Hope you had enjoyable, and restful, Christmas and Hogmanay! Here’s wishing you all the very best of health and fortune for 2009…
It is, remarkably, a sunny morning with blue skies… mind you, there is a huge storm up on the west coast of Scotland coming in over the Isle of Skye. This December and January has been much milder than previous winters, and we did not get blessed with snow on Christmas Day – much to the chagrin of some of our guests who had travelled from Australia and New Zealand – sorry! If only we arrange the weather to order for you… The good news is that this summer is predicted to be much warmer than in 2008 – hurray. It was such a wet old summer last year.
Philip and I managed a short break ourselves to blow away the cobwebs – a few nights at a lighthouse hotel, famous for its good food. In the middle of nowhere, with a field of Highland cattle at the rear and the sea stretching into the distance and Irleand on the horizon, there was little else to do except admire the views and watch the ferry float back and forwards, relax and eat till we nearly exploded. Heaven. The diet begins now…
Valentine’s Break
We still have Valentine’s weekends available in the Park & Garden Apartments – and, for an extra £30 we can throw in champagne on ice, a dozen red roses and special Valentine’s choccies… Go on treat your loved one!
Competitive Rates
We have kept the same rates since we started up - aware that it has been a tough year or two for so many, and we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to you in offering good value. Remember, we also publish our reduced weekly rates and discounts on longer lets on our individual apartment rates pages. We hope that, with the dollar and euro strong against the pound, you will be encouraged to visit during 2009.
Rugby Internationals in February/March 2009 – Availability
As at 17 January, we have the following availability
Scotland v Wales: 8 February – availability in our Balfour Apartment
Scotland v Italy: 28 February - availability in all 3 apartments
Scotland v Ireland: 14 March – availability in our Park & Garden Apartments
FAQs & Useful Links
Can I draw your attention to our FAQs & Useful Links pages on our website – they really do answer most of your questions! The most frequently asked questions are:
1. How far are you from the city centre? A: 1 mile – you can walk in 15-20 mins or catch a bus which will take you there in around 5 mins.
2. How far are you from the nearest grocery store? A: There is one across the road from the back entrance, and a larger one 5 mins’ walk away.
3. Can I take a 1-day tour to St Andrews/Inverness? A: Yes, there are a host of excellent bus tour companies that run daily tours to the latter places, and all over Scotland. (These are all listed on our Useful Links page.)
Improvements/Maintenance
Philip and I have been busy, as ever, making improvements to the apartments. Since we focused on the Garden Apartment in 2008, and completed a total renovation on the Balfour Apartment by May 2008, over the last few months, we have turned our attention back to the Park Apartment: new dining-chairs, new chest of drawers in the single bedroom, new bed headboards on both beds, complete redecoration, and all the window-frames have been renovated and repainted. Currently, new blinds are being made for all rooms, and shortly, we will have new carpeting installed in both bedrooms – in time for spring. The Garden Apartment will also be given a re-paint for springtime.
To Bed…
I know this is a somewhat mundane subject, but, as someone who is incredibly fussy about bedding whenever I stay in accommodation, I hope you find it reassuring to know that we insist on putting clean mattress-protectors, pillow protectors and patchwork quilt on all beds between each and every guest stay. And, we have duvets in all apartments – I really have an aversion to those blankets and bedspreads that are, in my opinion, of dubious cleanliness… All our duvets are dry-cleaned each month, and we purchase new pillows for all beds around every 8 weeks. Mattresses are replaced the minute they become saggy – and, we buy the best quality mattresses!
In the last week, I have been busy purchasing luxurious new bedlinen; our lovely Egyptian cotton towels (which a lot of guests love) – we provide three per guest, plus handcloth, on arrival, and change as and when requested by our guests; and new DVDs for all apartments.
Hope this is a relief to know for those of you, like me, who have resorted to taking your own bedding when you travel in the UK, and means you can leave it behind!
On that note – away to get busy. In 2009, we hope to introduce some special days out for guests – and will keep you posted. So, keep reading.
Look forward to meeting you in 2009 – or to meeting up with old friends again.
Debbie & Philip
