Latest News

January 2010

 

A BUSY YEAR AT SPRINGWELL IN 2009

We all heard a lot about a “barbecue summer” and a mild winter from the weathermen and about the “staycation” from VisitScotland and others. Well the Met Office is now having a credibility problem and actually it seems that lots of people went abroad on holiday as usual when the recession seemed perhaps to be less devastating than many expected.

At local level reports in Lochaber have been good and at Springwell, I was really pleased with progress in our second full year, bookings well up and comments in the cottage visitors books almost all very favourable and appreciative of the many improvements last winter. It was also really nice to see many 2008 visitors again.

We still have plenty of "out of season" weeks available at very competitive rates.

 

IMPROVEMENTS

Winter is a time for catching up with maintenance jobs and improving the cottages. This year we are putting roof insulation into Oronsay, Lismore, Shuna and Kerrera – toastier for our visitors and reduced energy consumption. Also the outer doors on Lismore, Shuna and Kerrera are being replaced to keep the draughts and leaks at bay.

In 2009 we qualified for the Green Tourism Business Scheme and reducing our carbon footprint is a priority.

Other improvements include further new floorcoverings, an upgrade in the main bathroom and improved lighting in Oronsay to enhance the 2009 renovation. The kitchens in Lismore and Kerrera are also being retiled.

New furnishings include a 4 piece suite, bedside cabinets and dresser for Colonsay, replacement of soft furnishings and double mattress in Croft and new double beds for Shuna and Kerrera. Also new TVs with dvd are being wall fitted in Lismore and Kerrera and I have purchased new cookers for Shuna and Kerrera and microwave for Lismore.

Something to make every house a little more comfortable.

 

SPRINGWELL ON FACEBOOK

Yes you can now find Springwell Holidays on Facebook. I intend to use it to keep our friends up to date with snippets of Springwell news and it is an easy way for you to give us valuable feedback and to keep in touch. Search Springwell Holidays and become a Fan.

 

BRACKEN WARS

It may add wonderful autumn colour but bracken is a mixed blessing and the Springwell bracken is second to none in height and denseness. If we didn’t but, it it would drown out our wonderful bluebells and close up our nature trails and it is very poor habitat for wildlife. So last year I started cutting and spraying it on the lower slopes and hopefully there will be a bit less of it this year. The campaign continues.

 

A WELCOME IN 2010

It is great to see the bookings coming in steadily for 2010. I hope very much that we can provide many more comfortable and happy holidays this year in Lochaber – the aptly named "Outdoor Capital of the UK". Above all very many thanks to all who visited in 2009 and “haste ye back”.

 

LOST PROPERTY

An Ipod Nano was found in Colonsay. Any claimants please contact Pat Curran on 07515 580443.

 

Regards,

Richard Cooke