LUXURY SELF CATERING FOR EIGHT, FULLY EN-SUITE, LOCH LOMOND 2021
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The best self catering cottage after Lockdown...

23/5/2020

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Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond, Scotland

When things ease up after lockdown Appletree Cottage is the place come and visit.  Set in beautiful rolling countryside at the southern edge of Loch Lomond it is the perfect location for walking, cycling and exploring in clean fresh air.
Appletree Luxury self catering cottage Loch Lomond
Appletree Cottage, in the centre of the picture, is on Shandon Farm where we grow apples. The cottage is separated from the farm buildings by ancient barns giving privacy and seclusion in its private garden
The cottage itself has its own private garden and every bedroom has its own private bathroom with shower, w.c. and wash basin making it ideal for post-covid get togethers.
​The one downstairs bedroom is ideal for elderly friends or relatives who find difficulty climbing stairs.   A large open plan downstairs communal living area and patio provide plenty of space.
Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond Scotland
A closer shot of Appletree Cottage (on the left) as viewed from the south west. The cottage, which has its own entrance from the main road, was sited to provide maximum separation and privacy for the occupants of the cottage and the white farm house building.
To avoid crowds and visiting busy supermarkets, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Asda and Tesco all deliver to the cottage.  For last minute requirements there is a well stocked mini market within four minutes drive as well as a pharmacy, newsagent and excellent butcher.  These shops operate strict rules of allowing only one or two people in the shop at one time (depending on which shop it is) maintaining the safety of shop staff and customers.
Cycle Route 7 accommodation
A pretty back road in the area (photographed in early spring) forms part of Sustrans Cycle Route 7. Ben Lomond can be seen in the distance on the left of the picture.
The roads around Appletree Cottage are all quiet single track roads with occasional passing places.  The road past Appletree and beyond forms part of the national Sustrans Cycle Route 7 which in its entirety runs from Sunderland in the north of England to Inverness in the highlands of Scotland.  As these roads are quiet they are also popular with cyclists and walkers who are just exploring them for a day out.
Appletree Self Catering Cottage, Shandon Farm, Croftamie
The quiet single track road approaching Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm. The red roof of one of the farm's barns can be seen just above the hedge line.
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John Muir, founder of the National Parks in the United States
The road past Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm does not only form part of the national cycle route 7, it also is part of the route known as the John Muir Way.  This walk and cycle way which runs from Dunbar in the east of Scotland to Helensburgh in the west was created to commemorate John Muir (April 21, 1838-December 24th 1914). Also known as "John of the Mountains" and "The Father of the National Parks" muir was a naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, glaciologist and perhaps most importantly an early advocate for the preservation of wilderness.  

In the United States Muir is credited for being instrumental in the protection and foundation of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.  More can be read about John Muir here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir.   In Scotland the John Muir Trust was formed to protect wilderness and more can be found about the trust here: www.johnmuirtrust.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKnu7czl6QIVQuztCh0OAQ9jEAAYAiAAEgJI0_D_BwE

Cycling and Walking, Loch Lomond

From Appletree Cottage there are plenty of places to cycle and walk.  One of our favourites is to cycle down to the village of Gartocharn and from there to go along the path through the nature reserve by the shore of the loch.  At the end of this beautiful trail through the woods the views up the loch are spectacular as are the collections of wading birds to be seen.
Loch Lomond Nature Reserve
End of the nature trail by Loch Lomond shore

Cottage Garden enhancement

Whilst Appletree Cottage has been closed to visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic we have taken the opportunity to enhance the garden area by adding a small rockery with a picket fence and gate to protect it from any harsh wind.  We have also planted up rows of willow and refurbished the lawn areas.  We hope that you'll chose to come and visit us when we re-open (hopefully July / August) and are able to enjoy the many advantages and beauty of Appletree Cottage!
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Orchard in full blossom

18/5/2020

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The orchard at Shand0n Farm, home of Appletree Cottage was in full bloom last week.
The trees - the oldest of which were planted six years ago grow bigger every year.
Despite the mild winter the blossom on the trees is quite amazing
Apple trees at Appletree Cottage
Blossom on James Grieve variety
Apple trees at luxury self catering
Blossom on "Gravenstein"
There are three orchard areas - the main orchard planted in March 2014, the western orchard planted a year later and the paddock orchard planted in 2018 & 2019.  The western orchard is the closest to the cottage and was  successfully added to last year.

Creating a wind break

One of the first things we did, at the same time as planting the main orchard was to also put in a wind break.  For this we chose Willow and Hornbeam.  The willow, which went in as pencil sized sticks can be seen on the left of the picture below.  Hasn't it grown!
Orchard at luxury self catering Loch Lomond
Main orchard with willow windbreak on the left of frame
In all we have planted 48 varieties - many of them Scottish.  Some are surprised to discover that there was a lot of apple growing in Scotland - particularly in the Clyde Valley, Lothian and Fife.  When the supermarkets became popular and centralised their distribution Scottish apples didn't fare so well - partly because they bruised in transit.  Many orchards were grubbed up in the 1950's - 1970's.  Recently there have been revivals of the old Scottish varieties and orchards are being planted across the land - albeit on a relatively small scale.  Below is one of the excellent Scottish strains - Beauty of Moray.  This apple, although a cooker produces a beautiful crisp clear juice which we bottle, pastuerise and sell locally.
Apple trees at luxury self catering cottage Loch Lomond
Beauty of Moray is an excellent variety - productive and vigorous. It was one of the first varieties to bear a decent crop.
Beautiful blossom at luxury self catering cottage Loch Lomond
"Beauty of Moray" blossoming beautifully!
The eastern or paddock orchard was planted in 2018 and 2019.  By way of variation we planted the centre of this area on the same mm106 rootstock as the main orchard but the peripheral rows are on mm9, less vigorous stock with the trees closer together.
Luxury self catering Campsie hills Loch Lomond
Eastern or paddock orchard with the Campsie hills in the background. Drumgoyne is the distinctive pointed hill on the right.
Over by Appletree (luxury self catering cottage for 8 people) is the western orchard.  This was planted in 2016, much of it on what was a former stock yard.  The soil here is not as good as the other areas so the trees have required more feeding.  Drainage was also initially a problem but works undertaken over the intervening period have alleviated the situation.
In this area we have also planted blueberries, cherry and plum trees.
Luxury self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Appletree Cottage and the western orchard. The blueberry bushes can be seen on the right of frame - caged as protection against the predatory deer!
In total we have planted 350 trees.  With all this blossom our fingers are crossed for a good harvest this year!
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Spring flowers around Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm

