The Highlands are what you make of them. They can be BRILLIANT- it is up to you

We received this lovely email from David and Kim who stayed last week. Thank you, you two. It is comments like this that make it so worthwhile letting the cottage. The Ardnamurchan scene shot by David has hardly altered since the volcano erupted there 55 million years ago. I think his photograph of Kim is lovely. Scotland is what you make it - if you are looking for South of France weather then you will not enjoy it. 

We never had a day without rain, but we were never 'washed out' for the day - all that was needed was the right clothing!  We had four walks, Ben Hiant on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Pap of Glen Coe, Steall Falls and Meall Cumhann, and the Lost Valley in Glen Coe. Saw herds of red deer from Ben Hiant, wonderful rainbows from the Pap, golden eagle from Meall Cumhann and with the rain all the rivers were full so the waterfalls were impressive. Never got any high level walks done, limited visibility in low cloud was one issue, but gale force winds on the summits was the main concern. We'd hoped to get some climbing done, but the rocks were not dry enough to make it enjoyable. We did spend a rainy morning at the indoor climbing wall in Kinlochleven; some good routes in the 15m main hall. Also had a great afternoon there ice climbing; highly recommended (we are also now deemed competent for our next visit to just book a session and look after ourselves!).  Did the tourist bit around the cafes and shops of Fort William, and completed a circuit of Loch Ness via Inverness for lunch and the Culloden battlefield site (again, recommended; very good visitor centre). Very much looking forward to returning later in the year.

Photos from David
Enjoying the deserted beaches on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
Taking in the view from Meall Cumhann above the Nevis Gorge.

This is a link I need to put in to help another website I'm involved with. Sorry.
Jazz Smugglers plays at the Chichester Festivities June 25th

HISTORY PAGES.
The story they don't tell you about the Glencoe Massacre
History around the cottage in Appin
Did the Vikings stage a battle in Glencoe?
The Pictish broch in Lismore
West of Scotland millions of years ago
Robert the Bruce and the Ardchattan parliament
Robert the Bruce and the Knights Templar
The story of the MacDonalds of Glencoe
Ancient roads of the Highlands
Glencoe, the 4th Wonder of Scotland
Castles in the Glencoe area
GLENCOE OUTDOORS
The best walks in Glencoe
Ben Nevis, go climb it
Munros are over 3,000 feet
Some Munros are easy
Glencoe rock climbing
Skiing in Glencoe is excellent again
New cycle tracks around Glencoe
There are lovely beaches and bays around Glencoe
Accommodation Fort William
Golf on the West coast
Tour the Highlands
You can cruise the West coast
Driving around glencoe on snow and ice - Tips
BLOGS
Travellers Tales from the highlands of Scotland
Find your ideal holiday cottage anywhere
The most beautiful photographs of Glencoe
The achingly beautiful area of Appin, Scotland
Special offers for self catering in Scotland
COTTAGE ATTRACTIONS
Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland
Last minute, late availability Glencoe, self catering cottage
20 brilliant walks around our cottage area
Easy hill walks in Glencoe
Why not walk up Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroe walks in Glencoe
Skiing Glencoe and Nevis range, cottage is midway between the two
Video. Skiing on Glencoe mountain
Weather in the West of Scotland
Rock and Ice climbing in Glencoe
Cycling and fishing Glencoe
Spectacular wild life around our cottage
Golf in the Highlands, Dragons tooth golf course, Glencoe
Cruising the islands, using Glencoe as a base
Safe, beautiful beaches and bays in Glencoe area
Touring the Highlands by car from Glencoe,
Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe
Winter breaks, Jan Feb March in the cottage
Autumn breaks November December in the cottage
Our new Appin blog site
FOR LASTMINUTE BOOKINGS
Short breaks in Scotland, Last minute cottage holidays Scotland, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Weather month by month Scotland summer
Weather month by month Scotland Autumn
Weather in Scotland Winter, month by month
Misunderstandings about Scotland's weather
Scotland's rain
Advice on driving in Scotland. Several Scotland driving pages are linked to this.
Honeymoon cottages in Scotland
Scotland for Christmas and New Year
The unofficial Scottish tourist Board
Cottages in Scotland permitting smoking
Cottages in Scotland welcoming pets
FOR WEST OF SCOTLAND SITE
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Oban
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Glencoe
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Fort William
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the far West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Appin
Port Appin and Lismore B&Bs
Barcaldine B&Bs and hotels
Duror b&bs
Kentallen b&bs
Ballachulish b&bs
Onich b&bs
How to find cottage owners self catering websites
MISC
Misunderstandings about Scottish weather
Get off those speeding fines on Scottish roads

Oban has become University town. Good, really good news.

