Gilmore House Bed and Breakfast - Closed

Its been a while since I last ventured onto this blog. I was just going to abandon it and let it swirl around the internet for eternity or wherever unloved blogs end up. I don't even know if people write blogs anymore, Instagram seems to be where to hang out with all your hashtags.

I started this blog years ago primarily to promote Blairgowrie, where I had the B&B, and the area, and of course to promote the Bed and Breakfast. It got a bit obsessive for a bit and I had a Facebook page and Twitter and basically every social media channel you can think off. I ran the B&B for 22 years and loved and hated it with equal measure and in the end it caused me to implode. 

I should, however, like to thank the thousands of decent, nice people that came over the doorstep and enjoyed the beautiful old Victorian House, Gilmore House, that I had the pleasure to call home for so long.

Anyway, I digress. 

Gilmore House was sold in 2019 and has reverted back to a private house and to coin a phrase, I think I dodged a bullet, with the timing of that. I have been meaning to write down all my memories from running the place and the lovely and horrendous people that crossed the threshold. 

I could actually write a book on the trials and tribulations of selling the house, I have never met so many bullshitting liars in my life. 

 

Running a B&B isn't as wonderful as you may think and towards the end of my B&B owning days I can quite honestly say people were getting more and more demanding and exasperating. Sadly I don't think a traditional Bed and Breakfast exists anymore. Everywhere I look the word 'boutique' springs out at you and don't get me started on Air BnB.

I am going to write down all the stories I can remember and maybe give an insight into running a B&B. 

I also have many a photograph that I need to put on here to remember activities done. 

Loving the middle-aged, free and single life. It's pure bliss.

Japanese Garden - Cowden

Between Dollar and Muckhart in Clackmannanshire at Cowden there is a hidden Japanese Garden which has been restored to it's former glory and is now open to the public. We went down a couple of weeks ago to have a look at what has been done. My family used to live very nearby so in my youth I remember going to look at it when it was in it's abandoned state. You can get the full history about it on their website https://cowdengarden.com/  It was very busy on the day we visited so, unfortunately, the majority of my photos seemed to contain a lurking figure in them, so have just posted non lurking people photos. Anyway, it is another place you should visit if in the area. If you are up at Castle Campbell in Dollar, you can go along a back road to the garden instead of going back down onto the main road.

Culloden Battlefield

Rather typically on the day we visited Culloden Battlefield it was a bit drizzly and misty. I suppose it adds to the atmosphere. Culloden was packed out with visitors soaking up the history. Naturally it has become a hot spot for Outlander Fans because of the association and the filming at the Clan Fraser grave marker. The ground around the grave marker was very scuffed obviously with it being a 'highlight'. Perhaps not totally appropriate to be taking selfies on a war grave but.....it happens. Pictures are a bit naff with the rain. I have been to Culloden on several occasions, but they now have a massive visitor centre.

Hillside Havens

On our little break away, it was a short break, we based ourselves at Hillside Havens just outside of Dufftown. It is a newish luxury glamping experience and I was very impressed with it all. There are four glamping pods in a wonderful setting and they are equipped with absolutely everything you need. It is staggering how much you can fit into a pod and yet still have space. I would highly recommend staying. If I had a plot of land I could quite happily live in one and get rid of all the unnecessary clutter you seem to accumulate in your life.

The Snow Roads

Last year I posted about the Snow Roads, a driving route taking in the incredible roads and views. As mentioned last year I visited the Connecting Contours art installation at Glenshee. On our trip we bagged the other two installations called The Watchers and Still. I would say Still was my favourite, very cleverly done with the reflections.