Barracks Cottage

Name: Barracks Cottage
Address: Kirkton, Glenelg, IV407JR, GB
Telephone: +441821642525
Price range: $

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Barracks Cottage

An original Scottish Butt 'n' Ben built circa 1723 expanded 270 years later to a popular retreat! BBQ & fire pit available

22/08/2024

Can you spot BC ?

Photographed for this Valentine’s post card, taken circa 1936 (dated using ‘first published’ code on bottom right of card)

A lovely wee picture of Barracks Cottage… standing as a proud wee But n Ben in front of the majestic Bernera Barracks.. away in the distance on the top left!

This card, which I recently acquired, shows the original cottage, which now houses the twin bunk room, and the existing double bedroom… the second half being added circa 1995, with the ensuite not yet even a twinkle in anyone’s ee!

During the 18th, 19th century, the main living area would be on the left hand side, with the crofts animals.. be it cows or sheep.. being in the but… on the right… adding warmth with their bodies to the then custodians.

The imposing Glenelg Hotel looking well before its sad demise through a serious fire in 1947…. However… its imposing tradition has been continued with the existing and welcoming Glenelg Inn… which so many of our custodians thoroughly appreciate and enjoy!

Cheers

Ray & Fe. ❤️ ❤️

21/08/2024

Barracks Cottage. Did you hear about the stag with one eye..?

That was a bad idea…

A staggering number of deer can be spotted around Glenelg and area... here are just a few taken by visitors, friends and self.. many within walking distance of Barracks Cottage.

I could have added one of a very regal stag that had just shed its antlers, but it would have been pointless.

Did you know it was today, 21st March back in 1942.. that 'Bambi' the Walt Disney's animated movie was released? I was very fawned of that film.

So there we go.. Some fine photos of deer for all who fallow this site

So, in hindsight I look forward to some witty and appropriate comments about deer... ( N.B. not pheasants, as that would be a game changer ) Over to you ..

Ray and his 🦌 ❤️ ❤️

20/08/2024

20th August. Barracks Cottage.

It was exactly two year ago today that we announced the following information from The Glenelg Shop..

Wonderful news !

Wow… no need to pack your children/dog into tiny spaces to make room for the vast amounts of food you may require when staying at B/C. Lindsay and Ben are introducing a pre arrival collection ( & delivery to BC) order for your stay at the wee cottage… or anywhere else….Excellent news and time to support local enterprises… Especially when they are former regular residents of BC !!

‘’Welcome all customers existing and new!

It is with great pleasure that The Glenelg Shop is open to pre-orders for your shopping requirements. This can be weekly, daily or a planned order ‘ahead of time’ in expectation of a holiday stay or return to the area.
As you may be aware, we receive fresh bread, vegetables and fruit deliveries x3 times a week as well as weekly fresh meat and smoked salmon deliveries.
As a small, independent shop in the highlands, we are lucky enough to have the above as standard deliveries with trusted suppliers and we are expanding our repertoire to include very local suppliers in the area as we grow the business.
We would be delighted to hear from you should you wish to order from us.
See website for order & collection timetable and attached template for pre orders.
We very much look forward to hearing from you and thanks for shopping local!
Team Glenelg Shop x ‘’

Please contact: Lindsay & Ben (01599 522 221) [email protected] for pre-order template!

Which, we understand, so many of our visitors to BC have done… having the cottage freezer and fridge be pre-stocked with their order ready for their own adventures in Glenelg… thus, on their journey, leaving so much more room in the car for their excited custodians and the occasional tail wagging clan follower !

Wishing everyone a wonderful time….

Ray & Fiona. ❤️ ❤️

19/08/2024

Barracks Cottage

“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” ~John Muir

With this I have no dispute in….
So long as wee dugs use the poo tin… 🤣😂😆🤣

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

18/08/2024

Change-over day at BC!

Bidding farewell to our family from Belgium and welcoming once again, our ‘well seasoned’ family who will take over the custodianship for their own fantastic week…

Let’s hope the weather improves.. and those continuing ‘white horses’ frolicking in the sea.. start to settle and calm!

Talking of which… here is The Great Clydesdale Migration from 2006!
A journey on foot (hoof) from the Isle of Skye.. crossing to the mainland via the Glenelg Ferry, Glenachulish to Cumbria !

