SPRING IS IN THE AIR....HONEST!

Well it has taken us a while but we have finally dug ourselves out of the snow and low and behold...Spring is here!
So they say there are a few more flurries heading our way, well that is just fine by us; it will keep the mountains topped up for the skiers and add a decorative dusting to the horizon. Down in the valleys however, there is nothing that will perturb us from pulling out the parasol’s and popping on the plimsolls. It might not be barbeque weather just yet, but this is arguably the best time to visit the Highlands for all those who are a fan of the great outdoors and the offerings or our blossoming flora and fauna.
The hills are positively alive with music, not the shrill singing of a nonchalant nun but an orchestral assault by the burgeoning birdlife. Yes, for all those brethren of Bill Oddy and his buddies (Chris, Kate and co - aka the Autumn Watch crew past and present) and indeed anyone who appreciates the many glories of the great outdoors, now is the time to visit the Cairngorms.
It is home to a quarter of Scotland's native woodland and is a refuge for a host of rare plants and creatures, including 25% of the UK's threatened species. The National Park takes in some of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain, from the wild tundra of the high mountain tops to the wind-rocked seclusion of the ancient pinewoods. Heather moor, vivid with summer colour, and grand glens, haunt of red deer and golden eagle, are just some of the other habitats within the park.
And at this time of year we see the return of many of our favourite feathered friends after their winter sojourn in the sun. Great news just in is that EJ, our neighbouring female Osprey, has just returned to the centre at Loch Garten and is looking forward to receiving visitors from the first of April onwards. We also have a small troop of the ever amusing Oyster catchers setting up residence within the grounds, and ever increasing signs of deer within the neighbouring woodlands.
I do hate to be an old Willow Warbler but for those of you who know your Widgeons from your Whimbrels and your Gannets from your Guillemots here is a list of possible bird sightings within the area, for the rest of you who think I have gone Cuckoo and am just talking a load of Chiffchaff…feel free to scroll on the what is on this spring.
Brace yourself for a bird watchers bombardment…(I like to read the list in a sing song type melody, it gives it a rather Doc Dolittle lilt. We have….Tufted ducks, Greylag goose, Black headed gulls, Red breasted merganser, Golden Eagle, White tailed Eagle, Greenfinch, Black Grouse, Red Grouse, the illustrious Capercailie, the pleasant pheasant, the hipper Dipper the ever loved Rock Doves, handfuls of Tits be them Great, Blue or Coal, Herons hopping here, Robins rocking there, Buzzards by the bucketful, Kestrels to fill your boots with, Curlews, Cormorants, Eiders, Stonechats, Teals and Puffins!

Of course not all of us are huge fans of bird watching but there are few who can resist the lure of the Reindeer centre at neighbouring Loch Morlich or the many four legged creatures of the Kingussie wildlife park. Pinemarten are back in force as are Stoats (recently spotted in the grounds) and the Otter family often seen in the Spey just meters from the hotel.

For a what’s on guide of all the spring activities to watch out for check out the online version of the Visit Aviemore brochure at http://www.visitaviemore.com/whatson.html.

Have a nice Spring!

Scotland is the new Alps

With stunning scenery and a big dump of snow, Scotland is a great place to ski. Without any of the travel nightmares of canceled flights or being stuck in tunnels or expensive ferries, Scotland is a really attractive alternative to France. Great accommodation, fantastic food and 100's Whiskeys, Scotland has all the comforts of home with the feeling of being in another country. Scotland has several ski areas all of which could be skied within a week offering great variety and interest. See our web site for more information. http://www.muckrach.co.uk/skiscotland.html

So here it is Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

With just four days to go you could certainly say that we are all well and truly in the festive spirit here at the lodge. Of course the eight inches of snow laying underfoot out there definitely adds to the overall sense that this will be an exceptionally magical Christmas up here in the Scottish Highlands. The trees are constantly covered in a thick dusting of white, icicles adorn the edges of every building and there has been a festive scampering of lodge employees as Chef turns out another batch of mince pies and the bar clinks with the sound of champagne and Sherry glasses.
Having just stocked the woodshed and checked that the star on top of our enormous Christmas tree is straight and shinning it looks like there is little else left to do but turn up the carols and eagerly await our Christmas guests, who will be treated to a few days of simply luxurious festive living.
To all of you out there who can not be with us this Christmas we all wish you a very merry Christmas and hope that we will see you in the new year.

