It's official....We all know it's been a pretty awful August weatherwise, but figures released by the Met Office reveal that not only were temperatures for June and July above the 1971-2000 average, but that generally Scotland was warmer than the rest of the UK. And, that the north of Scotland had it's second sunniest June on record!! So once and for all I would just like to take this opportunity to dispel the 'urban myth' that rain is always to be expected when you holiday in Scotland.

Now, where did I put my umbrella..

Interesting to read that next September Loch Ness is to stage the Loch Ness Film Festival with new short films from new film makers as well as classic Scottish films (www.lochnessfilmfestival.co.uk )
Loch Ness has always been a magnet for film makers, all eager to put their own spin on the myth of the Loch Ness monster. Who can forget (or perhaps it should be who can remember!) the 'classic' Loch Ness starring Ted Danson, 'Incident at Loch Ness' by Werner Herzog or most recently 'The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep?
Anyway, great that someone has taken the initiative here to base a festival of film on the most filmed stretch of inland water in perhaps the world!

Here on Loch Ness between Dores and Whitebridge much of the road is single track and every summer it causes no end of fuming and cursing by locals and visitors alike. Why? Because many locals who know every twist and turn of it are inclined to drive fast on it whereas may vistors who wish quite naturally to enjoy the views of the loch, drive very slowly or simply don't understand the etiquette of driving on such a road.
What can we do about it?? No serious accidents have ever resulted but oh boy do some people get agitated! Here are some suggestions:
1. Car hire companies give out instructions on how to drive on single track roads
2. Signs be erected to inform the visitor of the correct etiquette

And as for local drivers in a hurry... chill out.. just imagine what driving to work on the 'M whatever' is like every morning!!

For those not aware, here at Evergreen we nestle amongst the woods looking out over Loch Ness. It is an idilic location and we never grow tired of it, but being surrounded on three sides by trees has its drawbacks Mainly it has to be said, because not only do trees grow, and therefore reduce our views, but in the case of coniferous trees up to 2ft per year! As a result over summer I'm constantly out with my powersaw trimming back branches and trying to keep it all under control. For the most part I manage but this year I feel I'm loosing a battle -the growth of trees and the undergrowth has been phenomenal. No doubt this has something to do with global warming but in the meantime I feel that one day I'm going to come home from Inverness to a tree growing up through the centre of Evergreen!!

A good day today!! - were informed by VisitScotland that Evergreen has been shortlisted in the 'Extra Mile' (small business) category of the Scottish Thistle Awards, Scotland's premier tourism awards. (www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk) Fiona and I are absolutely delighted to receive this industry recognition. We are always trying to continually improve what we offer guests here at Evergreen and to 'go that extra mile' to ensure that they have a fantastic time and go away with truly memorable experiences.

The Awards Ceremony takes place on the 23rd October - here's hoping!

I have to say I really like my mid morning cup of coffee and something sweet to eat.. preferably a nice big chunk of millionaire shortbread! For a long time here on Loch Ness finding a place which satisfied my cravings was difficult but no more.. Cobbs cafe (www.lochnessview.com/cobbs.htm) at the Clansman Hotel mid way between Drumnadrochit and Inverness hits all the buttons for me. I can think of no better way to spend an idle half hour waiting for guests to return off a Jacobite cruise (www.jacobite.co.uk ) than sipping a large strong coffee and stuffing myself with 100s of calories from a good sweet cake!

Out with guests yesterday walking through Inverfarigaig forest to Foyers. Lovely day with great sunshine. We kept stopping though to admire not only the views but the variety of wild mushrooms that are once again bursting forth from the forest floor. All shapes and sizes, harmless and poisonous which is why we didn't actually pick any. You really have to know your mushrooms before you start doing this! Here is a photo of one of the more familiar poisonous varieties Fly Agaric.