Roslin Cottage

Well that was a surprise!

2012-02-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

It took longer than we expected and it will cetainly be worth it in the end but when we set off to get plastered together we might just have led you a little up the garden path. And if you know the garden path at Roslin Cottage it goes up quite a long way but it was for a good reason. We're nearly recovered now. For it was stones, all to do with stones and plaster walls that had hidden them away for generations. Now with Sid's hard work on the old plaster we have found another beautiful stone wall in the bedroom we call The Kirtle for that is the old name of our cottage.
It started last year when we had decided that a wood burning stove would be a good thing to have in the cottage - we collect our own wood and are very environmentally aware. This way we could have a gentle heat in the dining room which would go through the cottage and save on other fuel. As always, though nothing is straight forward - best laid plans of mice, men, Lucy and Sid and all that...
Now a couple of weeks on and the new stove goes in next week, that's a job for the professionals so we have called on the Scottish Stove Centre who are based at Croftamie to do that. Meantime we are going to repoint the wall in the bedroom with proper lime mortar and build in the old fireplace we found bricked up with some lovely old stones. Busy times...back soon.

We're going to get plastered

2012-01-28T01:07:00.000-08:00

We've been planning doing something together for ages as we don't get much chance over the summer (sailing, gardening and all that), then all of a sudden it's Christmas and New Year and so much going on again. But finally we're going to do it - this weekend!
Of course we've both done it before with other friends, in our other lives, but this will be so different as this time Sid and I will be doing it together.
Och, we've been steaming before, and that was good fun too but never plastered. Proper head banging, top to toe plastered. Can't wait! Counting down as I write...
We got all sorted out yesterday, everything's ready, you have to do that in a B&B, just in case guests come knocking on the door. Our clothes are all set out - we both like to dress for the part and now, today's the day.
I'll let you know how we got on - soon.

Happy New Year

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

It's been a great start to the year with time to catch up on family and friends. We have welcomed a few guests in over the year too. A long time ago a friend gave me a little placemat which said 'Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life'. Not being one who makes resolutions (because I know myself too well) this year is going to be different in that this is going to be my mantra.
Happy New Year to you and yours- and here's wishing that what's for you won't go by you.

7 years and still running

2011-10-31T03:39:00.000-07:00

It's hard work running a B & B, no getting away from that, but the upside is that we have met so many kind and interesting folk since we opened for business in March 2005 with many guests returning (we bribe them with extra toast from Mhor bread).
It took 6 months to remodel Roslin Cottage first but as she is over 300 years old I suppose that's not bad for an old lady. Now all rooms are ensuite and guests tell us we have managed to keep the character of the cottage - though maybe they just mean Sid :)
We can see in the loft where the roof has been built up to make the second level as the story is that our cottage, called Kyrtle Cottage then and the Myrtle cottage next door, were built for two sisters. We've not had time to look into the history properly but maybe when we retire that will be a project. Come to think of it running the B&B was to be our retirement project but Sid still goes out freelance being a chef and I have a wee part time job which fits round the business.
Sometime in 1950 the name was changed from Kirtle to Roslin and that can be confusing as we are not near Roslyn Chapel as you might think. Mind you we have had guests travelling to stay with us having been to the Chapel to visit first but it is a couple of hours drive up the M9.
Callander is on the road to the Isles and if every guest sitting round our breakfast table went to Skye on the same day then it would surely sink - it is a favourite destination and rightly so.

An artist's impression

2011-10-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

We had one of those special moments this week when one of our guests asked if she could draw us a picture instead of putting a comment in to our Visitors' Book. Now with a little help from a friend you might see what Noreen has made - a beautiful pen and ink drawing of our garden, complete with visting black cat on the scrounge for scraps in the hedge. Thank you Noreen and hope you are enjoying the rest of your trip.

Snow on the Ben

2011-10-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

You can tell when winter is approaching - first when the snow puts a hat on 'the Ben' as it has today and then when the deer come in to the garden to see what's left to nibble on. Our guests in Cherryview told us at breakfast time that they had been watching a couple of deer while they were getting organised. We had seen some footprints but this is the first visit of the year, from the deer that is, not our guests; though it was their first visit too and they are planning to return now that they have discovered what a beautiful area we live in.

Bracklinn Bridge

2011-10-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Roslin Cottage is a member of the 'OUR Park' scheme, the park being Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and the scheme is a charity which raises funds for projects which help conserve this beautiful area we are lucky enough to live in. This season with the support from many of our guests and matched funding from us, we have handed over almost £100. A big thank you to all who popped their pennies and pounds into our pot! This money will be invested directly in improving the Bracklinn Bridge footpath. If you have visited our new bridge we are sure you agree that the striking copper canopy makes a fantastic background for the tumbling waters of the falls. Yes there are compensations in having so much rain.
For those of you who have not seen Bracklinn Falls, our local community website www.incallander.co.uk has some great photographs and local history to delve into. But now I need to delve in to ironing, hi ho.

Welcome to Roslin Cottage blog

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well almost there with the blog so please keep looking in on us....

The webmaster has now left me to it thanks Jason