Barracks Cottage

Barracks Cottage An original Scottish Butt 'n' Ben built circa 1723 expanded 270 years later to a popular retreat! BBQ & fire pit available

Days 5 and 6 Barracks CottageWe set off early on Thursday to take the path from behind the Shore Station Café, hoping to...
06/06/2026

Days 5 and 6

Barracks Cottage

We set off early on Thursday to take the path from behind the Shore Station Café, hoping to see the otters. Apparently they don't like the sound of the ferry but there was no sign of them.

After that we headed over the top to Ardintoul, that's a hell of a road to get there. We didn't see anyone on the road, but we were only there 5 minutes before we were blocking the path of the Morrisons delivery van!

For the rest of the day, it was on and off heavy rain, with enough of a break to let us get to the Glenelg Inn for fish and chips.

Today Heather was up early on Bernera Beach with the litter picking stick (which will stay at the cottage when we go home) and she was very excited to spot a new bird, a rock pippit.

Later we headed to Plockton for lunch and a walk, and also had a look at some tucked away beaches at Drumbuie and Port an Eorna, which are both on the coastal walk. Extremely peaceful and private and easy to reach from the car.

The weather hasn't been great this week but we've been extremely lucky with our timing of being in the car for the worst bits.

Fiona heading home tomorrow, Heather will be staying on, hoping for more sun

Fiona & Heather.

( Safe journey back south Fiona… and many thanks to the two of you, for ‘donating’ the litter picking stick… which I am sure will be put to good use by other custodians… what a great idea!! Enjoy your final week Heather.. really trust the weather will improve!
Ray & Fe ❤️ )

Barracks Cottage.  Day 3Another day with no plans in advance, so I enjoyed breakfast while listening to the birds singin...
03/06/2026

Barracks Cottage. Day 3

Another day with no plans in advance, so I enjoyed breakfast while listening to the birds singing. We're using the Merlin app to recognise the birdsong, which has been very handy. Meanwhile. Heather was doing some litter picking on the beach.

We took the ferry to Skye, hoping the weather would improve enough to make a trip to Raasay worthwhile, but the rain persisted. However we can recommend the cakes at The Noost coffee shack at the ferry in Sconser.

We had a walk around Portree, before heading back to Glenelg over the pass (via The Shell Shack in Broadford). We have now been fully introduced to the four lambs that are nearby!Lots of rain today, but thankfully mainly while we were in the car.

Fiona & Heather

Tuesday 2nd June.This morning we went from having no real plan to setting off for Peter Fletcher's boat trip at Arnisdal...
02/06/2026

Tuesday 2nd June.

This morning we went from having no real plan to setting off for Peter Fletcher's boat trip at Arnisdale. I've done this trip a few times now with the various guests I've brought to Glenelg, and the trip never disappoints. We spent a good few hours on Loch Hourn, finding out about the history, the current overfishing situation and tried our hand at fishing. Heather and I did not add to the overfishing crisis, although Peter caught a po***ck, which we've just had for our tea.

We finished off our day with a visit to the Ceilidh House and Heritage Centre in Corran. The day has flown by, and we have no plans yet for tomorrow!

Fiona & Heather.

BARRACKS COTTAGE.   Day 1 & 2Heather and I arrived safely on Saturday from our overnight stops in Troon and Oban respect...
01/06/2026

BARRACKS COTTAGE. Day 1 & 2

Heather and I arrived safely on Saturday from our overnight stops in Troon and Oban respectively and we tucked ourselves into the cottage to avoid a rainy evening.
Sunday morning we wandered along to Bernera Beach and did some litter picking, then on to the Glenelg Inn for lunch. As well as the venison roast dinner, I can highly recommend the chocolate brownie with whisky marshmallow.
Today, we took the ferry across to Skye and walked to the otter hide. A misty mizzly morning eventually gave way to some sunshine, but we saw no otters at all. We made friends with the ferry dogs though! We're also really enjoying using the Merlin bird app, the willow warbler seemed to be very vocal across the water.
We finished our trip with tea and cake from the Shore Station Café. We felt we'd earnt it!
Fiona and Heather.

Barracks Cottage.  Day 5The last two days have been amazing weather so we have made the most of it.Yesterday started wit...
28/05/2026

Barracks Cottage. Day 5

The last two days have been amazing weather so we have made the most of it.

