Blar a’ Chaoruinn

Planning to bag Ben Nevis or any of the other Munro’s in the area, walk the West Highland Way or Great Glen Way? These are some of the popular activities in the Fort William Area, the outdoor capital of the UK and they are at the doorstep of Blar a Chaoruinn!
Consider staying at our perfect hideaway, check Highland Cottage at AirBnB or VRBO for our availability!

Scotland named one of world's top global hiking destinations Ben Nevis and the West Highland Way named as two of the most popular hikes in the UK.

It has been an amazing season with such wonderful and nice guests! And now after months we are eventually back in Scotland again! The house, pretty as always in the autumn sun, has been carefully looked after in our absence (or should we say: inability to travel). We even have a c**k as the new housemaster!
In the coming months we will take time for maintenance and some redecoration in preparation for our guests next season!

West Highland Way named '6th most beautiful hiking route in the world' The route features in the worldwide top 20 most picturesque hiking trails, beating the USA’s Appalachian Trail and France’s Tour du Mont Blanc.

Since last month we can welcome guests again at Blar a Chaoruinn after a forced closure of almost 9 months. What a joy! Sadly, it is impossible for us to visit Blar a Chaoruinn ourselves due to all travel restrictions since last October. Luckily we know that it is in the good hands of Magda and IJ.

As you will understand, our development plans with the pods haven’t made any progress and this will likely not change any soon, unfortunately! However the time will come that they will reach their final position. Until that time we can only provide this years guests with the most beautiful hideaway in the Scottish Highlands: Blar a Chaoruinn estate!

Big day! Planning Permission for our Glamping Pods. Ready for the next step! Have a very nice weekend and stay safe and healthy!

Delighted to welcome our first guest after the lockdown.
We remain careful, keep distance and stay safe.
That is the only way we are able to move forward!

Just a sweet memory to enjoy from home!
Hopefully we can all enjoy this again soon!

Flood Risk! Like everybody we could use some good news now restrictions are, more and more, extended and we are unable to welcome any guests. Only our increasing sheep flog can witness how beautiful Blar a Chaoruinn is in May. Luckily, we did receive some good news concerning the Pods. At the back end of last week the very positive results from the Flood Risk Assessment were received! Our second location has passed the test!

This didn’t come for granted....

When it concerns the fight against water, the Dutch always see themselves as the experts. Don’t tell them anything about dikes and the everlasting treat of the rising sea. However, flood risks way above sea level seems more of aScottish expertise. Fort William located on the west coast of Scotland at the foot of Ben Nevis is Scotlands record- breaking rain location. Ever wundred the stunning beauty of the location? Simple answer: 🌧 🌧 🌧

We never thought of any flood risks at Blar a Chaoruinn until a year ago. Just before we submitted our request for planning, our dear friend and neighbour IJ, who we can’t do without in this process, identified the area as an ancient Flood risk area. Consequently, we had to do a Flood Risk Assessment.

The designated location for the pods was enclosed between 2 small burns (a burn is what is defined as a watercourse in size from a large stream to a small river – ours are the very first...) that join together, increasing the power of the water. One of these burns is also our private water supply. Don’t tell us about the benefits of our own natural resources😀

It is to be said that we were very surprised to see the first Flood Risk Model. Based on a 200-year horizon and a very aggressive negative impact on the climate, it forecasted a very mature loch at this location, Loch Blar a Chaoruinn. To put it in perspective, over the last 80 years the area has never been more than a wet grazing area. Anyway, we had to go back to the drawingboard to find a new location. Its reassuring to know that the pods will now be safe from flood risk. Perhaps our grand-grand-grand children may be able to offer windsurf or boating holidays...

@ Blar a’ Chaoruinn