It's Official

After a couple of nervous weeks we have finally received confirmation of our Tourist Board start rating. We had our visit from the incognito inspector who revealed himself after breakfast and was very positive about the refurbishment works we have done.

And the verdict was.......

Coastal Path

We have used the last couple of weekends to explore the new path which now runs from the viaduct over the river North Esk to Montrose. This has given Allison a chance to try out her new bike and increased our knowledge of the local area. From The Old Fishing Station it is just a short ride to the viaduct.

Allison with the viaduct in the background

The viaduct was left behind when a railway line was dismantled many years ago. It is certainly worthwhile walking onto it even if you go no further as the views are fantastic. Almost every time we have gone over the viaduct we have seen  a heron flying along the river looking for a meal.


Me on the viaduct




View from the viaduct looking west towards the road bridge and Hillside beyond



Looking east along the river North Esk towards the sea



The path is part of the National Cycle Network Route 1 which also goes past The Old Fishing Station. Route 1 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance cycle route connecting Dover and the Shetland Islands mainly via the east coast of England and Scotland. The stretch of Route 1 between Harwich and the Shetland Islands forms the entire British part of the long-distance EuroVelo 12 route known as the North Sea Cycle Route, linking Britain, via Bergen in Norway and the Hook of Holland, to other countries that share a coastline on the North Sea.



Allison next to one of the cycle route  waymarks

 Once over the viaduct it is a nice steady ride along the path into Montrose. There are not any hills of note and being off the road this would be suitable for pretty much any walker or cyclist. Once into Montrose there are quite a few traffic free cycle paths with various routes. We cycled past the golf courses and on to the esplanade where there are all the usual seaside tourist attractions.

Allison on the sea front at Montrose

On this journey we decided not to hang about in Montrose as we had other things on our mind. Namely a nice cappuccino at the Charleton Farm restaurant. Handily Angus council realised that weary travellers on the new path would require refreshments and with a very short diversion you can pop out directly across the road from Charleton Farm.

The entrance to Charleton Farm

Charleton Farm restaurant serve all the usual fare of sandwiches, paninis, soup, salads and cakes along with a good selection of drinks. There is also a farm shop, seasonal "pick your own" of a multitude of fruits and a play area for young children. There is also a handy bike stand if you happen to be on two wheels. You have a choice of inside or alfresco so as this was one of the better days this summer we chose a table outside.

Outside at Charleton Farm

Feeling fully refreshed and back in the saddle it would only be a short ride back to The Old Fishing Station. We decided however to take a detour around the area of Kinnaber. This was also an area on the coast used for commercial fishing and there is lots of evidence of this. There was also a railway junction and the USAF had a small communications post here. Of most note however is Kinnaber House which looks very resplendent. After our detour it was back on the track for the return journey over the viaduct and back home.

Winter Stoat

We've seen the stoats in the garden over the winter but have not managed to get a photograph of them until now. Unfortunately for the stoats their winter coats have only made them more visible this year due to the unseasonably warm weather and distinct lack of snow. The nature reserve has been very busy for the last few weekends with people making the most of the glorious sunshine. This has kept us amused with the wacky races style parking and some of the strange questions we get asked. Our garden has come alive with a variety of birds which is fantastic to see. The only downside is the imminent requirement to start cutting the grass and no chance to get the ride on mower fixed - sorry Miles.

Fire in the hole

We decided a while ago that we would install a second wood burning stove. The first which was a Jotul had made a huge difference to the lounge and we hoped that the second would do the same job in the kitchen. As there is no radiator in the kitchen and the oil fired range is expensive to run, we decided that a small stove which would be easy to light and quick to heat up would fit the bill. After quite a bit of research we decided on a Morso Squirrel which we purchased from Ely Boat Chandlers. The fire has been installed for a couple of months now and we have been very impressed thus far. In comparison to the Jotul it did look a bit like a toy but it has proven itself to be anything but. We have however had to rethink our wood chopping technique to accommodate the wee fire.

Toad Watch

   Back on the nature theme we had a strange experience tonight. In the past we have seen toads on the road leading up from the house but not in the numbers we experienced this evening. There were hundreds of toads so much so that Allison had to get out of the car to move them along.

   As far as I can tell they are Common Toads ( Bufo bufo ) but not being an expert I could be completely wrong so please let us know if you happen to think differently. It was only after we got home that I discovered that toads contain toxins on their skin ( don't tell Allison ). Fortunately her Prince was in the car or it could have been fatal !!!

Happy New Year!

With best wishes from us to you for a healthy, happy new year. We were both a little taken aback by how busy we were last year, having opened our doors at the beginning of August. We look forward to welcoming you in 2012!
 The renovation/refurbishment of The Old Fishing Station continues this year. We now have three bedrooms available - two doubles and one twin - with the new addition on the ground floor. As with the other rooms, access is gained to "Scurdie Ness" via a separate entrance to the main house. The focus of our attention is now the breakfast room and the fourth bedroom (ground floor double). We've also started working on the outside of the house: guttering, drainage, whitewashing... Cultivating the "garden" (a term to be used in its loosest sense!!) is way down the line. However the addition of pots and containers to the front of the house has brought some welcome colour. Primroses and pansies are certainly brightening the place up.
It's our resolution to contribute more frequently to our blog - we are well aware that we have been neglecting it. Be prepared for some renovation updates and photographs!

First of many

Well we have finally managed to open the B & B after many delays. We have been surprised by how busy it's been already, with guests in virtually all week and a few advance booking by phone. Considering we have not advertised - apart from the signs at the top of the road and on the fence - we seem to be going along quite nicely. We should be on the Visit Scotland website shortly and are trying to make our website more appealing to search engines (any tips welcome). Allison has also set up a page on Facebook and as you are probably aware the web site adress is www.theoldfishingstation.co.uk. Here are a couple of pictures of the two rooms which are finished.

Bell Rock

Tod Head

So we have seen our first guests from three different nationalities (none of them British) and all very friendly indeed. We have served our first breakfasts and managed to process a card transaction for the first time. I dare say there will be many more firsts in the weeks to come!