'It was a journey of a lifetime for many'.

"This was an amazing journey, a long distance ride using the Clydesdale and Shire horses from "West Highland Heavy Horses", our Heavy Horse Riding Centre, which left the Isle of Skye in September of 2006 and arrived some 40 days later on 31st of October, having travelled 450 miles across Scotland through the north of England to our new home here in Cumbria."

http://www.cumbrianheavyhorses.com/html/ourhistory.html

Ray & Fe 🐴 🐴

16/08/2024

Just a couple of years ago… taken today, Sat 17th Aug.

The end of the road from Glenelg to Corran, arriving at the start of one of the most remote parts of Scotland, The Knoydart Peninsula.
https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/about-us/where-we-work/knoydart

But a gentle and controlled ‘hive of activity’ can be experienced! From traditional Scottish entertainment at the Ceilidhhouse
https://www.facebook.com/theceilidhhouse/ to the Way Out West Café ( @ Sheena’s) where not only delectable eatables can be partaken but also some very special events including Musical Folk Nights, Drawing Sessions.. Stories and Song Evenings along with various workshops… Massage etc
https://www.facebook.com/wayoutwestcafe/

Despite this being the end of the road… it is also the start of some true Highland culture.. despite the closure of that famous cafe.. or Tea Hut!

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

16/08/2024

It's the 16th of August and it was today, back in 1766 that songwriter Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne, was born in Gask, Perthshire. Sadly she is little known despite her songs being as popular as some of Burns.
She wrote 'Charlie is my Darling'... 'Wi 100 Pipers' and of course “Will Ye No Come Back Again” Born into a fiercely Jacobite family, much of her songwriting reflects the political climate of the time.
I wonder how many of you, having spent some magical moments at B/C and with car packed with momentoes and memories .. closing the gates of Barracks Cottage before your homeward journey, have actually stopped to try to comprehend that distant tune... coming from the direction of the cottage ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o0NUmNNffM

13/08/2024

Corran & Arnisdale… just 9 miles south of Glenelg… the end of the road… but the start of some magnificent scenery and amazing walks along the herring path.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/kintail/Corrancoast.shtml

Sadly no Sheena’s Tea Hut anymore… however, I notice the occasional use of the splendid Heritage Centre at Corran… offering cafe services with coffees n teas and associated nibbles.

https://thetouringnetwork.com/venue/the-ceilidh-house-heritage-centre/

Well worth a wee trip along the single track road… watching out for deer… sometimes on the road in front of you!

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

13/08/2024

Looking across to Glenelg!

Just a wee stroll up that hill on Skye, right opposite Barracks Cottage.

Back in 2021,, on this very day, our intrepid visitors ( Spot and his lot! ) decided to walk to the top of that mountain on Skye above the ferry... I understand it is called Sgùrr na Coinnich. ( Correct me if I am wrong!) As seen in the first picture taken from BC

"Today has turned out quite an adventure and we were off early to the Ferry... There is no official path so it was quite rough and hard going at times, and very windy at the top. But the views from the ridge were fantastic, over Broadford to the Cuillin, down over Sandaig, and over the narrows with the ferry just a teeny dot below us.
You might just make out BC on one of the photos.
It is a walk Adam has wanted to do for years now, so finally ticked that one off the list!
Spots first ferry journey back to the mainland, we were the only car on the ride across. More coffee and cake from the ferry shore station (well we had earned it!), and home again for a rest! "

So impressive Spot and thank you for sharing your adventure with us...

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

12/08/2024

🎼 O FLOWER OF SCOTLAND. 🎼

So, what is ‘the flower’ of Scotland? The Daffodil …. apple blossom…. x foxglove, ?

This’ll give you the answer !

