13/01/2010 News Update

Hi,
 Once again it has been around 3 months since this was updated-time flies when you’re having fun!
Tourist season well under way and what a busy year its turned out to be.  Record number of yachties, record number of meals served in The Old Forge and a record number of clegs which must have eaten all the midgies as there was a noticeable drop in the number of (midgie-net clad) tourists  frantically waving their arms around their head cursing having ever thought that coming to the west  coast of Scotland in summer was a good idea!.
Weather has been rather ‘changeable’ May was quite nice leading into a glorious June.  I was off sunning myself in Menorca end of June into beginning of July and returned to see all the locals with a better tan than mine, less insect bites and a healthier bank balance! The remainder of July up to date has been wet, it must have rained at least once every day with some nice sunny spells in between just to keep us all from topping ourselves.
ANY GOSS?
Not much really as this time of year as anyone who has anything to do with accommodation never sees anyone else to find out what is going on.
Sandy will be packing his bags shortly for one last time as he is heading off to Canada! (that will free up a house!)  Anyone who has been to Knoydart and dropped into  the pub for a tipple will be familiar with Sandy and his cheery face behind the bar.  Well known for preferring to work under stress, his vast array of way out shirts (always perfectly ironed I must add), his jokes although they’re not even funny  and of course his photographic skills.  Sandy has been on Knoydart for around 11 years and we would like to wish him all the best on his travels and to thank him for the work on the new houses and of course for giving us permission to use some of his photographs-see if you can spot which ones are his.
ESTATE NEWS
Well at last our building works  are almost complete with Iain and Britta moving into one of the two new houses a few weekends ago.  Many thanks must go to Chic and Mark for the extra couple of weeks work which helped hurry things along.
(Photo of houses)
The second house will be available to rent as from the end of April/beginning May next year.  This is a 2 bedroom cottage one of which is en-suite, lounge with vaulted ceiling , further bedroom and bathroom on 1st floor.  Photographs of inside to follow at a later date.

John the Ghillie or Geordie John as he is known has now finished his course at Borders College and working full time on the estate.  Congratulations to John who awarded with  ‘student of the year’
Here’s what the lecturers had to say
“John Urwin receiving a pair of binoculars as the Borders College best Gamekeeping Student award 08/09 from Ross Mcleod of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association. John also won the Lammermiur Trophy for best HNC Gamekeeping Student.

John attended Borders College for 2 years and he proved himself to be an outstanding student in every aspect of his coursework especially as he completed some of his college whilst working  full time at Kilchoan Estate. John is a very hardworking and adaptable young man that has achieved his lifelong goal of attaining a full time position in deer management.”
(picture of John and trophy)
Thanks must also go to John’s hairdresser for making sure he was looking his best!
 
Well, I think that’s about it for now. Iain and John started stalking today so if anyone is coming up to walk the hills, please phone ahead to find out about the stalking, best route for you to take, any restrictions etc as it’s only for 6 weeks of the year so let’s make it easier for them.  Many thanks in advance.

Bye for now
Jacqui, Iain, John & Fay