Picture taken of Dunstaffnage Castle last month by Dougie Lee. This is a truly important area in Scottish history. 


As of 2nd Feb 2011 Oban is a university town! The University of the Highlands and Islands has 13 colleges in the area including the world renowned Scottish Association of Marine Science. The Privy Council of the Scottish Parliament has decreed it so. There has been a sustained campaign for this ever since the 1960's.
This is real prestige for the town, and the University shows Scottish education at its best. Just by Dunstaffnage Castle is the truly famous Marine Science lab. Good news


John
Misunderstandings about Scottish weather
Honeymoon cottages in Scotland
Scotland for Christmas and New Year
The unofficial Scottish tourist Board
Cottages in Scotland permitting smoking
Cottages in Scotland welcoming pets
FOR WEST OF SCOTLAND SITE
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Oban
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Glencoe
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Fort William
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the far West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Appin
Port Appin and Lismore B&Bs
Barcaldine B&Bs and hotels
Duror B&Bs
Kentallen B&Bs
Ballachulish B&Bs
Onich B&Bs
How to find cottage owners self catering websites

Brilliant! Matt's word, not mine

The IceFactor wall at Kinlochleven

The following email came from our guest at the New Year. Thanks Matt. It was a pleasure having you stay.

Hi John

Brilliant.

Cottage was fantastic, walking and climbing were great and it didn't rain (that much!). We solved the boiler problem - Michelle was very helpful.

The Ice Factor was good - helpful staff and a good setup. Climbing wise we did Garadh Gully on Ben Nevis and went up and around the Three Sisters in Glencoe. The ice was starting to melt is places but there was plenty to go at still. We spent New Years eve in the Clachaig which was very, very busy, but the atmosphere made it a great night. We then spent New Years day walking from the cottage back to the Clachaig to pick up the car (we got a taxi back on New Years eve - it only cost £20, very reasonable). The walk was lovely, we set off early from the cottage, went up Glen Duror to its head and then up and over Sgorr a Choise before dropping down into Gleann Leac na Muidhe which eventually brought us out at the Signal Rock car park. It was then just a short walk to the pub. It took us about 5 and a half hours in total. It was great.

I'll collect some photos together for you and send on.

