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Newsletter - February 2006

As you might imagine, and quite a few of you were here so don't need to use your imagination, the castle reverberated with several parties over Christmas and New Year.

One of the highlights was when we alerted our neighbours at Cloncaird Castle that one or two of us might set out on foot to first foot them. They were prepared for a few first-footers, drams or champagne at the ready, but whether they quite expected the thirty or so who eventually turned up we don't know. But, being the good neighbours which they are they did not blink an eyelid and showed us great hospitality.

We are now on the cusp of spring and so far have escaped the snow which has fallen to both the north and south of us. This has not met with universal approval, as sledging on frozen hillsides is much sorer on certain parts of the anatomy than more forgiving snow.

What has not been so easy to escape is watching "Beauty and the Geek" currently showing on E4 on Tuesday nights. This was filmed here at Blairquhan just before Christmas and, we think, shows the Castle off very well. If reality television is your thing we are sure you will enjoy it. For those of us who would profess publicly to never watching reality television we seem to be somewhat hooked on learning who the winning couple might be.

"Beauty and the Geek" contestants

We have had a couple of groups here for significant birthday parties and two winter weddings. For the most recent wedding the Saloon was dressed in white muslin and the floor scattered with white feathers and rose petals.

Slightly less romantic were a group of architects and engineers who held a small conference and team building event with us, followed by a similar event for a social charity called "C-Change for Inclusion".

Alternative Macnab For the fifth year running we have just enjoyed the most marvellous sporting break at Blairquhan estate on the river Girvan in Ayrshire. There we had great shooting, fishing and accommodation and had a keeper who simply can't do enough for you. He even organised an alternative Macnab for one member (with duck replacing grouse as no grouse remain on the estate) and went to incredible lengths to ensure his success. I enclose a photograph of Euan Anderson, the headkeeper, with Andrew Kipe-King and his Macnab. It is just a shame about the bright pink socks! Bryn Aldridge

The shooting season went well for us. Teams from various parts of Britain and Ireland enjoyed great sport. A totally unsolicited letter in The Field paid tribute to the calibre of what has been on offer.

Euan Anderson and his family

Sadly our Purdey-award winning Head Keeper, Euan Anderson, left us for Highland pastures (or should that be moors) new at the end of the season. He and his family have gone with our best wishes to a prestigious estate in Strathnaver. This gave us an opportunity to review our shooting policy, and we have decided that next season we will not be carrying out commercial shooting.

For the first time, we opened the Gardens and House at the end of February, for a Snowdrop day, under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. The weather was kind to us and we had 120 visitors, possibly ten times more than we might have expected.

Another change for this year is that the Gardens and House will be open every Sunday afternoon and the May Bank Holidays from Easter to September. Do come and visit us.

~ Pat and Marguerite Hunter Blair ~

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Previous newsletters: [ Aug 2006 ] [ Feb 2006 ] [ Oct 2005 ] [ Jul 2005 ] [ Apr 2005 ] [ Jan 2005 ] [ Oct 2004 ] [ Jul 2004 ] [ Apr 2004 ] [ Jan 2004 ] [ Oct 2003 ]