LYNDALE

SNOWDROPS

2012-01-15T14:08:00.000Z

It is snowdrop time at Lyndale again. They first appeared at Christmas now there are carpets of them under the trees. Today is a lovely clear, still January day I have just had a walk down to the shore and then up to look out to the Outer Isles, much needed after the wind and rain!

STAR GAZING

2012-01-11T14:35:00.000Z

Lyndale would be hard to beat for dark skies. Sit out around the fire bowl on a clear night with a glass of something warming to enjoy a special night under the stars. Hurry, book a winter short break now before the days get too long.

All you keen star gazers don't miss STARGAZING LIVE on BBC 2 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mlr20

2011

2011-12-31T16:28:00.000Z

The sun sets on 2011 here at Lyndale.
Looking forward to 2012.

Event at the harbour in Portree September 10th.

2011-07-15T16:10:00.000+01:00

Here is a chance to listen again to BBC Radio
Scotland's Culture Cafe with Emma Nicolson and Neil
Bromwich, who talk about Celestial Skye which takes place
September 10th here on Skye.
/http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012ftsy/The_Culture_Cafe_12_07_2011/

Orchids

2011-06-23T11:38:00.000+01:00

Northern Marsh-orchid - Dactylorhiza purperella

110 counted in this patch alone just in front of the
house.

CUCKOO !

2011-04-18T16:10:00.000+01:00

The cuckoo is here !

The cuckoo's distinctive call is becoming an increasingly rare springtime sound according to the official list of the

UK's most threatened species, which has recorded a "shocking" 37% decline in the species since the mid-1990s.

2011-03-29T18:57:00.004+01:00

Marcus came across a tawny owl's nest with 3 eggs in, obviously not this one, he didn't want to go back with a camera in case he scared the mother away. It was only one and a half meters off the ground, pretty vulnerable. We will keep an eye from a distance.

More snow !!

2011-01-08T22:32:00.000Z

More snow and we just love it.....

Bird table

2010-11-29T10:14:00.000Z

Our resident robin is busy defending his bird table without success, the other birds are just too hungry to be chased away for long.

SNOW

2010-11-28T17:11:00.000Z

WOODCOCK

2010-11-27T16:22:00.001Z

The woodcock have arrived in the wood from Scandinavia. They used to shoot them here at Lyndale 'a meal fit for a king' so they say but we prefer to let them stay here for the winter in safety. In fact it is a privilege to have them.

They are seldom seen as they are predominantly nocturnal.

FROSTY MORNING

2010-11-22T12:56:00.000Z

A frosty morning has turned into a cracker of a day.

Local Hero

2010-11-20T11:35:00.001Z

Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" - NEW street trials riding short film

Skye night sky....

2010-11-20T11:11:00.000Z

Skye night sky......

Corncrake

2010-08-19T11:33:00.001+01:00

Guests in the Gate Lodge heard a corncrake the other morning while lying in bed. They sound like the noise produced by running your finger along a comb, quite unmistakable. In recent years there has been concerted effort to retain the habitat they prefer and it has paid off with numbers increasing. There have been grants to encourage crofters to make hay later in order to allow the birds to nest in the long grass.

Seaweed

2010-08-08T21:02:00.000+01:00

Seaweed !

JESSE

2010-07-23T17:56:00.000+01:00

We have a new addition here at Lyndale, meet Jesse our new Light Sussex Cockerel, well he is yet to earn that title, at the moment he is behaving like a 'right Jesse'. This is him as usual running away from the hens. He is living on a log in front of the cottages too frightened to go into the hen house.

Red deer

2010-07-17T18:53:00.001+01:00

We have 3 red deer in the wood this week. So far they are very welcome and it is wonderful to see them. Hopefully they will not do too much damage.

Sea Trout

2010-07-10T20:23:00.001+01:00

Just had lovely meal of sea trout freshly caught on the shore by our generous guests in Stable Cottage. They can definitely come again !!!

Seaweed

2010-07-09T18:24:00.000+01:00

The shore at Lyndale is called Camus Mor which is Gaelic for Big Shore. The seaweed washed up today is a beautiful colour. I am using this pic as my screen saver.

2010-06-24T10:12:00.000+01:00

The flowers seem to more profuse than ever after the cold winter. We have been trying to eradicate rhododendrons in the wood but there are still lots about the place.

Rabbits

2010-05-31T18:07:00.003+01:00

Oh dear!!! Watch out Peter Rabbit. Marcus has his Mr MacGreggor hat on since you ate all his baby lettuces.

BLUEBELLS

2010-05-26T18:29:00.000+01:00

A lovely sunny week with a cool breeze from the sea. The bluebells are a little late but now are out with the odd white one.

2010-05-07T21:22:00.000+01:00

After a great trip sightseeing in Edinburgh home to this tonight...

2010-04-24T13:50:00.005+01:00

The first swallow arrived today.

Sunshine

2010-04-22T08:58:00.002+01:00

There is a cold breeze again this morning but it is wonderfully sunny like yesterday. It got quite hot in front of the cottages while I was painting some windows.

Magnolia Stellata in the garden.

Change

2010-04-20T22:53:00.000+01:00

They say you can have 4 seasons in a day on Skye, we have had glorious sunshine, wind and hail. Then this evening a lovely sunset.

Water

2010-04-19T11:53:00.001+01:00

With so little rain the water in the burn is getting low.

2010-04-18T16:00:00.001+01:00

Guests in the self catering cottages have been sitting out on the grass enjoying the sunshine. The trees in the wood are starting to come to life, first as usual is the horse chestnut. The rooks are cawing in the trees and looking at their old rookery but I don't think they are planning to move back in.

Fruit

2010-04-18T15:52:00.001+01:00

Earlier this month Marcus painted the trunks of the fruit trees with a Biodynamic preparation. Lets hope for bigger, better and more fruit in the autumn.

2010-03-02T14:44:00.002Z

I know the weather forecast says differently but we really have had a lovely winter.

Blue Skies!

2010-02-28T17:25:00.002Z

It has been a cracker of a day, blue sky and sunshine all day long. The birds are sounding very busy in the trees.

2010-02-23T21:18:00.002Z

more Snow !!

2010-02-23T21:12:00.002Z

I am just loving this snow, walks, sunshine, blue skies, the sea is like a mill pond.

bunnies!!

2010-02-14T16:58:00.002Z

No eggs today but perhaps we can find something down this rabbit hole.

Eggs

2010-02-02T15:54:00.001Z

My little helper brought me another egg today, not sure quite how to handle this one.

Eggs

2010-02-01T12:44:00.003Z

Ella has taken to collecting the eggs. She reluctantly surrenders them in tact - so far.

Snowdrops

2010-01-31T12:48:00.005Z

The snow has all gone now, the snowdrops have pushed through and there is a carpet of them by the Gate Lodge and here in front of the house. All the birds disappeared from the bird table at breakfast this morning and the next moment a sparrow hawk flew past.

Snow

2010-01-29T17:58:00.005Z

Lyndale in January, magical.