‘Amongst the Trees’ is a series of creative and collaborative events that explore our co-existence with trees. The fragility of our environment and ecological issues will be discussed alongside considering the positive impact trees have on our wellbeing. Creatives from different disciplines invite us to look closely at our surroundings and see our precious trees and forests in new ways, explore and express their beauty and listen to the stories that they have to tell.
Friday 13th June
6pm - 7pm
‘Forest’ by Stevi Benson- Exhibition Opening
A fascination with Trees
A forest is a bustling community, buzzing with communication. Established and thriving symbiotic relationships that provide shelter and home for life in the habitat. Trees provide the air that we breathe.
They perceive time, space, and the planet in a way in which we cannot.
I live among the trees and feel connected, they become familiar, dear friends. I observe their slow life, their gentle existence and their beautiful structures. My work takes a long time to create, the slow quiet way in which I work feels connected and reflective of the way that trees glide through time. Changes that are almost imperceivable, subtly growing year after year.
I hope to capture a moment in the time of these giant friends of ours and inspire more of us to fall in love with them. To care for them beyond the commodity which they provide to us.
Inspired by the patterns and structures of plants, trees and insects, Stevi creates intricate drawings and cut paper artworks. Each piece is cut by hand using a surgical scalpel. Describing the process as meditative, these labour intensive pieces explore the macroscopic details of the flora and fauna in our landscape. Stevi grew up in Tighnabruaich on the west coast of Scotland. She studied Environmental Art at Glasgow School of Art before working in post production. She has also spent several years working at sea. Now based in the Cairngorms National Park, Stevi works from her home studio on the banks of the River Muick.
St Margaret’s Braemar
Free
The exhibition will run for 2 weeks until Saturday 28th June
‘Shelter’ by Stevie Benson
7.30pm - 8.30pm
‘Ash Rise: Woodland to Workshop’ screening with Tom Addy
Village Hall Braemar
Free
https://www.scottishfurnituremakers.org.uk/news-events/coming-soon-ash-rise-feature-documentary/
Saturday 14th June
9am - 10.30am
Living Symmetry Yoga with Victoria Mackie
St Margaret’s Braemar
£15
A dynamic yoga flow through the mirrored patterns of body and nature - where breath, form and forest align.
(Everyone welcome, all levels flow) Please bring your own yoga mat.
10am - 5pm
Green Ash Demonstration with Tom Addy
Tor Workshop
Free
2pm - 4.30pm
*SOLD OUT* Learn to Weave a Simple Band with Coo Hill Studio
St Margaret’s Braemar
£30
Inspired by the colours and patterns of bark on our beautiful birch trees, we will learn to weave simple bands using natural fibres such as wool, linen and cotton yarns. We will use simple wooden heddles and weaving tools to learn about warp faced weaving and all tools, materials and instruction will be provided. If the weather is nice, we might even take our weaving outside and create the tension for our weaving the traditional way... using a tree!
Playing with nature and making with our hands have both been shown to be soothing and wonderful for our wellbeing... let's do both!
7.30pm
Amongst the Trees Concert with Paul Anderson and Shona Donaldson
St Margaret’s
£15
We’re delighted to welcome Paul Anderson and Shona Donaldson back to the St Margaret’s stage as part of our Amongst the Trees weekend! This much-loved duo brings together Paul’s masterful fiddle playing and Shona’s rich, heartfelt vocals in a celebration of traditional Scottish music.
Sunday 15th June
9am - 10.30am
Yin Yoga Ground Down and Connect with Fiona Anfield
St Margaret’s Braemar
£15
Yin yoga is another form of Hatha Yoga where poses are held for long periods of time with relaxed passive muscles and deep breathing. Yin focuses on connective tissue, joint health and the fascia in the body. It soothes the nervous system, reduces stress and releases muscle tension.
10am - 5pm
Green Ash Demonstration with Tom Addy
Tor Workshop
Free
11am - 1pm
Learn to Make Cordage with Foraged Plant Fibres with Coo Hill Studio
St Margaret’s Braemar
£30
In this relaxed and friendly, tactile workshop, we will experiment with different foraged plant fibres to find out about their properties for weaving and textiles and we will learn to make cordage - the most useful nature craft skill! You can try your hand at making cordage with a variety of natural and found materials and also then begin to stitch your cordage into a useful coasters or small basket. Playing with nature and making with our hands have both been shown to be soothing and wonderful for our wellbeing... let's do both!
2pm - 3.30pm
Balmoral’s Trees with Kirsty Wilson (Head of Gardens at Balmoral)
Meeting at Balmoral front gates.
£25
A tour of Balmoral’s new trees with head of Gardens Kirsty Wilson.
This will cover tree selection, planting design, planting advice and aftercare. King Charles vision for the garden and love of trees for wildlife and seasonal interest.
