Achnashellach Haven with Pine Marten Visitors
Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 10:31 pmOn Monday I headed up to Inverness on the train for the start of my week pottering around the Highlands. I was spending two nights in Achnashellach (Tuesday and Wednesday) then two nights in Broadford (Thursday and Friday), so I was looking forward to enjoying the views on the whole Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh train route. I didn’t see any otters along the way (which other people have told me they have seen) but I did see a male osprey carrying a fish at the loch just before reaching Achnashellach. Achnashellach is a request stop, and it’s pretty cool on leaving the place having to stick your hand out on the platform 
(like a taxi) to let the driver know you want to get on.
I only spent the evening in Inverness, time enough to visit the herons at the RSPB nature reserve beside the canal. I did wander into TK Maxx on the Tuesday morning and bought a pair of sunglasses just because it was sunny and I was on holiday. I don’t like fuss/accessories usually (handbags, jewellery, etc.) but the funny thing was that the first discount designer pair I picked up were actually called ‘Janet’ – they were made for me!
I stayed with Hilary and Dave at their Achnashellach Station House B&B for two nights because they have a family of four pine martens who visit daily for jam and biscuits, peanuts, and raisins. Hilary and Dave are a lovely couple, very welcoming, and their home is haven; lots of wildlife in their garden which they don’t mind you exploring, and home-cooking (e.g. homegrown gooseberries crumble). Hilary even let me play on her swing
.
I had a fantastic day on Thursday walking along the forest track directly behind the Station House. It was a 9-mile circular walk, taking in part of the Coulin Pass as far as Loch Coulin (sat there for ages watching the trout fry), then turning back to follow the path along to the Tea Hut (bothy) and waterfall. I didn’t see another person for most of the walk, and I was chuffed to bits to hear and see my first cuckoo of the year .
Achnashellach is a fantastic area; it’s so peaceful the noise of birds singing is actually deafening. I will definitely be visiting Hilary and Dave and the pine martens again .
(like a taxi) to let the driver know you want to get on.I only spent the evening in Inverness, time enough to visit the herons at the RSPB nature reserve beside the canal. I did wander into TK Maxx on the Tuesday morning and bought a pair of sunglasses just because it was sunny and I was on holiday. I don’t like fuss/accessories usually (handbags, jewellery, etc.) but the funny thing was that the first discount designer pair I picked up were actually called ‘Janet’ – they were made for me!
I stayed with Hilary and Dave at their Achnashellach Station House B&B for two nights because they have a family of four pine martens who visit daily for jam and biscuits, peanuts, and raisins. Hilary and Dave are a lovely couple, very welcoming, and their home is haven; lots of wildlife in their garden which they don’t mind you exploring, and home-cooking (e.g. homegrown gooseberries crumble). Hilary even let me play on her swing
.
I had a fantastic day on Thursday walking along the forest track directly behind the Station House. It was a 9-mile circular walk, taking in part of the Coulin Pass as far as Loch Coulin (sat there for ages watching the trout fry), then turning back to follow the path along to the Tea Hut (bothy) and waterfall. I didn’t see another person for most of the walk, and I was chuffed to bits to hear and see my first cuckoo of the year
. 
Achnashellach is a fantastic area; it’s so peaceful the noise of birds singing is actually deafening. I will definitely be visiting Hilary and Dave and the pine martens again
.
ok it was you then 