Archive for May, 2009
A Selection of Hotels in Ayr
The Daviot House is a family run bed and breakfast accommodation that is situated close to the town of Ayr. It offers boarders a selection of five bedrooms in combinations of twin, double and family sizes. All rooms are en-suite, provided with television, complimentary refreshment trays and hair dryers. Guests are served with traditional Scottish breakfast. The menu also consists of continental items. Lunches and meals can be packed for guests on request. Children are allowed on the non smoking property. However, pets are not welcome. There is parking space available for those who drive in. The accommodation is close to the Ayr shopping centre. The local bus stop and train station is close by, as is the Prestwick Airport.
Eglinton Guest House, South Ayrshire
The Eglinton Guest House in the town of Ayr is the perfect accommodation for tourists. The guest house provides family, single and double bedrooms, all of which are en-suite with television, tea/coffee making facilities and hot/cold running water. The Eglinton Terrace situated nearby is more than 150 years old. Guests can walk around the nearby beach; enjoy golfing, fishing and sailing along with tennis and windsurfing. Some of the popular golf clubs here include the Turnberry, Royal Troon, Loch Green, Darley, Fullarton and Maybole. Local shops and restaurants are located close by in the city of Ayr. Blackfriars Walk, Wallace Tower and the Burns Monument and Cottage are other places of visit for tourists in Ayr.
Leslie Anne Guesthouse, Ayr, South Ayrshire
The Leslie Anne Guest House is owned by the couple Chris and Jennifer. It is situated ideally from the Prestwick Airport which adds to the convenience of guests who board here. The rooms here are all en-suite with facilities such as television, hair dryer, radio and alarm clocks, Wireless Internet Access and tea/coffee making apparatus. The dining room on the ground floor offers delicious Scottish breakfasts and daily meals for guests. There is parking space available for guests’ vehicles. Children and dogs are allowed here as well. Ayrshire, Glasgow, South West Scotland and Clyde Coast are popular spots for visits by tourists to the area.
Choosing Good Birding Binoculars
Do you have an interest in entering the hobby of bird watching? Bird watching is as much an art as it is a hobby. Therefore, it requires binoculars which are suitable for bird watching. This will make your bird watching pastime more fun and rewarding. Not just any old pair of binoculars will do. We’ll give you some of the important things to consider when buying binoculars to successfully enter the world of bird watching. This information is also great for those bird watching for beginners enthusiasts.
The first thing you need is significant magnification. Birds cannot be watched from a close distance. You know that your slightest movement will scare them away. High powered magnification allows you to observe birds from a safe distance and zoom in to observe their habits, beautiful colors and unique attributes.
Binoculars are marketed with two numbers and a multiplication sign between them. This is called the magnification indicator. Binoculars marked 8×40 offer eight times more magnification that normal, healthy eyesight. The number to the right of the multiplication sign indicates the amount of light the binocular allows into the prism.
The lower the amount of light, the more natural light you need to see your birds clearly. For example, if the number was 30 your lighting conditions would need to be better than if the number is 40. More light allow you to use the power of your binoculars for clear, well lit, and sharper images.
It is certainly tempting to go out and buy the highest magnification you can find to optimize your bird watching experience. The problems with that are twofold. One, the higher the magnification the heavier the equipment is and the more difficult it is to maintain. A magnification of 10x is best for highly trained bird watchers or professionals. If you are starting out go for a 7x or 8x magnification, at least until you get the hang of the hobby. The other reason to wait on a more advanced purchase is because the difference in cost can be significant. Professional, highly accurate 10x magnification binoculars will cost a lot more than 7x or 8x binoculars. Start at the lower end. If you grow to love bird watching, you can increase the quality of your equipment over time.
