Blar a’ Chaoruinn

Planning to bag Ben Nevis or any of the other Munro’s in the area, walk the West Highland Way or Great Glen Way? These are some of the popular activities in the Fort William Area, the outdoor capital of the UK and they are at the doorstep of Blar a Chaoruinn!
Consider staying at our perfect hideaway, check Highland Cottage at AirBnB or VRBO for our availability!

Scotland named one of world's top global hiking destinations Ben Nevis and the West Highland Way named as two of the most popular hikes in the UK.

It has been an amazing season with such wonderful and nice guests! And now after months we are eventually back in Scotland again! The house, pretty as always in the autumn sun, has been carefully looked after in our absence (or should we say: inability to travel). We even have a c**k as the new housemaster!
In the coming months we will take time for maintenance and some redecoration in preparation for our guests next season!

West Highland Way named '6th most beautiful hiking route in the world' The route features in the worldwide top 20 most picturesque hiking trails, beating the USA’s Appalachian Trail and France’s Tour du Mont Blanc.

Since last month we can welcome guests again at Blar a Chaoruinn after a forced closure of almost 9 months. What a joy! Sadly, it is impossible for us to visit Blar a Chaoruinn ourselves due to all travel restrictions since last October. Luckily we know that it is in the good hands of Magda and IJ.

As you will understand, our development plans with the pods haven’t made any progress and this will likely not change any soon, unfortunately! However the time will come that they will reach their final position. Until that time we can only provide this years guests with the most beautiful hideaway in the Scottish Highlands: Blar a Chaoruinn estate!

Big day! Planning Permission for our Glamping Pods. Ready for the next step! Have a very nice weekend and stay safe and healthy!

Delighted to welcome our first guest after the lockdown.
We remain careful, keep distance and stay safe.
That is the only way we are able to move forward!

Just a sweet memory to enjoy from home!
Hopefully we can all enjoy this again soon!

Flood Risk! Like everybody we could use some good news now restrictions are, more and more, extended and we are unable to welcome any guests. Only our increasing sheep flog can witness how beautiful Blar a Chaoruinn is in May. Luckily, we did receive some good news concerning the Pods. At the back end of last week the very positive results from the Flood Risk Assessment were received! Our second location has passed the test!

This didn’t come for granted....

When it concerns the fight against water, the Dutch always see themselves as the experts. Don’t tell them anything about dikes and the everlasting treat of the rising sea. However, flood risks way above sea level seems more of aScottish expertise. Fort William located on the west coast of Scotland at the foot of Ben Nevis is Scotlands record- breaking rain location. Ever wundred the stunning beauty of the location? Simple answer: 🌧 🌧 🌧

We never thought of any flood risks at Blar a Chaoruinn until a year ago. Just before we submitted our request for planning, our dear friend and neighbour IJ, who we can’t do without in this process, identified the area as an ancient Flood risk area. Consequently, we had to do a Flood Risk Assessment.

The designated location for the pods was enclosed between 2 small burns (a burn is what is defined as a watercourse in size from a large stream to a small river – ours are the very first...) that join together, increasing the power of the water. One of these burns is also our private water supply. Don’t tell us about the benefits of our own natural resources😀

It is to be said that we were very surprised to see the first Flood Risk Model. Based on a 200-year horizon and a very aggressive negative impact on the climate, it forecasted a very mature loch at this location, Loch Blar a Chaoruinn. To put it in perspective, over the last 80 years the area has never been more than a wet grazing area. Anyway, we had to go back to the drawingboard to find a new location. Its reassuring to know that the pods will now be safe from flood risk. Perhaps our grand-grand-grand children may be able to offer windsurf or boating holidays...

@ Blar a’ Chaoruinn

Highland Springtime! Happy Easter 🐣

We think back a year ago. It was a very exciting time then. A special delivery is on its way from Lithuania to Blar a’ Chaoruinn. A hard Brexit is looming at the even faster approaching horizon and the truck will have to have crossed the channel ahead of it.

Early 2019 we coincidently met Sybren and Wim, two very socially engaged Dutch entrepreneurs who try to bridge the gap between Lithuanian businesses and Western European customers allowing these businesses to deliver high quality wooden products at a fair price for them.

We had always dreamed of extending the accommodations at the estate with so-called (glamping) Pods. Fully build to our own specifications.

The people have worked very hard to have the delivery ahead of the Brexit in Scotland and it did arrive days before the planned date. None of the contingencies were required, no long queues at the ferry, not at the borders, no import restrictions. It was a hop-on hop-off trip easy and smooth. We had never earlier welcomed such a large transport at the estate.

Crates and pallets full of parts and wooden elements, stocked up in the steading, waiting for the moment the pods can be assembled. It was only the start of a long process.

Step 1 of the process was off course to visualise our plan. That wasn’t too difficult. Enough space, sheep nearby, brilliant views on the surrounding hills and Ben Nevis secured. The exact location needed a little more thought. Do we position them close together or widely separated? Close to the existing Water and Electricity services or far away from the sheds?

As Dutch, we choose the middle way; not to close together but in visual field. The experience of wild camping but with the comforts of water and electricity nearby. In a semi-circle with an open community space in the middle. All pods with frontal Ben Nevis view. We had completed our plan! Time to get planning from the local government... but just before we reached that point it was noticed that the choosen location was on ancient Flood Risk Area. Flood risk in the Highlands, 400 meter above sea level? Really? Yes Really. But thats for our next story! @ Blar a’ Chaoruinn

De producten van Great Glen Charcuterie: een aanrader! Een mooi Schots bedrijf met Nederlandse roots.....
Many thanks for your delicious local charcuterie.

Excellent home delivery service from Glen Spean Brewing Co. Delivery at the doorstep!
Een absolute aanrader om deze lokale biertjes uit de Highlands een te proeven!
cheers!

2020 started so promising. Early in the year we set our goals and promised ourselves to have our Glamping Pods assembled and ready for use or at least make significant progress. The crates with all parts and elements arrived almost a year ago from Lithuania and have, all covered, been catching dust in our steading ever since. Getting planning, preparing the groundwork and services connections will require quite some effort and it is likely not to be an easy ride. However as Nike claims: Just do it!

At that time, COVID-19 was far away and we never thought that it would impact us so much.

Now we are at the end of March and the world has changed dramatically! Spring may be around the corner and our first lambs are born, two sets of twin lambs, social distancing has become a common global expression. Incomparable with the peace and quietness we are used to in the Highlands and what attracts our guests.

Both in the Netherlands and the UK everybody is facing unprecedented measures in this unreal situation. Within all possibilities we will continue to do everything we can to reach our goal and have the pods ready for use and benefit most of the current situation. Fact is that we are not able to welcome any guests to the cottage, so this is a perfect time to build.

Through Instagram and Facebook we will keep you updated on the progress we make and the situation in Scotland. We sincerely hope you will enjoy reading how we, with the help of some great friends try to turn the current situation into something positive. Take care, be safe and keep a safe distance! That’s what we at Blar a Chaoruinn do as well! ☺

Blar a’ Chaoruinn updated their website address.

Blar a’ Chaoruinn updated their business hours.