Uncategorized

For the murder mystery fans amongst you we now have this bedroom plan of Inshriach House courtesy of the lovely Henry Ryder. Next up – adapting the ground floor plan (which is pretty much exactly like a Cluedo board anyway) into the game itself. Uncle Arthur, in the library, with the French Maid etc etc…

Its a beautiful frosty morning, the ski area opened at the weekend and we just had a cancellation for New Year which means we are going to offer the week from Monday 27th December to Monday 3rd January for £3500 rather than the usual £4000. The week over Christmas is also available at the same price and if you fancy grabbing a bargain week on the slopes there are still a couple of weeks available either late December or in January at £2000 per week or £1500 for a long weekend.

Went off with a bang. 120 odd folks came along, Dutch Indie band Moss and The Levee Strollers entertained, we had an enormous bonfire with a spectacularly priapic guy on top and we set off fireworks from the Backwoods bar. Huge thanks to Richard Muirhead and his crew for coming all the way from London with lights, PA and everything to make the party possible.

Thankfully Metcheck got it wrong and it was a crisp and clear night.

This Friday the Insider presents bonfire night at the Backwoods stage. There are buses to and from the Old Bridge Inn and we are being joined by the Dutch band Moss plus Tom Stearn and Louis Linklater from Admiral Fallow and guest DJs. The castle bar will be open for business and we have a spit roast and mulled cider on the go.

Metcheck are predicting prevailaing winds of 287mph gusting to 344mph and it’s going to be dark so it wont be at all like this picture taken at the Insider. Wear plastic trousers.

We seem to be attracting the more alternative weddings to Inshriach, there are 6 already in the diary for next year. If you are thinking of getting married here are a few suggestions. One wedding is taking place at the Backwoods stage and another is a humanist celebration in the garden. One wedding is going to use these fabulous tipis from Highland Tipis and another is using this 42ft yurt from our friends at Red Kite Yurts.

We had amazing results from Helen Abraham on the photographs for a couple of weddings this year, and she has been back up to take photos of the yurt and the Insider.

This time in a BA Highlife article.

We had 3 weddings here in 2009, each in a different location, a smaller tent on the lawn, a bigger tent in the field, each reflecting the style and budget of the betrothed. The locations were all well and good but it has always struck me that if we could fit a floored, 100 x 40 ft marquee where the Henhouse stage for the Insider was that would make the ideal location. We have already done beautiful things with lighting the oak trees behind, we know where the loos and generator go, plus there is already a bar and barbeque shack there. An added bonus in flattening the field is that everyone would look less tottering drunk come festival time.

So another day another barter and Marcus MacBean from the local smithy was round with one if his collection of ancient catterpillars. There are already 3 weddings booked in for next year, none of which are lined up for this spot. Next step – lots and lots of grass seed.

If you want a wedding here our facility fee starts at £1000, you have to rent the main house as well (so make a holiday of it and get the family to contribute) but I know everyone you need to make it happen.

Another sideline that has grown at Inshriach over the last year is my status as charitable mechanic to anyone I like who is daft enough to own a classic British motor. Hot on the heels of the MGB gentleman’s racer (finished but running horribly after a 2000 mile shakedown) is this 1994 mini sprite. It was put into dry storage with 5600 miles on the clock and I have recommissioned it with new brake and clutch cylinders, a carb rebuild, wheels, tyres and some other bits and bobs and once it gets its MOT it will be for sale. These little things are appreciating fast and this one is perfect, hopefully it can get to £6000.

Thankfully we now have a full time mechanic living at Inshriach. Kyle can fix your car too, for very reasonable rates, especially if it is a classic. Next up for us here is a 1958 Landrover. Then another MGBGT in for some attention over the winter. Then hopefully we can get onto converting my old Landcruiser FJ to a Chevrolet V8 engine. We might well go into classic car rental next year, time, funds, suitable cars and garage space permitting.