Burnbank B&B

The holiday is over

2012-01-23T06:36:00.000-08:00

Took advantage of slow bookings in January and headed off to northern Spain for a well deserved holiday. The Basque country is very green and beautiful and there are some wonderful old villages as well as fantastic new architecture like the Guggenheim are gallery in Bilbao.
Best of all is the food, breathtaking displays of pintxos in almost every bar, these are the norther equivalent of tapas, but are more substantial. It is easy to end up eating far too much, just one or two here and then a couple more in the next bar and so on, before you know it you have eaten half a dozen or more and are waddling! The food everywhere is so fresh and local, especially fresh fish being sold on the quay at Lekeitio. It is a delight to look at, let alone eat. Next time I think we will get an apartment so we con do some cooking.
Back home to freezing Scotland, temperature minus 5. All the chickens safe and well, thanks to our lovely lollipop man Andy, who looked after them for us. It was too late at night to pick up Juno from Neil and Christine, the neighbours who looked after her. The next morning the house seem so empty without her, could not wait to go and get her. She was obviously very happy with them, but if anything is even more cuddly since she came home.
Now Trevor is catching up on all the little jobs that need doing before we start getting some guests, and I am itching for the weather to get just a little bit warmer, so I can get out in the garden and start getting it tidied up for the spring. There are already some snowdrops flowering in the woods behind the house.

So that was Christmas

2012-01-09T03:52:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful Christmas with both daughters and son in laws, plus wonderful Jaime, the grand daughter and of course the 'bump', due to make an appearance at the end of January. Juno, our poor excuse for a Rottweiler, was frightened of our manic 'laughing Santa' so here she is hiding behind a 5 year old. Trevor outdid himself with a seven bird roast, and I did a home made 'hidden orange' Christmas pudding. Everyone agreed that the whole meal was fantastic, it's going to take a lot of exercise to work all the Christmas over indulgence off!

New Year we had friends who have children over for a house party. That's one of the many good things about having a B&B, we have plenty of bedrooms for people when we want to entertain.

Now all the decorations are down and the house is back to 'normal' and we are looking forward to lots of visitors (fingers crossed), but first we are going to have a little break.

Extream Wether

2011-12-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to gale force winds and driving rain. Trev was supposed to be putting the lights on the outdoor tree, but decided to let him have a lie in as there was no way he could go up a ladder in that wind. We had to buy new lights as the previous ones had died on us, after two of the hardest winters I have ever know, I'm not surprised. This is a picture of the tree last year in all the snow. It was much admired by people in the town, and I should not gloat, but it is considerably bigger than the 'official' tree, ours does have the advantage of being a living tree.

Despite the howling gale we are off to Cupar tonight to a wine tasting, would take more that a bit of high wind to keep Trev away from that, just hope there are no trees down on the way. Tomorrow promises to be much improved, so I might get my tree lit after all.

Had to stop there last night as it was time to go, the wine tasting was very informative but I'm afraid I can not see the justification for a bottle of wine at £90, to my unsophisticated pallet the one we had at a tenner was just as good. Sort of glad I can't -I could not afford the 'good' stuff.

Perthshire wildlife

2011-11-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Invited to the Burnam Hotel, courtesy of Perth and Kinross Council, as part of the rural development programme, to hear speakers from the RSPB and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Fascinating talk about the reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagle to the east coast of Scotland. There have been occasional viewings at Loch Leven, so we are hoping that one day we may get a nesting pair in the area, (the introductions are due to start breeding next year).

Also heard about the work of the RSPB at Vane Farm, living so close we visit quite often, but I did not realise just how much landscape management went into creating the wetland for the wading birds, including the use of highland cattle to graze the land. The speaker for the SWT showed slides of several of the wildlife reserves, including some which are not accessible to the public, but very important from a conservation prospective,many species of wild flowers including some rare orchids.

The evening closed with a delicious buffet using many local products. Our thanks to all concerned especially Fiona and Sarah and the staff of the hotel, who looked after us so well.

Winter mini break

2011-11-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

Since the clocks went back it feels as if winter has come already, although the weather is still fine and dry, it is just that it seems to go dusk so early.Here is our Christmas fairy (granddaughter) to brighten the day.

Now is definitely the time to think about winter treats. This year we are offering a two night stay, for two people, mulled wine and Christmas Stollen on arrival, a two course dinner on one of the nights, for the all inclusive price of £160. This offer runs from 20th November to 31st January, excluding 24th, 25th 26th December, which are already booked.

