Relax at Tullochwood

One of the most frequently heard comments we hear from guests is how relaxing Tullochwood is.  Living in the grounds, of course we have to agree – even after the busiest of days out and about – the tranquillity of the woodland and lochan is hard to beat.

Our February half term visitors enjoyed some gloriously sunny days, albeit a bit on the cold side too – and it was lovely to welcome back our regular guests as well as some new ones.

Many of the local tourist attractions are open again and everything will be in full swing by the end of the month for the Easter holidays.  We have a couple of spaces, so check availability online if you want to see Tullochwood at one of the prettiest times of year with the spring flowers through and the trees beginning to blossom.  With any luck the ducks and moorhens will have come back home too!

I wonder if they take different routes to get here each year? By car it’s lovely having a choice of roads – all spectacular in their own way.  Along the Moray coastline from Inverness; through Pitlochry, gateway to the Highlands, from Edinburgh; and closer to home there’s Dava Moor, the Speyside whisky trail route and the easy 4 mile drive from Forres.

The lodges are the perfect base to explore the area, or simply take a time out and sleep from 2 – 6 people, with some suitable for your dog to come too.  We can always help with information about what’s happening in the area and keep our information lodge stocked with lots of information and leaflets – but for a sneak preview check out our things to do page – some highlights for the year are on the right too.

We often have special offers and just now short breaks are available until the end of June 2013 – even over the Easter Holidays when you can pop up to Brodie Castle for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Bookings can be made online, or email Mary at enquiries@tullochwoodlodges.com or call 01309 673311, for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Best wishes

Mary

Tullochwood Lodges at the Porridge Championships

If you’d told me when I left school that eight chums and I would spend an afternoon in Carrbridge watching the World Porridge Championships, I’d have presumed you’d consumed too much of Scotland’s other famous product.
Yet earlier in the month, on Saturday 6th October – that’s exactly where we were. Nine school chums enjoying the bookclub annual weekend away.

First there was the leisurely lunch at the Heather Centre – stovies and oatcakes – where we chatted about the book for the month. Coincidentally (or maybe not!) based around the area in Ballindalloch Castle – Bloodlines, Touch not the Cat, by Mckerley & Schippers. Sadly the castle was closed for the season or we’d have been there too!

So we decided to pop in to see the World Porridge Championships at Carrbridge. The village hall was buzzing. We arrived just at the end of the second heat. Seats were found and we watch the third heat of contestants create traditional and specialty porridges for the judges. Proper traditional porridge – oats, water and salt. And yet five totally different results. Toasted oats, coarse oats, fine oats, soaked oats – a combination of any. Yes – and I have to say surprisingly – we were gripped. The whisky tasting during each round was an added bonus obviously!

So thank you to the organisers – this was the 19th championship. Well done to everyone who took part. And congratulations to Benedict Horsburgh who won the Golden Spurtle for traditional porridge, Lauris Figone who won the specialty porridge and John Boa who won the ‘People Choice’ award. You made our weekend.

To join in next year – just get yourself booked in at www.tullochwoodlodges.com for the first week in October! Or call 01309 673311 for short break prices.

Best wishes
Mary x

Take a Timeout at Tullochwood Lodges

Wow – how fast did the summer go? What an exciting few months for the country. With the Jubilee celebrations and then the Olympics with Team GB doing us proud – it’s no wonder the school holidays seem to have sped by and now most of the children are back at school. And with 10 days of the Paralympics taking us into September now is the time to think about having a little bit of a time out again before the Christmas festivities.

So if you need a second break – or just simply didn’t get round to one earlier in the year – here’s why you might want to take a wee holiday at Tullochwood. Other than the trees turning to beautiful bronzes and golds, reflecting in the silvery water of the lochan – we can have our own spectacular olympian displays too – there’s still lots going on in Moray over the autumn!

Why not invent your own holiday pentathlon – with a trip to one of the local castles or museums, book festival, whisky tasting, red deer rut safari and a day at the local swimming centre. Or if food is more your thing there are festivals and local farmers markets, or why not add a spot of ceilidh dancing, golfing or horse riding. There’s lots to choose from – our around and about page will give you a few more ideas.

Of course, our guests aren’t the only active ones. The Tullochwood swallows have been very busy this summer, one busy pair have reared 5 chicks – feeding them non-stop for weeks through rain and sunshine – the chicks fledged and within 7 days new eggs had been laid in the nest. Feeding is going on as we speak, it is amazing how attentive they are….always a shame when they go as we know the colder weather is approaching….never mind they’ll be back!!

