Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan

13/06/2024

24/05/2024

The American novelist Kurt Vonnegut once said;

“Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance” .

This thought-provoking statement highlights a common tendency among people: the desire to create or build something new, while neglecting the necessary ongoing maintenance and care. It suggests that we often focus on the initial excitement of creation but fail to recognise the importance of sustaining and maintaining what we’ve already built. There are a few reasons why we humans may ignore maintenance as follows;

Immediate Gratification Bias: Human psychology tends to favour immediate rewards over long-term benefits. Building something new or creating a project provides a sense of accomplishment and excitement, whereas maintenance can be repetitive and perhaps a bit boring. As a result, people may prioritise the initial creation phase and overlook the ongoing upkeep.

Underestimating Effort: Maintenance tasks can seem less glamorous and more mundane than the initial creation. People often underestimate the effort required for maintenance, assuming it will be easier or less time-consuming than it actually is which we find is never the case at Achnamseorach House. This leads to neglect over time.

Lack of Awareness: Sometimes individuals simply don’t recognise the importance of maintenance. They may not fully understand the consequences of neglecting upkeep, especially when it comes to infrastructure, safety, relationships (business and personal), or personal health.

Resource Allocation: Resources (such as time, money, and energy) are finite. When faced with competing priorities, people often allocate resources towards new projects and purchases rather than maintaining existing ones. This can result in neglect of maintenance tasks.

Procrastination: Procrastination is a common human tendency. People delay maintenance because it doesn’t feel urgent until problems arise. Unfortunately, waiting until something breaks down often leads to more significant issues and higher costs at a later date. It is always best to be proactive and to carry out Planned Preventative Maintenance.

Perceived Boredom: Maintenance tasks can be repetitive and lack novelty. People may find them less interesting than the creative process of building something new. As a result, they may avoid maintenance altogether.

We closed Achnasmeorach House in May 2024 to allow us to carry out some long overdue and what are largely unseen maintenance works including;

Replacement facings, outriggers and barge boards
Some external redecoration works
Roof repairs and replacement roof ridges
Upgrading of the smoke detectors throughout the house.
The replacement of a small foot bridge which was washed away in the floods last October.

We only got through a small part of our worklist during this time, but it’s a start. These works will ensure that the building continues to be a comfortable and safe place for us and for our guests to holiday in going forward.

Great views from the roof too!!!!

We look forward to welcoming you to our wee spot of paradise on the West Coast of Scotland.

25/04/2024

A fabulous new business for the area.

Set up by two lovely locals, Angus and Talia who see the opportunity to provide rural services to locals and visitors to the area including; course fishing on a private highland loch, clay pigeon shooting, guided highland walks and photography deer stalking as well as fishing on Loch Awe.

We wish them all the best with this new venture and we look forward to supporting them wherever possible.

This was a group of chaps who were staying at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan last week who thoroughly enjoyed their day out with RCS.

01/04/2024

Midgieworld Coming to the West Highlands

The former Oban Sea Life Sanctuary at Barcaldine has recently been purchased by a consortium of local entrepreneurs. Work will begin in late Spring 2024 to convert the former seal sanctuary into the first ever Midgieworld, an immersive experience which will celebrate Scotland’s most prevalent insect, the Midgie.

Spread over 30 acres of the former Sea Life Centre, Midgieworld will have spectacular views over Loch Creran and will consist of at least 4 funfair rides; Nevis Bobsled, Midgie Cloud 9 (think of a ferris wheel) and Skeeter Express (think of the helter skelter) plus lots more traditional funfair games all with a midgie theme, and a street food venue with authentic Midgie burgers and Midgie sausages the speciality.

Due to open in Spring 2025, Midgieland is sure to be a great addition to a list of ‘things to do’ when visiting the Oban area……….with or without the wee ones.

Open 10am until 6pm during midgie season, so from late Spring to late Summer every year.

19/01/2024

‘Habituation’ - the diminishing of an innate response to a frequently related stimulus.

Dr Tali Sharot, a leading neuroscientist and Director of the Affective Brain Lab & Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London recently undertook some research into what makes people enjoy holidays the most and why. We thought we would share some of her findings with you.

One of the first things Dr Sharot discovered during her research was that the ‘peak’ period of enjoyment of a holiday is 43 hours into that holiday. That doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy day 3 or 4 or your holiday, it just means that your peak enjoyment is at 43 hours.

Why is this? Once you unpack, settle
into and start enjoying your holiday, while you continue to enjoy it, your enjoyment starts to diminish over time……….you habituate.

The second thing Dr Sharot found was that people’s favourite part of their holiday was when they did things for the ‘first’ time; so the first view of Loch Awe from the house for example, the first time you use the 7 seater hot tub, that first gin and tonic down by the foreshore looking down the loch, the first time you use the amazing Games Cabin or use the SUP boards on the loch, the first time you walk up to the view point at the rear of the house, or perhaps the first time you visit the wonderful Kilchrenan Inn along the road from the house.

Dr Sharot found that these ‘first’ times were the most enjoyable parts of the holiday, but that after these firsts, holidaymakers started to habituate - they were still enjoying these activities but not as much as they did the first time they did them.

