Cottage Diary

Stag in the snow.

2010-03-09T17:42:00.002Z

On the way to Daviot today we spotted this magnificent stag illuminated against the glistening white background. The fields on either side of the road to Daviot are still covered in quite thick snow even though the area around our house on the banks of Loch Ness is now finally clear after a very long winter. We wondered just when the snow will finally disappear from these fields on the higher ground. From Daviot we turned right onto the A9 and took a trip down to Pitlochry.....but that is for another day.

Inverness.

2010-03-05T11:55:00.005Z

Inverness is the 'capital of the Highlands' and was designated a city status in 2000. The River Ness flows from Loch Ness through the centre of the city and out to the Moray Firth. There are a significant number of churches on both banks and the snow capped mountain of Ben Wyvis can be seen to the north.
The city itself is dominated by the red sand stone castle proudly overlooking the river.
The present building only dates from about 1836 but it was built on the site of an original 11th century defensive structure. It is not open to the public and is used as the Sheriff Court.

Opposite the castle is St Andrews Episcopal Cathedral which was intended by its architects to be one of the grandest buildings in Scotland. However, funds ran out before the giant twin spires of the original design could be complete so hence the rather unfinished appearance. Next to the Cathedral is the new Eden Court Theatre which we have been entertained in a few times. Cross over the Ness on one of the many bridges and you can walk along Ness Bank with hotels and restaurants looking out onto the river. Our favourite is 'Contrast' Restaurant which we just have to visit now and again to see if the food and service is kept up to standard....and we can report that it was.
See a more detailed history of Inverness.

Moray Firth Dolphins.

2010-03-01T11:59:00.003Z

The guests who came to visit us last week during the blizzard also braved the elements during their holiday and went to Chanonry Point on the Black Isle where they were lucky enough to see about 15 bottlenose dolphins.
It is one of the best dolphin spotting sites in Europe with a large resident population of bottlenose dolphins.
Chanonry Point is a spit of sand that juts out into a narrow but deep channel of the Moray Firth opposite Fort George. Here different currents converge bringing fish close to the surface and thus the dolphins close to the shore. Prime dolphin spotting time is the hour or so before high tide as the dolphins come in on the tide in their hunt for food.

Bottlenose dolphins are very adept at leaping clear of the water often in unison with other dolphins in their group and can sometimes put on a spectacular display. Although we have been to Chanonry Point several times we have not always been lucky enough to see them as they cannot be guaranteed to show. Even so - there are picnic tables to sit at and enjoy lunch while watching and hoping for them to appear.

Angie, Michael and Nikki kindly sent me these photos to use.....so thanks very much.

Dores beach covered in snow.

2010-02-27T15:04:00.005Z

A very chilly week which culminated in a spectacular blizzard which lasted all day last Thursday. Snow fell in bucket loads and the wind blew it everywhere but we felt really cosy to be inside in the warm talking to guests with a few welcome glasses to keep the spirits up. We wondered what we would wake up to on Friday morning as we needed to go into Inverness. The local radio station reported warnings of school closures, the A9 was shut down to Perth and no trains or planes were operating due to the extreme weather conditions and we suddenly felt isolated. As we cautiously looked out of the bedroom window we were very pleased to see that the area around the house was not too badly covered so we ventured into town, not quite knowing if we would get there or back. The top road had been gritted and was fine if driven with care. After our business in Inverness we came back and stopped at the village of Dores at the eastern end of Loch Ness. The beach was covered in snow and it looked very strange and so different from the normal vision of the famous crescent beach. The Dores Inn looked very inviting but we decided to leave that for another day and head back to the safety of home.

Journey along the Daviot road to home.

2010-02-24T12:33:00.003Z

We took the long scenic route home from Cawdor by turning off the A9 at Daviot and followed the road all the way home to Inverfarigaig. The sky was clear blue and the snowy scenery was magnificent .....so enjoy the journey.

BrodieCountryfare

2010-02-23T18:07:00.004Z

The thick frost and ice on the ground with temperatures well below zero did not put us off driving into Inverness for our shopping. We decided to have an awayday so we drove out of the city and onto the A96, passing through the quaint seaside town of Nairn. We aimed for the BrodieCountryfare, about 20 miles out of Inverness which we had not visited for some time. We were surprised to find both the car parks almost full and the place was heaving. The complex was very busy as it is a favourite haunt for tourists purchasing amazing gifts to take back home. There is also a food hall and deli with shelves full of Walkers scrumptious products and a restaurant which was just too busy and buzzing for us. We came out and drove home passing by this amazing railway viaduct with the backdrop of snow covered fields and clear blue skies - an omen of another chilly night with an amazing show of star constellations. We somehow managed to fall into the Cawdor Tavern on the way back home where we enjoyed a fish and chip lunch by the roaring fire. The road back via Daviot was stunningly beautiful but that is another story........so watch this space.