Matt
Driving on snow and ice
Information about the arear Site map
About Fort William
Appin beautiful
Accommodation from Oban to Fort William
Walks around cottage
Autumn breaks in Glencoe
Ben Nevis is a slog, but worth it
Holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring
The Highlands
Holiday cottages everywhere
Photographs of Glencoe
Hill walks Highlands
Munroes Glencoe
Port Appin, a glorious Highland village
Barcaldine little highland town with a castle
Accommodation Lochaber
Kentallen is our own hamlet
Ballachulish our nearest village
Onich lovely views from the hotels here
Find cottage owners self catering websites
HISTORY PAGES.
The story they don't tell you about the Glencoe Massacre
History around the cottage in Appin
Did the Vikings stage a battle in Glencoe?
The Pictish broch in Lismore
West of Scotland millions of years ago
Robert the Bruce and the Ardchattan parliament
Robert the Bruce and the Knights Templar
The story of the MacDonalds of Glencoe
Ancient roads of the Highlands
Glencoe, the 4th Wonder of Scotland
Castles in the Glencoe area
GLENCOE OUTDOORS
The best walks in Glencoe
Ben Nevis, go climb it
Munros are over 3,000 feet
Some Munros are easy
Glencoe rock climbing
Skiing in Glencoe is excellent again
New cycle tracks around Glencoe
There are lovely beaches and bays around Glencoe
Accommodation Fort William
Golf on the West coast
Tour the Highlands
You can cruise the West coast
Driving around glencoe on snow and ice - Tips
BLOGS
Travellers Tales from the highlands of Scotland
Find your ideal holiday cottage anywhere
The most beautiful photographs of Glencoe
The achingly beautiful area of Appin, Scotland
Special offers for self catering in Scotland
COTTAGE ATTRACTIONS
Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland
Last minute, late availability Glencoe, self catering cottage
20 brilliant walks around our cottage area
Easy hill walks in Glencoe
Why not walk up Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroe walks in Glencoe
Skiing Glencoe and Nevis range, cottage is midway between the two
Video. Skiing on Glencoe mountain
Weather in the West of Scotland
Rock and Ice climbing in Glencoe
Cycling and fishing Glencoe
Spectacular wild life around our cottage
Golf in the Highlands, Dragons tooth golf course, Glencoe
Cruising the islands, using Glencoe as a base
Safe, beautiful beaches and bays in Glencoe area
Touring the Highlands by car from Glencoe,
Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe
Winter breaks, Jan Feb March in the cottage
Autumn breaks November December in the cottage
Our new Appin blog site
FOR LASTMINUTE BOOKINGS
Short breaks in Scotland, Last minute cottage holidays Scotland, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Weather month by month Scotland summer
Weather month by month Scotland Autumn
Weather in Scotland Winter, month by month
Misunderstandings about Scotland's weather
Scotland's rain
Advice on driving in Scotland. Several Scotland driving pages are linked to this.
Honeymoon cottages in Scotland
Scotland for Christmas and New Year
The unofficial Scottish tourist Board
Cottages in Scotland permitting smoking
Cottages in Scotland welcoming pets
FOR WEST OF SCOTLAND SITE
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Oban
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Glencoe
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Fort William
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the far West of Scotland
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in Appin
Port Appin and Lismore B&Bs
Barcaldine B&Bs and hotels
Duror b&bs
Kentallen b&bs
Ballachulish b&bs
Onich b&bs
How to find cottage owners self catering websites
MISC
Misunderstandings about Scottish weather
Get off those speeding fines on Scottish roads

VisitScotland should be put into a new network say Liberal Democrats.

According to the Aberdeen Press and Journal, the Liberal Democrats plan for some of Scotland’s biggest quangos to be scrapped and replaced with regional development banks run by business leaders. This would include Visit Scotland the controversial tourist agency.

The Lib Dems said they would replace VS with a new network to stimulate economic growth if the party won the Holyrood election in May.

VS said recently that the earnings from tourism in Scotland have been vastly underestimated so far.

John
Christmas in Glencoe, Scotland

Information about the Glencoe in our Site map
Fort William
Appin is a beautiful area
Bed and breakfast from Oban to Fort William
Walks around our cottage area near Glencoe
Autumn short breaks in cottage
Ben Nevis walking is it worth it
Cottage holidays Scotland off season
The Scottish Highlands
Find holidays anywhere
Wonderful photographs of Glencoe
Hill walks in the area
Munroes in Glencoe
Around Port Appin
Around Barcaldine
Around Lochaber
Around Kentallen
Around Ballachulish
Around Onich

October in Glencoe. Not enough water. Kaykers are strange.

 Gillian and I are here in Glencoe, now, and it is fabulous. The sun is streaming down, well, for to-day anyway, and the colours are in the early days of turning yellow, red, and brown.
We popped down Glen Etive yesterday, to see how the kayakers were getting on. Not all that well, actually, not enough water.
Kayaking is a bit strange when you think about it. When everyone else is gloomy about constant rain the kayakers whoop and head for the falls. They want to go down river, but not far, because they'll have to carry  their canoes on their backs uphill. Ideally they want a road nearby where they launch, then they fall down a few hundreds yards, and they want the road to be there again, preferably with a van on it containing their mother who has done nothing else except sit in it hoping they haven't broken their backs. Mothers are a bit like that.
Odd

It is our day for finding the little things wrong in the cottage, and sorting them out. Got to switch over tv to digital, next week, I think, got to buy a new back door, and get a gate built, light bulb, heater element for bathroom - the really big things. Luckily, Michelle's Dad has done some painting for us, and husband John has fixed the outside light at the back.

