The weather is perfect at the moment for our annoying visitors, no not our B&B guests but the midgies. Warm, humid, still condions have see clouds of midgies about over the last few days.
So there is nothing to it other than move faster than they do. So go walking, cycling, canoeing, swimming, just don't stand still! If there were no midgies there would be more people and that is part of the reason for coming up here to enjoy the countryside in peace and quiet - a necessary evil.
The trees are very green and beautiful flowers are everywhere. We think our swallows are nesting in the cabin doorway again as last year but they seem to be a bit later through the year.
Our chickens keep escaping lately so Shirley has been kept busy ushering them back to their own quarters.
Dug the dog needs a new frisbee as he put his in front of the lawnmower and it has not been the same since. It is more of a ring now but it still flies just about.

Hopefully the sun will shine again soon and give us the summer we have been waiting for.
Take care and enjoy the summer..............

Hi There, we've been pretty busy so far this year but not quite as busy as the birds are at the moment.
We have the swallows nesting in the doorway of the cabin again as they did last year and we have been watching a woodpecker feeding on the peanuts for the last few days. Also we have a pair of visiting ducks coming and going but the burn is so low at the moment as we have had hardly any rain it is a wonder they come at all. Many birds are building nests and are generally busy and there are lots of them to watch around the garden.

As I said we have been having good weather. The main problem we and many people have faced which is above us all and so unpredictable is the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland that has disrupted air travel so much. We have had some guests who have had to cancel their trips which is disappointing but maybe they will try and come in the future.

Weather forecasts say we are in for a good summer but we'll just wait and see. Not many midges about yet so we are enjoying it whilst we can.


Hasta la vista x Laura, Richard and Shirley

Well we thought we had seen the last of the snow but it started yesterday and is even heavier today, large flakes and everything is covered again.

The daffodils had started coming up but not any more. Also with the lighter nights it was really starting to feel like spring.

Well nothing we can do other than keep warm, keep feeding the birds and enjoy the scenery.

Take care travelling and see you soon x Laura, Richard and Shirley.

Hello, well we don't have much news to report up here. We are praying we have seen the last of the snow and have actually seen the sun for a few days lately.
There are the first Snowdrops and signs of Daffodils starting to emerge which will soon brighten the place up.
We have had a few new bird visitors to the garden during the cold spells as food was scarce. The pheasants have been doing acrobatics on the bird feeder, we have seen a Brambling, Siskins, Goldfinches and a Black Cap which we don't usually see.
The nights are getting noticeably lighter and it is not so cold. Apart from that no other news.

Take care and be in touch again soon from Laura, Richard and Shirley.

Hi there, well we certainly had a white Christmas this year and with over two weeks of snow on the ground, the novelty is starting to wear off. We will be glad to get back to normal.

Hope you are all healthy and looking forward to the Spring with warmer weather and lighter nights. Have you broken those New Year resolutions yet - we have not made any so they can not be broken...

We have had some lovely wintery scenery up here though and brilliant sunsets. Also we've been deer spotting in the snow again as they are so much easier to see. We have updated the images for you to check out.

Look forward to speaking to you or seeing you soon x Laura, Richard, Shirley

Well it is December already and we have got snow on the hills changing our views to a real wintery scene.

Suppose we will have to get a tree pretty soon and start our shopping for Christmas. We have had some real mixed weather with rain, wind, sun, snow, sleet and that is just in one typical day in Scotland.

Dug the dog is still paddling in the Loch, river and canal although the waters are nearly freezing.

Our chickens are winding down on their egg laying for winter we think as only getting half a dozen a day instead of 10-12 through the summer. Still that's enough for us.

Hope you are all getting ready for Christmas and Hogmanay and hope to see you in the New Year.

Enjoy your festive season whatever you get up to x from Laura, Richard, Shirley, Dug and Stig.

Hello, we are well and truly in Autumn, weather is cooler and the mornings are crisp with mist covering the hills and the loch. The village is a lot quieter now and we have managed to catch up on some sleep after continuous early mornings getting up cooking breakfast.

There are still bookings throughout October and with the dramatic changing scenery and lovely autumn colours everywhere it is a real treat for anyone coming here this time of year.

We are still getting produce from the Poly tunnel and have already made some jams and pickles with our home grown fruit and vegetables.

We also had a celebrity guest Dave Gorman stay with us as he has been doing a stand up comedy tour of the UK cycling from venue to venue each day and he performed at Fort Augustus Village Hall. His show was really clever and well worth seeing.

Keep in touch with any of your news, from Laura, Richard and Shirley.