Add to the array of things there are to do and see, our fantastic Autumn special offers – which include midweek (Monday to Friday) and weekend breaks throughout September to November – including the October school holidays – and other discounts subject to availability – and you’ll feel you won your own gold medal! Please call 01309 673311 for more information or email me via the website at http://www.tullochwoodlodges.com.

Best wishes
Mary x

Going for Gold @Tullochwood Lodges

Yes – we’re getting into the spirit of things and ‘going for gold’ – but we’d like it in the shape of gloriously round and warm sunshine for all our guests to enjoy a relaxing summer break at Tullochwood, while watching The Olympics in comfort on the flat screen digital TV’s…bliss!
In saying that, we did pop up to Inverness last Saturday to see part of the Olympic Torch relay – just one of those events you don’t want to miss – especially with a budding athlete who’s just enjoyed her primary 1 school sports day!

We have our own sporting events to look forward to over the summer. In June there is the Moray Walking Festival from 21st-24th and then the whisky Trail Cycling Sportive on 24th. The Barclays Scottish Open is being held for the second year running at Castle Stuart Golf Links from 12th – 15th July. And of course the Highland Games are in full swing in towns across Moray.

So whether you want to be active (and you can be) or whether you want to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet, with woodland walks on your doorstep and beaches and forests close by – you’re going to love our summer special offers.

We are offering midweek breaks (Monday to Friday) in the two bedroom lodges throughout July and August – and other discounts are available subject to availability. Please call 01309 673311 for more information or email me via the website at http://www.tullochwoodlodges.com.

Best wishes
Mary x

Hopping Mad Easter Deals @Tullochwood Lodges

We always look forward to this time of year at Tullochwood – as the weather warms and the plants and wildlife come out around us.

With Easter being a bit later this year, whilst we can’t promise you sightings of any Easter bunnies, we can be sure you’ll enjoy a lovely display of spring bulbs in and around the lodges.  And this year we’re offering guests staying for a week or longer 15% discount while there is availability.

As usual there is lots happening in Moray and Speyside throughout April, including the Glenlivet 10k in aid of the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association, local farmers’ markets and musical evenings in the local venues.

Visitor attractions will all be opening their doors for the start of the new season with activities and interests for all ages, from dolphin spotting and nature parks to castles and museums.  Check our Around and About page to see everything that Moray has to offer.

We look forward to welcoming guests to Tullochwood in 2012.  Check out our special offers for full details of our Easter Offer as well as ongoing deals, or call on 01309 673311 for more information and availability.

Best wishes

Mary x

PS Just spotted our first moorhen of the year on the lochan – spring is on it’s way!

Spring Spectacular at Tullochwood Lodges

I can’t believe we’re at the end of November already and watching the woodland turn wintry with beautiful frosty mornings – and no doubt snow soon!

It’s been a busy year in Forres and Morayshire – from the Barclays Scottish Open Golf Championship at Castle Stuart in July (returning again in 2012) to the Porridge championships at Cawdor in October. There have been Highland Games throughout the summer months and local musicians and bands playing in the many venues in the area.

We are delighted to hear from our guests about their stays with us at Tullochwood – and have added some of their comments to our website Guest Book. Our website also now features our online video so you can capture a bit of the ‘feel’ before you even get there!

So, before the winter sets in, why not take advantage of our special offers and find out what our guests are raving about.

• Spring Spectacular – 15% off all breaks taken before the end of May 2012

Check out our special offers for full details or call on 01309 673311 for availability.

Thank you to all our guests for staying at Tullochwood – we hope to see you again soon

Best wishes

Mary x

Well, my ‘baby’ is growing up and had her first day at school last month – and yes Mummy did shed a tear or two at the school gates! And in a way that marked the end of a busy summer – Tullochwood Lodges have been buzzing with lots of guests – and of course we have enjoyed some fantastic events this year including the Scottish Open.

We’re offering 20% discount on all breaks in October and November (as well as a few in September), so guests, old and new, can enjoy a late season holiday and take in some of the delights of the Morayshire area. Check out our special offers for full details or call on 01309 673311 for availability.

And to whet your appetite, here are some of the events and visitor attractions you could enjoy from Tullochwood Lodges.
• Huntly Farmers Market takes place on the first Saturday of each month where you can not only get local produce but crafts and plants as well.
• The Red Deer Rut Landrover Safari gives a unique opportunity to chance upon rutting stags in the glen – as well as see red and black grouse – a nature lovers dream.
• The Speyside Whisky Festival takes place from 30th September to 3rd October – but if you miss that there’s always the Whisky & Shortbread tasting at Balvenie Castle

All this and an array of local craft fayres, Hallowe’en activities for children and an abundance of concerts and gigs to suit all musical tastes.