Back at long last

2011-11-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, it is so long since I did this I've forgotten how to! However, prompted by two very 'social media' savvy daughters, and a few of our guests, I've decided it is about time I did something about it.

First we have a new puppy, Juno, who is an absolute delight, very popular with the guests, whom she loves, mainly I think because she gets loads of cuddles from them.

We have had a week of bright dry autumn days and Trevor has spent them planting over 1000 bulbs, I am really looking forward to seeing them all on bloom in the spring.

Went for a Slow Food meal at the Willows in Perth last night, very good, we had venison as a main course. There are so many good restaurants in the area, we are spoilt for choice, we are very fortunate to live in an area with so many excellent local produce. Which reminds me, we are now part of the Perthshire Breakfast scheme. Fifty percent of our breakfast menu has to be grown or produced in Perthshire, which was easy for us to achieve, because we make so much ourselves. A particular favorite is my lemon curd, I wish we could get local grown lemons! However the eggs from our own chickens do help to make it something special.

Perthshire Gardens Collection

2010-05-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Had a great day out the other day, visiting three of the eleven gardens which are available on one ticket. We went to Scone Palace, Dundee Botanic Gardens and Glendoik Garden. We were so impressed that we have decided to offer a free five day pass to anyone staying with us for four or more nights during the summer. If you want to have a look go to www.perthshiregardens.co.uk

I know I've said it before, but one of the best parts of running a B&B is the great people you meet, but some are exceptional. The other day we had a guest staying who is walking from John O'groats to Lands End! He is doing it entirely unsupported and recons it will take him 71 walking days! Exceptional enough, but then he told us he is nearly 76, how fantastic is that. Good luck Barry, and don't forget to let us know how you got on.

2010-04-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

Finally raised myself out of winter torpor! This was prompted partly by my daughter's energy and effort to raise money for charity. Last Saturday night, along with some seven thousand others, she did a 13 mile moonlight walk, the 'Shine' event in Manchester, and managed to raise over three hundred pounds. Well done Em! This is her with some of her friend who did the walk with her.

It has been a very quiet few months, with snow on the ground for nearly three months. It is understandable that people don't want to travel in sub zero temperatures. Today the sun is shining and I have been out in the garden, it looks like most of the plants have survived and we are hoping that all of our hard work from last year will give us a good display. The garden is now over twelve months old, and although it will be a few more years before it reaches maturity, the signs are encouraging. Many of our guests enjoy looking out on the garden whilst they are having their breakfast.

2009-11-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

Thursday was a big day for Kinross, the new Community Campus opened. The whole school paraded from the old school to the new, led by the Kinross Pipe Band. The weather was glorious. Children from local primary schools came along to watch, as they will be joining the new school very soon. The event was very moving, but then pipe bands always give me a lump in the throat. The new campus is going to be a great asset to the town. Not only will it house the high school, but the library, and after 15 years without it, a small museum about Kinross will re-open. There will also be a theatre and sports facilities for shared use. There is going to be an open day in a few weeks, we can't wait to have a look around.

Winter Warmer

2009-10-24T04:25:00.001-07:00

We are finding, as the nights get darker, that our guests prefer to stay in in the evenings, rather than go out for dinner. So we have decided to offer a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package, for two people sharing, £99 plus a glass of mulled wine on arrival, to get rid of the winter chill. This will run from now until the end of February.

2009-10-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was asked, because of our involvement with 'Cittaslow Perth' if I would speak about what we do here at Burnbank, to a group of local suppliers and chefs, to give them an insight into how our customers like the idea of using local, free range and organic products. We went along, expecting a cosy chat with a dozen of so people. I was horrified when I realised there were over 80 at the meeting, scary - especially when I realised I was speaking after Jim Fairlie, who raises and supplies wonderful black faced lamb to, amongst others the Glen Eagles Hotel, (and ourselves). He is terrific to listen to, so passionate about his produce. I just sat there quaking and thinking 'how do I follow him'.

Can't have been too bad though, as I have now been asked to speak to a group of people who are interested in starting their own small businesses. That will be in January, but in the meantime we have volunteered to help with the Slow Food stand at the Good Food Fair in Glasgow at the end of the month.

We find most people are very interested in our drive to use local produce, our evening meals as well as breakfasts are very well received, especially having our own eggs and vegetables, a case of 'food steps' rather than 'food miles'. Although sadly our harvest is almost at and end and we will have to go back to the weekly veg box.

Autumn and Winter Special

2009-09-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Autumn and Winter are wonderful times to visit Kinross, with thousands of birds over wintering on Loch Leven.

