Easter 2010 – Spittal of Glenshee.

This year Easter is a little earlier than last with Easter Saturday on April 3^rd

Last Easter I thought I already had Easter 2010 sorted out with a provisional agreement to hire houses on the Corour (Rannoch) Estate. However following a change in estate manager a rather unsatisfactory letting policy emerged so I have recently had to revise our plans and look for other accommodation.

That said, I have found and reserved accommodation in Glenshee that I suspect will rival Kinlochmoidart House of last year! Though not “West Coast” this is an area than we have never visited at Easter and has lots for everyone to do (walking, cycling and tourism). Cairngorm offers fine walking and there’s sure to be some snow to highlight the hills.

The houses are divided between two adjacent estates, less than a kilometer apart (though you may need a wet suit for the direct route). There are 4 smaller houses on the Finegand estate and one rather impressive Victorian "pile" next door at Dalnaglar. This last is “not cheap” so the overall cost per head is more than previous years but I hope you’ll think it’s still fantastic value.

The immediate need is to know whether I have reserved the right ammount of accommodation. Essentially we need to fill the available beds to keep the cost reasonable. Less immediate (but important!) is the effect on my personal finances!

So PLEASE let me have a firm commitment very very soon and follow this with a deposit.

I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday 3^rd April to Saturday 10^th April 2010. Please note that this is the traditional Easter week (i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday).

Click to enlarge map

Dalnaglar Castle

Click to enlargemap

Finegand

Mountains and other Walks

Mountains

The Cairngorm & Ben Avon with Braemar

Ben Gulabin

An easy Corbett with good views, this stands above the Spittal of Glenshee a short walk from the houses

The Cairnwell

From the Glenshee ski area (not pretty!) the Cairnwell is probably the easiest Munro ever. However the views are good and there’s some great ridge walking to other summits from the top

Sgor Mor

This Corbett close to Linn of Dee has some of the best views of the Cairngorm and Ben Macdui

Lochnagar – over its northern corry.

A fine Munro which demands a 5km walk to reach it

Meall Uaine in the distance

The ascent of this Corbett can start at the Finegand houses as in this view of Allt a'Choire DhomhainTumbling down to Shee Water

© Copyright Russel Wills and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

.Low Level Walks etc

River Isla, Little Forter

Glen Isla is 10 minutes by car from the houses. A quiet cul-de sac the glen has an easy path by the river or more adventurously a low pass leads back to the houses.

Waterfall at Linn of Dee

The NTS carpark at Linn of Dee (free to NT members) is the start point of many walks, long and short, low level and high..

There are hundreds of kilometres of estate track around Braemar which can be followed on foot or on bike. Many of these are ancient Rights of Way, passing old crofts, mills and steadings and giving opportunity to delve into the rich history of the area.

The Dalnaglar Estate offers mountain bike hire.

The oldest pine tree on the Mar Lodge estate

Pines on a bend in the Lui Water

A walk from the Linn of Dee into the Mar Lodge estate takes you into ancient Caledonian Forest. In the area beyond Derry Lodge this often feels like a return to the Jurasic.

Tourism and Relaxation

Balmoral Castle

In 2010 the grounds, gardens and exhibitions will be open daily from April 1^st, 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.

Pony Trekking

Pony trekking at Balmoral takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during April, May, June and July

http://www.balmoralcastle.com/balmoral_trekking.htm

There is also pony trekking at Balmenach Farm, near Ballater and in the Angus Glens

Braemar Castle

Open Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m

or by arrangement with Braemar Visitor Information Centre 013397 41600

Towards Aberdeen, though 60 miles from the houses there are many fascinating castles, often with gardens. Clockwise from left are Craigievar, Fraser, Drum, All are NTS.

Also, 24 miles away towards Dundee is Glamis Castle

Corgarff Castle

On the road North towards Tomintoule, Corgarff Castle consists of a much-altered rectangular 16th-century tower house, white-washed and restored, with later pavilions and star-shaped outworks. The castle was built about 1530. Open daily from April 1^st 9:30 to 5:30

Accommodation

Dalnaglar Castle

Dalnaglar is a fairytale Castle and when you learn it was designed by the same architect as Balmoral you realise it has rather prestigious credentials! This beautiful Victorian Castle is positioned on an elevated site in the heart of Glenshee resulting in beautiful views from most of the rooms in the castle. The house has been extensively renovated and now offers 10 truly delightful bedrooms 8 of which are en suite. All the rooms have their own character and charm as well as wonderful views. There are beautiful secluded gardens and woodland surrounding the house as well as a small lochan in front of the house.

The spacious and elegant public rooms provide a formal drawing room, a library and a reception area so there is plenty of space to gather and socialize or break out space for when you want a quieter moment. The estate itself extends to thousands of acres where you are free to roam and you have every chance of spotting red and roe deer and a myriad of birdlife.

Rooms

Ground Floor: Reception hall with seating area and open fire. WC. Library with open fire. Kitchen and breakfast room. Dining room. Drawing room with open fire. WC. Laundry room.

First Floor: 5 double/twin en suite bedrooms and 2 double bedrooms with shared bathroom. Kitchenette area.

Second Floor: 1 double/twin en suite bedroom and 1 twin with sofa bed en suite bedroom.