Silver and Gold.

2010-02-19T11:46:00.003Z

The snow returned this week and is still lying thickly on the higher ground although it has melted on lower ground . The mountains opposite and the high fields are covered again. It has also been very frosty at night and the freezing temperature continues throughout the day. The clear night sky allows for a good showing of the stars and the silver crescent moon reflected in the water of Loch Ness. The new fence has now been completed at the front of Aspenwood with a specially designed platform along the top for the birds and red squirrels to play on - also useful to rest a glass of wine on in the evening looking out at the view. The birds were very pleased to find their feeders back in position. Last Saturday we saw a pair of goldfinches on the nut feeders on the old fence so we will treat them to a new niger feeder - their favourite food - and will hang it on the new fence this weekend.

New 360 Tour.

2010-02-16T11:19:00.006Z

The new 360 Tour is now on the website giving potential guests a very good idea of the design of the rooms. We are very impressed by the prompt reply from Alba Tours who came to Aspenwood last Friday to take the photos and also by our webmaster who put it onto the site.
So sit back and take a virtual stroll around the cottage interior by clicking on 360 Tours underneath this Cottage Diary.
A little note for our guests arriving this Saturday.....we are surrounded by snow again so bring your wellies.

Sunset over Loch Ness.

2010-02-12T18:12:00.004Z

Witnessed this beautiful sunset reflected in the water of Loch Ness the other evening and we went out to watch the ever changing colours in the sky and in the water. Had thick coats on as it was below freezing but the 'wee dram' clasped tightly in our hands helped keep us warm inside.

New look for Aspenwood lounge.

2010-02-08T17:23:00.003Z

The lounge at Aspenwood has now been refurbished and is ready for our first guests of 2010 who arrive this Saturday. The new carpet and the 3 piece suite are looking fresh and bright and are now complemented by a new see through coffee table, a matching nest of tables and magazine rack. The foot stool fits snuggly underneath the coffee table if it is not needed at the time. Could not resist the vase of bright poppies we spotted in Inverness and they really give a warm glow to the room. On Friday we are having a new 360 degree virtual tour done of all the rooms in the cottage which should be visible on the website during the next few weeks.
We are both looking forward to meeting all our guests, new and returnees, throughout the coming year and we will ensure that they all enjoy the Aspenwood Experience.

New suite arrives in style.

2010-02-02T11:54:00.003Z

Yesterday morning we were waiting inside Aspenwood Cottage for the new 3 piece suite to arrive from a store in Inverness as arranged. Unfortunately overnight there had been a new shower of snow which had iced up on the driveway leading down to the cottage. We saw the furniture van arrive and park at the top of the driveway so we walked up to investigate. We met Jimmy wearing a very serious expression who told us that although the van would get down the driveway there was no way it would get back up to the top road on the compacted ice so they might have to deliver it another day. The disappointment must have shown on our faces. Jimmy went back to the van and had a long chat with his co-worker Charlie. After a tense wait they emerged and agreed to carry the new 3 piece suite down to the cottage. We helped by loading up all the seats, cushions and the pouffe in our car and between us all the new 3 piece suite is now in situ in the lounge and looks great....well worth the effort. Ray has written to the furniture store to say a big thanks to Jimmy and Charlie.

Oh no.....more snow!

2010-01-29T15:46:00.002Z

The snow which started falling on December 19th finally disappeared last week along with the thick compacted ice underneath and we breathed a huge sigh of relief. We were able to get back to normality after 5 weeks of extreme weather conditions and actually drive our car into Inverness.
In Aspenwood the new carpets were laid yesterday in the lounge, hallway and single bedroom and it all looks very fresh. Hopefully the new suite will be delivered next Monday although we did wake up this morning to a white out blizzard and a new layer of snow everywhere...what a nice surprise!
A new fence is due to be erected next week at the front of the cottage with a special platform along the top for the squirrels and birds to perform on. Luckily we ordered more peanuts, fat balls and bird seed in the week as delivery vans are now able to drive along the lane to our house once more. This food all arrived very promptly so all the birds have returned for nourishment in this new snowy period. The water in the bird bath has frozen over again due to a very chilly wind from the north making the temperatures feel like -5C. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend so should have quite a few bird species to count over a one hour period in this weather.
Will post pictures of the new refurbishments in Aspenwood next week....weather permitting!

