Evergreen News - July 2010

Hello Everyone,

Apologies that we are a bit behind with the newsletter this month but it is July and it's all a bit hectic. The summer season is in full swing and as well as Evergreen we of course have our self catering property next door to keep running smoothly. The only problem is the garden at Hazelgrove which at this time of year resembles more of a jungle which has to be slashed back and controlled every week by Graeme. Two hours every Saturday morning with the strimmer and lawnmower followed by cutting back trees which overnight seem to grow new branches! Of course deep down Graeme really enjoys doing it because it is outdoors and it is physical work. Now some of you may say, what about the midges - do you not get bitten alive? Well let me just make this clear to all those worried by them - first, they are only bad when the weather is warm and muggy and secondly buy and spray on Avon Skin So Soft! Avon in our experience beats any other repellant by a mile. It also makes you smell rather nice rather than slapping poisonous chemicals over your skin. Avon will allow you to enjoy walking in the evening much more, in Farigaig Forest behind us here at Evergreen.

With light still in the sky on a good evening until 11pm, it offers great opportunities to see wildlife such as badgers, pine marten and deer (although you can see them around Loch Ness at any time of the day!) Go four miles 'in land' from Evergreen and there are areas where, with patience, you will see wild goats, mountain hares, osprey and if you are really lucky a golden eagle. And of course most mornings you are still be able to see our 'resident' red squirrels feeding from the bird feeder in our back garden.

Of course the wildlife is just one of the attractions at this time of year. Around Loch Ness there are numerous events which provide something for everyone. On July 24th we have  the Inverness Highland Games  and running continuously between 12th July - 16th August we have The Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail. For over a month talented young musicians play traditional music mixed with song and dance at over 45 different events around Loch Ness Inverness and the Caledonian Canal. Then coming up near Loch Ness we have Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival on 6th and 7th August. My favourite, with an amazing mix of music of all genres, theatre, comedy, poetry reading - you name it, this festival has something for all ages! 

Finally this month a fantastic little booklet has just been published by the South Loch Ness Heritage Group which tells the story of the area through wonderful photographs, old and new. Graeme, with his interest in heritage made a small contribution to the booklet specifically relating to Inverfarigaig and we are selling the book on behalf of the Heritage Group for £3. So, if you have stayed with us and would like a copy, please just let us know and we would be delighted to send it on to you.

Until next month

Graeme & Fiona

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