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

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Chilly in the Highlands.

We have been enveloped in freezing fog for the past few days which has been blowing in from the North Sea, travelling along the Moray Firth and sweeping down the Great Glen. Temperatures during the day have stayed well below freezing with overnight temperatures of at least minus 10C in the Cairngorms. Today on the news it was stated that temps were minus 15C in the Highlands and a climber has been reported missing on Ben Nevis, but exactly why anybody would want to go out in these appalling conditions is beyond belief. Went into Inverness for a Tesco shop before Hogmanay - a bad move as it was completely manic. The good thing was the beautiful scenery as we travelled in and back.The frost was really thick on all the trees and vegetation and we felt as if we were driving through winter wonderland.
Enjoy the following slideshow of our journey.

posted by Lyn @ 4:48 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas reflections.

Woke up to a beautiful reflection on the loch on Christmas morning. Most of the snow on the mountains opposite has been washed away by the recent rains. As we were admiring the tranquil scene before us The Lord of the Glens cruise ship steamed right in front of
our window and disturbed the reflection. It doesn't usually come this side of the loch and we realised just how big the craft is. It travelled up to Urquhart Castle where it stayed for a long while, possibly while Christmas lunch was being served. Later in the afternoon it sailed back down towards Fort William and we gave everyone on board a seasonal wave.

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posted by Lyn @ 1:43 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Loch Torr an Tuill

Managed to fit a long walk in recently after the strong winds and rain had subsided. Walked into Farigaig Forest and up the hill to Loch Torr an Tuill or 'the wee pond' as it is affectionately known by locals. The reflection of the surrounding trees in the loch was amazing and we were pleased to find two new picnic benches had been installed there. It really is a very peaceful wee loch and a beautiful place for a picnic or just a breather after the uphill climb.









Continued on our uphill walk to the view point at the very top where we found another welcome bench. The forestry had recently been at work clearing alot of the tall pine tees allowing for a much better view of Loch Ness.Through the haze we could just make out Urquhart Castle on the opposite shore.

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posted by Lyn @ 3:33 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL


During 2008 we really enjoyed meeting and greeting all the guests who came to stay in our cottage. Some were new to us, some were old friends but you all helped change Aspenwood from being just a house into a happy home.
So our very BEST WISHES to;-

Sue & Neil,Lisa & Chris,Nigel,Margaret,Alex & Harriet,Steve & Barbara, Barbara,Phil,Andrew & Adam,Sharon,John,Megan & Cathie,Nigel,Sue & Kieran,Wayne,Rosie & Edward,Lynda & John,Chris & Annette,Pat & David,Liz,John,Alex & Dani,Simon & Nicola,Ravinder,Jasvinder,Kiren & Surinder,Ian & Liz,Carl & Marcia,Fiona, Gareth,Gareth & Laura,Mark,Tina,Sylvia & Eddie,Mike,Victoria,Max & Tess,Paul,Sarah,Adam & Lauren,Brian,Tracey,Scott & Hayley,Gill,Graham,Yasmin & Ethan,Richard,Gillian,Austen & Marcus,Tom & Mary,William & Julie,Kevin & Carol,Hazel & Russell,David,Jayne,Sean,Lauren & Naomi,Andrea & Tony,Elaine & Ian,Michael & Phoebe........not to mention all the delightful dogs some of you brought with you.

2008 really was the year of the red squirrel so thanks to all those who enjoyed watching their acrobatic antics from the lounge window and kindly donated to their nut fund.

Also to everyone who has stayed in Aspenwood in past years - and to those who just enjoy keeping up with the Cottage Diary - we wish you all GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR 2009.

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posted by Lyn @ 3:52 PM 0 comments

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Long tailed tits..

The colder winter weather heralds the arrival of the long tailed tits. These delightful birds are easily recognisable by their long black and white tail which is longer than their body. Their body is black and white with delicate pinkish tones with black button like eyes. They go about in noisy flocks of up to 20 birds. As we were watching the other birds gently feeding on the sunflower hearts a gang of long tailed tits suddenly flew out of the forest and descended on the fat ball hanging from the bird table until it was almost impossible to see any of the ball. After a few seconds they all zoomed off in a flurry of wings to the next feeding post.Check out more information on the long tailed tits and see them in action.

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posted by Lyn @ 3:23 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Bonnie the deer.

Drove to the shop at Drumblair for their lovely fresh free range eggs and also into Holm Village Shopping Centre opposite for our favourite Glenfiddich mince pies. Took the long route home via Inverarnie and past the sturdy herd of highland cattle out in the snowy fields.

The fields were much snowier here than we have experienced at home and the temperature was about minus 2C. Stopped to see Bonnie the rescued deer in her pen. She always comes racing over so fast when called by her name that it is difficult to actually take a photo of her. She loves human company and is so friendly and we always think it is absolutely magical to be able to stroke a deer at such close range.

See her in action and read her story and you will appreciate why she is so tame and lovable.

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posted by Lyn @ 7:33 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Especially for Flora and Ian.

Fresh fall of snow overnight covering the mountains opposite again after a heavy rainfall almost cleared them of snow. They really stand out against the cloudless blue sky this morning. It is very bright but very chilly with the strong possibility of a frost tonight.
Will sit by the fire tonight and toast your health.

posted by Lyn @ 12:04 PM 0 comments

Friday, December 05, 2008

Stag Party

Been a very cold week with a sharp frost lasting for most of the day accompanied by the odd flurry of snow. We did not have the terrific snowfall on Thursday that other parts of the UK experienced. Today it has been raining all day and rather gloomy. Just when we needed cheering up a magnificent stag suddenly crossed the driveway and munched on the grass at the front of the house. Not the best of photos due to the wet and dull weather.

posted by Lyn @ 3:46 PM 0 comments

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