Postcard from Portnellan - Spring 2008

New season, new services

Spring has sprung in Glen Dochart, with frogs in the pond and daffodills everywhere. Winter's not quite finished with us yet, though - it's been a record season for the ski slopes and Glen Coe is still open for business. A perfect excuse to visit us, I'd say!

We're always working to give you the best in self-catering experiences, as you'll know. This year we've opened a new reception and visitor room for all your holiday needs. There's advice, information and entertainment on tap, along with wi-fi hotspot and a computer for reading your emails.

We're also giving you more chances to enjoy the real taste of Scotland. A baker's van will now visit Portnellan every Sunday morning from Mhor Bread in Callander. The new service joins the butcher van on Wednesday afternoons and fish van on Thursday mornings. Advance orders can be taken at reception. You can also pre-order groceries from the Crianlarich Village Store - our guests receive a 5% discount and delivery is free. Our next-door neighbour offers fresh farm eggs for sale every day. Just ask for more details - and watch out for the launch of our own Portnellan Select food range, coming soon.

Are you a Game seeker?

The Olympic Games are likely to be the biggest event of the summer when they take place in China in August. It's wonderful to be part of a huge spectator event - but for those of you who prefer a more distant view, don't rule out the idea of watching from the comfort of your Portnellan lodge or cottage. It's an ideal way to get the best of both worlds!

Motoring with Portnellan

I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to our motor home questionnaire. As a result we've launched this exciting new service, and you'll find details soon at www.portnellanmotorhomes.co.uk. We're offering a two-berth luxury vehicle which matches your expectations of our static lodges. I hope you'll consider the idea of spending a little time with us in Glen Dochart, then jumping into your holiday home on wheels for another look at our beautiful country.

The winners of our questionnaire draw were Gary and Beryl Cowan - congratulations to you!

Still on the subject of roads, anyone who's been through the Loch Lomond area will be aware the A82 main road could do with an upgrade. As a community fireman I'm aware of the safety issues along with those of convenience, and I couldn't agree more with the action group who are trying hard to persuade the government that this project should begin as soon as possible. It would be great if you clicked on www.A82.org and added your name to the petition. Thanks in advance!

Jim's lamp lights the way

The village lost an old friend when Jim McLaren passed away recently. He left a Tilley lamp to be auctioned in his memory - it's a paraffin-powered platform light once used at Tulloch railway station. We were delighted that the lamp sold for £530 on eBay - a great addition to our village hall fund and a grand way to remember Jim.

Safety first!

In other sad news, I have to report the grisly discovery of a skeleton in a tent near Bridge of Orchy. The poor man had been missing since 2001, and was only found when Forestry Commission workers were working in the area. It's yet another reminder that the Scottish Highlands are wonderful but severe, and you must always treat Mother Nature with respect. I'm glad to say we don't hear too many disaster stories on the mountains or along the West Highland Way.

But if you're looking for a taste of Highland hospitality and you're not completely confident in the wilds, do remember a stay at Portnellan might well provide the perfect mix of countryside and comfort.

Yours aye... Cameron

Weekends to be won in our prize draw

Four times a year we give away a free weekend to a random member of our newsgroup. It's your chance to visit Glen Dochart for free, and also keep in touch with news and developments with our irregular emails. Please note, you'll only receive emails when we have news - you won't be bombarded!

Christmas and Hogmanay 2008

Booking are now being taken, and we're already nearly fully booked, so think about it early! Please note that Hogmanay stays are flexible, and not based on the usual Saturday-to-Saturday arrangements. Book the dates that suit you best - subject to availability, of course!

Friends of Portnellan

Our scheme to help replant indigenous trees in Glen Dochart is going very well - there's been a lot of interest and we hope it continues. We're aiming to plant trees round the estate to replace the ones the Forestry Commission are removing; but instead of imported firs, we'd like to bring back the glen's natural inhabitants.

The Friends project allows you to select from a choice of trees and contribute to the wellbeing of the ecology, with the option of adding a plaque to your planting. All proceeds go towards helping the Woodland Trust www.woodland-trust.org.uk conserve and restore the country's woodlands.

The options are as follows:
Small tree: Holly, Crab Apple, Hazel or Hawthorne
Medium tree: Wild cherry, Downy Birch and Field Maple
Large tree: Pendunculate Oak, Sessile Oak, Ash, Small Leaved Lime or Beech

Each tree costs £9.95, and if you like you can have a brass plaque mounted on a post next to your tree. The plaque will carry your name, the type of tree and the date of planting. Plaques cost £40 each. If you order your tree now it will be planted in the spring.

We hope you'll join in this important endeavour and help us keep Glen Dochart beautiful for all our children. If you'd like to know more, please email friends@portnellan.co.uk.