Wayside Cottage

Pitlochry Winter Words Festival

Trish — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:10:44 +0000

It may be winter in Perthshire but there’s still plenty to do. At the weekend I took the 25 minute trip from Moneydie to Pitlochry to two events at the Winter Words Festival at the theatre. The first was Andy Wightman introducing his new book ‘The Poor had no Lawyers’ followed by lively discussion on land ownership in Scotland, and the second, Tom Devine giving a new slant on the Scottish Diaspora. Both thought provoking – another two books to add to the collection.

And there’s more next week. History is my thing and looking forward to the sell out talk by Neil Oliver on the 4th, but there’s something for most from poetry and cookery offerings to politics, wildlife and adventure.

Moneydie Farm, Perthshire

Trish — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:05:02 +0000

Autumn work is up to date. The sheep have had their manicures and potions and been introduced to their beau – the patter of tiny feet is expected in March – and are now being fed daily. In September replacement ewes were bought at the Lairg sales and are enjoying the milder lowland climes.

: Moneydie ewes awaiting their manicure

Winter wheat was sown in September and these fields are a welcome green at this time of year. It’s now onto ploughing.

Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry

Trish — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 11:28:05 +0000

Trees at the Enchanted Forest

The Enchanted Forest has a new location this year at the Plant Explorer’s Garden beside Pitlochry Festival Theatre. It’s just 25 minutes from Moneydie and the weather was perfect when we visited this week. We’d booked for 8 pm so had time for a bite to eat at Fern Cottage (a great choice) just 5 minutes walk from the garden.

The lights and sounds gave the garden a whole new perspective and once again the Enchanted Forest lived up to its name.

Wildlife Festival Returns to Dunkeld, Perthshire in October

Trish — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:21:54 +0000

The range of events at this year’s Wild Connections Festival, running from 8 – 16 October, will feature animals that live within Perthshire ranging from badgers, red squirrels, pine martens, birds of prey, wild cat and red deer. On 9 October there’s a free viewing of wildlife films focussing on local wildlife which were premiered in New York earlier in the year.

Nearby are the Loch of the Lowes nature reserve and RSPB’s Loch Leven reserve, both within a 20 minute drive from Moneydie. Geese will be starting to arrive in October and pine martens are a regular visitor at Loch of the Lowes.

Grain Harvest is fast approaching in Perthshire

Trish — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:10:35 +0000

The recent sunny spell has helped the spring barley ripen and the crops are now a beautiful golden colour. With some more sun, the harvest should begin mid August. Preparation is underway for this busy time of year and we’re expecting an engineer at the farm any day to service the long serving combine harvester. At 27 years old, here’s hoping it lasts another year or two!

: Moneydie Farm’s combine harvester

With only two working full time on the farm, reinforcements are on standby - son Barry, and nephew Doogs. The sheds, where the grain will be temporarily stored, have been cleaned and the grain drier serviced.

All we need now is good, dry weather.

Cairn O’Mhor Winery, Glencarse

Trish — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:39:43 +0000

Have been meaning to visit Cairn O’Mhor Winery for years but never made it even though it’s only 20 minutes from Wayside. First of all a delicious fruit scone and coffee in the cafe before a guided tour describing the production process in the company of Sales Manager, Linzey.

Linzey, Sales Manager, at Cairn O'Mhor Winery

And what a tour! Linzey had our group captivated telling us how ingredients are locally sourced and range from apples to raspberries, elderberries and oak leaves and explaining the whole process from field, hedgerow or orchard to bottle.
Then came the difficult job, a visit to the shop and some sampling! Now, which wine to choose? Couldn’t decide so brought home a selection, including one non alcoholic ‘Braes o Gowrie’ elderberry wine. Looking forward to this evening!

Don’t miss a visit to Cairn O’Mhor if you’re in the area.

Cairn-O'Mhor-Winery

Dougie MacLean’s Perthshire Amber Festival 2011

Trish — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:51:02 +0000

It’s all change this year with the Royal Hotel in Dunkeld being the hub for the ten day Festival running from 28 October – 6 November. Concerts and other activities will take place in towns and villages around Perthshire including Perth, Dunkeld, Birnam, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Blairgowrie. To receive advance notice of concerts on 22 April subscribe to Dougie’s newsletter then book Wayside Cottage, just 15 mins from Dunkeld, and you’re all set for a great ten days of folk music.

NTS Branklyn Gardens, Perth

Trish — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:39:52 +0000

Beautiful weekend in Perthshire and took a trip to Branklyn Gardens in Perth. Thought it might be a bit early but was in for a nice surprise.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Branklyn Gardens

Rhododedrons in full bloom, azaleas about to burst, and hellebores, primula, wood anenomes and trillium all stunning. It’s a small garden run by the National Trust and is worth several visits throughout the year. In May the meconopsis are the stars.

Branklyn Gardens, Perth

Another fabulous spring garden not too far from Wayside is Cluny Gardens near Aberfeldy. It’s another informal woodland garden, is lovingly tended by Wendy and John Mattingly and is spectacular around now and the next month or so. As an added bonus, Red squirrels are seen here regularly.

Wildlife at Wayside Cottage, Perthshire

Trish — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:30:10 +0000

Guests only been here for one night and already spotted a barn owl, heron (they’re nesting in the wood opposite the cottage) and bats. Add to this the pair of mergansers I spotted on the Shochie Burn, the buzzards regularly flying over the wood and our very own partridges which have returned to the surrounding fields and garden for a third year in a row. Here’s hoping they have the usual large brood of ten chicks.

Partridges in the Garden

Ospreys reunited at Loch of the Lowes, Perthshire

Trish — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:26:39 +0000

Romance is in the air – Lady, Britain’s oldest breeding female returned to the reserve near Dunkeld at the weekend after her 6,000 mile journey from Africa and has been joined by last year’s mate. At 26, Lady has lived 3 times longer than average and reared 48 chicks. All eyes will be on the nest in early April. Just 15 minutes from Wayside, its easy to visit Loch of the Lowes.