Heading East!

Off to Perth for the day. We used to do this journey very regularly when the girls were at school at Strathallan. Now they are back at home in Oban we don't go over so often - and I miss it. The drive across Scotland (well not completely across - otherwise you'd end up in Dundee) is very pretty and the city of Perth (technically it's a large town but they are going for city status) has great shops, lots of character and is easy to walk around. We have lots of Cologin regulars who come over from Perth and Dundee. It's an easy drive (around two hours) but very different scenery. I should really look at marketing a East meets West holiday break to our English visitors to encourage them to try both sides of Scotland.
Anyway, I won't be rushing back this afternoon as Jim has boys round to watch the rugby!

Misty - Rest in Peace

Our beloved Highland mare - Misty (Trowan Highland Mist) died on Sunday morning of colic. She has suffered from this condition once before following a well meant but highly dangerous 'treat' from a customer. Horses have extremely delicate digestive systems and unlike most animals they cannot throw up. Once they have eaten something that upsets their tummies they are unable to do anything about it.

We will never know if Misty had taken something that she shouldn't have (or even eaten too much of something that in small doses is not harmful) but we do hope that all our customers will take note that our horses are not to be fed titbits of any description - they can, and sadly do, kill. You may think that one apple or one carrot is fine and won't do any harm but if everyone thought that way then you can see how these things snowball. Our other horses are wary of customers and generally keep out of their way, but Misty loved everyone and was very greedy.

Misty taught all our children to ride, attended numerous Pony Club rallies, camps and competitions and was extremely popular with all who knew her as she had a typical Highland personality. Over the last couple of years she had all but retired from work - but was still called upon to help out at Pony Club when needed for a child without a pony. She could turn her hoof to anything and had even raced around the gallops in her earlier years. She will be sadly missed by many of our regulars and our own children (who have all grown up with her) are devastated.

RIP Trowan Highland Mist

Valentines Competition! Puppy Love!

It's pupply love time! The latest addition to the Battison family is a chocolate brown Lab by the name of Benjie - he is adorable! He is not the least bit fazed by Alfie (the Great Dane) towering over him and is as bold as brass. We thought it would be fun to run a wee competition on Facebook with our fans for a free 3 night break at Cologin in a two bedroom Inner Hebridean lodge as a prize.

Simply post your puppy pics on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/selfcateringoban

This one is just to get your going - our Benjie trying the cat flap for size.

If you are not a Facebook fan and still want to enter simply email your puppy pic to info@cologin.co.uk and I'll post on our Facebook page for you.

No restrictions on date, maximum occupancy of 6 - subject to availability - or simply use the 3 days as part of a weekly booking and just pay the balance. (Stay for 7 pay for 4).

And don't worry if your puppy pics are from way back when your pet was wee. We're just going to select the cutest puppy pic we can find. You have until 14th February 2011 to get your pictures posted or emailed and we'll be in touch with the winners by Facebook (and email).

Good Luck!