Aviemore Sled Dog Rally

2010-01-24T14:00:00.005Z

This weekend - 23/24th January 2010 - is the annual Aviemore Sled Dog Rally. More than 1,000 dogs and 230 "mushers" [drivers] are due to take part in the famous event. It is organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain and is run on a 4 mile track with teams of between 2 and 8 dogs around Loch Morlich in the shadow of the Cairngorm Mountains. There is alot more snow on the mountain tops now than when this photo was taken in Spring. For the first time in 15 years the event this year will actually be held on snow, using sleds rather than 3-wheeled carts. Although the conditions in Aviemore are not as harsh as they are in Siberia it is still extremely challenging and definitely not for amateurs.
We did wonder if our new neighbours would be entering as we often see them out walking or running with their huskies but we met them on the pier in the afternoon with their 2 beautiful dogs. They have been to watch the Sled Dog Rally before and said it was very exciting and very noisy. They live on the other side of Farigaig pier and walked up at Christmas to introduce themselves by name but, to us, they will always be known as 'the husky people'.

Loch Ness winter morning.

2010-01-20T20:20:00.006Z

During this week we witnessed a most unusual scene over Loch Ness - mainly due to Daisy, our early morning alarm cat. She woke us up just before 8 in the morning by leaping on the bed ready for her day to begin with fun and frollicks...the snow has driven both our cats slightly stir crazy ... and their owners are not far behind !
Her sister Maisie was stealthily crouched round the bottom of the stairs ready for the attack. As we looked out of the bedroom window this was the scene of the freezing fog drifting along Loch Ness from the west from Fort Augustus. There was frost on the grass this morning after a beautiful sky full of stars with a temperature of -1C . Although the snow has mostly gone it now reveals the thick ice underneath. We have managed to get our car out this week for the first time in four weeks by going through our nearest neighbours driveway and driving up via Aspenwood and into Inverness. Certain parts of the forest track near Farigaig Pier are still like a skating rink. All through these past 5 weeks of extreme weather conditions - well below zero temperatures, blizzards, freezing fog, thick ice - the thaw has finally arrived. Some of the scenes have been truly magical but it will be so nice to get back to some form of normality i.e. not wearing wellington boots, thick socks and huge warm clothes every day.The birds have had to be fed every morning as they were truly hungry and really depended on the food put out...often waiting unusually close as the food was supplied at their various feeding stations.
We have all suffered in some way but also there has been a great feeling of togetherness from friends and neighbours as we have all had to pull together and help each other out. There has been a great sense of warm friendship in such a small community which has been truly smashing and what life is all about.

Aspenwood pine marten

2010-01-19T16:24:00.004Z

Guests who stayed at Aspenwood Cottage recently took this video of a pine marten at one of the peanut feeders on the fence outside the lounge window......so many thanks to Tom and Mary from USA for sending this video to us. These native pine martens live in Farigaig Forest surrounding the cottage so future guests may be fortunate enough to view these elusive creatures at such close range.....keep a look out !

View from Farigaig pier.

2010-01-14T14:13:00.004Z

Although we are still surrounded by quite deep snow the temperature today is +3C and the ice is beginning to melt at last. All the snow on the garage roof suddenly slid off this morning making us jump. Luckily we were not underneath it. Not able to get our car down the driveway yet so arranged to meet friends at Inverfarigaig pier and go into Inverness. While we waited we strolled out on to the pier for a look at the panoramic views to Inverness and Fort Augustus. After shopping in town we all sneaked a lunch out at 'Contrast' on the River Ness which was very enjoyable. Today it is quite misty with a very low cloud base and a grand reflection on Loch Ness of the snowy fields. Urquhart Castle juts out into the loch against the snowy backdrop. We feel that the thaw is at last on its way after 4 weeks of extreme winter weather. There is the first showing of greenery emerging in the forest behind us and we saw a red squirrel dash across the snow this morning and up to Aspenwood. The birds are not quite so desperate for food and the bird bath has now been cleaned and full of fresh water. Hadn't filled it up long when we saw a robin splashing about in the water in the bath....good to see at last.

Still snowed in..

