Sunday 19 February 2012

Accommodation provider in Spean Bridge takes a trip to Ardnamurchan

Hello

Lovely day today and fantastic views from the West end of the Ardnamurchan route towards Eigg and Skye. Eigg was so well defined - I have never seen the features of the island so clearly. Behind it loomed the snow capped mountains of the Cuillins on Skye.

We eventually stopped for lunch at Kilcamb Lodge in Strontian and it was delightful. Its a beautiful setting and the interior of the hotel is comfortable and relaxing with bags of character. The meal was light with great flavours and superb presentation. Service was spot on. Value is outstanding - £18 for three courses and coffee!

Turning to go home we stopped to take this photograph looking across Loch Linnhe towards the Pap of Glencoe.

Saturday 18 February 2012

Hydro electric scheme near the Great Glen Way - this Spean Bridge accommodation provider has a look

Hello
Scottish and Southern Energy has submitted an application for consent to the Scottish Government to construct the largest hydro project to be built in Scotland and the first brand new pumped storage scheme to be developed in Great Britain since work began on the Dinorwig scheme in Wales in 1974.

It would be located high above Loch Lochy  about 10 miles North of Spean Bridge. If you have walked the Great Glen Way think of it being on your left as you walked North from Gairlochy along the shore of Loch Lochy. This is a link to a Bing map showing the high coire and the stream flowing from it and it must be along the route of the stream that the dam will be constructed Sron a'Choire Ghairbh. There is a rocky stream that cuts across the Great Glen Way at Kilfinnan farm which I presume is the stream in question as it prepares to enter Loch Lochy.

If you are walking the Great Glen Way in the near future do not be concerned as even if consent is granted for the works it will not commence until 2014 at the earliest. It is interesting however that they have planned to reroute the walk even at this stage in their plans.

As people and a business that likes to do the right environmental things we appreciate the need for more low carbon energy sources but this project will surely have a massive impact on the natural environment. From my laymans understanding the project will be a larger version of the Cruachan Hydro scheme near Oban http://www.visitcruachan.co.uk/ which is actually an interesting place to visit when your are in this area. From memory this hydro scheme has little visual impact.

If it does go ahead it would be good to see more UK based contractors involved than seems to have been the case at the recent scheme above Fort Augustus.

Two final links. SSE's own press announcement http://www.sse.com/PressReleases2012/CoireGlasPlanningApplication/ and Power Engineerings news article
http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/02/17/energy-giant-s-gbp800m-vision-for-hydro-dam-in-great-glen.html

The picture below is of the Caledonian Canal looking South with the hills high above Loch Lochy to the right. The proposed scheme would be in behind those hills and flowing out into Loch Lochy near the canal

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Running the washing machines for free - Accommodation in Spean Bridge is getting a little greener

Hello


The solar panel installers arrived today and although still working at 7pm in the dark the work is largely done. Just need the sparkies (good Scottish word for electricians) to come back at the weekend to finish off their work and we will start generating lovely free electricity.

As we are at home all day everyday and running two washing machines, two tumble dryers, an industrial iron for the sheets, four freezers, three fridges and Lesley's hair straightners (:-), we thought it made sense.

And maybe when you come to stay you can feel like you are doing a little bit for the enviroment even when on your holidays by staying at Distant Hills! (hope that was not too sickly but its true)

Sunday 12 February 2012

Photography holiday package

Hello

Just three spaces left on our photography holiday starting on the 16th of March and finishing on the morning of the 20th. £685 for all meals, accommodation, professional photography guide and transport for the period.
See our website under "Whats New" for details.
http://www.distanthillsspeanbridge.co.uk/index.php#special

Sunday 5 February 2012

Glen Affric - the most beautiful glen in Scotland? This Spean Bridge accommodation provider has a look

Another Sunday and another outing to find the best places for you to visit on your holiday in Spean Bridge.

Its 65 miles from Spean Bridge to the end of the road in Glen Affic but it was well worth it. First of all the Strathglass glen is amazing to see as it opens out before your eyes. A long flat valley bottom high in the hills and stretching out as far as you can see.

After passing through the village of Cannich you head towards Glen Affric itself. I particularly liked the Scots pine trees and the islands in the loch. Mullardoch hydro dam is very impressive plus you can walk along the top of it.

Still lots of ice up the Glen as you will see from the pictures.





 Whilst in this glen do not miss Tomich village. Beautiful old houses, post office and hotel.

For more information on this area click here http://www.glenaffric.org/glen_cannich.html