Hollytree Hotel

Inchree Waterfall at Onich

2008-12-04T23:07:00.002Z

We had a trip to Inchree waterfall at Onich which is directly across Loch Linnhe from the Hollytree. You can actually make the waterfall out with long range binoculars from the end of the Hollytree Pier.

Onich is about six miles away by road around Loch Linnhe. The waterfall is only a short walk from the forest Enterprise car park at Onich. There are lots of longer walks that you can have a go at once you have seen the waterfall.

The views of Onich and Cuilchenna point are spectacular and you can see over the top of Onich into upper Loch Linnhe across to the Corran Narrows and the Corran ferry.

Wee Paul has actually been abseiling near to the waterfall with a School outward bound trip much to the horror of his mother......

Walk the Pap of Glencoe

2008-12-04T17:34:00.003Z

We recently took Matthew up for a wee walk up the pap of Glencoe.....

The Pap of Glencoe, or Sgorr na Ciche, is the big hill which looks over Glencoe village. Its only actually just over 740 metres high but the views from the top are spectacular. Views of the entire Glencoe and Loch Leven area are fantastic and the path is well marked out.

In this last picture you can see all the way up Loch Leven to the Ballachulish bridge and beyond. There is something quite special about having a walk in Glencoe. We have an excellent walking map available at reception which shows this and lots of other walks in the Highlands.

A walk to the Radio Mast at Glenachulish

2008-12-04T14:58:00.005Z

We enjoyed a very nice walk to the radio mast in Glenachulish. You can actually walk all the way from the Hotel along the cycle path to Glenachulish and then up on the forest path to the site of the radio mast. Its on the route of the famous Horseshoe walk in Glenachulish which is a longer walk which follows the shpae of a horseshoe around Glenachulish and includes two munros. We had the kids so this was just a gentle walk along very good forest tracks.

Once there, with the fanstastic view, Josh finds his book of creepy crawlies more interesting than the view over Cuilchenna Point and Onich.

Eventually he has a look and agrees its not bad......

This view is from about half way down the track and is looking through a gap in the trees across Loch Leven all the way to Kinlochleven.

Well worth a visit....

Glencoe Sailing Regatta

2008-12-04T12:15:00.003Z

The start of June saw Glencoe Boat Club have their annual Regatta.

A passage race from Oban to Onich Pier just across the water from the Hollytree is the first race. The day was blessed with good sailing conditions with a sunshine and reasonable wind.

Great to see kids having a go in the ideal sailing conditions.

Some sails against a stunning background of the Ballachulish Bridge and the mountains of Ardgour

Peter Watt and Vaila looking well heeled....

Saturday saw ideal sailing conditions with both the larger keelboats and the sailing dingys have a great days racing.

The winner of the passage race on adjusted time was the interestingly named "Black Pig."

Everything was wrapped up with a dinner dance and prizegiving in Ballachulish hall with a traditional Scottish Ceilidh band.

All in all a great weekend in the spectacular sailing background of the Scottish Highlands.

and

Cycle path is now tarred and ready to go!

2008-05-02T09:18:00.003+01:00

The walking and cycle path beside the Hotel has now been fully tarred.

Many cyclists and walkers have started using the path as an excellent coastal walk. You can walk all the way to the roundabout at Ballachulish bridge without seeing a single car!

Of course some people prefer to do thier own thing and not walk on the path.....

The view from the path is fantastic.

To catch a Mocking Bird

2008-04-03T18:57:00.003+01:00

Actually its one of wee Paul's ducks which managed to escape and looked a bit lost in the water beside the slip. Here is Paul looking on trying to work out a plan.....

Here are some of the others trying the same from a different angle.

Duck rescue complete!

Hannah gets in on the act.....

The cycle path is nearly finished.

2008-04-03T18:34:00.002+01:00

The new cycle path close to the Hotel is nearing completion.

This is the view onto the pier from the pathway about a mile from the Hotel. The path goes all the way to the Hotel and we will make walkers and cyclists very welcome with all day food and drink....

The path is being constructed by a charity called Sustrans and is part of a national cycle path network. This section of the path runs from Oban to Ballachulish and joins with the Fort William cycle path. This means a day trip from Oban to Fort William is possible. The path mostly follows the route of the old railway line and so "hugs" the coast for most of the way. Great views!

The views to Ardgour from the path. Not a bad day for March....

As well as cycling the path is free to walkers and will rival the West Highland Way. A walk all the way top Oban from the Hotel will be around twenty two miles and follows the coast along the fantastic scenery and not even too many hills.

This is the kids bikes left on the track whilst they investigate some trees!

The path is still be tarred which will happen within the next few months according to Sustrans.

The only thing you are not allowed on the path will be cars or motorbikes.

James goes water skiing beside the Hotel

2008-01-15T16:40:00.000Z

Here are some pictures of James, a friend of ours, waterskiing right outside the Hotel on Loch Linnhe.

The weather was fantastic and the water completely flat calm. Water temperature was a bit chilly but meant the hot cup of tea supplied afterwards tasted all the better.

This was taken before James went in the water. He looked a bit colder afterwards and would not stop for a photo opportunity.

He's doing pretty good but I say the hard thing is driving the boat......

Dougie the sheep is star of the nativity

2008-01-15T15:23:00.000Z

Annette's family host a small nativity each year in the small village of Glenachulish just up the road. They write a script and all the kids (and some adults) dress up and do a wee nativity play.

