Cottage Diary - Aspenwood self catering luxury Holiday Cottage overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland.

Our guests coming to Aspenwood for the Christmas week are keen Sheffield Wednesday fans. On Wednesday 27th December our local Inverness Scottish Premiership team are playing at home to Rangers FC. Ray has managed to get 2 tickets for the match so that he and Steve can watch the Caley Jags thrash Rangers!!! That is the good news.
The bad news is that the football stadium is facing the Moray Firth and the kick off is at 8 in the evening in the middle of Winter. Barbara and I shall be thinking of them as we sup a few glasses of Christmas cheer in the warm. Come on the Jags!!!!
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Took a chance believing the weather forecast and drove through Inverness and north west up to Glen Affric. This has a reputation as being one of the most beautiful glens in all of Scotland although sadly it is often bypassed by Great Glen travellers. It is well worth the excursion to see rushing rivers gushing through Glenaffric forest and opening out onto an island studded Loch Affric. The surrounding forest contains some of the oldest natural Caledonian pinewoods and birchwoods making it attractive to a variety of wildlife. A break in the clouds showed us the true beauty of this area as the loch reflected the trees and surrounding hills in the autumn sunshine even though it was rather chilly. After a picnic we were glad to walk briskly along one of the less strenuous forest paths leading down to the river Affric. As we walked beside the river we were lucky enough to spot a dipper, easily recognizable by its white puffed up chest, perched on an outcrop jutting out into the river. It preened itself for a long while and then suddenly plunged into the water to search for food along the river bed. Many birds, insects and mammals, including the elusive otter, thrive in and beside rivers in the Glen Affric Reserve. The river can be a mighty torrent when in full spate and the evidence can be seen in the erosion of the tree roots and rocks along the banks. The glen is hemmed in by Munro mountains which are now topped with snow. A round journey of about 140 miles and well worth it to see such a magical place almost on our doorstep.

A beautiful bright and breezy morning so after a hearty breakfast we set off on a brisk bracing walk. We strolled along the path at the front of our house with Loch Ness lapping at the shore on our right, through the woods over the stile and up to the road. Turned right along the single track road for about 100 metres and then turned sharp left passing Easter Boleskine house. The view from the top looking down onto Loch Ness sweeping west towards Fort Augustus is always quite magnificent but even better in the autumn sunshine.
Ray was striding out ahead while I wandered aimlessly along snapping happily away with my camera. The undergrowth was still alive with late mushrooms and toadstools which is unusual for this time of the year. Although it was windy it was still quite mild for November, the temperature is still in double figures. No overnight frost so far.
As we strolled quietly along a red squirrel darted across the path just in front of us. It scampered up a fir tree and then posed for the camera. We see alot of native red squirrels in the coniferous woodlands around the house which is a favourite food source for them. They frequent the nut feeders at Aspenwood and have been seen by guests running along the top bar of the fence to get to them. Guests can sit in the lounge and enjoy this sight from the comfort of an armchair. Unlike the grey squirrel, which is absent in the Highlands, the red squirrel does not hibernate. Continued our walk through Farigaig Forest. The sun was streaming down on the rocky outcrop of Dun Dearduil, the site of an ancient iron-age fort. Back home after our 5 mile stretch for a special coffee and a mince pie.

This wonderful sight met our eyes as we returned home from Inverness. It was about 4 in the afternoon and the sun was just going down over the mountains surrounding Loch Ness.
To enjoy more views of Loch Ness, the surrounding area and the elusive red squirrel visit our Video Gallery. There are now 7 new videos to view...Enjoy.