Reekie Linn

This afternoon I had a run along to Reekie Linn (smoking pool) which is 15 minutes away on the B954, over the border into Angus. The spectacular waterfall is a short walk from the Craigisla Bridge. There is a path along the side of the gorge, it is a 150 foot drop and there are no fences to keep you back, so care should be taken!! not for the nervous. I have driven along the road many times, but never stopped to view the waterfall, it was some guests this morning who said I should go and look, so I'm glad I took their advice. I'm the one who is meant to recommend places! Another must go place to see, take a picnic as they have some picnic tables by the car park. If you continue along the road you will come to Peel Farm Tea Room/Shop or you could walk along from the gorge as the path links along to Peel Farm.

New Primary School & Deer in the Wood

On my way to the woods, to walk the dog, I called in to have a look at how the new Blairgowrie Community Campus was coming along. They have done a lot of planting, but I really need to go around the front for a better view. Looks super though and great outdoor space.

Got a reasonable close up photo of Mr and Mrs Roe Deer today, fortunately my dog seems to have no interest in them at all. It was lovely in the woods today with the birds singing happily.

Loch of the Lowes

The third part of my journey today so me stopping at Loch of the Lowes (I know I mentioned it last year!) but If you follow me on Twitter (yes I succumbed to twitter a couple of weeks ago) you will see I have been rambling on about osprey chicks, and as a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and it just being along the road I should go more often as it is a lovely tranquil place to sit and look out over the Loch. I have still yet to see the male osprey fishing, maybe another day. Three chicks now, but one has died. Got up close to a gorgeous red squirrel, they are just lovely.

Craigvinean Forest Walk

Next to the Hermitage is Craigvinean (crag of the goats) forest. The forest was created in the 18th century and is one of Scotland's oldest managed forests. I went on a lovely waymarked walk and came across Torryvald Folly, which was fantastic as I never knew it existed. There are many mountain bike trails and waymarked walks throughout the forest.

The Hemitage by Dunkeld

As my guests were away sharp and with the torrential rain over the past few day's I decided a trip to The Hermitage, just 25 minutes away near Dunkeld, would be a good idea as the waterfall would be in full torrent. Ossian's Hall and Bridge provide a perfect viewing platform over the River Braan. It is a very easy walk from the car park passing by some of Britain's tallest trees, one Douglas fir measuring in at 212ft. I took a video of the waterfall which I shall try to upload and shall put more pictures on Flickr

Scotland's Gardens Scheme

If you had not already worked it out I have a slight obsession with looking at gardens. This afternoon there was a lovely garden open under Scotland's Garden Scheme near Bridge of Earn, so as I had the opportunity to go out this afternoon I went for a look, love having a nosey around private gardens. After a beautiful start to the day we had a couple of torrential rain showers, but nice again now and forecast I saw looks good for a few days. To bore you even more my Rhododendron's are about to come into full flower, so I'm sure I'll take some photos!!

Catch of the Day

One of my guests was fishing today along at Butterstone Loch, which is on the A923 road to Dunkeld before Loch of Lowes nature reserve. On their return this evening I was gifted two spectacular rainbow trout, so now I know what we are having for our tea, tomorrow or Sunday.
The weather today in Blairgowrie has been very changeable, this morning very cold, wind and torrential rain turning into a reasonable afternoon.

Darroch Wood Aka Bluebell Wood

Just been along to the Bluebell Wood, 2 weeks earlier than last year, quite a lot of Bluebells in full bloom, but I think the woods will be in their prime next week. If you are in Blairgowrie or the area this week, next week, right up to the end of the month I definitely recommend you go for a stroll. It is just this glorious haze of blue.

Wow, today I got my first ever comment! under my Comrie posting in December 2008, very interesting, must follow it up.

Treasure in the Garage

Whilst rummaging in our rickety old garage today for some chicken wire I found an old coin on the gravel floor, well oldish. Upon investigation it is a commemorative crown issued in 1965 in honour and memory of Sir Winston Churchill, unfortunately it's value is minimal, but that doesn't matter it's a nice coin to keep.

Chocolate Brownies

Only 1 slice left!

Daughter No1 made the most delicious sticky chocolate brownies today, so thought I would share the recipe with you.

100g unsalted butter, 175g caster sugar, 75g dark muscovado sugar, 125g dark chocolate, 1tbsp syrup, 2 eggs, 1tsp vanilla flavouring, 100g plain flour, 2tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2tsp baking powder.

1.Grease 20cm shallow square cake tin, line base.

2. Put butter, sugars, dark chocolate and syrup in a pan and heat gently, stirring until blended, leave to cool.

3.Beat together eggs and vanilla, whisk in cooled chocolate mixture.

4.Sieve together flour, cocoa and baking powder and fold into mixture.

5.Spoon mixture into tin and bake at 180C for 25 minutes until top is crisp. the inside of the cake will still feel soft to the touch.

6. Leave to cool completely in the tin then cut into squares.

I don't know if you happened to watch on Channel 4 the series about Willie's Chocolate, the 100% cacao (smells delicious), but my Mother managed to get hold of some of the chocolate and maybe I'll try it out in this recipe, but reducing quantity.

Upcoming Event

Although I try my hardest to know what is going on in the area for my visitors to see, some things slip under the radar. In the paper today is an event taking place at Balado, Kinross about 40 minutes away called Steam in the Park where there will be Steam Rollers, Traction Engines, Vintage Tractors, Full size & Miniature Stationery Engines, cars etc. The dates are the 9th and 10th May 10am-4pm and it is organised by the Scottish Traction Engine Society.

It is nice being able to use flowers from the garden now they are starting to bloom, notice in the background my super new small fridge for the dining-room. I got it a couple of months ago now, as I was getting concerned about leaving things like yogurt etc out on a table during breakfast service. Now juice etc is kept chilled in the fridge and it has already been put to use by my guests for milk and snacks. I had pondered the idea of mini fridges in the bedrooms, but eventually decided against it. Have a nice holiday Monday if you are off, I'm away to watch the snooker now.