AMHUINNSUIDHE CASTLE NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2009
Ian Scarr-Hall:
The Season at Amhuinnsuidhe is short but intensive. Our guests arrive with the migratory fish and leave after a week of hard work. The rivers and lochs are home to the fish and Amhuinnsuidhe is the Hebridean home for our guests. This year Bill and family returned for their 21st consecutive visit, many more return visits than our fish!
The year has seen a welcome increase in sea trout, usually the first to decline with any increase in water pollution. I have just read in the “Gamekeeper” Salmon and Trout Association an article by Andrew Graham-Stewart “Sea Trout Revival”--- rod catches of sea trout have seen a remarkable resurgence. It does seem that Amhuinnsuidhe has shared in this experience and I sleep with the memory of a silver fresh 3lb fish hooked and leaping at the end of my line on Voshimid. That same day my daughter Rachael landed a fine 10lb silver salmon (I had just changed her fly!) All very fresh fish in prime condition late September. We continue to operate as far as possible as an example of a Victorian sporting estate; where else can you fish from wooden boats over 100 years of age? (Older than dear Bill!)
Returning each year to meet familiar staff is always appreciated and so we are fortunate that this year we experienced great success in this respect. We all know that success is teamwork from individuals expressing their talents to the full and this year has been a fine example of all working together. I often wonder why things seem to go better when I am not involved.
Our Charity day this year was a great success rasing over £1000.00 which was divided between Macmillan nurses and Harris Voluntary Services - two fantastic charities. I showed the visitors around the castle again this year including some bedrooms, for which I got into trouble, and I then had to clean them all out again. The winter work has now begun to keep the Castle in top shape for your return in 2010. A date in our diaries for 2010 is the wedding of Innes and Cristina so that is something to look forward to.
Some jokes for you all to brighten up this glum weather:
"For the second year running, Effie sent Kenny out to St Kilda but she says it doesn't work - they keep bringing him back!"
"You know you're getting old when you bend down to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you can do whilst you're down there!"
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Innes Morrison:
It’s that time of year again, the Season is over and all the staff go on their way for the winter.
It was lovely to see you all again over the Season, many new faces, and some old ones too which is very nice.
The Fishing this year was very good we had 180 salmon which is up on last year and all were in very good condition.
The best thing about the fishing this year was the sea trout with 487 and all of good sizes. With the finock nearing 1Ib and a lot of 3Ib fish it looks like that they had very good feeding. Reports suggest that there are a lot of sand eels about for them.
Loch Ulladale, one of the most beautiful places in the world, had a lot of sea trout in it with on guest returning and saying he did not know how another fish would fit in the loch! With a fortunate Season things look good for the future!
The stalking this year was very good fun; we had 14 stags in one week. The deer were fat and with good strong heads. I keep saying this but this must be one of the nicest place in Scotland to go staking, with views to die for. Some days out, we have to stop and take a breath and marvel in the beauty of our workplace.
Innes
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David Taylor:
The end of another season is now upon us at Amhuinnsuidhe. We seem to have had a very successful season in terms of both hospitality and sport! The staff at Amhuinnsuidhe have all worked extremely hard to make sure that every single person who walks through the door are well looked after. Judging by some of the feedback that we have received from various guests then this has certainly been the case.
It’s been nice to welcome back once more some old friends and also some new friends to the castle this summer. As we head off back to our own various parts of the country we can take with us some fond memories of a happy time and the amusing moments throughout the last six months as well, as Ian mentions the team spirit is good here on the estate with Katy-Mary and Effie who have been coming to the castle for years at different times of their lives. I am delighted to report that both Lynne and I will be returning for the 2010 season. We have found a sense of enjoyment and stability for us here over the last couple of years and my arrangement with my other employer, Great Rail Journeys allows us the flexibility to continue with this.
We have big date in our diaries for February. Our ever present castle administrator, Gail Buchanan, is expecting her first child in February. We’re all looking forward to ‘wetting the bairn’s head’ when we return to the castle in the spring. No doubt in our spring newsletter we will be featuring news of Gail as well as news of Cristina and Innes’ upcoming wedding in Argyle.
I could go on but as space is limited I would just like to wish each and every one of you a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Thank you from us all for maintaining an interest in what is a very special and unique place. It’s the bond that ties us all together!!
Look forward to seeing you in 2010.
David Taylor |
Rachael Scarr-Hall caught this magnificent
10lb Salmon on Voshimid at the end of September.