Kindest Regards,

Dominic

A quick thanks!

Hey there!

This is just a quick thank you for all those who attended our open night on Tuesday. Even we were amazed by the turn out and of course really pleased to see so many friendly faces. We felt that the evening was a great success and plan to make it a much more regular event, though we may take it just a little easier on the Whisky cocktails this time.
The mulled wine was fantastic and the canapes enjoyed by all. For all those who missed out and want to know what is up next please feel free to jump on our news update page at the above link.
Oh, and as an after thought, for all those dropping in on this blog, make sure you hit the followers gadget to join our little blog page here.

Kindest Regards

Dominic

The Ski Season is Here!

There are some who say that the Cairgorm mountains are amid the best slopes in Europe for snow sports. The thousand who visit Aviemore every year would certainly agree. With multiple slopes of varying difficulty, easy access by road, the funicular railway for an easy ascent and the comfort and warmth of the The Cas Bar, the mountains certainly seem to offer it all.
As of last week the slopes are now officially open. A milder day today saw a resulting thaw from mid mountain down. The Lady, M1 and Cas runs have held up well providing good snow sports for around 500 skiers and boarders and there has been a lot of fresh drifting on the top runs.
The mountain also boasts the highest restaurant in the United Kingdom at 1097m above sea level. Open daily for visitors, the panoramic windows in the Ptarmigan offer spectacular views of the area and the mountain weather, so those not so keen on a full day of winter sports fun can still enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the view.
Muckrach Lodge is not only ideally situated to be a great base for winter sport enthusiasts, but we also have a helpful staff knowledgeable about the conditions of the mountain who are always keen to help.
Of course the three roaoring log fires we boast and our extensive whisky collection my aslo be of some appeal after a chilly day off piste. Our comfortable lounge bar is the perfect place to unwind after a hard but satisfying day on the mountain, and our three course a la carte menu an excellent way to revive some of that lagging energy.
So why not pack up the thermal socks, pop on a winter scarf and come pay us a visit for a weekend of winter fun.

Mince Pies and Merriness

Tis the season to be Jolly!
And it is certainly shaping up to be a jolly evening next Tuesday. On the 8th of December here at the Muckrach we are opening up the doors to welcome our local friends and peers. We thought it would be a great time to give a little thanks to all of those people who support what we are doing here at the lodge and continue to offer us their goodwill as we move towards not only a new year but a whole new decade.
So what better way to say thanks than to host an evening of delicious canapes, steaming mulled wine and good cheer in front of our roaring log fires. the local community means a lot to us and we are always hoping to give a little back. So if we have been unlucky enough to miss you off of our invitation list, please do not be offended and feel very welcome to drop in from five onwards.

Best seasonal wished and Kindest Regards.

Dominic

METEORS AND MULLED WINE

OKAY,

SO STAR GAZING MAY NOT BE EVERY ONES CUP OF TEA, BUT WHEN YOU ARE GUARANTEED A STARLIT SPECTACULAR OF METEORIC PROPORTIONS EVEN THE MOST HARDENED CYNIC HAS TO ADMIT THAT STIFF NECK IS PROBABLY WORTH IT. AND WHEN YOU HAVE A GLASS FULL OF MUCKRACH'S HOME MADE MULLED WINE IN YOUR MIT, EVEN THE MOST BITTER OF DECEMBER EVENINGS WILL SEEM SWEET.
SO, ON THE WEEKEND OF THE 12TH - 14TH OF DECEMBER, IN HONOUR OF THE GEMINID METEOR SHOWER, MUCKRACH IS KEEN TO WELCOME ALL FOR SOME THREE EVENINGS OF MEREORS AND MULLED WINE. OUR EVENING MENU WILL BE KEEPING IN MIND THE BEST WAY TO WARM US FROM THE INSIDE, OUR HEATED TERRACE WILL BE KEEPING THE CHILL AT BAY, AND THE MULLED WINE, HOT TODDIES AND MINCE PIES MIGHT JUST ADD A LITTLE GLOW TO THE LIGHT DISPLAY.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

KINDEST REGARDS,

DOMINIC