As Autumn gives way to winter up here we have started to get organised for the months ahead. Alex has been busy building up our log stack, we have taken down and dried out the Ger that we had up over the summer and we have picked as many berries as we could find. Unfortunately, to my disappointment, there have been few sloes this year – I am seriously worried about my lack of sloe vodka for 2013! What we did have piles of were beautiful Rowan berries, more than I have ever seen on the trees up here, so what was disastrous for some was ideal for others.
It has been a great Autumn for us with two really successful retreats. As always it was great fun running them with Joany. We started the
day with Joany’s relaxing yoga, followed by a long leisurely breakfast. The days were spent walking in beautiful places or doing a little craft at the Steading. Evenings at the Steading vary from relaxation evenings, to Bobs unique form of storytelling, with instruments he has collected from around the world. I may have mentioned that we managed some wild swimming back in May- but I never imagined we might manage it in October! Not me personally, but one of our stoic guests made it into the loch gracefully and did her turn. A wonderful memory for me and i’m sure all the others on the week. It was lovely to have spent the weeks with all our escapees this season.
Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards
In October I managed to put on a pair of high heals (but definitely did not do them justice as I walked into the Drumossie hotel with a bit of a wobble). We were shortlisted in the category “Best nature based experience”. We were runners up, but it felt good to be there and it was definitely fun making the short film for the awards. The film shows a few examples of activities we run in the woods, including prehistoric cookery and natural dyeing. Please follow the link to have a look.
The Goat Shed
This week Alex has been building our goat shed for the little ladies who will arrive in February. 
We thought it would be better to make it now rather than last minute in case we have a severe winter. We hope eventually to be getting milk from the goats, but it will be a while yet as they will be only 6 weeks when we pick them up. We have also been busy putting up new fencing for our Shetland sheep, who are doing well.
We have also had plenty of visits from our Pine Martens. We were lucky enough to have caught them on camera this year, even in broad day-light. If you want to take a look at their escapades please follow the link below.
Alternative Hen Parties
Over the last few months I have been busy getting our new weekends just right. From this Spring we are starting to run alternative hen parties, which we hope will appeal to those keen on getting together with their friends who want something a little different. We have combined activities to suit different groups and budgets. The weekends are not exclusive to hen parties, we can run this type of weekend for any group of friends, family or work colleges. Groups can combine any of the
following; Prehistoric cookery, feasting in the woods, making a felt wall hanging for your hen, felting by pony Mongolian-style , pony trekking, walking in Glen Affric or a sophisticated evening out at the Struy inn. If any of this takes you fancy then follow the link to our website pages.
Of course we also have our usual relaxation retreats, craft courses and workshops going on from Spring 2013.
Coming up in Spring 2013:
Natural Dyeing weekend: Sat 27th April – Sun 28th
Felt Making weekend: Sat 4th May- Sun 5th
Prehistoric Cookery: Sat 11th May – Sun 12th
Spring Relaxation Retreat: Sat 18th May-25th
If you feel like escaping next Spring, just get in touch or have a look at or website for more details.
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We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Yours, Rosie
www.wildrose-escapes.co.uk
