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

The weather has been glorious all week with a refreshing breeze off the water of Loch Ness and temperatures hovering in the mid 20C. Took a trip over to the Black Isle and drove right to the eastern end to the main town of Cromarty, something we have been meaning to do since we moved here 13 years ago.Had a stroll around the town which is rather quaint with a mixture of small Victorian cottages and more substantial houses designed to house both the workers and the management at the peak of its prosperity.The town originally grew around its deep port and all the industry was connected with the sea and sea faring.
Cromarty gives its name to one of the British Sea Areas used to provide important weather forecasts for shipping. Bought a tea towel in one of the gift shops, which was well equipped especially with local pottery and jewellery, and framed it for the cottage. Always been intrigued by the various names of the shipping areas when we hear them on the radio and now we know exactly where they are.We enjoyed a picnic on a red bench kindly positioned on the sea front looking towards the mouth of the Cromarty Firth and the North and South Sutors [hills] that guard the entrance to the Firth.We watched the smallest car ferry in Scotland 'The Cromarty Rose' which operates between Cromarty and Nigg on the opposite bank. It can carry 2 cars and passengers and operates regularly throughout the day between June and October.
As it has been hot we have put 2 fans in Aspenwood for guests to use and cool down.

Labels: cromarty

The other good idea recently was from Marcia, Patricia and Margaret who enjoyed walking. They said a bench would be helpful in the vestibule area to sit on while struggling with their boots. The Boot Bench is now in situ as well as a bigger boot tray underneath.
We are always interested in the ideas of our guests and act upon them if we agree. So a big thank you for all ideas and keep them coming.

Sat outside with our guests yesterday evening with a glass or three of wine and watched the sun setting over the loch....say no more !!

The weather has been glorious lately with temperatures of about 23C and the promise of a continuing warm week. A bit of sea mist over Loch Ness in the early morning gives way to blue skies for the rest of the day. Went up to meet our guests on Saturday evening and we enjoyed sitting outside with a glass of wine at the new picnic bench and having a chat.

The old table is now by the rotary washing line and may be useful while hanging out any washing. The long bench has been moved to a cool spot under Aspenwood Cottage decking just a few feet away from the nut feeders. This will be extremely useful for close up photographs of the many birds and red squirrels who visit the feeders regularly during the day.We have taken some of the old garden furniture away from the cottage and placed the 2 chairs on the beach for worn out walkers to collapse into and eat their lunch in some comfort while admiring the fantastic view. We shall also be able to relax in them of an evening and watch the sunsetting over the mountains opposite. Also be useful for me to sit in and offer words of encouragement, and a whisky, to Ray when he is in a fishing mood.
We have also treated ourselves to some new garden furniture and placed our old bench at the top of the track which leads down to the beach. We often see walkers stopping at the top of the track studying their maps and being very hesitant about going down the track. This is a great shame as they miss out on a visit to one of the few secluded beaches around the loch. We have put a sign on the back of the bench advising them to rest here before dipping their toes in the cool waters of Loch Ness. Had great fun making up our new 'love seat' and we would have even more fun if we could only sit on it !

Labels: Loch Ness

Labels: birds, squirrel

While we were down in Edinburgh last week we took a taxi to Edinburgh's historic port of Leith for a tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia. This magnificent vessel was launched in 1953 and served the Queen for 44 years taking the Royal family on 968 official voyages all around the world. On 11th December 1997 the Britannia was decommissioned at Portsmouth naval base and was permanently moored at Leith to be maintained as a 5-star visitor attraction. For the tour around the vessel we were given individual handsets and directed to various stopping stations where we would learn about the room indicated. Our favourite room was large The State Dining Room. Here the Royal family would have wined and dined most of the Heads of State of various countries over the years. The table can seat 96 people and can be hired today for special occasions and events. All the food served on board the Britannia is local Scottish produce and freshly prepared by a team of chefs in the rather small but efficiently run Royal Galley. The rooms of the crew were below decks and not quite so spacious to say the least.
In contrast to this rather tranquil location we were walking down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh the next day when we heard a cacophony of noise coming down the road from Edinburgh Castle. At first we thought the police outriders were escorting a very important 'big cheese' until we saw and heard all the taxi drivers in a very noisy procession. On asking we were told that most of the taxi drivers in Edinburgh give up a whole day every year to take handicapped and needy children round the streets of Edinburgh for a fun ride armed with water pistols and then on to a beach with a picnic. Turn up the sound - but not if you are in the office and supposed to be working !

Labels: Britannia, Edinburgh

Labels: Edinburgh