2010-01-09T12:28:00.005Z

We have had blizzards off and on and very cold temperatures since 19th December are still surrounded by thick snow which has iced up.Sometimes the freezing fog descends making the scene look beautiful but quite unreal.We are opposite the highest point around Loch Ness, the dome shaped peak of Mealfuarvonie,standing at 2284 feet above sea level and covered in thick snow for the past few months. Loch Ness looks frozen at times although it is so deep that it never actually freezes. We did manage to get a lift into Inverness on Tuesday with friends who live the other side of Farigaig pier along a flattish stretch of lane. They were able to drive up to the top road which is sometimes gritted although neighbours did get behind a snow plough yesterday. We were in need of basic provisions and it was really good to get out of the house and see other people. We did try to get our 4x4 car out once but got it stuck reversing out of the garage so dug it out and thankfully drove it back in and there it is staying. After getting our essential shopping we drove back from town very slowly in a blizzard. At the pier we put our shopping in the blue wheelie bin and dragged it all the way to our house along some treacherous icy parts of the forest track.
The temperatures this last week have been well below zero all day, yesterday was minus 15C. We have been walking up the track to Aspenwood every other day mainly to bring the Christmas guests washing down here to deal with. We came up with a cunning plan and put the washing in thick black sacks and dragged them down the track and home. It is amazing the different animal tracks you find in the snow. We are certainly getting fitter, although this was not on our New Year resolution list !

Woodpecker rescue...

2010-01-04T16:01:00.003Z

We were enjoying a nice relaxed breakfast looking at all the birds gently feeding when the great spotted woodpecker descended on the suet ball hanging from the tree near the window. He is always a joy to watch as he is rather large and colourful and not seen very often due to his occasional fleeting visit. Suddenly the predatory sparrowhawk swooped from behind and surprised him and us. The woodpecker crashed into the window and the sparrowhawk flew off to seek another target.Luckily the woodpecker bounced off the glass and landed in the pile of softish snow head first. Quickly donning wellies and a coat I found the stunned bird and attempted to lift him out of the snowdrift. He ungratefully showed his thanks by squawking at me so loudly that I thought gloves would offer me more protection from his sharp long beak. I quickly carried him across to the safety of the bird table and even put the suet ball in reach in case he was hungry.Several birds attempted to land on the table but were quite amazed to find it occupied by a rather unusual species. He was really stunned and we were quite worried although we did see his head move now and again. He sat for a good hour before a big fat blackbird landed and caused him to come to his senses. We were very pleased to see him actually move up the strut of the bird table even though he did attempt to peck at the wooden structure. After a few minutes he flew across to the trees nearby and we breathed a sigh of relief...Woody Woodpecker lives to fight another day.

Feed the birds.

2010-01-02T11:33:00.002Z

We have now been snowed in for 2 weeks with more forecast over the next few days along with freezing temperatures. We had a blizzard yesterday for most of the day.We cannot get our car to the top road and have relied on our guests and neighbours for a lift into Inverness for basic provisions. Our guests have had to leave their cars between the top gate and the road as the lane down to the cottage had nearly one foot of snow laying on it. The Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness were cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions and treacherous roads. I have given up trying to defrost the bird bath and it is now used as a feeding station after noticing that the birds have been eating/drinking the snow. In this weather you realise that the birds really rely on you for food and we have counted 17 different species at the various feeding stations dotted around the garden. Most are present all year round, some are winter visitors and a few rare ones were spotted. The species ranged from Britain's tiniest bird, the goldcrest weighing in at just 5g and measuring 8.5cms from beak to tail, to the predatory sparrowhawk which can weigh up to 400g and can be 35cms in length. Between these two extremes we have seen coal tits, blue tits, long tailed tits, great tits, siskins, robins, chaffinch, dunnock, greenfinch, goldfinch, blackbird, great spotted woodpecker and a rare visitor- the fieldfare. Also the ever present pheasants and hooded crow. Guests at Aspenwood and a neighbour reported seeing a rare snow bunting in their gardens. They all need feeding.

White Christmas

2009-12-28T14:32:00.008Z

It started snowing here on Saturday 19th December and we have had flurries and heavy showers ever since, even snowing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was really magical especially as we were watching the Bing Crosby film 'White Christmas' as the snow actually fell giving us and our guests a real White Christmas. Our guests have had to leave their cars at the top of the lane leading down to the cottage as the snow is just under one foot deep. The temperatures are well below zero during the day now with the threat of -10C tonight. Look at the forecast for the Highlands. Beautiful as it is we have not been able to get out in the car since last Tuesday as the driveway is sheet ice and the side roads are treacherous. Birds have been well fed and the deer and red squirrels have turned up now and again.