For it was today, 12th August way back in 1990 Roy Williamson, the Scottish folk musician and songwriter, died. Williamson was one of the famous duo, the Corries, along with Ronnie Browne. It was Williamson who penned the song “Flower of Scotland”, now used by Scottish sporting teams as an anthem. (Ref Scotclans.com)
Listen to this 1968 original recording… I think possibly filmed at Bernera Barrack’s wee sister Ruthven Barracks by Kingussie ? A nice simple we ditty.. daintier than sung today… Have a wee listen

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiyLuv3GSs4

… and here are the actual lyrics, for what has tended to become the Scottish Anthem. Which suits me just fine.

https://www.flowerofscotland.org/

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

11/08/2024

TWILIGHT. Noun. ‘ the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, caused by the reflection of the sun's rays from the atmosphere.’

Nothing can be more tranquil than twilight, anywhere, but perhaps especially around BC… a kaleidoscope of moods and such a choice of subjects… worth getting out and about at twilight.. so often missed by perhaps spending a cosy evening by the fireside.. after a ‘hard’ day..

Like the Beatles experienced when they released this musical film today in US back in 1964.. I think they would have enjoyed BC.. what a place for inspirational art work, writing and composing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjyj8qnqkYI

RAY & FE ❤️ ❤️

10/08/2024

JUST LOOK WHO IS ON HIS WAY TO BC !

What heart warming and inspirational comments from you ALL .. sharing your BC kitchen thoughts about a Ninja.

Thank you for your opinions… mostly very positive, along with suggestions that we involve the special silicone (or grease proof paper/lining) inserts, to save even further time and effort on the washing up malarky.

Whilst we too use the silicone inserts ourselves at times (and would most certainly supply with any proposed Ninja at BC).. there are a couple of things which come to mind:

a) These inserts tend to act as a ‘frying pan’ - not letting any fat drain away… as in lamb chops, burgers, bacon & sausages etc,. Arguably, many of the ‘non fat’ recipes tend to perhaps not be the healthiest of options when using this extra container? Folk also have to be very ‘air fryer aware’ with the paper linings .. not to mistakenly switch on .. to ‘pre-heat’ with them inside, as they get blown up into the heating element, catching fire - disaster! .. and one of our early errors!!

b) With or without these inserts… there tends to often be a lot of extra fat/oil left in these ‘bucket’ containers, which, if washed out in the sink, could cause a massive problem in any kitchen drainage (as with any frying pan!) but especially creating an issue for BC’s Septic Tank system! We would hopefully guarantee that our wonderful BC custodians will empty excess fat into an absorbing kitchen towel & the general green waste bin for appropriate dispersal… (hopefully!!)

Either way… YOU HAVE VOTED NINJA A ‘YES’ FOR BC …and it certainly looks like a good plan (saving us from transporting our own well used and respected Perthshire Ninja to the Highlands too!). However, those enjoying the benefits of a more leisurely cooking process, must continue to do so!

Alexa? We would have to change her (response) name to McNabb or McSporran or something more appropriate…I’m thinking McGillivray would be too confusing for not only herself to respond to… but for some of our visitors to pronounce. We will continue to think about a BC Alexa.. but meantime will bring her with us.. for her own wee taste of Highland Broadcasting…whilst we ‘deliberate’ further on her cousins’ future introduction.

Ray & Fe ❤️❤️

P.s. Understandably, the author of our outdoor eating adventures.. ‘Cooking Wild’ was naturally one of those not in favour of such mechanical monstrosities.. preferring to cook with a basic flame and natural resources ….alfresco.. and rightly so!

09/08/2024

QUESTION. Would you share BC with a fearsome but efficient warrior?

So what are the important ingredients to make a holiday be.. just that?

The list is endless… including cooking, (or not…) meals for everyone!!

What ever you decide .. and I know some of you budding chefs enjoy spending time preparing the most exquisite cuisine, using the array of utensils and cooking facilities available at BC.

However… a number of us would eat out each day… if we could afford to do so… avoiding all that associated time consuming meal prep! So an alternative could be to cook more rapidly at BC ..simple, quick but healthy meals & snacks etc..

SO HERE COMES THE QUESTION…. !

Should we invest in a Ninja Air Fryer for BC .. enabling prep to be even quicker… and far less fussy, with less washing up, also ideal for the Chefs and Cooks amongst us.. when almost any meal can be prepared to perfection in far less time. (More precious time to get out and about!!)

Our own positive experiences at home with a Ninja… has resulted in this warrior being an essential part of our packing when heading to BC, along with Alexa [who supplies us with such a choice of audible radio programmes] sad… I know.

