Heathpark Lodge's little piece of European architecture

There is a saying here in Scotland that once you start decorating the process can feel as if you're painting the Forth Bridge.  I know the feeling!  We started decorating our living room this week and the work has gone from a quick coat of paint on the walls to deciding to do the woodwork too. 

I've just finished painting the shutters and realised how unusual it is for a small B & B in Blairgowrie, originally built as a gardener's cottage, to be so carefully designed.  Usually shutters were only for 'grand' houses, but maybe the architect who designed this house, back in the 1840s, had visited France or perhaps Italy and been impressed by the decorative effect and practical uses of them there.  I like to think we have a bit of continental building design right here in Blairgowrie.

When we bought the house in 1991 the shutters had been nailed back with what seemed to be thousands of nails.  My 5 year project was to see if I could make them work again because it seemed such a waste just to have them for decoration.

Two years, hundreds of hours later (an hour each evening after work), several very small files, the help of a friendly joiner and the advice of a paint expert - et voila! For years now the shutters have been used daily - or perhaps I should said 'eveningly' as they are closed once darkness falls - and at this time of year they are invaluable for keeping out the cold.  

Autumn Weather and Rosy Cheeks

Decided to have a break from painting our living room today and tidy up some leaves.  At the back of the house this wonderful cotoneaster is showing off to its best.  The photo actually doesn't do it justice really as it's a very vivid colour - almost luminous.

This part of the garden isn't often seen by guests unless they're picking apples or plums - and some do.  Oh the advantages of having a B & B in Blairgowrie! I'm always grateful to get help with harvesting the fruit because, especially the plums, all arrive at once and need eating straight away to enjoy the full flavour.

Looking at the photo, perhaps I should have cleared up the leaves before I took it, but I wanted to catch the colour before the light faded.

It's still exceptionally warm for this time of year and my couple of hours in the garden have left me with "rosy cheeks".  When I was a child I hated having rosy cheeks but, now I'm maturing (very slowly of course), I'm beginning to think they're quite attractive.  Saves a bit of money buying blusher!

 

B & B Blairgowrie, Christmas 2008 and Hogmanay 2008/9 opening

Our little red squirrels are still about but I've only seen two recently.  It's quite obvious the autumn is well underway as the bird no longer play in the garden, but arrive, eat, then fly off to their next destination.

Some years we've been open for both Christmas and New Year.  This year I've decided to close for Christmas, mainly because family are coming to join us for a few days and it's hard work juggling my guests as well as family.  Only twice over the years I've done this and I feel I neglect everyone.

So, no guests over Christmas but we shall open for Hogmanay (New Year) this year.  Last year we had a quiet evening and enjoyed cooking ourselves a good meal accompanied by some rather delicious wine.  We had such a pleasant time we've decided to try it again.  Must be my old age catching up with me!  I turned down many enquiries for Hogmanay last year so this year I shall open.  So many businesses close over the festive period and it's a shame if people want to spend Hogmanay with family or friends but can't find accommodation.

I shall put the price for Hogmanay on the website in the next couple of days but it will be £32.50 per person per night.  I will not be taking one night bookings - just in case you ask!

Perthshire Events in 2009

It's been quite difficult collating event dates for next year from the various agencies.  Usually it's easy but for some reason the answer I received was more often 'Sorry we haven't confirmed it as yet but will get back to you'. Thankfully most have so I am able to show the dates of interest.  These are not all the events in Perthshire of course, but I shall post others as I find them.

Events in Perthshire for 2009

1  January           New Year Fun Run,  Blairgowrie

10 - 12 April        Easter

22 - 24 April        Perth Races

13 - 14 May        Perth Races

23  May              Atholl Highlanders Parade, Blair Atholl

24 May               Atholl Gathering & Highland Games, Blair Atholl

31 May               Perth Races

5 - 12 June         Fly Fishing Championships

14 June              Strathmore Highland Games Glamis

1 - 2 July            Perth Races

3 - 5 July            Scone Game Fair, Scone Palace

10 - 12 July        T in the Park, Kinross

11 - 12 July        Scottish Transport Extravaganza, Glamis

31 July - 1 August       Perth Show

8 - 9 August       A Grand Scottish Prom, Glamis

22 August          Strathardle Highland Gathering & Games, Kirkmichael

27 - 30 August   Blair Horse Trials Blair Atholl

29 August          Birnam Highland Games

29 August          Runrig Concert, Scone Palace  (book early very popular!)

4 September     Celtic Rock Glamis

5 September     Braemar Highland Games

6 September     Blairgowrie Highland Games

5 - 6 September         Scottish Countryside Fair Glamis

23 - 24 September     Perth Races

2-8 October Blairgowrie & East Perthshire Walking Festival

                    

