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North Hop Festive Market @ House of Schivas - VISITORS GUIDE

Tuesday 17th December 2019

ONLY 5 MORE SLEEPS until our rather exciting Festive Market at the stunning House of Schivas in rural Aberdeenshire!

This is the first ever festive event we have run and we are delighted with the line up we have managed to put together for it and the response from folk and local businesses. At this time of year, more than ever we feel is is critical to 'support local' and that's exactly what you'll be able to do at this event...from items for the Christmas table to last-minute gifts, festive tipples and stocking fillers...

Outside the house in the courtyard area you will find a number of street food vendors serving up some festive treats (including pigs in blankets wraps, wood fired pizzas, vegan cheese toasties and venison burgers), a horsebox bar serving up mulled drinks, cold beers, gin, fizz and more, and a converted Land Rover taking care of all your hot drink needs (including loaded luxury hot chocolates). And next to these vendors you'll find a marquee set up for festive kids crafts to keep the wee ones occupied (small fee applies) and a heated marquee with a cosy seating area and live music (see stage times below).

Inside the house you will get a chance to explore the ground floor and first floor rooms finding market traders and another bar (spirits and cocktails) located in each, giving a cosy and unique market feel to the house. Upstairs in the 'red room' you will find Santa (yes Santa!) cosied up by the fire reading stories for big kids and little kids alike! Each of our vendors have been carefully handpicked to give an amazing range of products and gifts that are perfect for Christmas!

Below we have given a bit of a summary of all key FAQs, our awesome vendors, the entertainment/activities line up and other useful info. Hopefully see you all at House of Schivas this weekend to welcome the Christmas celebrations in true North Hop style! 🎄 

KEY INFO:

Opening Times: 11am till 7pm on Sunday 22nd December. Last entry 6pm.

Tickets: This event is ticketed, advance tickets are available to avoid the queues and guarantee entry! Adults only £4 + BF (£5 on door) include glass of fizz/soft drink, Kids under 12 go FREE. Limited tickets will be available on the door, cash only. 

50% off all ticket sales go direct to House of Schivas to support their ongoing upkeep and development of the house and large estate.

Getting There/Away: Unfortunately no public transport runs direct to House of Schivas, however local taxi company Sorrells Taxis have very kindly provided us with special rates for getting to/from the venue! Tarves £10 (1 - 4 pax), £15 (5 - 8 pax). Methlick £9 (1 - 4 pax), £13 (5 - 8 pax). Ellon £18 (1 - 4 pax), £25 (5 - 8 pax). All prices quoted are one way, please call 07887 556299 or email booking@sorrellstaxis.com in advance to book. We do also have plenty of ace non-alcoholic drink options on offer (including mulled drinks and hot chocolates) for the designated drivers plus plenty of yummy food to keep them contented! For those coming by car use the postcode AB41 7TN then follow the small House of Schivas signs to the house and parking area. Please drive carefully on your approach to the house as families and pets live on the estate.

Parking: Parking is available on site just a short walk from the house. Accessible parking will be available right next to the house, please report to a member of staff at registration on arrival to get access.

Money, Money, Money:
 Mobile signal can be very limited at House of Schivas and wifi intermittent within the house so please ensure you take plenty of cash with you encase vendors have difficulties with their card readers! There are no cash machines within the close vicinity, and please note that on the door ticket sales are cash only!

Dogs:
 Dogs are most welcome at this event (in both indoor and outdoor areas) but please ensure they remain on a lead at all times, and please clean up after them! Drinking water will be readily available.

Children:
 This event is very child friendly and there's plenty of space for them to run around and explore! There will be plenty of choice food and drinks wise for them to enjoy (most food vendors will do kids portion sizes if you ask), we have Santa for them to meet and we will also have a full marquee set up outside for them to enjoy some Christmas crafts (small fee applies)...

Seating:
 Due to the nature of the house being a family home seating in the house itself will be limited with just a few cosy seating areas here and there, however we have set up a dedicated heated marquee outside to create a bit more seating for folk to enjoy their food/drink and the music from. And we are also more than happy for you to bring along your own camping chairs for the day.

Guided House Tours:
 A special house tour will run at 10am prior to doors opening if there is enough demand. Learn about the 5 families who made Schivas their home and their influence on it's architecture. And hear about an ex-communication, the devastating fire and the ghost of Mary Grey who walks the castle still! Now in private ownership, hear all about the exciting plans the family and team have for the house and estate to secure it's future. The tour will cost £10 per adult, and £5 per kid (cash on arrival) and must be booked in advance. Please email nicola@schivas.com if interested or drop us a message here or on our social channels.

Meet the Local Reindeer: Whilst we couldn't manage to get Santa's reindeer right to the door  at House of Schivas for our Festive Market a little birdie has told us that he keeps them at Ythanbank Reindeer, just down the road! So why not take the kids to meet Santa's lovable reindeer herd and other farm animals on your way to the market!? A perfect way to increase the festive feels even further!

Vendor Line Up: 
Smoke & Soul Food (wood-fired soul food + smoked meats to take away), Foodstory (vegan cheese toasties & chilli), Haydn’s Woodfired Pizza (wood-fired pizzas), A Taste of The Wild (local game burgers + local game to take away), Highland Boundary (spirits, liqueurs & cocktails), The Drouthy Mare (mulled drinks, gin, cider, beers & fizz + gift packs to take home), Udny Provender (local honey, shrubs & vinegars), Surya Luna (natural skin & body care), The Wee Hemp Company (CBD infused products & spirits), Little Blue Artworks (hand felted creations + felting kits), Pure Decadence by Loch Aurora (flavoured fudge, tablet & rocky road), Loch Ness Knitting (hand-dyed yarns, yarn kits & knitted items), Bakeology with Matt (fresh baked breads, festive cakes and festive hampers), Aberdeenshire Highland Beef (pop-up butchery), North Hop Dad (up cycled wood/cones items + deer warning devices), Woodland Trust (woodland walk suggestions & awareness), Rudi Art (dog collars, bandanas & natural treats), Stonehaven Candle Co (luxury scented candles & melts), Serenity Jewellery (jewellery pieces), Flahute Coffee Co (artisan coffees & hot drinks), Methlick Scouts (local group selling calendars & yearbooks).

Entertainment & Activities Line Up:
 12.30pm - Claire Brown (1hr), 2pm - Fyvie Folk Club (1hr), 3.30pm - Blair Mcleod (1hr), 5pm - Fyvie Folk Club (30mins), Kids Christmas Crafts (small fee), Fireside Stories w/ Santa (11am till 4pm), Guided House Tours (10am - £10 adults, £5 kids, must be pre-booked, see above).