So… time to perhaps provide BC with her own permanent Ninja… ?

Let us know your thoughts….

Would you enjoy sharing BC with this ‘fearsome ‘ but so efficient warrior?

Ray & Fe 🥘 🍱 🍲 🍟 🥓

08/08/2024

Today.. back in 2019 our custodians report:-

" Today was a wonderful trip on the ferry to Skye (we'll be back there on Thursday for the celebration for the restoration of the ferry vessel- photos to follow).
We've been to the Talisker Distillery and the Fairy Pools.
But in the cottage now, enjoying dinner and a glass or two..."

Homely, lived in and oozing pure 'hygge'.

That’s BC

Ray & fe ❤️ ❤️

07/08/2024

Barracks Cottage

I wonder what’s on the menue at BC today? ☀️

Time perhaps for a wee trip to Kishorn… and indulge in the most delicious of sea foods just like a birthday meal especially prepared for a resident at BC today back in 2019…

http://www.kishornseafoodbar.co.uk/http://www.kishornseafoodbar.co.uk/

Meantime trust you are all enjoying the Olympics…. Such energy for those competing and so time consuming for us spectators….

That will do us just fine!

Ray & Fe 🦞 🦀 🦪 🦐 🍤

06/08/2024

2020. 6th Aug. When Darren and family were custodians.

A well walked path over Beinn Sgritheall... known to quite a number of B.C. residents... ( Please identify yourselves below ! ) Somewhat rough conditions for Darren.. and tomorrow we will enjoy his sunnier walks around Skye later that day!

"Day started at 4am (for me) a quick up and down of Beinn Sgritheall. The visibility 3/4 of the way up was brilliant however the top was in cloud cover. It wasn’t too bad on the top weather wise about a -2 wind chill and drizzling. After this we attempted to visit the coral beach on Skye yesterday and could not park for love nor money, so busy! We have been before and there was only an hand full of people. So we abandoned this and went for a walk around Dunvegan castle gardens (currently only the gardens open).

The sun came out making this all the better. Then over to Waternish and Skyeskyns to purchase our second sheepskin and a lovely cup of coffee. Finally to top the day off we called in at Taste of India just before Skye Bridge for our tea. So not all was lost."

Ray. & Fe ❤️ ❤️

05/08/2024

Aug. 5th Barracks Cottage. 2024

We are safely back home in Perthshire.. unpacking all our bits n bobs… with the trailer still totally full of mainly rubble and rubbish, which one just cannot dispose of easily in the BC area… with no skips or recycle areas.

Meantime, many thanks to so many of you who yesterday, enjoyed looking at the finished BC ‘Porsche’ and for your lovely comments… so gratifying to read and really appreciated .. making us feel that our three weeks involvement was so very worth while…

Meantime… look what happened, today 5th August 2021

‘’At long last, the fire pit has been christened !

Time now for reflections... to share stories... songs... to enjoy family and friends under the stars, not under stress and in front of the Isle of Skye, not the television...

To warm our outside with the glow from the drift wood and our inside with perhaps a wee dram... or cuppa ? It's called wellbeing.
Many thanks to Clan Roome, ( NB Myself, nor anyone else looking at this...are in the least bit envious, covetous, jealous, begrudging..jaundiced.. and on and on and on...)”

Back to today and wishing our first time visitors from Belgium a fortnight of fun and games... and a wonderfully fulfilling holiday!

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

04/08/2024

Barracks Cottage. Our last day… numbering 26!

Work is complete… and we are delighted!

Twas well worth the last two days of our required work for a massive inside clear up to the whole cottage which has a thin, but perceivable layer of white dust…. from top to bottom… the whole place… not an inch spared…. (lying in every nook and cranny!). An inevitable result of the unavoidable actions from three weeks of building work… from plaster cutting… wood shaving.. and demolishing very old roofing and some internal cottage structure etc.

So pleased with the end result however, of a roomy entrance area in which to whip off coats .. pop off boots.. hang up a lead or two etc!

We’re pleased with the pine work top, crafted from old scaffolding boards… (by yours truly) ..and also the genuine double horse oak plough yoke .. made from an Item we have had for years and years… just waiting to be re-invented!