Funny thing. If we were living here ourselves these jobs would not get done for months. but because we have guests staying they all have to be done instantly.

The joys of self catering, but we just need to look in the visitors book comments to see it is all worth while.

John

Christmas cottage still availabile in Glencoe, Scotland

Information about Glencoe area in our Site map
Fort William
Appin the beautiful country
Accommodation from Oban to fort William
Walks around the Kentallen cottage
Short breaks in Glencoe
Ben Nevis is a slog, but probably worth it
Holidays Scotland in the Autumn, Winter, Spring
The Highlands
Holiday cottages = how to find them
Photographs of Glencoe
Hill walks Glencoe
Munroes around here
Port Appin is lovely
Barcaldine - two top hotels here
Accommodation
Kentallen the hamlet
Ballachulish looks nice these days
Onich -  pity about the main road there

Visitor numbers up in the Western Isles

According to the BBC, visitor numbers throughout the Western Isles are up by between 25% and 40% on the same time last year
Apparently the Scottish government's road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme, which offers lower ferry fares, has been a factor. The scheme was launched on Western Isles routes in 2008.
The subject of Island fares charged by Calmac has been the subject of local outrage for years. Oban has always been a main focus for grumbles. The cost of living on one of the Islands is horrendous, and all services from the mainland are very expensive. Imagine getting building work or contracting from the mainland if you live on Barra. Calmac do have a difficult job in profitably maintaining safe and up to date ships for traffic that peaks for just three months of the year.
But the tourists expect to pay the normal sort of holiday charges, and the accommodation providers are squeezed hard to cover costs.
So it just shows that when the ferry costs are reduced then this works for tourists.

The cost of services is a general problem in the Highlands as a whole. We may grumble about paying 32p for a 2nd class stamp, but this is based upon delivering letters to Birmingham. Can you imagine the costs of delivering even to Ardnamurchan? Or to Glencoe come to that? That is the hang up about privatising the Post Office. Whoever takes it on will be forced to charge the same rate for delivering everywhere. If they are allowed to charge differential rates then expect postal charges in the Highlands to go up to £1 for a 2nd class stamp. Ouch!

John
Local accommodation around our area
Lochside cottage near Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland
Short breaks in Scotland, Last minute cottage holidays Scotland, Autumn, Winter, Spring
Holiday accommodation, B&Bs, hotels in the West of Scotland
Travellers Tales from the highlands of Scotland
Find your ideal holiday cottage anywhere
The most beautiful photographs of Glencoe
The achingly beautiful area of Appin, Scotland
20 brilliant walks around our cottage area
Easy hill walks in Glencoe
Why not walk up Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroe walks in Glencoe
Port Appin and Lismore B&Bs
Barcaldine B&Bs and hotels
Duror b&bs
Kentallen b&bs
Ballachulish b&bs
Onich b&bs

Glencoe. Fantastic. Not my words, Ben's.

Skye Bridge
Originally uploaded by Redhand1873

Email from Ben and his partner who stayed in the cottage last week.

We are safely back from a great holiday. The house was very nice and we felt very comfortable there. The view of the bay and the beautiful little garden,… everything was fine. (That's Kentallen bay)
Thanks for our time there.

Glencoe is really fantastic. There is so much to see,… too much for the short time. We naturally wanted to see the whole area and have done a little bit too much sometimes.

One day we went to Skye at another to Mull. Both islands are very beautiful and also quite different. I could tell you much more but it is difficult for me in English.

I will make a video about the area and send you the link. I´ve made some nice “Time Lapse” sequences. However, I need a little time for the cut and postproduction.

We have lovely guests
John


Walks in Glencoe area
Glencoe hill walks
Walk Ben Nevis one day?
Easier Munroes around Glencoe
Glencoe Rock and Ice climbing
Cycling and fishing in the area
Spectacular wild life around our Kentallen cottage
Golf in the West coast, Dragons tooth golf course, Glencoe
Cruising the islands near us
Beautiful beaches and bays in Glencoe area
Touring the Highlands from Glencoe,
Spring breaks, March April May Glencoe
Winter breaks, Jan Feb March in the cottage
Autumn breaks November December in the cottage
Appin blog site