All 5 ski centres open in the Highlands of Scotland.

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The recent wintry cold weather has provided Scotland's Highland ski centres with their best snow for years. All five resorts were open this weekend with most main runs complete as well as extensive nursery areas for skiers and snowboarders. It is quite unusual for all the centres to be open with good snow cover at the same time.Cairngorm reported skiing 'from top to bottom' ,the Lecht opened its rail park last Thursday, and Glenshee has snow across three valleys. Glencoe has loads of snow with all pistes complete and Nevis Range, near Fort William, has good skiing conditions. Reports say that this winter season will be brilliant with some of the best snow seen for years. More snow forecast for the Scottish Highlands later this week.









Watch the movie below for more action on the Cairngorm Mountains - [with sound].

posted by Lyn @ 7:51 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 11, 2008 Snow on tops.

The layer of snow around the house froze overnight in a cloudless sky full of stars and the path and driveway have been really slippery. The postman was very late this morning and could not make some of his calls due to the black ice on certain roads.The temperature has not risen above freezing all day and both cats are very sensibly curled up in armchairs very near radiators.There is still quite alot of snow on the mountains around Loch Ness and, as the sky is still clear and blue, we are in for another sharp frost tonight with minus temperatures forecast. We will just have to light the fire and have a wee warming dram!

posted by Lyn @ 3:30 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 10, 2008 Colourful end to the day.

The sky was really threatening this morning and, as we drove back from Inverness, down came the snow. We could see it laying already on the lower ground around Urquhart Castle on the opposite shore. Just made it home in time and unloaded the shopping before it got worse. The cloud base was very low and we could not see clearly across Loch Ness. After a few hours it eased off leaving a layer of snow around the house and in the forest, the fir trees looked a picture. The birds were desperately trying to find their lunch which,by now,was hidden under an inch of snow. Had a swarm of long tailed tits in the trees taking bits of litchen and moss for their nests. A few green and yellow siskins appeared on the nut feeders which is quite unusual for this time of year-they normally come to feed in the spring and summer months so hope this is not an omen of bad weather to come! By 4 o'clock it was starting to get dark when the sky was suddenly illuminated for a few minutes in a colourful light show.

posted by Lyn @ 4:19 PM 0 comments

Monday, January 07, 2008 Mute swan.

Went for a brisk, crisp walk through Torr Woods which skirts Dores beach at the eastern end of Loch Ness. Crunched on the frosty ground and met many walkers with very friendly wet dogs. Saw this rather lonely mute swan at the marina which faces the small village of Loch End on the opposite shore. Walked all the way to Aldourie and then back along the lane to Dores Inn where the car was parked - about a distance of 5 miles.

Came home for some lovely hot soup and gradually thawed out.

posted by Lyn @ 6:27 PM 0 comments

Friday, January 04, 2008 January snow scenes.

Heavy snow showers hit the east coast of Scotland last night and as far west as Perthshire and the Trossachs. The Borders were badly affected with 8 inches of snow expected overnight with high winds causing treacherous drifting. The gritters and snowploughs were out in force in the worst hit areas, mainly the cities of Aberdeen , Perth, Dundee and Edinburgh . We woke up overlooking Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland to a slight sprinkling on the higher ground but as the day progressed the temperature increased and the snow now only remains on the mountain tops. The sun shone on Urquhart Castle and it was very pretty while it lasted.

posted by Lyn @ 1:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 01, 2008 Happy New Year

Enjoyed a very pleasant holiday period and were treated to a superb Christmas Day lunch at Rocpool Reserve near Inverness Castle. The sky was a clear blue as we drove in to town and a good time was had by all.
No sign of snow at lower levels yet although there is some on the higher mountains. The temperatures have been fluctuating between -5C and +5C with sharp frosts one day and rain the next. The lochs above us are still frozen and, judging by all the rocks resting on top of the ice, attempts to break it have been unsuccessful. Loch Ness never freezes as it is so deep. Very low cloud formations at times which lock in the cold air. The 'Lord of the Glens' cruise liner took passengers on a week long trip over Christmas and it glided past us yesterday on its return voyage to Inverness lit up with fairy lights from bow to stern. The Jacobite Queen and Jacobite Legend have been in action [apart from Christmas Day] taking passengers to Urquhart Castle and back to Inverness. No private craft in operation over the winter months. A swarm of long tailed tits have descended on the nut feeders - exactly the same time as last year. A huge skein of geese suddenly took flight from a field as we were driving along making a terrific noise and possibly on their way to the western isles. Happy New Year everybody.

posted by Lyn @ 11:33 AM 0 comments

Saturday, December 22, 2007 Season's Greetings

Experienced several days and nights of freezing temperatures and an extremely sharp frost. The ground and all the plants were beautifully covered in a thick white frost so it was almost a 'white christmas'. The bird bath froze over constantly and all wildlife was looked after especially well. The beach was no exeption and every rock and pebble was covered with frosty grass-like fronds which can be seen more clearly in these close up shots..








We would like to wish all readers of the Cottage Diary a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2008.

posted by Lyn @ 2:10 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 All aboard The Jacobite Queen.

This morning we had an appointment - to go aboard The Jacobite Queen for a corporate function associated with our tourist group. We drove to the designated car park at Muirtown Basin in Inverness but were informed that the swing bridge was frozen after an extremely chilly night and unable to operate. We were advised to drive further along to access the Caledonian Canal at Tomnahurich Bridge. We were all piped aboard by a very talented young man trying to keep warm. As we set off from the doch side we enjoyed BucksFizz [champagne and orange juice] and some rather tasty canapes whilst listening to various speakers and learning about the history of the Caledonian Canal. We went through Dochgarroch Lock which is where the water level of the canal is adjusted to that of the River Ness and ultimately of Loch Ness itself. The author Roy Pedersen explained the history of the Jacobite Cruise Company as highlighted in his new book 'Loch Ness with Jacobite' and personally signed copies. In between speakers a youngster entertained us on his fiddle with some very lively music to keep all feet tapping. The journey along the canal initially runs parallel with the River Ness and the closeness of the frosty banks and towpaths on either side provided breath-taking scenery......enjoy.

posted by Lyn @ 3:44 PM 0 comments

Monday, December 17, 2007 Frosty reception.

Woke to a very chilly morning and found the cats downstairs looking out of the windows onto a frosty white garden and not too keen to go outside and check the mouse population. The temperature was minus 5c and it stayed this chilly all day. Had to go into Inverness for our Xmas wine {hoping it will last until then} and drove through some fairyland scenery. As we turned a corner in the lane a buzzard flew low across the road in front of us, the sun glistening on his cream coloured underbelly and looking out for easy prey on the white landscape. The sheep and cattle were eating the hay bales thrown out onto the crisp grass. Drove past geese standing on the frozen duck pond nearby. The sky remained cloudless and blue all day and the cold frosty air stayed nearer the ground producing some weird magical sights in the mountains near Loch Ness.

posted by Lyn @ 5:05 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Ice everywhere.

Yesterday the temperature did not get above freezing and everywhere was white with frost. Even the pebbles around the outside of the house stayed fused together with ice and were quite slippery. Had to break the thick layer of ice in the bird bath and make sure they were well provided for. Went into Inverness for last minute shopping and watched a school party thoroughly enjoying the seasonal 'ice rink' in Falcon Square in the shadow of a magnificent Xmas tree.It gets dark now by 3.30 and late in the evening we had a glorious pink sky. Thought we were in for another chilly day today but it has been about 11c and pleasantly mild. We'll wait and see what tomorrow brings.

posted by Lyn @ 4:05 PM 0 comments

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