The conclusion she came to was that we are better to take more holidays for a shorter period of time each than to take longer holidays; maybe a few long weekends here and there rather than lots of two week holidays. This way you will get more ‘firsts’. You will also get more ‘afterglows’, the feeling you get when you return from an enjoyable holiday.

By booking more shorter holidays, you also get to enjoy the ‘anticipation’ of going on holiday more often, something Dr Sharot found was very important for your personal well being, the ‘looking forward to it’ bit of going on a holiday.

So why not do as Dr Sharot says, and book yourself a long weekend or week long break outside of the prime summer weeks, at Achnasmeorach House for 2024. The anticipation of your visit along with all these ‘firsts’ you’ll be able to experience will make it something that will definitely leave you with that ‘afterglow’ feeling.

You will not be disappointed. You know you want to.

Check out our web site at www.luxuryscottishholidayhouse.co.uk or call us on 07836 705109

29/12/2023

Ben Cruachan looking the part today.

24/11/2023

Nom nom!

24/10/2023

More Toys For the Boys and Girls

As well as a new portable BBQ for the foreshore, ‘due to popular demand’ we’ve added a fourth Sup Board to the water based toys.

In the Games Cabin we continue to go ‘retro’ and have added a ‘free play’ Space Invaders gaming machine so that the ‘youngsters’ among you can relive your childhood days spent in the arcade!!! With 3,188 games to choose from there is surely something for everyone.

We still have a couple of 2023 long weekends available. Bookings also now in full flow for long weekends, short breaks and week long breaks in 2024.

Visit

www.luxuryscottishholidayhouse.co.uk

Or call us on 07836 705109

28/09/2023

A review just in.

Thanks so much James. Glad you enjoyed your stay at Achnamseorach House.

Haste ye back.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

‘’This property is easily the most well- equipped property we have ever stayed at! It has everything you could possibly need or want and much more! The beds were ultra comfy, and the views were breathtaking. The hot tub was definitely a favorite among our little group!’’

Date of arrival - 20 September 2023

02/09/2023

A new addition to the Barbeque family house. A foreshore BBQ is an experience that goes beyond taste. It's about creating memories and moments. Grate fun! 😉

31/08/2023

Another review just in. Thanks Vicky. Glad you enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to be able to host you and your family at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan

Haste ye back.

18/07/2023

Hedge trimming time again at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan. Thank you

23/06/2023

Short back and sides please! 😂

21/06/2023

10.30pm. Summer Solstice 2023

25/05/2023

Wow! The mighty Ben Cruachan!

01/04/2023

We love our garden art at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan.

We have just taken delivery of some tartan sheep which we will be keeping in the rear paddock for the next year. Bred by a local farmer at Half Moonish Farm, they will hopefully add a bit of colour to the hillside before they head off to Mull later in the year for breeding then market. By this time next year we hope to double their numbers.

Easter week from Friday 7th or Saturday 8th April now available due to last minute change. You know you want to.

Baa baa tartan sheep!!!

24/03/2023

What a ‘birds eye’ view of Loch Awe.

You have an amazing talent Vanessa Lawrence Art. Thank you.

Why thrushes some may ask? Well, ‘Achnasmeorach’ means ‘Field of Thrushes’.

21/02/2023

Health + Safety always first at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan

Only a couple of summer 2023 weeks still available to let.

You will not be disappointed.

11/02/2023

The best!!

05/02/2023

The days are getting longer! Spring is on it’s way. Cracking sunset this evening.

16/12/2022

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas at Achnasmeorach House, Kilchrenan 🎄🎅🏻🤶☃️❄️🥶 🦌

23/11/2022

Wild swimming at Achnamseorach House just became that wee bit easier!

09/11/2022

A review just in. Wow, wow, wow!!

Thank you so much for these kind words Gillian. It means a lot!!

“We had a wonderful time at your beautiful house. The quality if the soft furnishings from towels, bedding , cushions etc where an amazing standard. I even looked for the brand on pillows so i could purchase for myself. The kitchen was the main room we frequented due to the size, warmth and the large dining table. The bedrooms are all stunning and so comfy. We had a 4 week old baby with us and he could have stayed with mum in most of the rooms as they are very spacious. The hot tub was lovely although a bit complicated with the cleaning instructions but we worked it out. The games room was great, we enjoyed listening to the jukebox in there while playing a game of pool. I loved the sun room at the front of the house. It was lovely just sitting there looking at the view which i would never tire of. The outdoor space is fantastic and with the private jetty it allowed us all participated in our first loch dip which was amazing considering it was November. so the outside shower at the house was great to heat us up after. Scott and his family have certainly made this a home away from home. It has everything!!!! I would definitely like to return in the future. We made wonderful memories.

Many Thanks

Gillian.x”

03/11/2022

Where better to reflect on life but at Achnamseorach House.

19/10/2022

REFLECTION - Looking back so that the view looking forward is even clearer!

16/10/2022

We have you covered at Achnamseorach House.

Hand crafted from a single piece of Dark Brown Maple Wood and made with a steel frame with metal runner, the umbrellas are the Best in Class, just like Achnamseorach House, where only the best will do!

Whether it is the Navy and Black Watch Tartan Classic or the Constellation version, we have you covered at the luxuryscottishholidayhouse, rain or shine!!

15/09/2022

That’s us ready for the Winter!!

04/09/2022

If Carslberg did summer Sailing on Loch Awe.