McMurdoston House Accommodation

24.08.13

The Swifts left for South Africa on 14.08.13, the Swallows are on their second broods and so are the new additions of the House Martins. First Spotted Flycatcher spotted (!) at the top of our drive a few days ago. A pair of Red Kite over the next field during harvesting.

Over the past week a good friend of ours caught 3 salmon – 16, 17 and 23 pounders – on fly, as well as two brown trout and a sea trout of 1 1/2 pounds. All were caught on the Blackwood beat of the Nith, a mere 5-minute drive away from McMurdoston.

I’m off trout fishing tomorrow at Jericho Loch. Will keep you posted…

3.08.13

I have just watched a baby swallow fly for its first time. As it took off it was mobbed by lots of swallows or so I thought, but they all seemed to enjoy its first flight and stayed with it all the way helping until it had to land. It was a rare moment.

3.08.13

Further to my post in June, I am pleased to be able to direct anyone interested to the Gallery. Here – if I can remember how to do it! – you should be able to see pictures of our latest wildlife arrivals… and very sweet they are too.

The cottages are progressing well… kitchens going in, staircases on order and drainage in place.

We have wild raspberries and gooseberries in the hedgerow now – delicious, but they do mean my walks take twice as long! Goodness knows what will happen when the mass of blackberries ripen in a couple of weeks.

13.06.13

It’s been a busy few months here at McMurdoston. The building works are going well, despite a difficult start in March’s horrendous weather. Now early Summer has definitely arrived – very late but very welcome – and the progress we’ve made on the barn conversion is clear to see. We haven’t set a date for completion as we feel this would be tempting fate but will keep you posted via the Blog.

The main bird news is that we have Swallows, Swifts and House Martins all nesting on and around the house. Steve is beside himself with joy. I am almost as excited by the amount of blossom on the apple trees, the reappearance of clouds of Cow Parsley and Campion in the lanes and the fact that my Yellow Rattle (sewn in the soon-to-be-wild-flower-meadow) appears to be working its magic. Apparently it is semi-parasitic to grass, which sounds somewhat scary but useful in terms of making wild flowers more welcome.

The freezer is full of Steve’s lovely trout and I have several jars of jelly made in March from the apples I stored over Winter. Guests from all over the world have continued to join us here (our first American made it yesterday) and remind us how lucky we are to have found such a peaceful place.

28.02.13

At last we have planning permission to convert one of the steading buildings at McMurdoston. One day soon this lovely old building will take on a new shape as two self-contained holiday cottages, sleeping four a-piece and will give our guests amazing views across the valley. Following bat and owl surveys, structural surveys and weeks of  interviewing local tradespeople we have selected a team who we feel will do us proud. Keep an eye on our blog and we’ll do our best to keep you up-dated. With luck anyone interested will be able to book later this year.

The bed and breakfast business has gone really well and we’ve even been busy through a lot of the winter. We’re lucky enough to be just a mile and a half off a main artery (the A 76) and yet the house retains a tranquility which our guests clearly value enormously.

Important news re wildlife is that we have seen two red squirrels simultaneously in the garden – at opposite ends of the house but near enough to each other that we feel they may perhaps be part of a potential family. The tree sparrows are now fighting over the boxes Steve has installed in the trees and the odd bat is to be seen flying around looking to leave its roost.We seem to be a battle-ground for blackbirds too, competing for who gets the best spots. Spring has definitely sprung and the daffodils are vying with the snowdrops. We’ve even heard a barn owl screeching again.

1.11.12

McMurdoston’s three apple trees have borne fruit in enormous quantity. After a great deal of research we think we have an Epicure, a Lord Derby and a White Melrose, although we’re still unsure as to whether one of them is a Charles Ross… the previous owners left an enigmatic list but sadly didn’t draw a map with the co-ordinates of each tree!!!

I’m now doing battle with the enormous glut. I have made apple cakes, pies and crumbles, I’ve frozen apple puree, I’ve made apple jams (spiced is popular with the guests), apple jellies (with rosemary/rowan/bramble), I’ve baked several of Steve’s trout with apple and put apple into any dish  I think I can get away with its presence. The birds are struggling to come to terms with the colourful pile under their feeder. I have asked a friend to lend me his book on making wine and now feel an investment in the equipment will make this time next year much more interesting… In addition I’m trying out the ancient ‘press’ in one of the steadings and have stored some of all three varieties in there, hoping one won’t  go mouldy and ruin the lot.

9.11.12

I went for a walk up the hill this evening and came back down through what we call the ‘orchard’ to lean on the wall and look for barn owls (none spotted tonight, but lots of bats). I picked an apple (?Epicure) on the way and I can honestly say it was one of the most delicious I’ve ever eaten.

Two different types of lavender are still flowering at McMurdoston, as are poppies and hollyhocks. Large flocks of chattering fieldfares are appearing and noisy skeins of geese continue to fly in.

4.10.12

Just had a great day at Jericho Loch – had 8 trout to 19 1/2 pounds. My mate James had 3 trout to 17 1/2 pounds  – his biggest was 12 1/2 pounds.  All in 5 hours. What a day out.

9.10.12

On the bird front – skeins of geese, up to 300 at a time,flying over McMurdoston House. But where  have all the tree sparrows gone? There were 30 earlier in the year and now just one. Oh – and the last five baby swallows left one by one, daily, finishing on October 3^rd. One barn owl spotted behind the barn.

2.09.12

An osprey flew on the thermals over McMurdoston House on its way back to South Africa. So nice to see.

6.09.12

I had my first attempt at fly fishing at Jericho Loch – so many people to help me at casting. I caught 6 trout – 14 1/2 pounds – not bad for my first go. I have now joined the club  and am going next Thursday. Tight lines I hope.

7.09.12

At last, after 7 months, red squirrels around the house on the peanut feeders. Even our guests are seeing them at breakfast!

The Tough Mudder event was held in July this year at Drumlanrig Castle and a few of the competitors stayed with us here.