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From the Kitchen Garden: Hazel Trees and Yellow Catkins

by Les on March 8, 2010

hazel catkins

The large hazel trees around the Torridon grounds look fantastic in their hanging tresses of yellow catkins.

These are the male flowers and the dust of their pollen, released by the wind, is what fertilizes the tiny red female flowers.

Pruning the trees in late February means that as the branches are cut, the pollen is shaken from the catkins increasing its distribution to other hazels. [click to continue…]

Bruichladdich Black Art

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This whisky is a new edition to the Torridon whisky bar. It is a whisky that I have started to appreciate more as I have grown in knowledge. In January when we closed for a month Daniel was on…

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From the Activities Team: YouTubing Our Highland Adventures

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This week we took a rest from the hills and have been working hard on the Torridon Activities YouTube channel. We set it up  about six months ago and it now contains some great…

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Ron and Geoff Make an Early Appearance

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Last Thursday we were on site discussing the new cow byre. We had pegged it out and I was happy with everything. The steel has been ordered and we had every intention of laying the foundation this week. I happened…

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From the Kitchen Garden: Amongst the Heather, Winter Dreaming

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I was scraping away a covering of snow from some of the heathers on our island bed at the front of the hotel and I thought to myself I have seen other animals that do this. Reindeer and bison work…

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From the Activities Team: Perfecting Winter Skills in Perfect Winter Conditions

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The third winter skills course took place last weekend in superb snow and amazing weather. We spent a glorious weekend basking in the sun and soaking up the amazing views and the group was able to relax and start learning…

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Great Day for Robert and Bruce

With family and friends watching, Robert and Bruce made their civil partnership official in a really touching and special ceremony. Rohaise and I were both delighted how warm and friendly the atmosphere was with some great readings from friends and…

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One of Our Own Commits to Another

Well many of you by now know that Robert, our general manager, is this weekend making an honest man of his long term partner and making it official with Bruce; it took a lot of arm twisting. Bob and Bruce…

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From the Activities Team: First Snow Hole Trip of the Year

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We ran our first snow hole trip of the year last weekend. We left on Friday morning and could not have picked a better day. In all the years I have been on Cairn Gorm plateau, I have never seen…

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From the Activities Team: Winter Weekend Skills Continued

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This weekend saw us running our second winter skills weekend. We spent a cracking two days with lots of snow; too much at times. We also saw some avalanche evidence first hand on Beinn Eighe with lots of blocks lying…

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From the Activities Team: Snow (and Richard) in the Mountains!

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For the last month, I have been spending as much time in the mountains of Scotland as possible to prepare for my winter mountain leader training. This has given me a fantastic opportunity to be out in the best snow…

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