No longer does the original front door exist (new inner one now opening into porch area)… doing away with that extremely constricted inward opening.. making a right turn to the bedroom area impossible. Not to mention the raised roof… enabling a raised doorway… and in doing so, facilitating the step up to living room (and also bedrooms) to be levelled off to the same height as the porch.

We just love it.. although, after 15+ years of negotiating the route to our bedroom, I still find myself stepping down.. when leaving the living room… Acchh.. My brain will adjust! One day.

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

02/08/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 25

Perhaps if Benjamin Franklin stayed at BC back in 1730 he would have had a look around the garden.. noting the reasonably tidy and efficient garden bits n bobs and the newly installed containers for same… he might well have penned the phrase
'A place for everything and everything in its place'?
So whilst he penned… twas sadly not here.
But we are… and busy prepping the place for our visitors from abroad.. arriving for their exciting 2 week adventure… lucky them!!

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

02/08/2024

Barracks Cottage.. Day 25. Thursday 1st Aug.

The final gathering with our trusted builders who have been with us (whether one or four) on a daily basis for the past three weeks. This morning they spent time clearing the site… adding the extra detail to their build… or improving an already acceptable feature to BC’s new rear roof and porch! All constructed with a rare professional attention, involving personal care and thought. Thanks chaps!

Our own involvement with this day of snagging, culminated with the finest of fine food when we spent a wonderful evening with good neighbours, just along the village road, accompanied with appropriate apéritif essentials and more…not forgetting lovely lively and engaging company.

Meantime, we are totally delighted with the porch & roof result… and trust the following exterior photos will be met with approval from all our visitors and followers of this page… alike.

Ray & Fe. ❤️ ❤️

01/08/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 24

‘Tis Wednesday….

I woke up to reasonable weather… so could be found in the garden at what I thought was 8am… cutting over-grown trees at the rear of BC, to reintroduce the wonderful views towards the Mam.
I enjoyed this early morning energy, as did the early morning midges.. the female of this species, enjoying a couple of hours feeding frenzy, with yours truly being all the courses of their 5 course (at least) banquet.
But then the sun shone to a significant temperature, and the now very fat lady midges… disappeared into the undergrowth.. to sleep off their gluttonousness gorgeous gourmandizing..
I am midge free…
Suddenly realised that my 7am rising had infact been 6 …so ‘mistakenly mistook’ my garden actions for what I thought was an 8am start! Good grief.
So, this day continued with some nautical niceties..such as seaweed left after what must have been an extremely high tide.. along with continuing cottage completions now almost at a snagging stage… Hooray!
Super evening light… enjoyed by both Bernera Barracks and us… and then I spy our booked table for two, however, like the sun…… not quite set.
‘Tis our turn to eat…

Happy Days

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

30/07/2024

Barrracks Cottage. Two years ago today….

“Log on to this…

The sun sets and Fiona has just completed the task of stacking 48 nets of heavy hard wood logs, ready for colder times….( I was genuinely caught up with another task… and she insisted…. Honest! )

This large pallet of logs had been left at the roadside sometime shortly before that… twas meant to be a door to door delivery… absolutely no notification from the courier… who had just dumped same at the start of our track and left!… only brought to our attention by a phone call from a friend who had spotted our name on same…. So we will be following that one up…

It also took quite a few car journeys down the track transporting this much required winter fuel, in order to keep ourselves and our visitors warm and cosy…

Grrrr.

Rant over.

You can log out now. “

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

30/07/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 22

Twas indeed, on reflection, a funny (as in odd) sort of day today. Busy with bustling builders beginning with their habitual and accurate 8am start… Brilliant!

Attached is a wee porch pic of internal work with yours truly happily contributing (construction of some wood surfaces involving rustic edge sculpturing.. replicating efforts made for BC kitchen separation many years ago!).

Meantime, we required a wee trip over to Kyle/Broadford. Would have preferred to have gone via MV Glenachulish… but finding, in parts, the immediate access roads on Skye sadly requiring a wee reminder of John MacAdam’s discovery!

So.. over the mam we drove… stopping at the top the check.

