Issue 60, Autumn 2024
In this edition, our featured photo is of a rather magical snow scene with the frozen River Fillan in the foreground against the formidable Ben More beyond. The trees along the river bank are still laden with snow not yet melted by the morning sun. The area is known as Strathfillan which lies just a few miles north of our Inversnaid Hotel, in fact many of our winter day excursions travel along the adjacent road between Crianlarich and Tyndrum. In many parts of the United Kingdom snow has become something of a rarity, but less so here in Scotland where we frequently enjoy periods of crisp winter days with clear blue skies, perfect conditions for you to enjoy the countryside from the warm comfort of the coach.
There was an interesting discovery made from behind some paneling during alterations to our Loch Awe Hotel - a wine list dating from the late 1930’s when standards were clearly slipping as not only were several wines out of stock, but instead of being reprinted, price changes on the list were being made in pencil.
However one of the items particularly caught my eye - a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothchild (Premiere Cru). This, as you may know, is a legendary wine which would usually only be found in the world’s
most exclusive and expensive hotels and restaurants. But what was more astonishing is that it was available for a paltry 10 shillings or 50p in today’s money. It’s a great pity that it wasn’t a couple of bottles that found their way into the void as, surprisingly, a similar 1934 vintage of the same wine can still be purchased from France, but you would need to find over £3,000!
We still do keep a good range of excellent wines at Loch Awe, as we do in all of our hotels, but I have to admit perhaps of a slightly more modest quality. But at least the wine lists won’t have any penciled alterations in them.
Michael Wells OBE, Chairman
Mount Stuart
We are pleased to be able to confirm that visits to Mount Stuart House will continue during 2025. This remarkable building is situated on the Isle of Bute and so getting there will entail a brief but exhilarating sail on the shortest ferry crossing in Scotland.
On arrival at Mount Stuart one cannot fail to be impressed. It was constructed in 1719, but severely damaged by fire in 1877. Fortunately most of the contents survived, along with the two wings. The reconstruction was commenced shortly afterwards, but was not fully completed until early in the 1900’s. The result was a spectacular architectural feat – a building that surpassed its predecessor in grandeur, scale, and ingenuity. A hugely
impressive neo-gothic mansion, Mount Stuart was the first house in Scotland to be wired for electricity, had a lift, a heated indoor swimming pool and central heating system. All remarkably still working today!
There is so much to see at Mount Stuart, both in the extensive gardens and in the house interior where the beauty lies in the quality of the contents and the amazingly detailed craftsmanship. From the foraging squirrels carved into the dining room panelling to the
elaborate painted mirror in the ladies’ drawing room – each element tells a story, and something about the characters who once lived here. The house is a labyrinth of grand rooms, hallways and staircases. Not to be missed are the fabulous Marble Hall and the opulent Dining Room,
Visits to Mount Stuart House will be included in several of the Ardgartan Hotel itineraries during 2025.
Photograph taken during the reconstruction in the 1880’s and, looking at the workmen perched on the roof, clearly in an age before the constraints of ‘Health and Safety’!
Gold amongst the Heather
Our readers may be interested to learn that one of our regular guests, Paul Youden, is a published author and has recently completed a novel set in Scotland, but of greater interest is the fact that much of the story is centred around Lochs and Glens Holidays and its various hotels.
The story opens with the main character recuperating at the Loch Awe Hotel after suffering injuries in a plane crash and continues at a rattling good pace around all of the other company hotels until its satisfying ending. For those interested
For those interested hard-back and Kindle editions are available from Amazon.
READER’S VIEWS - A selection of your letters and photos
A winters afternoon at the Loch Awe Hotel. Trish Bertram, Rayleigh
I have just returned from a fantastic 5-Day Spring Break holiday at Ardgartan Hotel and, as always, the entire staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble and no matter the time of day or how busy the hotel, they smile, and are polite and courteous - a real credit to the company.
Our driver, Sandra was excellent and, on Monday when Sandra had a day off, we had Carl. (What a humorous character, we never stopped laughing all day!)
I am already looking at the brochure to book my next trip.