Third Floor: A further twin room in the turret is no longer available – H&S decided the ascent of a stone spiral staircase is too dangerous.

Included

Linen and towels. Logs for fires, heating and electricity.

TV, DVD, CD player. 2 washing machines, 1 dryer, 2 dishwashers, fridge, large freezer. 2 electric hobs, 4 electric ovens, grill and microwave.

Dogs

Are not allowed in the main house. There are 2 separate kennels outside the house with a “run”. These are unheated.

Finegand Estate • Cnoc Liath

Cnoc Liath is a small stone built shepherds cottage with a modern extension on one side. This gives the most wonderful views both up and down the glen. The cottage itself is situated about 300 yards above the road reached by an unsurfaced track which in winter would be easier with a four wheel drive vehicle. The cottage is set in a delightful, secluded site close to a newly replanted wood, with magnificent views of the glen. There is a terrace outside the extension with a brick built barbecue and lovely views in front.

Rooms

Ground Floor: Entrance hall to one double bedded room and one twin bedded room. Bathroom with bath and toilet. Sitting/dining/kitchen area. Outside doors from extension to patio and barbecue area.Fully equipped kitchen/dining/sitting room with colour TV and picture windows.

Included

Rent includes heating & electricity up to £20. Cooking, heating and hot water are by electricity with a £1 coin meter, New storage and panel heaters throughout.

Bed linen, towels, duvets, electric blankets and extra blankets.

Dogs

Up to two dogs are allowed but care has to be taken with livestock around the house.

Finegand Estate • Tigh Na Coille

This charming split level stone built cottage is situated in its own enclosed grassy garden and overlooks the Shee water and across to the Castle of Dalnaglar within its woodlands. Across the road are the heather clad hills.

Rooms

Ground Floor: Sitting room (with colour TV), Large dining room with solid fuel stove, Kitchen, Bathroom with shower and WC, The well-equipped kitchen includes a fridge and deep freeze. Four bedrooms (two double rooms, one twin room, one single room)..

Included

Rent includes heating & electricity up to £20. Cooking, heating and hot water are by electricity - the meter will be read prior to arrival and on departure. There is also an automatic washing machine. In addition to night storage and other electric heaters, the solid fuel stove supplements heating and hot water. There is a garage, which can be used for storage.

Bed linen, towels, duvets, electric blankets and extra blankets.

Dogs

Up to two dogs are allowed but care has to be taken with livestock around the house.

Finegand Estate • Corrydon

A spacious detached stone built cottage, with thick walls and an enclosed grassy garden, in a gloriously secluded location just 200yds off the road. You will feel as if you are miles from anywhere, yet here you can have milk, newspapers and groceries delivered on a daily basis! A stone built two storey house, is situated 200 yards above the road up an unsurfaced track; in winter it would be easier with a four wheel drive vehicle (be pepared for a walk!). This self catering cottage is in a quiet secluded position on the edge of a recently replanted wood with fine views from its own enclosed garden.

Rooms

Ground Floor: Large entrance porch, sitting room with colour TV, dining room, large walk-in larder, well-equipped kitchen and newly refurbished bathroom with WC. There is a large fridge and separate deep freeze, and also an automatic washing machine.

First Floor: One twin, one double and one single room, there is also a z-bed available.

Included

Rent includes heating & electricity up to £20. Cooking, heating and hot water are by electricity with a £1 coin meter except for the off peak central heating where the meter is read on arrival and departure.

Bed linen, towels, duvets, electric blankets and extra blankets.

Dogs

Up to two dogs are allowed but care has to be taken with livestock around the house.

Finegand Estate • The Creek

This cottage is tucked away out of site of the road and very sheltered and has its own secure secluded garden. There is a stream beside it that is crossed by a wooden bridge to reach the cottage. There is a small lochan only about 150 yards away with a little boat. Birch woods cover the hillside above and you can fish for trout in the loch. Probably the quietest and most peaceful of the cottages..

Rooms

The cottage is single storey wooden construction. It sleeps four and has a sitting room, dining room, one double bedded and one twin bedroom, a well-equipped kitchen and bathroom with WC. It has a fridge-freezer and colour TV.

Included

Bed linen, towels, duvets, electric blankets and extra blankets.

Dogs

Up to two dogs are allowed but care has to be taken with livestock around the house.

Eating Together

I am told that Dalnaglar will seat 40 in a combination of the main dining room and breakfast room (across a corridor).

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers based on analysis of the 2009 bill)

	Best	Typical	Worst
Accommodation per head inc heating etc (children 50%):	£185	£190	£195
Food	£60	£65	£70
Alcohol (depending on consumption!)	£0	£20	£40
Morning coffee / lunch out / Afternoon teas etc	£0	£15	£80
Tourism (e.g. Ferries, House/ Garden entry)	£0	£5	£10
Totals	£ 245	£ 295	£ 395

(in 2009 Accommodation cost was £152

In addition to this there is the cost of transport i.e.:

Hire cars and their fuel

Fuel for private cars

Flights /trains etc to Scotland

Decisions and Deposits Please

I have paid a little over £2000 in deposits. The remainder follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to cover most of the house booking.

Please send deposits of £185 per person (children £95) as soon as you feel able so my bank account feels less exposed! (See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking).