Torr Na Locha Progress

The picture, from the front doorstep, is of Sally the horse who pulls a trap for visitors to Iona through the summer but lives around the house through the winter months. She is very friendly and a real character but can make getting in and out quite difficult at times as she is so inquisitive and strong willed! If I'd been more awake there were a couple of lovely stags who came to visit on two mornings. In fact they seem to visit at some point each time I am over.

I had a busy week over on Mull last week with two joiners and the new staircase is now

 fitted along with all the internal walls that we were moving around. The stone work on the outside is also now complete and we got the solid fuel stove fitted and working which gave it a lovely cosy feel even amongst the building site debris. Next week I am over to fit the new shower room (including walk in shower) and start taping the walls. Not too many more jobs before we can start thinking of decorating.

The weblink doesn't seem to work.  It doesn't allow clicking on it, and I spelt it wrong in the process! You need to paste this into your webbrowser.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/releases/2009/01/05083126 

Renate

Here is another internal view of Torr na Locha showing the upstairs rooms after the internal walls were removed.  This space it to become a twin bedroom then a bathroom and stairs coming up from the living room.  At the end is a double bedroom. 

I have been working on converting Etive View into accommodation with period style furniture. Rather than spending money buying new things, I have been buying up bedroom furniture, tables, rugs, lights and fabrics on ebay, and picking them up while I'm out and about for work in the central belt. I've been making curtains for in Etive, with a red fabric and a subtle fleur de lis pattern in the same colour, which will take me quite a bit more time, as I prefer to have pleats at the top rather than gathered up.  I've been sanding and varnishing tables, and I'm trying to buy a tempered glass top for the dining table, as it looks fabulous and want to ensure it doesn't get damaged through wear.

My work with the Carbon Trust has taken a new twist, as I am heading up a team of 8 Consultants to support the procurement and challenge the specification and design of low carbon buildings. The link gives the Scottish Government press release, as at the moment we are their only answer to a poor Audit Scotland report on the state of schools. 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/release/2009/01/05083126   

Renate

Torr na Locha Update

I've just had 3 days over on Mull. The intention was to put the pipework in for the central heating. Unusually everything was easier than expected so we completed that in a day and also managed to get all the inside external walls insulated and plaster boarded. That's the second time things have gone easier than expected so I think I am in for a few problems! Frank and Aleck have finished half the stonework on the front of the house and another weeks good weather should see that finished. Sadly it isn't looking hopeful for next week.... Still the weather over there this week was beautiful, lovely cold crisp wintery days with a fabulous light and just a light breeze.
The photo at the top was taken on the way home and looks south towards Loch Buie from the top of the pass over Glen More. There is a good path that runs the full length of this beautiful glen.

Christmas and New Year

We haven't done much work around Bonawe House or over on Mull during the holiday period but we have been getting out and about making the most of the beautiful weather we have been having for the last few weeks.

The first picture was on a walk around Ben Cruachan on 30th December in perfect weather.

After new year we spent several days walking up to the hill with the windmills on near by where there was a frozen lochan that was perfect for ice skating. We had about 20 people up there complete with hot chococlates and a great slide all the way down the frozen path to the cars 30 minutes down the hill.

Frank and Aleck, our stonemasons, have gone back out to Mull today and hopefully another couple of weeks will see the outside of the house finished. I'm off over to Mull on Wednesday to fit the central heating system and start to plasterboard the walls.