 We spotted this male roe deer in the gardens of the cottage last week munching away at the hedge. . The wildlife has become a little braver as the cottage has been closed since March.. Even so, as soon as the deer saw us he was away like a shot. The cottage re-opens on 17th July - but we're sure there will still be lots of wildlife around.  The deer has spotted us and is off like a shot!
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 A large hare was seen bouncing around Appletree Cottage garden this morning. The first sighting this year.
 The impressive and recently restored Dalnair Castle also known as Dalnair House Walking from Appletree Cottage
Croftamie used to have a handful of water powered mills and one of the larger ones was a sawmill. The site of this sawmill is visible by way of some overgrown flat ground to the left of the path between the path and the burn. The site has been completely cleared however and almost no evidence of this ancient industry remains.  The path winds its way through the woods
 The Catterburn running past on its way to join the Endrick Water
After a pleasant walk we're out of the woods and into the open courtesy of an old iron gate. The views are excellent. To the north west we can follow the Endrick Water as it makes its way to Loch Lomond. It passes under the former Forth and Clyde Junction Railway Bridge which is now used to carry a section of the water pipe way which runs from Loch Lomond to Edinburgh. There is now a pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the pipe way and this forms part of both the Sustrans Cycle Route 7 (which runs from Sunderland in the north of England to Inverness in the Highlands) and the John Muir Way.  View of the Endrick Water passing under the former Forth and Clyde Junction Railway bridge Walking south, along the route of the Endrick for a bit we have great views of Killearn in the distance. Before the bridge at Drymen was constructed there were various ways to cross the Endrick. One of these was a ferry at more or less the same place where the bridge is now. Otherwise fords were the order of the day. Many of the fords have washed away but the old roadways leading up to them on either side can sometimes still be discerned either by ground levels or by lines of trees or both.  Looking southwest along the Endrick Water with Killearn in the distance.
At Dalnair Castle Dalnair Castle
Our route across the parkland took us back to where we had come in - the former service entrance gates. From there we walked back into the village and down to where the former Fourth and Clyde Junction Railway used to cross the main road. The station house is still visible on the eastern side of the road. From there we walked up the former railway track which is now a cycle and pedestrian walkway forming part of the John Muir Way. Back to Appletree Cottage John Muir Way cycle track and walk way on the former railway bed. The former railway line forms an excellent short cut from Appletree Cottage to the village of Croftamie. In the village the former famous Wayfarers Inn has undergone major refurbishment under its new owners. It was to re-open in April as the But & Ben bistro but due to covid this has been delayed. We are hoping that all is well and that the new owners will open with huge success when the pandemic is over.
On the railway path the gorse (known in Scotland as Whin) and the Broom are in full bloom. In Autumn there is also a huge display of sloe berries which are popularly picked by locals for their home made sloe gin.  Walking up the "main" single track road towards Appletree Cottage At the top of the railway path we join the back road leading to Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm. This road is quiet with occasional farm traffic making it an excellent route popular with walkers and cyclists. There are good views across the landscape towards Stirling and Killearn giving a beautiful open aspect to living in and visiting this area.  Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage awaits its first guests since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic.... Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond, ScotlandWhen 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 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.  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.  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.  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.
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 LomondFrom 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.  End of the nature trail by Loch Lomond shore Cottage Garden enhancementWhilst 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!  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  Blossom on James Grieve variety  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 breakOne 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!  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.  Beauty of Moray is an excellent variety - productive and vigorous. It was one of the first varieties to bear a decent crop.  "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.  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.  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!  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.  Tulip from above
 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-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.
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...
Wall flowers are very attractive - especially when planted against the white harling. This particular one has been coming back for year after year..  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.  Early days of the new rockery garden at Appletree Cottage  Keep safe! With the beginning of May the apple trees around Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm are coming into full bloom  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.  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.  A bee collecting pollen on the amply flowered Beauty of Moray apple variety.  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.  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  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.  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.
