Easter 2015 – Achnasheen.
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This
year Easter is fairly early with Easter Saturday on April 4th.
I’ve
reserved accommodation from Saturday 4th April to
Saturday
11th April 2015. Please note that this is the traditional
Easter week
(i.e. it is the week including Easter Sunday).The accommodation this year is in three houses, The cost is rather higher than most years (similar to Dalnaglar) due to the quality of the accommodation. I estimate this as between £210 and £245 per person for the week depending on how numbers fit the houses. As usual I have paid out deposits to secure these houses and I will need to pay the balances before February 22nd 2015 I need confirmation of numbers as soon as possible since I am concerned that if numbers fall short of my guess, I may need to release one of the houses. |
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The Ledgowan Hotel is normally run as a Hotel (I believe we may have had dinner there (many!!) years ago but I have booked it as self catering.
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PLEASE let me have a firm commitment with a deposit of £220 per person as soon as possible I anticipate that this will cover the accommodation cost +/-£20 depending on numbers. |
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| Ledgowan Lodge lies across the road from the hotel perhaps a 200 yard walk. |
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Ledgowan Stalkers Lodge is close to both and clad with larch. |
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Click to go directly to any section |
Mountains and other Walks
Mountains
| Our Local Munros | ||
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| Fionn Bheinn lies just north of the houses. Sometines maligned as a simple hill I have found it to be an attractive winter ascent with good views over its shapely northern crags. | Slioch stands magnificently over Loch Maree. Not technically difficult but it has a long approach from just west of Kinlochewe. | Moruisg is just a few Km down Glen Carron. The approach is quite steep from this side. Its ridge has another Munro, Sgurr nan Ceannaichean from which it is pictured. |
| Torridon Hills | ||
 Ben Alligin |
 Liathac |
 Ben Eighe |
| The majestic monsters of Torridon lie less than 20 miles away. Magnificent to climb but equally grand just to walk under their impressive ramparts. Torridon has a host of other smaller mountains - some Corbetts, some Munros, some neither. Amongst the Corbetts Ben Damh and Sgurr Dubh are two of the best known and The Cuillin Forest to the south of the glen is a wonderful area to traverse (with several fine hills) if a pick-up can be arranged. | ||
| Other Hills | |||
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9 Km west of the Lodges, a level
crossing on the railway leads into
a range of hills to which the Corbett baggers may be drawn. Here 5 Km
from the road stands Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn - possibly more
easily ascended
from Strath Connan but quite feasible from Achnasheen. |
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.Low Level Walks & Cycles
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 A largely coastal walk near to Sheidaig with good views across Loch Torridon. 5 miles as described but can be shortened or lengthened as wished. http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/falls-of-balgy.shtml |
Ben Eighe
National Nature Reserve Trails
There are many Walks in Glen Torridon which don't involve climbing mountains but can lead into wild scenery:
or detailed descriptions see: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/torridon.shtml |
Cycling / walk. Poolewe to Kernsary A short route alongside the River Ewe from the village of Poolewe along an estate road which is mostly still tarmac and fairly level 2-3 miles returnGairloch to Melvaig As much of a 17 mile quiet road along the coast as desired, Some parts undulating but not steep. Or drive to the end of the surfaced road and cycle/walk 3 miles of unmade road to lighthouse |
Tourism and Relaxation
Boat
Trips |
Calum's Seal Trips, Plocton. £10 for ~1hr. www.calums-sealtrips.com |
Attadale Gardens Open April to October. 10:00 to 17:30 (not Sunday)
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Plocton
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Torridon
Sea Tours Morning 11-12:30 £25 PM Loch Torridon £45 Full Day to Rona with sea food lunch £90 http://www.torridonseatours.com/ |
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Hebridean Whale Cruises, Gairloch Whales & Wildlife 2.5hr £45 Shiant Islands 3hr £65 Ultimate Orca 1 4hr £75 http://hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk/ |
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Marine Wildlife Centre, Gairloch With marine biologist guide 2hr £20 http://porpoise-gairloch.co.uk |
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| Gairloch
Marine Wildlife Centre Charleston Harbour, Take a journey from the seashore out to the open sea and discover the huge diversity of wildlife found in the waters around Gairloch. We have a large viewing window overlooking the harbour where porpoise, otters, seals and many shore birds are often seen, and if you want to get even closer to the wildlife without disturbing it you can zoom in using our remote underwater and shore based cameras all from the comfort of the wildlife centre! Our cetacean sound booth allows you ‘listen in’ to the porpoise, dolphins and whales communicating with each other. see boat cruise above |
Gairloch Heritage Museum
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Inverewe Garden & Estate National Trust for Scotland. A lush, sub-tropical-style, oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross, this world-famous historic garden is one of Scotland’s most popular botanical attractions. It is surrounded by an extensive estate. Visitor Centre & Garden: 10.00 - 17.00 Restaurant: 10.30 - 17.00 |
Accommodation
Ledgowan Hotel
Ledgowan Lodge is a classically built Scottish Sporting Lodge. The large country Lodge is very comfortably appointed, fully central heated and the main public areas are spacious and extremely comfortable with beautiful original features and fittings, gold cornacing, wood panelling and chandleries. It is a fantastic house offering a taste of splendour like the lord and lady did when the house was built.