Its particularly popular with the kids since there are several animals in the field and there is a sort of stable/ shed with a real veteran Donkey named Happy. I think the animals make it a bit more real for the kids.

Centre of attention in this picture is Dougie the kids pet Sheep who they bottle fed as a lamb last April. Now certainly no longer a lamb. Doesn't he look good with his red ribbon?

See if you can find Josh dressed as the black sheep. He becomes a bit of a "head butter" when he puts this costume on. Takes the role playing very seriously.....

At least the girls look like Angels. Although there were a few tantrums and original unwillingness by all to put on their Angel outfits. The halos soon disappeared.....

New Year -The Fireworks have arrived!

2007-12-20T17:10:00.000Z

Just a reminder to our guests that we are open all year and have a fantastic News Year Party organised for Hogmany.

The band is booked, the menu has been finalised and most importantly - the fireworks have arrived !

We have been very lucky with the weather with no rain for over a fortnight. Very frosty in the mornings but some nice crisp weather would be welcome for New Year. This photo has just been taken....

Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T16:44:00.000Z

With Christmas fast approaching we would like to take an opportuinity to wish all of our guests a very Merry Christmas.

At the Hotel the lights are up, and there are presents under the Christmas Tree. The Champagne is also chilled......

We took a walk up the hill earlier and took some photos of the Hotel. Its nice to see it from a different viewpoint.

It was very cold up there and the boys favourite thing was collecting icicles.....

Stop press the mountain bikers are here!

2007-09-02T23:08:00.001+01:00

Arriving in preparation for the Mountain bike World Championships in Fort William in a few days one of the teams sets up camp at the Hollytree.

Some photographs of the Extension....

2007-09-02T22:14:00.000+01:00

Watch a Laser launch from the Pier

2007-08-10T23:35:00.000+01:00

Gently does it...

And he's away....

Nothing will interupt Rudo's fishing.....

Lunch and Swim

2007-08-10T20:21:00.000+01:00

The Swimming Pool is now open and is proving very popular amongst residents. We often get non residents asking if they can use the pool and sauna. Because of this non residents are welcome to use the pool as long as they are having lunch in the Hotel. Food is available all day from 12.00 up to 6.00 pm and as well as fresh seafood on the menu, other favourites like Steak and Ale Pie, Rib eye steak, and Haggis Neeps and Tatties also feature. There is also a childrens menu available. So if you fancy a swim or sauna or even a go at the swim jet, why not treat yourself?

Gretna Green comes to Kentallen

2007-07-30T20:51:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Mark Earnden!

Last weekend we were very proud to host the wedding of Mark and Anna at the Hotel. A large contingent travelled from far and wide for a truly Highland Wedding. The Scottish weather was kind to them and they were able to have the ceremony on the new decking and a great time was had by all.

Mark is a chef to trade and so things had to be top notch to pass the grade. Thanks to the registar for making the ceremony run smoothly and also to Neil MacKay and his band for hosting a memorable ceilidh at night. once again congratulations to Mark and Anna.

2007-07-30T17:55:00.000+01:00

WE’VE HAD THE BUILDERS IN…. !

In November last year we started work on a major extension of the Hotel and this is now complete. The exciting project consists of ten wonderful new bedrooms, a fully heated indoor swimming pool complete with Finnish style saunarium and a new lounge bar with an outside decking and seating area. As well as the extension we have extensively refurbished our existing bedrooms and bathrooms, and all other areas of the Hotel.

The fantastic new bedrooms all face the loch and six of them have balconies with patio doors leading out to an outside seating area and all are kitted out with luxurious fittings and furnishings. Custom made leather chairs, furniture and headboards, and other lavish furniture and accessories feature. We have made the bathrooms larger than usual and each has a luxurious large shower cubicle and a separate deluxe deep bath. All fittings are deluxe with Grohe and Roca mostly used and the bathrooms are finished with fantastic chrome accessories, fine toiletries and décor. In the existing bedrooms we have replaced furniture, décor, and curtains and have also completely changed the bathrooms using the same high standard of fittings.

The new spacious Captain’s lounge bar also overlooks the sea and has a real Oak wood floor and hand crafted Oak bar. A mixture of relaxing leather sofa’s and chairs combine with superior lighting and décor, as well as large plate glass windows overlooking the loch. There is a door from the bar to an outside decking area with the best sea view in the World (unbiased opinion obviously….). All day refreshments including fine wines, ales as well as teas and speciality coffees will be served, as well as an extensive new daytime food menu. A great place to sit and relax and renew old acquaintances.

The swimming pool is perfect for relaxing in and has large easy access steps rather than a ladder to enter the pool and is complete with underwater lights and a Fluvo underwater water “massager”. The Finnish style saunarium mixes the dry heat of a traditional sauna with the humidity of a steam room by having both a sauna stove and humidifier. The pool and sauna have been professionally installed by professional swimming pool engineers and by special request you can visit the extensive plant room!

We hope shortly to have some photos to be able to send out and also to post onto to our website which has been updated to show the new additions to the Hotel.

In growing the Hotel we have taken great care to keep the same wonderful ambience and small family owned Hotel “feel”. The designs for the extension and renovations have been carried out by the original architect who carried out the original construction of the Hotel. We have also taken great care to use high quality finishing’s, furniture and furnishings throughout the extension to ensure a long lasting high quality experience.