Spring has Sprung at Appletree Cottage Hedgehog at Appletree Cottage Spring is in the air at Appletree Cottage, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Daffodils are starting to raise their heads above ground, snowdrops are in abundance and the world has started to come to life again. This hedgehog has come out of hibernation and is looking for something to eat. It is unusual to see hedgehogs during the day - often it can be a sign of sickness - but this fellow appears to be in excellent health
This male pheasant was seen having a good look at Appletree Self Catering Cottage through the window. As well as this pheasant a medium sized roe deer has been spotted at the foot of the slope in front of the cottage. It appears to be munching its way through the stack of pruning from our apple trees. Better that than chewing the trees themselves.  Great time of year for snowdrops Snowdrops are now out in force. The daffodils are trying to catch them up and other bulbs are beginning to poke their heads above the soil. Watch this space for further updates...
Walking part of the John Muir Way
A great walk is from Carbeth to Appletree Self Catering Cottage. This follows part of the John Muir Way – the first section cross country with paths and the latter part along quiet single track roads at the southern end of Loch Lomond
Looking across Cameron Muir near Wester Cameron towards Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps to the north
The John Muir Way is a walking and cycling route commemorating the John Muir (1838-1914) who founded the National Park movement in the USA. His activism was responsible for saving the Yosemite Valley wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
The trail runs from Muir’s birthplace in the town of Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland to Helensburgh on the west coast. The section from Carbeth to Appletree Cottage is perhaps most suited to walkers and perhaps mountain bikes. There is an alternative part of the route which follows the quiet single track roads at this stage and is more suited to cyclists. Carbeth start
The ancient Carbeth Inn is currently undergoing refurbishment.
The best way to approach doing this route is with two cars. We left one car at Carbeth and walked back to Appletree Self Catering Cottage and then drove to pick up the car we’d left at Carbeth.
Carbeth is a small hamlet which over the last 200 years has grown around the former Carbeth Inn. The inn, made famous in Sir Walter Scott’s 1817 novel Rob Roy was popular, particularly with bikers. It closed in 2017 and is currently undergoing major - reportedly £1 million – refurbishment.
We parked the car in one of the spaces opposite the pub and walked along the path beside the road for about one hundred yards in the direction of Glasgow until we came to a track leading off to the right.
After going through the gateway we walked down this dirt road, past an old bunt- out abandoned house and followed signs for the John Muir Way. Soon we were walking gently up hill with the famous Carbeth fisheries on to the right, between us and the main road. Stocked every day with rainbow trout it offers bait and fly fishing in its varous ponds. A lovely relaxing day out on a sunny day. More information about Carbeth Fishery can be found here: https://carbethfishery.co.uk 
Arriving at Eden Mill
After the fishery we continue walking along the dirt track, following signs for the John Muir Way and soon pass through the courtyard of Eden Mill.
Eden Mill, accessible from the main road and part of a chain is a Farm Shop, Café and Soft Play area. In late November and in December it is a popular haunt for Christmas Tree purchasers from Glasgow and the Loch Lomond area. More information about Eden Mill in Carbeth can be found here: https://edenmill.co.uk
From Eden Mill the route climbs at a steady pace up into the hills. Through some pine trees and past a water treatment works. Near the top of the hill the trail enters a wood and soon opens out onto the Burncrooks Reservoir.
The path follows the shore of this attractive body of water. Right up in the hills the views from here to the north are both panoramic and spectacular. Burncrooks Reservoir
Soon we come to the reservoir dam and our descent begins – with some gently ups and downs.
Travelling from north to south as we are (as opposed to south to north) we get the best views. Travelling in the other direction we would always be looking back over our shoulder. 
Looking north from Oxen Knowes down into the Forth and Endrick valley with the highland boundary fault clearly visible in the distance
First we travel through recently planted woodland which gives way to more mature forest.
Much of this forest to the north has been felled. After a bit our view to the north is clear again and in the middle distance we can see Appletree Cottage and Shandon Farm buildings.
Cameron Muir and Wester Cameron
We follow the path through the forest eventually joining a track with runs across Cameron Muir form Finnich Toll in the east to Wester Cameron Farm in the west.
We turn left and head for Wester Cameron Farm. Like our own ancient Shandon Farm the buildings at Wester Cameron bear testament to a long history. 
