Video on our webpage

Have you watched our video on page 1 of our webpage (http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com)? A lot of you have, as it's been viewed 110 times to date; it was posted on 3rd August 2011. So we're really pleased with the number of times it's been viewed. Thank you. You can also see it on YouTube; it's called Frasers49

Autumn on the long and winding road to the Wallace Monument

We always love this image of the road that goes past Fraser's (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) we even have it on our website. This is the road (Easter Cornton Road) in the autumn. Fraser's is on the right just around the corner, past the piece of green fence; in fact you can just see the top of the roof through the trees. The fields on the left are the views you have out of the dining room window, as you sit eating your breakfast. Enjoy! We do.

Loft insulation

With all the publicity about energy prices and how we need to ensure better insulation of our properties, we've investigated the insulation of the loft before the cold weather starts. There's quite a lot of insulation up there, but we've taken the extra precaution of putting another layer on top. So you'll now be even more cosy and snug! But we're still hoping for a much less severe winter than last year.

On-line payment

Some visitors have said they would like to pay on-line, so we're investigating the possibility. Seems we may well have this in place by the January. This is likely to mean that visitors can pay from the website htp://www.accommodationbedscotland.com More later ..... But those who do not wish to pay this way will not have to, it just means we'll be more flexible.

Autumn 2011

The glorious colours of autumn seem to have passed us by this year. The leaves seem to have just gone a sort of dirty dark green/brown and then dropped off! This one opposite Fraser's (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) is a classic example. But what a spectacular day it's been today, so mild.

New pictures in the lounge

We've been meaning to make the history of the house and the fields opposite into pictures for the lounge wall (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com/page2.htm) for quite some time. Well, now we've done it - horray! We hope this makes an interesting space for visitors to look at.

First proper snow on the hills this autumn

Yesterday was the most magnificent day, as you can see from the picture. It's been cold enough overnight for the first proper snows of the winter to have fallen in the highlands. We're not expecting any here for quite a few months yet. It's not unusual to see snow at this time of year on the tops of the hills and provided you're all nice and warm down here, it's a magnificent sight. This photograph is taken from outside Fraser's (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com)

New fence

The fence at the end of the driveway (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) was starting to look a bit the worse for wear, so it was replaced yesterday, along with the fence at the back of the house, which nobody can see except if you take a walk along the back lane.

We understand this is called ranch-style fencing - smart isn't it! You can also see from the picture that the little crab apple tree we planted last year has grown a few inches and has a lot of lovely little red apples on it again this year. On the right of the picture is some bamboo which we also planted last year; we also have great hopes that it will cover more of the fence given time.

New pictures in the bedrooms

You may remember this image which we took in October 2010. We think it's spectacular. So we've just made a further picture for each bedroom from the photograph (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com), with a little bit of explanation at the bottom to say where it was taken. The photograph was taken on the banks of the River Forth in Stirling, looking East.

We've added a video to page 1 of our webpage

We have just added a video to the first page of our webpage (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com). We're mighty proud of it, as it was made by one of our visitors who wanted to give it to us as a present. We feel she will make a really good film maker, don't you?

A new member of staff

Our blog has fallen by the wayside a bit, as we've been so busy during the summer; we've had some lovely people to stay and they have all been most complimentary about what we provide (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com). Being so busy has meant we've had to take on more staff, so Ella has joined us. We're delighted to have her and she seems to like us too, so welcome Ella, we look forward to working with you.

The house is made of traditional Scottish stone

We have said on page 1 of our webpage (http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) that the building is an "historic stone farm-workers' cottage, built around 1820, with many attractive original features". The image shows just one of the corner stones from which the cottage is made. You can also see another stone to the left of it, behind the plants. These stones are all along the base of the side and front of the building, showing the ground level construction. As we understand it, the stones were quarried locally. Similar stones make up all the outside walls, with smaller stones on top of the larger ones. The whole wall is then harled to give it the pebbledash finish you can see. These buildings are usually very strong and keep the heat in in the cold weather.

Baby's cot is a great success

We've had a cot for a baby for quite sometime, but have lacked the baby to put in it! This situation has just been resolved as we've had the sweetest little baby of 4 months old to stay with his doting parents. He loved the cot, so we were delighted. His little smile would light up the room (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com/page2.htm)

Garden furniture

We've just bought some garden furniture, now that the weather's warm enough to sit outside for longer periods. We're absolutely chuffed to bits with the furniture, what do you think? So now you can sit outside in a leisurely fashion under the trees with a nice hot or cold drink and put the world to rights.

Profile of the highlands

At this time of year the highlands are often clearly visible from Fraser's (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) as this picture shows. As Stirling is known as The Gateway to the Highlands, a good view of them seems very appropriate. As you turn off Causewayhead to come down the road to Fraser's the hills are very evident.

Digital switch-over for the televisions

This part of Scotland had its digital switch-over on the 22nd of this month and all continues to go well. As Fraser's has new TVs in the bedrooms (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com) we didn't need any more equipment and we'd already bought a new digibox for the lounge flat-screen TV. So when we re-tuned on 23rd we were amazed to see how many new and exciting channels we can now receive; and what an improved picture quality it is too. So it's all been a very pleasant experience.

Spring by the River Forth in Stirling, Scotland

We've had the most beautiful spring blossom this year, particularly the cherry blossom trees along the River Forth, about a mile from Fraser's (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com). The weather in April was glorious and when these photos were taken, at the end of April, the blossom was just starting to fall, which gives the lovely carpet of pink under the trees.

The snowdrops are out

Maybe because of the harsh winter, but the snowdrops are looking magnificent this year. We have so many, over by the summer house and just outside the lounge window (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com/page2.htm). A real sign of spring. If you look closely in the foreground of the picture, you can also see the first crocuses just about to open.

The days are becoming longer

It looks as if the worst of the winter is now over, although I suppose we shouldn't hold our breath just yet. But a good sign is that the length of the days is increasing - now it's becomes light at around 7am and is not dark until after 5pm. The temperatures are also much warmer, with scarcely a frost at night.

I'll shortly be able to post some photos of the snowdrops, which are poking their heads through in abundance outside the lounge window (see http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com/page2.htm). They're always a magnificent sight.

Christmas decorations down ready for the painters

We've taken the decorations down a little early this year, as the painters arrive tomorrow to decorate the bedrooms.

We had a lovely New Year with the husband of one couple who stayed giving us more information about the house, as he used to live here in the 1950s when it was a farm cottage. Really interesting to see their pictures and hear about what the house was like then. Apparently the front door was where the back of the house is now, which led onto fields at the back. The road at the front was also no more than a farm track. Thanks James.

Happy New Year

Hope you had a very good New Year. All our very best wishes for a hugely successful 2011 from all at Fraser's (http://www.accommodationbedscotland.com)