There are a few other things to keep in mind when buying binoculars for bird watching. Before you buy always compare. Get a feel for the binoculars; compare them to comparable brands and prices. Then, choose the brand with which you are the most comfortable. Also, spectacle wearers should use scopes that have a minimum of 15mm of eve relief and also have a foldable eye piece. Another important factor is the exit pupil which is where balance, design, weather proofing, focusing and safety coating become a factor. These things can contribute to, or detract from the quality of your binocular.
Places to Stay in Highland
Woodlands Guest House, Drumnadrochit
It is a quiet, modern and tastefully built Guest House providing Bed & Breakfast accommodation facility, set in the meticulously maintained gardens close to the shores of Loch Ness, which is hardly a 25 minutes drive from Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Liz, the owner of the hotel, extends the heartiest welcome to the one and all, and strives to provide a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy your stay amongst the beauty and romance of the loch, the Great Glen Way and the Scottish Highlands. Woodlands supreme quality guest accommodation includes a luxury suite with its own lounge and a large and comfortable ground floor room with facilities to suit everyone, including, the disabled guests.
Fern Cottage, Invermoriston, Highland
Fern Cottage is a modern bungalow in an elevated position in an open woodland setting, affording breath-taking sights of the river Moriston and surrounding hills. It is half a mile from the village centre in a quiet country road off the A82 we offer rest and relaxation at the end of the day. The large lounge above is solely for the use of guests, where you can relax and read or watch TV. Breakfast is served in the lounge looking out over the river and hills. The spacious bedrooms have en suite facilities, armchairs, hairdryer and tea/coffee making tray. The double has a King size bed, both rooms offer views of the surrounding hills.
Autumn Gold Bed & Breakfast is an excellent touring base for visits and day trips to a huge variety of attractions in the Highlands of Scotland. Also Ben Nevis and Glencoe, the Isle of Skye, the Cairngorms National Park, the North-West Highland coast and the Whisky Trail are all within 2 hours drive of our B&B. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in all bedrooms along with Digital TV/Radio, Hairdryers, Showers or a bath if preferred, Heated Under Blankets and Central Heating in all rooms. We have 2 en-suite double bedrooms with king size beds and 1 twin en-suite bedroom
A Selection of Hotels in Highland
Greenacres Guest House, Portree, Highland
Green Acres Guest House is a modern, apricot coloured, detached dormer house, on the right hand side of the A87 southern approach road from Broadford, immediately after the 30mph restriction signs. It is set well back in its own immaculately kept grounds with superb. It is very convenient for evening meals and town centre Greenacres, Portree. The hotel is centrally heated throughout. It has seven bedrooms, five double and two twin rooms including three ground floor rooms. All of the rooms are en suite and comfortable and attractively furnished. Green Acres with its ingrained concept of beauty in simplicity will never fail to create a lasting impression of happiness in the tourists’ minds.
Woodbine Guest House, Uig, Highland
Woodbine is charming, award winning and built to every guest’s comfort of Uig on the Isle of Skye. You can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Woodbine, as it doubles up as a perfect base for exploring Skye and the Outer Hebrides.as well as indulge in adventurous outdoor activities including boat trips, archery and mountain bike hire. This traditional stone built cottage, is over 100 years old, and has the reputation of being the longest running guest house in Uig. They have four comfortable en-suite bedrooms with TV, coffee & tea making facilities and WiFi. There is private parking and a garden where you can enjoy the fantastic views over Uig Bay.
Seabank Bed And Breakfast, Plockton
Seabank is situated in Plockton on a road on the shore of Loch Carron. Palm trees and beautiful gardens line one side of the road and the houses of Plockton, a conservation village, the other. Both of the rooms have colour television and tea and coffee making facilities. Plockton has a variety of eating places within easy walking distance of your accommodation. Wherever one goes, because of Plockton’s culinary reputation one can be assured that he will be eating freshly prepared top class Scottish food. Aberdeen Angus beef and lamb from the pasture, venison and game from the wild moor, with fish and the famous Plockton prawns from local boats. All the establishments also cater for vegetarians with imaginative dishes.
