This coming weekend, St Margaret’s Braemar invites audiences to immerse themselves Amongst the Trees – in a three-day celebration of art, craft, film, music and mindful connection to our natural world.
‘Amongst the Trees’ is a series of creative and collaborative events, exploring 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.
Paul Anderson
Running from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 June, the programme brings together environmental artists, traditional musicians, craftspeople, yoga practitioners and nature experts in an interdisciplinary exploration of trees and their cultural, emotional and environmental significance.
At the heart of the weekend is “Forest”, a new hand-cut paper installation by environmental artist Stevi Benson, exhibited inside A-listed arts venue St Margaret’s. The work, intricately carved and gently suspended, captures the quiet power and complexity of ancient woodland ecosystems.
Friday evening launches the programme with Benson’s exhibition opening, followed by the Scottish premiere of “Ash Rise: Woodland to Workshop”, a meditative short film by filmmaker and woodworker Tom Addy, documenting the journey of a tree from forest floor to crafted object.
Katy Fennema
The weekend continues with a rich mix of creative workshops, music, and outdoor learning:
- Yoga sessions led by Victoria Mackie and Fiona Anfield provide grounding starts to each day.
- Hands-on craft workshops include birch-bark-inspired band weaving and cordage-making using foraged plant fibres, led by Coo Hill Studio.
- Traditional music on Saturday night with a live performance by acclaimed duo Paul Anderson and Shona Donaldson.
- Nature-based sessions include a guided tree walk at Balmoral with Head Gardener Kirsty Wilson, and a reflective “To the Trees” journey with guide Katy Fennema.
All activities are designed to help participants rediscover a sense of connection with trees - not only as natural resources but as living, breathing presences woven through Scotland’s cultural memory and future resilience.
Tickets are available now at https://www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk/events-calendar/amongst-the-trees