7/5/2020

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For the third year in a row we are having a long, dry, sunny period in Spring.  Whilst very pleasant we do have to keep an eye that recent plantings and young flora don't run dry.  Here are a few things which are in full bloom in this beautiful weather....

This year we tried a selection of Tulips.  These bulbs produce flowers in many different  colours and styles.  Particularly satisfying were the red and yellow variety we planted in an old  fam feeding trough. 
Appletree Self catering cottage flower
Tulip from above
Tulip at Appletree Self Catering Holiday Home Loch Lomond
Tulips need protection from the deer who just love to eat them!
Tulip at Appletree Self Catering Loch Lomond
Ragged edge tulip is quite unusual and attractive
Tulips at Shandon Farm
These tulips worked very well in an old feeding trough
Forget-me-nots grow wild now having been introduced as a small clump.  Pretty and tenacious they have spread to many parts of the farm.  We're encouraging them to take over even more as they are very attractive at this time of year.
Forget me not Appletree self catering for eight Loch Lomond
Forget-me-nots are satisfyingly prolific
Daffodils are a good reliable favourite.  This double crown offers an alternative to the common variety..  Near the Appletree sign by the gate there are some with miniature heads.
Daffodils at Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Daffodils in front of Appletree Cottage
Daffodils at Appletree luxury self catering accommodation Loch Lomond
Miniature headed daffodils by the Appletree Cottage sign
Daffodil at Appletree luxury self catering apartment Loch Lomond
Double crown daffodil
Stone feeding troughs which we inherited when we took over the farm have proved very useful planters.  A few holes drilled in the base and they're ready to go...
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Wall flowers are very attractive - especially when planted against the white harling.  This particular one has been coming back for year after year..
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Wallflowers come back year after year
During the Covid 19 lockdown we've taken the opportunity the start a rock garden in the cottage garden along with picket fence and gate.  Two colours of rhododendrons (red and white) have been planted along with grasses, primroses and a large selection of bulbs.
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Early days of the new rockery garden at Appletree Cottage
Rockery at Appletree luxury self catering accommodation Loch Lomond
Keep safe!
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Beautiful days at Appletree Cottage

7/5/2020

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With the beginning of May the apple trees around Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm are coming into full bloom
Apple tree at Appletree Cottage Loch Lomond
The blossom just starting on the Oslin which is an old Scottish variety. An eating apple with a slightly aniseed taste - great with cheese!
The trees around Appletree Cottage are part of the more recent planting.
Luxury self catering Loch Lomond
Although the 46 apple varieties in our orchards are Scottish we have some popular types from elsewhere. Here a a Reverend Wilkes displays its blossom with Appletree Cottage in the background.
The glorious sunny weather we've been having provides great opportunity for the bees and other insects to do their bit.  The blossoms on the trees range from white to deep pink.
Apple trees at Appletree Luxury Holiday Cottage Loch Lomond
A bee collecting pollen on the amply flowered Beauty of Moray apple variety.
Apple trees at luxury holiday cottage Loch Lomond
The Gravenstein variety produces white blossom. Here another bee does its bit.
As well as around 350 Appletree's we have 2 pear trees - which this year are looking very promising.  We may get our first pears yet if this blossom is anything to go by.
Pear tree at Appletree Luxury Holiday Rental Loch Lomond
Conference pear tree in full blossom
The Beauty of Moray trees are a very similar shape to the pear trees and have a similar amount of blossom this year
Apple tree at Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond
Beauty of Moray tree in full blossom. The apple although listed as a "cooker" produces a fine clear dry very tasty apple juice which we bottle and sell locally.
The first trees were planted in March 2014 and have now started producing apples in reasonable quantities.  After picking we press the apples - mixing varieties together - to produce juice which we bottle and sell locally.
View of Appletree Self Catering Cottage for 8 Loch Lomond
Appletree Cottage looking south on a beautiful sunny day in May
During the recent lockdown for Covid-19 it has been sad to see the cottage empty of visitors during such spectacularly beautiful weather.  Hoping that you'll all come and visit us when things get back to normal.  In the meantime stay well and stay safe.
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  • HOME
  • SEE INSIDE
    • Why Appletree is fantastic!
  • STEP OUTSIDE
    • Local shops, pubs & eateries
    • About Shandon Farm
  • THINGS TO DO
    • Highland games dates
  • BOOK HERE!
  • ACCESSIBILITY
  • CONTACT US
  • BLOG & INFO