2026
Strathdearn Primary School are joining up with Strathdearn Community Developments for this year’s Flower Show!
Venue: Strathdearn Primary School
We’re excited to invite you to our Flower Show Fundraiser in support of Strathdearn Primary School! Come along for a great community day full of colour, creativity, and tasty treats.
Entry Details (Local Residents Only)
Entries accepted: 9:30am – 10:30am
Judging begins: 11:00am
Open to the public: from 12:00pm
Food & Refreshments:
~ Soup & Sweet: £5 per person
~ Tea/Coffee: £2 per person
Trophy Presentation & Raffle: 1:30pm
Optional Sales Table:
All entrants will have the opportunity to put their items up for sale after judging. Every penny raised will go directly to supporting Strathdearn Primary School.
Bring your blooms, enjoy a bite to eat, and help us raise funds for a brilliant local cause.
We can’t wait to see you there!
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SCD Events Team
SCD Events Team
Tastes of Tomatin Café & Shop Updates
Busy Start to the Summer Season
May has continued to be an extremely busy and positive month for Tastes of Tomatin Café & Shop, with both footfall and takings continuing to trend strongly upwards as the tourism season gets fully underway. Figures remain significantly ahead of the same period last year, reflecting continued growth across the business.
Alongside the increase in visitors, we continue to see exceptionally strong support from local workmen, particularly on Friday mornings. While this trade remains hugely important to the café, the tendency for large groups to arrive at once places considerable pressure on the kitchen and front of house operations during peak breakfast periods, something we continue to find workable solutions for.
Menu Performance
The simplified menu introduced earlier in the year continues to perform extremely well, both operationally and commercially.
🌭 Fresh homemade sausage rolls continue to fly out the door
🥪 Strong demand for sandwiches and grab-and-go items
🍰 Homemade baking remains extremely popular although difficult to keep up with
The streamlined offering is proving both profitable and more manageable during an exceptionally busy trading period.
Operational Changes
Operationally the business continues to face significant challenges due to staffing pressures and the sheer volume of trade now being experienced daily.
As a result, Mondays have moved to reduced operations, with the kitchen closed while still offering:
✔️ Homemade sausage rolls
✔️ Sandwiches
✔️ Cakes and traybakes
✔️ Hot drinks
All prepared in advance the previous evening and baked fresh on the day.
This change has proven to be both operationally necessary and commercially important. Reduced Monday operations have allowed essential members of the team to take much-needed time off while also creating valuable time for preparation, cleaning, and operational catch-up.
Encouragingly, despite the reduced offering, Monday takings have remained extremely strong with very little noticeable decline in customer demand. This continued support from both locals, workmen and visitors is playing a hugely important role in allowing the café to continue operating sustainably under current pressures.
Staffing Update
The arrival of new chef Chris Junor has helped ease some of the operational pressure within the kitchen and wider operation. Joining an exceptionally busy environment with extended service periods and very limited designated preparation time has presented a significant challenge, but Chris has already become a welcome addition to the team.
Over time, it is hoped that his impact will allow the café to become better equipped to deal with ongoing operational pressures and help reduce some of the current staffing shortages in key areas.
Despite this improvement, staffing remains a troublesome at times and the overall workload across the café, kitchen, and shop continues to be extremely high.
Community Support & Events
The café was pleased to support the SCD Fun Run on 23rd May, providing burgers and refreshments for those attending the event. The day was very well received and represented another positive example of the café continuing to support local community events.
Ongoing involvement with SCD activities remains both highly valued by the team and an important additional revenue stream for the business.
The café has also continued to regularly provide catering support for local groups and businesses, including smaller lunches and catering orders, all of which contribute positively to the overall operation.
Supper Club Update
The monthly Supper Club continues to evolve as the team works to establish the best long-term format for the event. While recent evenings have varied in attendance, feedback from those who have attended has remained extremely positive, with customers continuing to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and home-cooked offering. The team is continuing to assess how best to structure an evening supper offering that can consistently attract sufficient footfall to be commercially sustainable while remaining appealing to customers.
Social Media & Customer Feedback
Customer feedback overall remains exceptionally encouraging, both in person and online.
⭐ Google reviews remain very positive
👏 Strong feedback on food quality and service
📈 Continued growth in visibility and customer engagement
Social media activity has recently been handed over to Helen, who has done a fantastic job despite a recent period of absence due to ill health. This work is already beginning to show positively in online engagement and visibility, with further details due to be reported separately within the newsletter.
Coffee Loyalty Card
Don’t forget to pick one up next time you’re in! Collect 6 stamps and get a free coffee!
Local Loyalty Card
Residents can enjoy 10% off with a valid community loyalty card — don’t forget to use it!
Tastes of Tomatin – Opening Hours
Shop: 8.30am – 5pm
Café: Monday – Sunday, 9.30am – 4pm
🕞 Last food orders at 3.30pm
☕ Coffee and cakes available until 4pm
📞 To get in touch, call 01808 517230 and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Join the Board!
We are looking for new volunteers to join the Strathdearn Community Development / White River Trading boards. If you care about what is happening locally and want to help shape future projects, we would love to hear from you!
The commitment is now very manageable — just a 2hour meeting every two months, along with keeping on top of emails between meetings. No special experience needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to share your ideas.
We are particularly keen to welcome younger adults and more women onto the board so we can make sure a wide mix of voices and perspectives are represented when making decisions for our community.
If you are interested, or even just a bit curious, you can apply or ask for more information by emailing info@strathdearn.org (mailto:info@strathdearn.org) . It would be fantastic to have some new faces around the table!
The Strathdearn Community Developments Team