Picked up various required items from petrol funnels to letter box flaps.. and decided to treat an ourselves to a wee bit o lunch. Quickly discovered that a Monday is not the day to choose.. with so many great eateries closed (presumably for recovery!).

We ended up at Hectors (really!).. but clean and efficiently run… with a chicken mayonnaise sarnie … and a scamp ‘n chips. (As per photos … exactly that!)

Of course… whilst not regarded as a tourist attraction… the buildings beside the Co-op car park in Broadford, houses all manner of odd curious.. some very old.. some not so… a bit like some of their browsers… perhaps. 😆 !!

Not too sure however, why Kyle Council allow large letters (Graffiti?) on their road around the car park!)

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

29/07/2024

Day 21.

Many of you will remember the trouble we had this time last year with our builder… who, not only didn’t finish the ensuite extension… but removed all the rear roofing.. (which we had bought) before heading back (in disgrace) to the Fort William area.

It was today, that we posted the following:-

THAT’S US DONE…. BUT BY NO MEANS FINISHED!!

Only with hard work and much help did we manage to have the wee cottage (half complete red roof) up and running, with the new and positively acceptable ‘Loo with a View’ en-suite.

We are returning to Perthshire today (Sat) making way for our first ‘well seasoned’ visitors, whom we trust, along with all of our forthcoming custodians, will appreciate this new additional facility and enjoy a superb holiday.

Meantime, lots to be getting on with for us - from afar (and much to be sorted longterm!!)

Fiona & Ray ❤️ ❤️

UPDATE… Red roof complete.. porch just about… pictures shortly!! Well done to our amazing squad of East Coast builders.. along with our local sparky! Hooray… !!

28/07/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 15.

We are delighted to report that the new BC porch is now complete… just requiring internal work including floors covering… wiring, plumbing and decorating…alll planned to be finished in a couple of days or so…

Then, we will share pictures of our new ‘porsch’ with our followers… which will offer a warm and comfortable area to dry clothes.. de boot.. hoover the dog as well as offering new laundry facilities etc

Meantime… because our heads have been in the clouds for the past few weeks… here is a wee repeat from a few years ago… all about that very thing…. We are surrounded by sky.. after all.

"What's the weather like?" I ask...
"Cloudy!" comes the reply...
" That's good!" I retort!

So, did you realise just how many different clouds there are... how many can you name ?

Here is just a small sample of some of the clouds.. ( appropriately taken either on, or showing Skye! )

Click the following link to view a great wee film from the Met Office... giving a great insight to clouds... their names... and heights etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaAz3lp8Keg&t=42s

" Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky". Rabindranath Tagore

Ray & Fe ⛅️ ⛅️

26/07/2024

Just look at the cute little Barracks wabbit.. nibbling away at some fine fodder a few days ago... Elmer Fud would love this.. especially as it was today.. 27th July, back in 1940, when Bugs Bunny first appeared! So for all of you, especially Jasper and Austin .. ( if you have time ! ) enjoy the following... ' A Wild Hare' ( an amusing and clever wee film by Warner Bros ) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4053d

Meantime a few magical moments from more recent times…

Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

26/07/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 13

Memories from today, exactly one year ago…

Beinn Bhuidhe on the Isle of Skye, is not afire…!!

Tis just an amazing fiery sunset… and look… we have new neighbours for at least one night. Here is ‘Magic Moments’… a rather nice ‘charter’ vessel.. with a young family enjoying looking across at us, their red roofed neighbours before dining in the main lounge... or perhaps a wee alfresco lobster on the upper deck.
https://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=symore-magic-6249

I wonder what supper is being prepared on board tonight? Perhaps lobster thermidor under a red sky .. ?

Another busy day with some noticeable progress at BC… we are definitely getting there….

(And there is nothing wrong with Birds Eye Fish Fingers under a red roof.)

Fiona & Ray. ❤️ ❤️

25/07/2024

Barracks Cottage. Day 12

Never having been on a cruise… It’s difficult to compare same with that of such an enjoyable trip as on The Glenelg Ferry! But I can’t imagine it gets any better!

For.. we had nipped over to Skye… to pick up some essentials, unfortunately not available in the Glenelg Shop.. ie ‘a keeper for a lock’ along with ‘a stainless steel marine quality split cotter pin’ together with a replacement barrel lock for our new front door..!
https://glenelgshop.co.uk/ There is of course a limit to what this great wee local shop can stock… !!