Enjoy the photos..... view the slideshow.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all who enjoy this cottage diary.

Red squirrel in the snow.

2009-12-20T13:43:00.004Z

While we were preparing the cottage on Saturday for our Christmas guests the snow began to swirl and then fall quite thickly. We were very surprised to look out and see a red squirrel on the nut feeder outside the lounge window. The longer he stayed eating the more snow gathered on his bushy tail until he looked a bit like a Christmas decoration but he ignored it and just carried on enjoying his lunch. The red squirrels do not hibernate and need feeding all year round so thanks to everyone who 'Bookmarked a Squirrel' during the year.
Enjoy seeing him playing in the snow.

Lyn and Ray would like to wish all their guests - past, present and future - a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous 2010.

Lunch in Dores.

2009-12-18T12:56:00.003Z

Met up with friends and enjoyed a very good lunch at the Dores Inn with lots of laughs and a varied menu. We all enjoyed different foods including local braised pheasant,Black Isle turkey,steak and pork. The restaurant was tastefully decorated and very busy and noisy. It is always advisable to book a table especially at this time of the year. Luckily venison was not on the menu as we had a young deer wandering along the front bank in the afternoon and we would have felt rather guilty. Thick snow on the mountains now and a few frantic flurries around the house with the promise of more heading our way over the weekend accompanied by plunging temperatures. Our Christmas guests are arriving on Monday after staying near Loch Lomond on the way up from Yorkshire. The scenery is looking very festive now and we could be in for a White Christmas which would thrill their two boys. The numerous birds are well fed every day and we get an amazing variety of bird life at all the feeding stations dotted around the garden although smashing through the ice every morning on the bird bath is becoming a real challenge.

Freezing fog.....

2009-12-13T12:00:00.003Z

Could not see anything out of the windows yesterday morning except a very thick fog which stayed for most of the day. Could just make out the trees in front of the house but no sign of Loch Ness and we felt really cut off. The whole of the east coast had it very bad and Inverness airport was closed for a while due to the extreme foggy weather. At 5pm a mountain rescue team were called out to an area known as the Lost Valley in the Three Sisters in Glencoe in the Highlands to assist two climbers who had foolishly ventured out in these atrocious conditions. Unfortunately one of the climbers had died after falling in the mountainous area and the other is now recovering in Fort William Hospital. Today the fog has lifted slightly and we can see a little more of the loch and Urquhart Castle looming eerily out of the mist on the opposite shore. It will be below freezing all day and promises of -4C tonight. The log fire beckons.

Pheasant for Christmas ?

2009-12-11T16:04:00.003Z

Spent the morning up at Aspenwood decorating the tree and making the cottage really festive for our special Christmas guests. Every time we looked out of the window,hoping to catch a glimpse of a red squirrel, the fog was still there and we could not see anything beyond the tree line at all. We know the squirrels are about as we have spotted a few dashing around but usually at this time of year they rely on their secret hoard of nuts that they buried nearer their dreys in the better weather. We did have a rather plump female pheasant strut along the top of the fencing.This reminded us to sort out new fencing at the front of the cottage during January as it is in need of renewal. We hope to have a platform along the top enabling the squirrels to perform to their hearts delight for the watching guests.When we came back home the male pheasant was picking up the residue of the bird food under the feeders We do feel that these are the same pheasants that we saw grow up from fluffy chicks in the summer as they really know their way around and where all the food is likely to be.The thick fog has stayed all day and the nights are now in the below zero zone. Enjoyed a lovely evening yesterday with guests and we sat by the fire having a good chat or blether as it is known north of the border.

Scenic route home.

2009-12-07T12:57:00.003Z

Had a really good day out yesterday - clearing our gutters! This is a job we both hate but one which has to be done - one of the perks of living in a forest full of leaves and pine needles. The overnight rain finally washed them clean and now our gutters sparkle like new. Unfortunately it also washed quite alot of the snow away from the mountains opposite apart from the very tops. On our way back from Inverness this morning we took the scenic route home passing by the lochs on the top road, a road which used to be the main route from Inverness to Fort Augustus. This is always a pleasant ride which we never get tired of as there is always something new to see and my camera is always at the ready for snapping birds,wildlife and scenes such as these.