Wester Cameron farm at the end of Cameron Muir drove road
Wester Cameron Farm is at the end of the tarmac single track road which we now follow west. We follow it happily without a car in sight, across the lands of Gallangad until we come to a cross roads where we turn right down to Caldarvan Station.
From Cameron Muir looking back towards Appletree Self Catering Cottage, Shandon Farm and Drymen
The Luss Hills from Gallangad
Looking west along our route across Gallangad lands
Caldarvan Station, so called because it was a station on the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway which ran from Stirling in the east to Balloch in the west.
Little more than a halt Caldarvan Station served the sparse local community with up to five trains a day. Although the line closed in the late fifties it is till possible to make out what was the platform. The neat little station cottage has recently been lovingly refurbished by its new occupants. More information about Caldarvan Railway Station is here: www.railscot.co.uk/locations/C/Caldarvan/ 
Looking back at Caldarvan Station. the red building is the former station house which has recently been restored.
Shortly after Caldarvan Station we come to the T junction by the gates of Auchenlarich House and turn right, sign posted Croftamie. We’re still walking along quiet, single track road and have now joined the other half of this section of the John Muir Way which is more suitable to road bikes.
Just over half a mile before we arrive at Appletree Self Catering Cottage we pass another distinctive remnant from the former Forth and Clyde Junction Railway – one of the 32 former manned level crossings on the line. All that can be seen nowadays is the crossing house and a small embankment leading up to it.
The former level crossing on the Forth and Clyde Junction Railway. The crossing house still survives.
Soon we’re back at Appletree Cottage and looking forward to a nice cup of tea before going to collect the car from Carbeth.
Appletree Luxury Self Catering Cottage, fully en-suite for eight people, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Pruning Appletree whilst the weather is clearAppletee Cottage is surrounded by apple orchards which we started planting in 2014. We how have over 360 apple trees and now that the weather has improved and the rain has stopped (for a bit) we've started the annual pruning. This can take place any time between November and March whilst the trees are dormant.  Pruning season is in full swing. It is essential to have sharp tools. There are four orchards to be pruned - one to the west and one to the south - both of which can be seen from the cottage, One to the east of Shandon Farm buildings which can be seen from the road, and one to the south east, This is the largest (and the first planted) which is on a south facing slope, protected by high willow wind breaks.  The oldest and largest of our orchards takes a few days to prune Pruning can take a few days. The larger the tree the longer the time taken. The purpose of pruning is to remove dead branches and branches which cross and rub. We also prune to try to make the centre of the tree less dense - to let the light in and reach the leaves. Some advocate pruning the trees into a bowl shape. While this lets in lots of light it does not work for all varieties. With some trees, if the branches are too spread they are in danger of snapping off the trunk - leaving a nasty scar which can let in disease.  This eastern, newer orchard can be seen from the road. In the distance is the ridge of the campuses with the peak of Dumgoyne just in evidence near the right hand end. When pruning it is essential to have the correct equipment. We use regular secateurs for the small branches, ratchet secateurs for the medium sized cuts and loppers or a saw for major limbs. All tools should be sharp so that a a clean cut is made and there are no splits or 'hairs" remaining. Canker can be a problem with apple trees along with other diseases so we take care to paint all the cuts with Arbrex. This seals and disinfects the cut - provided it is applied soon after the cut has been made.  this tree needs a fair amount of work and is typical of those in the older orchard. It is good to try to balance the tree when making the necessary cuts. Between pruning each tree we wipe the cutting equipment with methylated spirits to prevent any disease spreading. Cleaning equipment (and hands) is more stringent if there is any canker on the tree. Fortunately canker is much reduced by painting cuts with Arbrex.  A wheelbarrow full of scions. In previous years we have grafted these onto rootstock to make "new" trees for planting the following season. An interesting fact about apple trees is that if you plant a seed from an apple the plant that grows from it will never be the same variety as the tree it has come from. In order to preserve the variety (and we have 46 varieties in our orchards) the tree needs to be grafted.
In past years we have used the scions (the off cuts with a growing tip) to make new trees. Using a scion about the thickness of a pencil we graft it onto bought in rootstock and plant it in our nursery. The grafts usually have about a 70-75% success rate. However, we have been getting about 90% success in the last couple of years. Could it be the Scottish weather? |
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