Who knows? With a bit more time while school is in – I may even get to some of these myself – or enjoy some relaxation time at http://www.tullochwoodlodges.com!

Best wishes
Mary x

Spring arrives at Tullochwood!

Well Spring has arrived at Tullochwood – piles of lambs are everywhere enjoying the sun on their backs!  It lifts the spirit to see them on my way driving to and from Forres most days…

Work has started on the flower beds and floral display area at Grant Park in Forres which is a sure sign that the frost is almost gone…I wonder if they will win any awards this year!?  Let’s hope so as it’s an amazing display of colour. 

Brodie and Cawdor Castle are opening their doors this weekend for Easter egg hunts and the start of hopefully a busy season.  And it won’t be long until the Highland Games dates are posted so look out for these on the Tullochwood website soon.

The moorhens are back on the lochan and a few ducks – we’re not sure yet if they are nesting but usually they surprise us – so will keep you posted with developments!   The hard winters over the past couple of years seem to be affecting their numbers so it’s about time we had a nice mild winter!!

Happy Easter from all of us at Tullochwood.   

Mary & Kenny

Deer spotted at Tullochwood

I’m delighted to say I seem to be losing my blogging job – as longtime friends of Tullochwood, Robert and Linda Lees, kindly agreed to submit an update for this month.

Many thanks to both of you – looking forward to seeing you again at the end of the month.

Mary xx

Hello everyone

Our week’s break at Tullochwood was spent mostly relaxing. We caught up with friends met at Tullochwood and relatives who live in the area.

I managed to catch sight and photograph one of the red deer in the woodland walk, near the play area end. The trees were turning colour and dropping their leaves resulting in a golden carpet on the grassy areas – so lots of wonderful colours for photographing.

We cycled in the Culbin forest a regular haunt for us, we headed down to the seal viewing hide, which thankfully has been repaired (the windows had been broken the last time we visited). There we watched the antics of the seals and boisterous behaviour of the Oystercatchers as they tried to pinch each other’s food – mussels, of which there seems no shortage!

A new discovery for us was spotting a small bird called a Turnstone. We saw this when we caught the sunset at Findhorn – which can be spectacular over the shoreline. Another must for us is dinner at Simply Red in Forres – we always try to get there at least once. The food, wine and the ambiance would not be out of place in up the market restaurant areas of our larger cities.

We had a few rainy days, even so I managed to get some nice shots around Tullochwood, and after the rain everything seems much fresher. Looking forward to our next trip which I don’t think will be long.

Robert and Linda Lees

When it’s wet… there’s whisky!

Our friends and regular visitors at Tullochwood, Neil and Alison Cameron, offered to write the blog this month. They stayed during the week – and found lots to do even in the rain! So it’s over to them. Mary x

Hi all you Tullochwood fans!

Well, we’ve visited in all weathers – but perhaps not experienced quite so many sudden downpours – but with so much to do and see in Moray the weather simply can’t dampen your spirits.

Talking of spirits, and being on the Malt Whisky Trail, we thought we should visit some of the local distilleries. First we visited the closest and smallest working distillery – Benromach at Forres. This has to be one of the best tours around – the guides really know their stuff – and they have old equipment to show as well as the newer working stills.

To counter this, we also visited the recently enlarged Glenlivet distillery. With another 4 stills it’s trebled its output to 60,000 litres per day. And as if that wasn’t enough – we finished off by popping in to the Gordon and MacPhail whisky shop in Elgin – with 800 different malts to select from.

We also took advantage of our midweek stay to go to the Kimberley Inn in Findhorn for dinner one evening. This place is really popular – we didn’t get in over New Year even at lunch times – and has a good range of dishes to choose from – but the fish and chips are what they’re known for – but be hungry to eat it all!.

The weather did actually clear later in the week, so it wasn’t all whisky and food indoors. We also went over to Fort George. Billed as the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain – it is an impressive place and lives up to its reputation. Sadly the Regimental Museum was closed due to flooding – but as a working army barracks and its fantastic location – it was a great place to see.

As always we had a walk at Culbin Forest – although we didn’t venture up the tower this time – that can wait till the spring!

Thanks again Mary – see you all again soon
Alison & Neil