Stay three nights bed and breakfast, for £105 p.p. and get a free, three course evening meal on the first night.

Based on two sharing, subject to availibility. Offer available from 1st October to 31st March, excludes Christmas and New Year.

2009-08-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog. My name is Ann and I co-own Burnbank B&B with my partner Trevor.

Many of our guests, friends and relatives have asked how we are getting on, so we thought it would be good to create a blog, and that way everyone can keep up to date with the comings and goings. Also this will be the place to look for news and any special offers as they come along.

So here goes, a brief resume of the first 12 months...

September

We started trading on the 1st September 2008, just 10 days after moving in, so no pressure there then! Rather disappointingly we had no guests on the first night, which was rather like being on the blocks and the starting pistol not going off! But on the second night our first guests arrived, on a tandem bike. They were lovely people, and if our first-time nerves showed, they were kind enough to overlook them. The month was busier than we were expecting, and by the end of it we were beginning to feel we were getting things right.

October

We launched our evening meals at the start of the month and found our guests to be very appreciative - they especially liked our focus on local, free range and organic produce and we received lots of compliments.

We had a 'red letter day' on the 24th: the rotary iron arrived! We were totally delighted with it, as it saves us hours in ironing the linens everyday!

November

Trevor finished in 'gainful' employment and promptly jetted off on holiday for two weeks, leaving me to to look after three utterly charming Frenchmen for four nights. They ate here every night and loved their meals, and because of this, they christened me their English mother!

December

This was a quieter month, although we had more French hunters as guests, (thank you Owen), wanting lots of dinners.

We decided to 'freshen up' the Red Room and gave it a North African theme, with some of the souvenirs collected on our travels.

Family and friends were here for the New Year, and it was lovely to see them all, especially Jaime, our two year old granddaughter.

January

We decided that we couldn't live with the front garden covered in gravel any longer, so Trevor started to clear it to create a mixed border. That was when we discovered there was no top soil, just stones, bricks and rubble! We excavated it to 15" deep and filled it with topsoil, compost from the re-cycling centre and lots of horse manure. You can see the pictures from later in the year for the results so far.

Amongst the guests, we looked after six delightful people visiting Vane Farm for the bird watching, who were kind enough to put a great review on Trip Advisor about Burnbank.

February

We spruced up the Gold Room, with new curtains and bed heads as well as a redecoration. It now has a Scottish theme, but no tartan!

The hard labour on the garden continued... This was the quietest month so far, but there was still plenty of work to do.

March

The greenhouse arrived, and was soon full of seedlings as we hoped to grow lots of our own vegetables for the summer. We also started planting up the front garden. We bought some willow whips and rods which Trevor made into frames for the sweet peas to climb up.

April

This month we got our chickens, ex battery hens, and they looked a bit bewildered, never having seen anything but the inside of a cage all their lives! When we opened the 'pop hole' of the coup for the first time, it took about 10 minutes before one was brave enough to come out, but within a couple of days they were strutting around happily and looking so much better. Lots of guests want to go and meet them and certainly enjoy the eggs for breakfast.

May

We were able to pick the first of our own salad vegetables and the front garden was finally beginning to look how we wanted it to.

The tourist season also started to get into full swing. Without a doubt, the best thing about running a B&B is getting to meet so many charming and interesting people, and it's fascinating to receive guests from all over the world.

Also this month, we were delighted to be invited to become a 'Cittaslow' supporter. We have been attending their events for the last couple of months, which gives us the chance to meet local producers. They are all so passionate about their products, it's wonderful to listen to them, and to try their food, which we incorporate into our menus when we can.

June

June was busy with both guests and the garden. Trevor also managed to do some maintenance on the outside woodwork, but then at the end of the month disaster struck - I started to feel unwell and had to have an emergency operation, which left me banned from doing anything for six weeks.

July

This was the busiest month of the year and poor Trevor had to do the work all by himself. Half way through the month I started to feel a bit better and tried to help, but even folding a few towels and washing a couple of glasses meant I had to go for a rest for a couple of hours. I was very frustrated at being so useless, although Trevor battled on manfully!

August

We finally got our Green Tourism rating, and are delighted to be awarded a very good silver. With only a little more effort, the next time we are assessed we will no doubt get a gold.

My health is improving slowly and we are coming to the end of the first year of our big adventure. It has passed so quickly, we have met hundreds of brilliant people, and have enjoyed almost every minute of it and we are now looking forward to the next exciting episode...watch this space!