Boutique Self Catering Accommodation near Fort William
We know it’s difficult to believe that spring has arrived, especially after the recent return to wintery weather! There have been some nice days and it’s on these that we try to get out into the garden – as there is so much to discover. Crinan’s column Hello, my name is Crinan and I have […]
Continue Reading
In the deep midwinter, the day length is short and often the weather a bit harsh. In fact, this winter has been mild and dryish until the recent snowfall and so we have managed to garden more often than we usually can in January. It still leaves us with long evenings to find an indoor […]
Continue Reading
As the RSPB weekend of action approaches, 26th to 28th January 2019, we have started to prepare. There are masses of garden birds here at Ard Daraich and often visitors are transfixed by the number and noise they make. I have written elsewhere about the collared doves who arrived as a pair, a year or […]
Continue Reading
As wood burners have increased in popularity their reputation has grown in controversy. Apparently more and more people are installing them in urban and suburban areas as a way of reducing their heating bills. But they are also creating a clean air issue, something we are lucky enough not to have to deal with here […]
Continue Reading
Crinan went to stay with a friend while we (his irresponsible parents) were away for a few days. To make us feel jealous, Crinan sent us this holiday diary and we thought we would share it with you. I stayed with Maggie for a few days and this is me with her and one of […]
Continue Reading
Two nights ago we officially moved from summer into autumn and whilst I was on Mull there was a huge harvest moon that slid up over the horizon to light the landscape for the whole night. Autumn has arrived early this year with the first tree turning in late July and when the rain came […]
Continue Reading
Here on the West Coast of Scotland, we are lucky enough to live in a temperate rain forest. Some people complain about the high rainfall and Highland mists but in a global context we are lucky to be the home of some internationally significant plants – Bryophytes. Wikipedia defines Bryophytes as “an informal group consisting […]
Continue Reading
When I arrived at Ard Daraich in 2004 the Maclarens had a thriving nursery garden that specialised in Rhododendrons and Azaleas. There was a busy potting shed in the old garage with a huge pine table used for potting propped up on wooden blocks to raise it to working height. Outside, there were raised display […]
Continue Reading