Places to Stay in Highland
Foresters Bungalow, Kyle of Lochalsh, Highland
The Forester’s Cottage is built in Swedish style and located beside Loch Duich. The accommodation offers two bedrooms. One of them is a double bedroom which comes with a private bathroom. Another is a double/twin bedroom with en-suite facilities. There is a separate lounge for guests to enjoy the comforts of a satellite television. Breakfast here is served in authentic Scottish style and consists of porridge, fruits, cereal, tea with toast, jam and butter and other cooked meals such as eggs made into any style, sausages, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and pudding. Popular tourist spots around the cottage include the Eilean Donar Castle, Pictish Brochs, and the Glenelg Candles and Tearoom.
The White Heather Hotel, Isle of Skye
This cosy family run hotel, nestled on the harbourside in the idyllic village of Kyleakin, is too delighted to have you over as guests at their place since they believe that guests are a mirror reflection of god himself. All the nine bedrooms are en-suite & have TVs, hairdryers & tea/coffee making facilities. For the overall comfort of all the guests they have imposed ‘No Smoking’ throughout. Both lounges, the breakfast room & most bedrooms allow the guests to enjoy the lovely views across the harbour to Castle Moil, the mountains beyond & miles down Loch Alsh. We are confident about meeting up to the culinary demands of one and all.
Looking for peaceful and tranquil place to relax? Come to the Ailean Cottage, which is nestled on the shores of Broadford Bay, this traditional cottage provides comfort in charming surroundings. Located a mile from the centre of Broadford village, Ailean Cottage provides comfortable rooms, some en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities and an ambience which will enable you to relax and drink in the peace of this beautiful island. One can stroll and sit in the beautiful gardens, which overlook the sea and mountains beyond. Ailean Cottage is an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye, with its majestic scenery, lochs, mountains and sea. It has a rich history and wide variety of flora and fauna.
Hotel Accommodation in Highland
Eddrachilles Hotel offers a breathtaking view over the picturesque Badcall Bay, two miles away from the Scourie Village near Inverness. The hotel is an 18th century building that has since been refurbished with care, retaining the old-world charm while providing all modern comforts. Its bedrooms are all en-suite, with direct dial telephone, tea/coffee making facilities, television and radio. The restaurant serves traditional Scottish food, prepared from the best of local produce. The food is accompanied with select wines and malts from the extensive cellar. For those wishing for a fishing holiday, free access to two lochs can be obtained, and a membership to a local brown trout angling club is available at a moderate fee.
Tomich Hotel, Beauly, Highland
The Tomich Hotel in the village of Tomich in Glen Affric is located at a beautiful spot which welcomes guests to enjoy relaxing walks, watch birds or cycle around the area and even go fishing. It is less than an hour away from the Inverness Airport. The rooms offered here are en-suite and all of them have television, tea/coffee making apparatus and central heating system. Guests can enjoy swimming at the heated pool here in the hotel. The staff welcomes its guests and make sure that they have a comfortable stay. Facilities involve breakfast, lunch, cream tea and bar meals. The hotel allows pets inside the premises as well.
Mo Dhachaidh, Kyle of Lochalsh, Highland
The Mo Dhachaich, run by David and Jane Croy is situated on the West Coast of the Scottish Highlands. This bed and breakfast accommodation enjoys spectacular views of the Loch Duich and the “Five Sisters of Kintail”. Interesting places to explore around the area include the Eilean Donar Castle and Plockton. Guests can enjoy activities such as hill climbing, walking, fishing and sailing around the area. There is also a swimming pool where children can have a nice time. The local pubs and restaurants offer mouth watering food which has become a popular tourist attraction. If you are looking to explore wild life then be sure to get glimpses of deer, foxes, otters, whales, porpoises, pinemarten eagles and mountain goats.