So our mini cruise involved a professional yet highly entertaining crew, who safely guided us across the water… along with a group of professional looking cyclists.. dressed smartly with what appeared to be Evoc wear…who were being photographed with the ferry in the background, as well as on the ferry itself… clearly some sort of ‘photo shoot’ perhaps for that well known (to cyclists) brand.

Let’s watch out for the latest catalogue from Evoc… which may just have the wee ferry as its main backdrop…. But then I could be completely wrong… I should have picked up the courage and asked!! (Or at least spoke to them 🤭)

Meantime, if you are looking for a new piece of gear… then on yir bike to

https://www.evocsports.com/

Ray and Fe 🚲 🚲

24/07/2024

`barracks Cottage. Day 11

Our 8.am launch took place without too much ado.

Grateful for the man power and words of wisdom from the ‘Glenelg Boat Buoys and Baggywrinkeling team’ without whom we would have languished as lonely landlubbers.

We, at times nervously, enjoyed getting to know our craft.. whilst simply, like Ratty said to mole…in The Wind in the Willows… “Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

We did just that

Ray & Fe 🚤

Address

Kirkton
Glenelg
IV407JR

Telephone

+441821642525

Website

http://www.barrackscottage.com/

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It's the 16th of August and it was today, back in 1766 that songwriter Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne, was born in Gask, Perthshire. Sadly she is little known despite her songs being as popular as some of Burns. She wrote 'Charlie is my Darling'... 'Wi 100 Pipers' and of course “Will Ye No Come Back Again” Born into a fiercely Jacobite family, much of her songwriting reflects the political climate of the time. I wonder how many of you, having spent some magical moments at B/C and with car packed with momentoes and memories .. closing the gates of Barracks Cottage before your homeward journey, have actually stopped to try to comprehend that distant tune... coming from the direction of the cottage ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o0NUmNNffM

The Dirty 30…! Sat 8th June 2024 A 30 mile run/walk across the highlands of Scotland starting and ending at Glenelg. https://www.lochalsh-trails.co.uk/route_details.html This is an Incredible event with competitors from all over and a good number of locals! MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEARS FIRST FINISHERS ANDREW RICHARDSON IN 5 HRS 20MINS. AND LAUREN BOUCHER IN 5 HRS. 30 MIN… Fancy entering for next year…? Click the following for information. https://www.facebook.com/LochalshTrailsClub/?locale=en_GB Sound up….Sit back, relax and enjoy… Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️

DAY TWELVE. A MYSTERY Just enjoy yesterday’s great, unexplained and unexpected event at B.C.! Who can tell us what the following wee ceremony is about.? (For some reason, videos or movies tend not to be watched by our BC followers…. however, please click on this great bagpipe occasion..and let me know your thoughts.) About a dozen or so braw pipers proudly and tunefully gathered around the Barracks.. and then marched along the road.. as if to welcome our lovely relatives from Ireland.. who were arriving for a visit at that very moment.. ( spot their white vehicle in the background.. as they wisely reversed back up the track!!) So sound up and enjoy this unannounced happening at BC Positively rousing and a lovely event….but we are so in the dark as to who they were and what they were about? No research in local websites offer a solution. Thoughts? Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️. I have discovered who they are !!! After posting on the village FB page.. with over 1000 viewings including the following :- These are staff and students of The Piobaireachd Society Summer School who have been based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig this week.

Day 7. So.. Birds of a feather do flock! I couldn’t resist posting this ‘slow motion’ clip of these charming Siskin… enjoying a very special meal at the BC window ledge cafe last night. Please find the time to watch even just part of the following 2 minute film, to marvel at their superb aerodynamic skills.. enabling hovering… sidewinding… up or down and reversing, even! Put the sound up… along with your feet… relax and enjoy. Wonderful therapy and cheep at the price. Ray & Fe ❤️ ❤️ https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/siskin

Enjoy So… it’s time to report that an incredibly special event took place recently, for two rather special BC custodians! The followers of Stanley 🐾🐾 … (Guy & Julie) …took a break from walkies, to make a mutual and heartfelt commitment to each other in the wonderfully atmospheric Eilean Donan Castle. Here they share some superb moments of an exceptionally memorable event. Barracks Cottage is privileged to have been part of this unique occasion❣️ Wishing you both (& Stanley!) the happiest of futures 💌 Ray & Fe 🥰 ❤️🥰. (Sound up)

Today’s early morning sunrise from Barracks Cottage .. beginning the day with calmness, love and serenity. Happy Custodians! (Click the pic and join in the jig!)

