A festival marking the 250th anniversary of Grantown will be a celebration for local people that aims to attract visitors from throughout the UK – and beyond.
Seafield & Strathspey Estates are sponsoring Grantown 250, a special festival to mark the 250 year anniversary of Grantown on Spey over a week from June 21 for 28.
With a packed programme of activities and attractions drawing in people from throughout the Highlands and Moray, the festival will be based on seven themes – heritage, environment, tourism, trade, music, food and sport.
Among the many events on offer for both participants and spectators will be sporting demonstrations, competitions. That will include challenges such as cycling and golf, food and drink celebrations through gala dinners, banquets, buffets, barbecues, tastings – and even a historic pub crawl.
Musical performances featuring all genres from jazz to pop, gospel to folk and country to classical, with hotels, bars and cafes alive with music. Farming and forestry will be represented as well as old crafts such as woodworking, weaving and needlework.
Visitors will also enjoy a spectacle of flowers, drama and fashion, films, exhibitions, quizzes and history with many of the events taking place in period costume.
The aim of Grantown 250 is to provide information, interest and entertainment for all, while providing a boost for the Grantown economy and to leave a lasting legacy for the town.
Seafield & Strathspey Estates chief executive Will Anderson said: “The family name of the Earl of Seafield is Ogilvie-Grant. In 1765 James Grant had a village marked out in lots on a barren moor.
“He was affectionately known as ‘the good Sir James’ after he responded to a severe crop failure and famine in the late 1700s by selling his fine Edinburgh townhouse to buy and distribute grain among the starving of Strathspey.
“The village was named after him, so it seems only fitting that the Estate should become a major sponsor of the festival.
“The Estate is very proud to be involved in the event and wishes all involved a huge success.”
To find out more about the food fair people can email info@grantown250.org or visit www.grantown250.org.