Ardanmurchan Blogger

Back again!

Monday, November 14, 2011


Sorry folks for the loooooong absence - I have had such a busy summer with tours all over Scotland from April - October. Hope to get my photos sorted out soon and let you see where I have been over the last 6 months! Met many lovely people and formed new friendships. Highlights this year were tours to Arran, Mull and the great whisky island of Islay. (here's a wee photo of Balamory - do you know where that is?!
Appreciating some down time, catching up with my grandchildren and planning my next holiday .... but where to?!!

posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 6:27 PM 



Snow drops and ..... snow in Inveraray

Sunday, February 20, 2011






Walking up by Inveraray Castle yesterday, I spotted the first snowdrops - could be a sign that spring is on the way and time for touring? Maybe not quite yet .... we had snow yesterday but the birds are starting to chirp hopefully although they are still eating me out of house and home at the bird cafe. The yellow is not on the broom yet.

posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 4:59 AM 



Visitors from Valencia




In December I had the pleasure of meeting up with Xavier and his relatives and friends from Valencia who were over in Scotland to spend The Scottish Hogmanay and partake of our whisky. Xavier, a veterinary surgeon, is spending a year at Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital but had been so busy he had not seen our beautiful country. Fortunately the roads were clear although still snow on the mountains and I was able to take them to see some highlights of the Scottish countryside including Loch Lomond where we stopped at Luss, Glencoe and then round to Appin, Castle Stalker and Inveraray where they had dinner in The George Hotel before I drove them back to Glasgow. Hasta pronto.

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posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 12:23 AM 



A visit from Norway

Saturday, February 19, 2011



These lovely ladies, members of a choir from Norway,visited Scotland for a few days last week and spent a night in Inveraray at Arkland and had dinner at The George Hotel and sang .... after their supper! They also visited Inveraray Jail (but didn't stay overnight!). They turned a few heads in Inveraray in their pink dungarees! Here are a few of the large group of 29 before they went home to various parts of Norway, including Trondheim and Oslo.

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posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 11:58 PM 



Fiddle workshop at Catriona Macdonald's home, Denholm

Wednesday, February 02, 2011




A superb small group fiddle workshop weekend (14 - 16 January)was organised by Catriona Macdonald the well known Shetland fiddler (Blazin' Fiddles; The String Sisters)and her husband Gordie, in the intimate surrounding of their home at Denholm, a small village near Hawick in The Scottish Borders. In the company of 17 other fiddle students I had a very entertaining, instructive and interesting weekend. The hospitality and atmosphere was really lovely and we learned so much from Catriona's expert tuition. Delicious lunches and dinners were cooked and served in Catriona and Gordie's home by Gordie and Oona. Thanks to all for a memorable weekend. Another workshop is being held from 8 - 10 April. For those interested contact www.catrionamacdonald.co.uk
To see a gallery of photos - see the facebook page for Kathleen Cameron

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posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 8:36 PM 



Cuba, this time last year!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011





Believe it or not 1 year has passed since I visited this amazing island. Visited La Habana then with difficulty hired a car and visited Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Bahia de Los Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) and back to Varadero. Too short but will return. Lovely friendly people and marvellous music. We stayed in Casas Particulares (with families), gave lifts to the locals and were travellers rather than tourists. This is the way to see the real Cuba and learn about the land and the people. I have wonderful photos which I would like to share and soon I will have an album in facebook.

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posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 10:49 PM 



Caron's Musings: Real DIY and the Disappearing Amazon Snow Shovel

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Caron's Musings: Real DIY and the Disappearing Amazon Snow Shovel

I have just come across Carons Musings when looking up Real DIY. Here in Scotland I ordered a snow shovel on 30 November. I have an email saying it was despatched on Dec 1 by Royal Mail. I put the delay down to the bad weather, Christmas and weather delays, etc. and tonight checked on my order to find that Real DIY are no longer with Amazon. Fortunately I paid with credit card but will follow the advice sent by others in the same position - try to contact Real DIY then Amazon. Thanks everyone.

posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 2:31 AM 



Autumn colours, golden whisky!

Monday, November 02, 2009



Now is the time to take a stroll in the glorious native woodland of Scotland. Our 'Fall' provides nature lovers and photographers with beautiful shots of our trees in their wonderful autumn colours, especially chestnut and beech - some at least 200 years old. Perthshire, especially, is famous for the 'autumn gold' colours. However, this photo was taken in Cawdor woods, near Cawdor Castle, Inverness-shire.


Although days are short, touring at this time of year is more tranquil, less traffic on the roads and cosy log fires to look forward to at the end of your touring day and ..... maybe that golden 'dram' of malt whisky! Most distilleries are still open for visits - especially in The Spey region.


If you miss out on a whisky tour this year ....... there's always 2010!!

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posted by Scottish Tour Guide @ 12:48 AM