What have Spean Bridge guests been up today?

Hello
Just thought I would gave you a few ideas of what you can do in the area by letting you know what our guests have done today.

1. Seeking thrills on the downhill mountain bike track at Nevis Range http://bike.nevisrange.co.uk/
2. Walking the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Spean Bridge in brilliant sunshine http://www.greatglenway.com/
3. Driving up to Mallaig via Arisaig, Traigh golf course and the world famous beaches http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/scotland/737937/Camusdarach-British-beach-of-the-week.html
4. Drove up through Glen Coe http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/glencoe.shtml

Have a great weekend

Peter and Lesley

In-room survey winners

Mr and Mrs Davidson won our annual draw after completing a survey form in their room in late 2010. The form allows us to gather feedback on what we are doing right or wrong and items that need attention in the room.

The couple have just taken advantage of their free nights stay and it was great to see them again.

They took the chance to take the drive around Ardnamuchan including the loop down a very narrow road to Kingairloch. Here is some information on that area Kingairloch

Gairlochy Tea Room on the Great Glen Way - No More

This goes out to anyone walking the Great Glen Way.

There are quite a few out of date guide books, walk notes, maps etc that mention the Gairlochy Tea Room at the end of day one on the walk. Please be advised that the tea room has been closed for three years now.

The nearest option is to walk two miles up the road towards Spean Bridge where you will find the Old Pines Hotel at which you can buy refreshments and take in the fantastic views. You may then like to join the Highbridge path which curves down towards the river and into Spean Bridge avoiding the pavement walk down the A82.

Thought provoking letter as the Great Glen grapples with how it contributes to Environmental challenges

Hello
Found this letter in the Inverness Courier and thought it worthy of further circulation.

Is there a case for protecting parts of the Highlands from Windfarms because after all our main industry is tourism and we should be protecting the enviroment and landscape that visitors want to see.

Are there sufficient other sites for the windfarms?

Are windfarms being driven by central funding which is perhaps not correctly aligned to protect the landscape? ie would it be better to focus our efforts on offshore wind, tide and wave energy? Or is it likely that windfarms are the quick and easy win in meeting our national energy reduction targets?

Farmers and landowners in the Highlands need income the same as anyone else so they cannot be blamed for taking advantage of the schemes.

Here is the letter http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/14608/Let_92s_balance_the_new_with_the_best_of_the_old.html

An update on the growing Great Glen Way

If you have ever walked the Great Glen Way and felt a little more tired than you expected here is why. The original length of the walk was taken from maps and worked out at 75 miles.

The Great Glen Way Rangers have now measured it by trundle wheel and they reckon its actually 79 miles!

So you were 4 miles more tired than you were expecting.

Here is a link to the official website
http://www.greatglenway.com/

Spean Bridge B&B takes a walk up Loch Arkaig side, Achnacarry, Lochaber

Hello
This week we had a wee walk along Loch Arkaig to Invermallie bothy.

It was a dry cool day and the views were fantastic. Starting at Achnacarry there is a very good path all the way and it only took about an hour to get to Invermallie. The bothy is maintained by the Bothy Association and they are doing a fine job with it. If you fancied a night in a bothy this one might be a good place to start.

On the walk you are virtually on the banks of Loch Arkaig which is huge and in some ways a hidden gem. The water was very calm at times making for some beautiful reflections of the mountains.

The main wildlife of the day were the frogs probably at least 12 spotted on the path.

Renewable Energy and Heat Fair near Spean Bridge!

Hello
Renewable Energy and Heat Fair in Fort William this Saturday 19 March 2011, 9:30 to 5pm.

Lots of interesting exhibitors and a range of advice to help nudge us all along the right path.

All the details here http://www.lochaber-environmental-group.org.uk/fair.asp

See you there

Peter