Christine Maskill, Wetherby, Yorkshire
Loch Tummel Sunrise from my bedroom window. Maureen Bartlett, Sturminster Newton
We have just returned from our first holiday with Lochs and Glens...We arrived at the Ardgartan hotel in July and I can honestly say that it is the best hotel that we have ever stayed in. The room was lovely, clean and spacious with a great view of the loch. The staff were extremely efficient and so polite and friendly. The food brilliant with a good choice and we enjoyed all the trips although unfortunately the weather was bad on the last day.
I have to mention Steve, our driver. who was on his first trip. He was very helpful and did an excellent job. A very likeable young man.
We will certainly travel with you again and will recommend your company to family and friends.
Thank you again for an amazing holiday.
Kelvin Dent & Rosemary Pereira, Wellingborough
Thank you so much for our amazing holiday at the Loch Tummel Hotel in May. I took this picture of our happy group. Special thank goes to our wonderful driver. Margarita Filipova, Weymouth
Having just returned last week from our second ever holiday with you I thought I’d share a few photos, mostly taken from the coach window!
Our group cannot praise Lochs and Glen’s enough. No single supplement too makes so much difference to us all.
The photo that has been admired so much by friends and family was taken from the landing window of Loch Awe on going down to breakfast at 6.30am (sadly our last day).
Brilliant driving when three Lochs and Glen’s coaches met a timber lorry at the side of Loch Lomond!! Blessed too with wonderful weather.
Daphne Cox, Bourne Lincolnshire
If you have a photo taken on a Lochs and Glens Holiday that you would like to share with our readers, please email it to photos@lochs.com
Sea life cruises from Tobermory
Boarding the morning ferry at Oban and sailing across to the iconic Isle of Mull has long been the start of some of our most popular excursions and, in some itineraries, we include an exciting wildlife viewing experience.
On arrival at the pretty port of Tobermory we will be embarking on a Sea Life cruise boat for a sail through the Sound of Mull whilst an expert spots and identifies wildlife of interest.
On arrival back in Tobermory there will be time to explore this picturesque town before boarding our coach and making our way back
to Craignure where we rejoin the ferry back to Oban and then on to our hotel ending a truly unforgettable day.
During the 2025 season Wildlife cruises will be included in the itineraries of several Loch Awe Hotel holidays.
Over the sea to Skye - A troubled journey
The remote and beautiful Isle of Skye, at over 600 square miles in size, is the largest island of the Hebrides. Its rugged unspoilt beauty began to attract curious travellers during the late 1800’s.
Tourism boomed in the 20th century but was limited by the capacity of the Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin ferry which, by tradition, did not run on the Sabbath. An attempt to introduce Sunday ferries to ease weekend tourist congestion in 1956 failed following a huge protest by the devout islanders.
Another attempt was made in June 1965, but this time the islands police force of three had been augmented by 50 additional officers drafted in from the mainland to deal with what proved to be a far more bitter battle. Despite a large contingent of islanders on the quayside praying for an Act of God that would, at the last minute, prevent the ferry from docking, the fully laden vessel arrived. A number of islanders flung themselves down in front of the cars as they disembarked, but all to no avail and, by the end of the day, 202 cars and 875 passengers had been landed and 14 arrests made.
You would think that this would have been the end of Skye’s troubles but 30 years later civil disobedience on a far greater and more protracted scale erupted and this time instead of 14 arrests there were over 500! Ironically the cause of such fury was centred at exactly the same geographic point as before.
As traffic to the island increased, it became clear in the 1990’s that a bridge was needed to replace the ferries and in October 1995 the elegant structure that you see today was opened. A toll was set at the same price as the ferry charge, as it was believed that in view of the increased convenience that the bridge offered, this would be accepted by the islanders. It was not, and then began a campaign that included mass protests and a prolonged policy of non-payment which continued as long as the tolls.
Those charged with refusing to pay were obliged to make the 140 mile round trip to Dingwall sheriff court, again crossing the bridge where again many refused to pay, incurring a further criminal charge. It was an acrimonious battle that was to last nine long years, only brought to an end following the creation of the Scottish parliament which promptly abolished the tolls at the end of 2004.
As today’s Lochs and Glens guests speed across the bridge enjoying the magnificent scenery I wonder how many are aware of the high drama that occurred here all those years ago.