The big drawing room is lovely with its gold cornicing and large bay windows and open fire and the main hall with its beautiful staircase wood panelling and stags head echo the Victorian splendour of the heritage. The hall is so large it can act as a second sitting room also with a big welcoming open fire.
The bedrooms are traditional and all en suite. There are plenty of rooms and masses of public space so the Lodge is ideal for larger groups.
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Rooms
Ground Floor:
Large
hall with seating and open fire and staircase to first floor. Drawing
room. Kitchen. Dining room.
First
Floor:
11 en suite bedrooms. 6 doubles, 1, family (DSS), 2 twins. 2 singles
Equipment
TV with Freeview, TV's in bedrooms, Wifi access
Dishwasher, Freezer, Fridge, Oven & hobs, Tumble dryer, Washing machine
Included
Heating
& electricity
Linen and towels provided
Open fire - logs
Dogs
None
Ledgowan Lodge
Ledgowan
Lodge is a house transformed from what
was a traditional sporting lodge into a very desirable highland house,
beautifully brought into the 21st century with all en suite bedrooms,
beautiful public rooms and even a stunning panelled billiards/ballroom.
There is lovely stone flooring throughout the ground floor, all with
under floor heating.
Ledgowan is a perfect large holiday house for socialising with the
whole ground floor being spacious, bright and fresh with a new kitchen
complete with 4 oven Aga and stylish yet comfortable furnishings
throughout. Upstairs, the broad and bright hall reflect the bedrooms
– all superking sized beds and en suite and with plenty of
space and light. Open fires or wood burners in the main rooms ensure
that warmth and welcome surround you.
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Rooms
Ground Floor: Sitting room. Lounge with wood burning stove. WC with whb. Dining Room. Kitchen open to breakfast room. Utility room. Games/ballroom. Billiard table.
First Floor: Superking/twin ziplink bedroom with en suite bathroom with bath and walk in shower. 2 Superking/twin ziplink sized bedroom with en suite bathroom. 3 Superking/twin ziplink with en suite shower room.
Equipment
2 large plasma TVs with Freesat, Music centre, Wifi access
Aga, Chest freezer, Dishwasher, Electric oven, Fridge, Fridge/freezer, Washer/dryer
Outside
Surrounded by Highland garden but not enclosed. Duck pond at foot of
garden.
Included
Heating
& electricity
Linen and towels provided
Open fire - logs
Dogs
2 Pets - £20.00 charge per Week per Pet
Ledgowan Stalkers Lodge
The Stalkers Lodge has been completely renovated, and extended. All on one level, the living and sleeping accommodation is very spacious with large rooms and hallways, making it ideal for elderly or less mobile guests. Tiled flooring and light coloured walls in the kitchen, dining and living areas are complemented with rich coloured oriental rugs and paintings. The large kitchen/dining area has wall and base cream painted wooden units with solid wood worktops, double oven and hob, large antique dining table and seating. Patio doors open to a large decked patio area with plants and outdoor furniture. An archway leads off to the lounge, with wood-burning stove, comfy leather sofas, flat screen satellite TV, occasional mahogany tables, and large picture windows. All bedrooms have laminate wooden floors and furniture, and are decorated individually in vibrant colours with matching accessories, fabrics and seating. The master super king bedroom has private facilities, and there is an additional family bathroom, and shower room. The exterior of Stalkers Lodge is clad throughout with larch, and the front of the house is paved in grey stone providing further outdoor seating areas, and ample parking.
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Rooms
Ground
Floor: Front
door leads into hall, turn right into living room and kitchen/ dining
room. Patio doors to decked patio area. Off the kitchen is a utility
room accessed from the back door. Off the utility room is a
wet-room shower, with w/c. Left from the hall accesses all four
bedrooms, the master with ensuite facilities, and the family bathroom
with bath, whb and wc.
Equipment
DVD player, Flat screen TV with freeview, Ipod dock, Log burning stove, Radio, Wifi access
Ceramic
hob, Dishwasher, Dryer, Electric
double oven, Fridge/freezer,
Washing
machine
Hair
dryer
Outside
Private
garden +
Garden
furniture
Included
Oil and
electricity
Linen
and towels provided
Log burning stove - logs
Dogs
2 Pets - £20.00 charge per Week per Pet
Eating Together
The Hotel will be able to seat us all.
Cost Estimate
I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers except accommodation cost are based on analysis of the 2014 bill)
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Best |
Typical |
Worst |
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Accommodation per head inc heating etc: |
£210 |
£230 |
£245 |
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Food |
£60 |
£65 |
£70 |
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Alcohol (depending on consumption!) |
£0 |
£25 |
£50 |
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Morning coffee / lunch out / Afternoon teas etc |
£0 |
£10 |
£50 |
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Tourism (e.g. Ferries, House/ Garden entry) |
£0 |
£30 |
£50 |
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Totals |
£ 270 |
£ 360 |
£ 465 |
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
Deposits Please
Please send deposits of £220 per person as soon as you feel able. See the separate email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking.
I have paid a total in deposits of nearly £2725 (+ some for 2016!). The balance of £7600 (plus breakage deposits) follows in February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to mostly cover the house bookings.