Yesterday started with getting the necessary for a BBQ. The usual fair bit included venison burgers.

We then set off on foot for Dun Brewing. A lovely walk and no need to worry about driving home. The dogs had a lovely walk.

Once home we set about the BBQ. Sat outside till the sun set behind Skye. Never really got dark last night.

Today we mad the most of the sunshine on Raasay. There's an island with far more to it than we first thought. Mining, raiders and a lone road constructor.

It was hot. We've experienced cooler weather in Greece. What a beautiful day.

Ended by sampling a wee dram and a gin at the distillery. A flat calm crossing watching seals and sea birds.

Home now for another BBQ before the weather breaks.

Clan Ewins

What difference a day makes. Blue sky, sunshine and warmth.A round trip to Inverness today. Out to Invermoriston and up ...
27/05/2026

What difference a day makes. Blue sky, sunshine and warmth.

A round trip to Inverness today. Out to Invermoriston and up the shore of Loch Ness. A wonder round Inverness and a restocking essentials. Back via Achnasheen and Loch Carron. A beautiful round trip.

Sat in the garden enjoying the peace and quite. Oyster Catchers on the shore a thrush in the woods, warblers in the wetlands.

Oh and an A400M flying down the Sound!

Clan Ewins.

Click the link below for further details on the A400M !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A400M_Atlas

Barracks Cottage….   Clan Ewins have arrived to daily rain !!   Here are s some of their own and other’s photos of that ...
25/05/2026

Barracks Cottage…. Clan Ewins have arrived to daily rain !! Here are s some of their own and other’s photos of that very subject… just to help those of you suffering from heat exhaustion in every part of the UK except Glenelg!!

‘’Apologies for the delay in sending my first email. We have settled in rather too well. We walked through the door on Saturday and it felt like coming home.

Bought a few essentials (beer and bisuits) at the community run village shop. We have similar in our village so was nice to chat and compare notes.

Sunday was a very wet day, no one seems to have told the northwest of Scotland about the heatwave. Rather dreich.

Lovely roast venison and Basque cheesecake with Cosaig rhubarb at the Inn last night.

Today is also overcast with cloud and drizzle down to the surface. No view yet. Even the birds are bedraggled.

But to be honest its given us an excuse to just relax and not do very much.
Dean had a hearty meal last night. Great to see him in daylight and running round the garden, although he's still camera shy.

Tomorrow is looking bright so will be heading to Inverness for a long awaited visit.

All the best.

Clan Ewins

PS Clan Chiefs Barney and Maple are most intrigued by Grassyass's antics round the garden.

24/05/2026

Thank you to all involved and who offered their services… this animal keepers position is now filled… as is the amazing week staying at B.C.! Dean and his crew are also thankful !!

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.*

EAN! £100 Reward for feeding Dean and his/her family…

Scotland is a stronghold for the European pine marten in Great Britain, with an estimated population of about 3,700 adults. These elusive, cat-sized members of the weasel family are legally protected. They are most commonly found in the native woodlands of the Scottish Highlands and Barracks Cottage is a particularly popular place where various family members can be observed nightly, for their evening meal (& sometimes during the day).

UNFORTUNATELY… there continues to be a whole week when Dean and his cohorts will suffer from the windowledge cafe being closed… owing to this cancelled week

Is there a potential BC custodian and feeder of Dean… to take over this important role for the week commencing Sat 13th June? (We will happily reimburse £100 towards their animal husbandry!!)

Hello!!!   … and our final day at Barracks Cottage..Enjoyed catching up with some lovely relatives from Skye which invol...
22/05/2026

Hello!!! … and our final day at Barracks Cottage..

Enjoyed catching up with some lovely relatives from Skye which involved a rare moment of sunshine enabling lunch alfresco!!

This followed great fun at the Glenelg Children’s play park..before the rain tried unsuccessfully to dampen the proceedings!

We’ve all had a wonderful time….

Traveling South tomorrow..but will definitely be back..

The ☘️ Family.

Day 6.    We had a quiet and cosy indoors day… twas a bit wet… however we enjoyed a bacon roll in Ruth’s and managed to ...
21/05/2026

Day 6.

We had a quiet and cosy indoors day… twas a bit wet… however we enjoyed a bacon roll in Ruth’s and managed to squeeze in a little evening walk …

☘️☘️

Address

Kirkton
Glenelg
IV407JR

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