Autumn Colours in Perthshire, Scotland

So often recently I've been out and forgotten my camera.  Not today though!  Travelling though Alyth to visit a friend the colours of the trees were just stunning in the sunshine.  Just takes your breath away.

Another trip I enjoy at this time of year is up Glenshee to the Spittal (where you can have a relaxing cup of tea).  The enormity of the Glen is so much more obvious when its colour palette varies from a light gold to a deep deep copper, and all shades in between.  It's rather difficult to describe the intensity of colour and the atmosphere.  It feels as if the trees are making a last attempt to be centre stage before taking to the wings for the winter.

The A93 is one of these roads which has an entirely different vista driving north and driving south.  Definitely a worthwhile trip.

Highland Cattle in Perthshire & New Year BBQs

It's been a very busy few weeks and I feel guilty at not spending a little time writing.  

This photograph was taken locally the other day but the weather wasn't too bright.  I think it's amusing as it was so strange they all turned to face me - just as if they were about to burst out in song!

September was a hectic month, lots of golf finals to be played, fishermen making their last attempts to find the elusive record-breaker trout or salmon and many other guests here for family parties or some type.  More and more people seem to prefer small bed and breakfasts to large hotels these days.  

Barbeques seem far more popular in Scotland these days and party guests usually speak highly of the variety and quality of the food offered.  It no longer seems to be a choice of burgers or sausages.  My favourite BBQ meal is a venison steak, baked potato with courgette and carrot salad (either hot or cold).  Just delicious!

Must tell you about my strangest BBQ.  It was New Year some years ago and we'd invited friends round for a meal and to welcome the New Year.  I'll take the blame for coming up with the idea of having a BBQ, although the food would be cooked outside and consumed inside. Guests were forewarned to bring warm clothing if they wanted to be part of the cooking staff.

Around teatime that Hogmanay the snow started.  Then it snowed and snowed.  The BBQ went ahead amid such stunning scenes of winter and it was a roaring success.  Part of the secret I'm sure, was providing everyone with a whisky mac on arrival, just to warm their insides. 

For quite a few Christmases (weather allowing) we've taken the portable BBQ up into the hills on Christmas Day and thoroughly enjoyed our meal - even though I have kept my gloves on to eat at times!  A thermos of soup, baked potatoes done here at home then wrapped in tinfoil, a decent steak from my favourite butcher and stunning scenery make the event as near to perfection as possible.  Saves on all the washing up a traditional turkey Christmas dinner creates too!

 

Highland Games, Scotland

It's been a busy few weeks with so many events going on in Perthshire. Last Saturday was the Braemar Gathering, possibly the most famous of all the Scottish Highland Games and fortunately the weather was reasonable for all concerned.

Blairgowrie jumps to life during the weekend which locals refer to as 'Braemar Night'.  The town buzzes with hundreds of visitors stopping en route through the Grampians to see the spectacle of Highland entertainment.  There is something for everyone to see including a glimpse of HM The Queen as she is a staunch admirer and visits the Gathering every year.  On the Saturday evening music is to be heard all over the town and a ceilidh is organised in a local hotel for anyone who wishes to have a wee dance or just enjoy some Scottish music.

Every year we are fully booked for this event and this year I had the pleasure of two European couples staying with me - one couple from Germany and the other from Belgium.  The Belgium couple had come specifically for a pop concert which took place at Glamis Castle on the Friday evening and the other couple were intent on visiting Braemar.  In fact, they were so intent they had booked their tickets online 5 months ago!  

The Sunday following the Braemar gathering Blairgowrie holds its own Highland Games. Another success this year by all accounts and the turnout was excellent.  Again the weather was kind.  All in all another pleasant weekend enchanced by the company of lovely guests.  Who says doing bed and breakfast is boring?  It's hard work I agree, but such times make it so worthwhile.