Hotel Accommodation in Highland
The word Lairg has been swarming in your head for quite some time. You might have heard it in connection with angling, hill walking, mysterious forest trails hitherto unexplored, rare migrant birds, professional anglers thronging this place to take home a bounty of fresh salmon, trout and other fishes. While planning your travel memorandum for visiting Lair, you might have stumbled upon the dubious question of a place to reside in. The Park House is the answer to all your queries and problems. It is situated overlooking Loch Shin our Victorian Styled house, in its unique position, offers you magnificent views from an attractive and tranquil setting.
This hotel is quaintly located in the former ferry slipway on the shores of the loch of Loch Glendhu and Glencoul, two sea-lochs in Sutherland, northwest Scotland. This was formerly the site of an old coaching inn built way back in the 1680’s. The hotel has three bedrooms with all the en suite facilities like central heating, tea and coffee making facilities and televisions and radio alarms. The dining room serves a coterie of freshly prepared seafood. These include fishes like langoustine, spineys, lobster, crab, scallops, haddock and mussels are available daily and are complemented by a wide selection of wines and malt whiskies. Their food like the locale and the hotel has been highly praised and reviewed in a book on the cuisine of the Scottish Highlands.
Wild Orchid Guest House in Durness, Highland
Wild Orchid Guest house is a modern and a tranquil place to lodge in while touring the north western side of Great Britain. All rooms are en-suite-with disabled features and disabled access. One can even bring one’s dog to the hotel after obtaining permission from the hotel authorities. The restaurant in the hotel serves a healthy breakfast made from the freshest groceries and livestock available in the neighbourhood countryside. All the rooms have a colour television with remote control and hot drink making facilities. If you are the adventurous type, you can indulge in a number of outdoor activities like hill walking, bird watching and fishing in the lakes of Durness.
Hotels in Highland
Sandale B and B is set amidst vibrant gardens facing Loch Ewe. The three comfortable bedrooms are equipped with en-suite shower, toilet and wash basin, tea/coffee making facilities, and are fully heated. Meals are freshly cooked using local produce and special diets are catered to on request. You can visit the charming village of Aultbea from where you can go hill walking, bird watching or loch fishing. Going north, you will encounter the beaches of Mellon Udrigle and Gruinard Bay with its white sands. In the south, there is Poolewe with its indoor swimming pool and the renowned Inverewe Gardens. The village of Gairloch has a Heritage Museum, golf course, sea fishing and whale and porpoise observation cruises.
Tullochard in Dornoch, Highland
Tullochard is a modern detached house in Dornoch, which under the able guidance of Vi and Stan Wilson provide comfortable quality accommodation with a friendly and professional service. The bed and breakfast rooms include comfortable king size and super king size beds, comfortable chairs, free wireless internet, freeview digital television, hospitality trays with fresh fruit and bottled water and most importantly, all rooms are en suite with good high pressure showers. They also offer storage/drying facilities for golfers and cyclists. They prepare a hearty and tasty breakfast for you from the menu provided. They are open during the winter months and can offer reduced rates to suit individual needs.
The Eagle Hotel is an ideal base for your holiday in the Highlands of Scotland. The stone built Grade II listed building was constructed around 1850 and has been recently refurbished throughout. The hotel is centrally situated on the main street in the conservation area of Dornoch, a short walk from the Cathedral and approximately ½ mile from the famous Royal Dornoch Championship golf course. All the rooms are centrally heated with colour television, coffee and tea making facilities and en suite showers. In the dining room, breakfast is served from 07:30 until 10:00 and the bar food is served all day until approximately 21:00. Home cooked bar meals, popular with locals and visitors, are served with fresh vegetables and salads.
Highland Hotels
The Albert Inn in Nairn, Highland
Albert Inn, or the Leerie, which one should I talk about or give more importance to? Is the head more important than the body? Can these two closely symbiotic entities be separated from each other and spoken highly of? May be yes, but then we risk the chance of telling you incomplete stories and half baked praise sagas. Why is such a well stocked bar, with such an impressive drinks lists called leerie? This was the name given to the lamplighter responsible for lighting the gas lamps in the town and it is the heart of the Albert Inn and where we serve up bar meals and our regular quiz nights.