Just a wee trek for a reward of the most amazing view ever…dont miss the video….. R & F ❤️ ❤️ Day 7 Hi, Another lovely day. We’ve been so lucky with the weather, although we understand it’s due to worsen. The sea was much further out at the beach and Basil loved the sand. He’s so at home here and immediately settles into the slow pace of life here. The more adventurous of us, me not included😊, decided to climb on up to the top of that hill directly facing you, if you’re standing with the cottage on your right and Skye on your left. The first photo is them on the way up nearing the top and then them in the distance once at the top. They took a video from up there and if you watch to the end you see BC in all its red roofed glory. Another lovely day. Cx

Now here is a wee puzzle… Our resident custodians sent me this interesting wee clip of a rather intriguing area… involving what looks like an extremely high wooden viewpoint overlooking an impressive seres of waterfalls and river(s) Unfortunately they did not name the place .. so I thought I would throw this one open… to see if anyone out there can enlighten me…? (Before I ask B.C.) I know they were on Skye for a day… but we just cant work it out… and look forward to your thoughts.. we haven’t a scooby.. !! 🤔 Ray & Fe ❤️. Ah… Ha!!! UPDATE. From Edie Richards who suggests it is Eas Mor at Glenbrittle on the I of S.. which I have confirmed with the following link. https://www.scotlandsfinest.nl/what-s-to-see/scotland-s-finest-nature/eas-mor-waterfall-isle-of-skye. So congratulations Edie.. and many thanks for solving the location of the wee video. Ray.

VIEWERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED! ( Never said that before on this page… ) That lovable Dean and his brothers and sisters.. ( still quite rare in England ) have always had a reputation of being not only fun and endearing windowledge friends..but acknowledged as being fairly savage and indiscriminating little chaps….as some Glenelg locals will atttest… with their precious hens.. being slaughtered in one single visit from one of these wee beasties. So… quite unique footage below from our Custodians last night.. when they left an overnight camera.. focused on the windowledge! They were enjoying watching their footage at breakfast.. when suddenly the drama began.. with Doc…. Making a sudden and flying leap towards a hapless wee bird… who was in the wrong place at the wrong time! Here is that nights filming… condensed by Emma and Richard, to one minute, in order to appreciate Mother Nature’s (some times brutal) happenings! ( so.. very fast motion .. so don’t blink… ) Amazing! Click the pic to start… perhaps the wee bird escaped… ? What do you think ?

Frid 5th Jan. The weekly musical evening was enjoyed at The Glenelg Inn with talented locals joining in an impromptu get together of fine tunes and fine beverages to accompany! We thoroughly appreciated this evening… socialising with good friends and neighbours! All is well. Ray & Fe ❤️

Ne'er's Day (New Year's Day) Is a haliday in mony kintras, creatit for tae walcome the New Year. In the Gregorian Calendar, Ne'er's Day is 1 Januar. The New Year is an event that happens whan a cultur celebrates the end o ae year a the beginnin o the neist. THE GLENELG INN. It’s Midnight and the New Year was announced by wee Scott.. ( rather than Big Ben ) who had entertained us all evening with some fine songs.. accompanied by his superb guitar playing… combined with the skilful suck’n & blow’n on his moothie.. Then at midnight…the traditional pipes or piobaireachd took over with Brian showing equally braw blow’n skills with a selection of traditional toe tapping Scottish tunes for everyone to hug and wish thoughts of good things for 2024. Locals, visitors to even pirates (with their Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of DunBrewing) were made welcome in what was a spontaneous sharing of love and best wishes. Twas a very cold and frosty start to the year as we happily trundled back to BC… Shiver me timbers !! Ray & Fe ❤️