The Old Schoolhouse B+B, Tain, Highland
What is Easy to Find a) Marvelously comfortable b) Self Catering or B£B c) Secure covered Cycle storage d) Close to Highland Wildcat centre e) Ideally located for local golf courses f) Perfect stopping off point to visit Orkney g) 0.5 mile to Pub and Petrol Station h) Salmon Leap at Shin Falls, Moray Firth Dolphins, Cromarty seals and beautiful forest walks are all near by. You guessed it right-it’s the Old Schoolhouse bed and breakfast in Kildary which was until the recent past, used as a primary school. Once the rooms used to reverberate with the sounds of the English alphabet beign chanted in a monotonous fashion and now its filled with the quiet whispers of the satisfied guests.
Originally built in the 18th century, the Fearn Hotel is situated on the Tarbat Peninsula and is an ideal spot to experience the beauty of the Scottish landscape on the way to northern towns like Thurso, Dornoch, Wick and John O Groats. It has been sensibly renovated to include all modern comforts. The six rooms are all en suite and every morning, breakfast catering to a variety of tastes is provided and one can partake of a delicious Scottish breakfast in the Swifts restaurant. An extensive menu is available for the guests all day. To get a taste of the famous malt whisky, you can drop into the Glenmorangie Distillery. One can also visit local sights such as the Nigg to Cromarty ferry, Hugh Millers Cottage, Dunrobin Castle, the Falls of Shin, Anta Pottery and the Cromarty Courthouse Museum to make the stay eventful. The natural beauty of the countryside is unsurpassed and draws fishermen and nature lovers who come to enjoy the wildlife. You can see seals and migrating geese and many other birds. The many historical sites, standing stones, castles and churches provide evidence of the Pictish legacy of the region. Golf lovers can take advantage of the seven golf courses in the area. You can also go for boat trips, sea fishing or watch the beautiful, friendly dolphins at play.
Herefordshire Hotels
Dairy House Farm is the perfect retreat for a quiet holiday with your friends, family or lover. This two bedroom accommodation is situated close to Hay on Wye and Hereford. One of the rooms is double bedded and the other is twin bedded. Both have en-suite facilities, along with colour televisions, clothes iron, hair dryer, tea/coffee making arrangements and central heating system. The breakfast here is served in authentic English style with the spread made from locally produced materials. The surrounding area is perfect for taking long walks, canoeing to the nearby towns, fishing, shooting or even horse riding. Horses and dogs can be brought by guests since there is stabling arrangement available at the farmhouse.
Copper Hall Guest House in Leominster, Herefordshire
Situated in Hertfordshire, Leominster, the Copper Hall Guest House is a 17th century architecture renovated to suit modern tourist accommodation standards. It has en-suite bedrooms that provide all the basic facilities to its guests. The breakfast here is served in traditional English style and there are options for those who are vegetarian as well. There is also a garden situated around the area where guests can take leisure walks. Berrington Hall, Burton Court, Croft Castle, Queenswood Country Park and Hertford Cathedral along with Mappa Mundi are some of the popular spots visited by tourists who come to live in the town of Leominster.
Fircroft in Leominster, Herefordshire
The Fircroft is a tourist accommodation set in the black and white town of Leominster in Herefordshire. It has many shopping joints, eateries, clubs and pubs that can be enjoyed by guests who live here. The cathedrals and churches around the place are popular spots to be explored as tourists. Boarders can indulge in various activities such as horse riding, fishing, canoeing, swimming, golfing and even play tennis or bowling. The popular towns around the place include Oxford, Worcester, Cotswold’s, Bath and Cheltenham. The restaurants around the place serve delicious cuisine. It is the perfect place to retreat for a peaceful vacation with loved ones.