Letterfinlay Lodge - Among Our Favorites So Far

We were driving from Oban towards the Isle Of Skye, along Loch Lochy. I love that name. Loch Lochy! It's fun to say too. Try it: say Lock Locky, but also clear your throat twice at the same time. Fun-huh!

So, we were driving along the beautiful Loch, and we'd gotten a bit of a late start out of Oban, and we were thinking, "Maybe we should stay somewhere around here tonight instead of pressing onward?"

This is one of the really awesome things about Slow Travel. You get to discover things you want to go back to see. Every time we take a trip anywhere Bob and I stumble across two more things we want to do next week. Another really awesome thing is the lack of pressure to stay on a schedule. Of course there is the small matter of no income, and a bank account with what appears to be a startlingly large leak somewhere. But I digress...

Try again: So, we were driving along, and came to a cute little place in a particularly pretty spot. We decided to see if the Letterfinley Lodge had any rooms. As I parked the car the sun came out. Oh My God! It really was magical. Even the children were transfixed. By the time I booked our room, Bob was out on the back deck taking pictures of the loch, along with half the guests at the lodge. He and I braved the chill to watch the sun set with a glass of wine on the deck while the kids played pool in the lounge. I think they liked chalking their cues as much as any other part of the game.

It was one of those places and times we'll remember: the magic of that sun coming out after a day of rain, the family pool game where we all ribbed each other mercilessly, the very friendly Innkeeper, Ian, who's brother lives in Los Angeles, very close to where we used to live.

I spend a lot of time working hard to make a go of this hair-brained plan of ours. I spend a fair amount of time fretting about what will become of us in the end, now that we don't have a thing in the world to our name. But, there are many moments when I think, "This is enough. This is worth it." 

All four of us, standing together in this beautiful place, awestruck by this wonderful moment, was one of those times.

Thanks, Ian.  

We were driving from Oban towards the Isle Of Skye, along Loch Lochy. I love that name. Loch Lochy! It's fun to say too. Try it: say Lock Locky, but also clear your throat twice at the same time. Fun-huh!

So, we were driving along the beautiful Loch, and we'd gotten a bit of a late start out of Oban, and we were thinking, "Maybe we should stay somewhere around here tonight instead of pressing onward?"

This is one of the really awesome things about Slow Travel. You get to discover things you want to go back to see. Every time we take a trip anywhere Bob and I stumble across two more things we want to do next week. Another really awesome thing is the lack of pressure to stay on a schedule. Of course there is the small matter of no income, and a bank account with what appears to be a startlingly large leak somewhere. But I digress...

Try again: So, we were driving along, and came to a cute little place in a particularly pretty spot. We decided to see if the Letterfinley Lodge had any rooms. As I parked the car the sun came out. Oh My God! It really was magical. Even the children were transfixed. By the time I booked our room, Bob was out on the back deck taking pictures of the loch, along with half the guests at the lodge. He and I braved the chill to watch the sun set with a glass of wine on the deck while the kids played pool in the lounge. I think they liked chalking their cues as much as any other part of the game.

It was one of those places and times we'll remember: the magic of that sun coming out after a day of rain, the family pool game where we all ribbed each other mercilessly, the very friendly Innkeeper, Ian, who's brother lives in Los Angeles, very close to where we used to live.

I spend a lot of time working hard to make a go of this hair-brained plan of ours. I spend a fair amount of time fretting about what will become of us in the end, now that we don't have a thing in the world to our name. But, there are many moments when I think, "This is enough. This is worth it." 

All four of us, standing together in this beautiful place, awestruck by this wonderful moment, was one of those times.

Thanks, Ian.  

Comments

[Winnie]

Those are amazing pictures. It must have been a beautiful sight.

[April]

"This is enough. This is worth it." I can picture you sitting on the deck bathed in that magical light surrounded by the family you adore, having this thought. You expressed this perfectly, and it brought tears to my eyes. This is what living in the moment looks like.

[pamela]

Ditto to April's comment, it brought tears to my eyes reading what you wrote today!!!

[noho1960]

"This is enough. This is worth it"
Already posted it on the bathroom wall.

xo

[MOM]

So you don't have a thing in the world to your name.......you have family who love you dearly and would love to "take you in" if the need arises. Family is like that.
Stunning sunset, beautiful country, and all of you together is priceless. If you were not supposed to have this experience you would not be having it. The universe is like that.
Love,
Mom

[Stephanie]

Idyllic. Lovely.

[Caroline Collen]

Hello your story has brought a huge lump to my throat.

Around 20 years ago when we lived in the Aberdeenshire part of Scotland my boyfriend then (now my husband) found LetterFindlay just like you and your family did and it was a wonderful experience we were there with my daughter she was 7 then but now all grown up! we went fishing and enjoyed our lovely break.

I do wonder where you are now as we have lived in 9 countries in 12 years - at the moment we are in Saudi Arabia - we had the priviledge to have met the old owner cannot remember his name and when we returned for another adventure sadly he had passed away.

To be honest the hotel went down hill for a wee while but reading all the reviews seems to be on top again.

I am feeling a wee bit homesick today hence me looking up the hotel - it seems to have a very good reputation for food and that is good to know - maybe next year we will treat ourselves especially to get away from the hot summers of Saudi Arabia and revisit this lovely hotel again - happy memories and treasured ones that is for sure.

[james F]

Yes I must agree , a beautiful part of the world, though I must state that the abrupt service staff and attitude whilst myself and my dinner party dined there was unbelievable. We were met by a harassed stern looking lady, who seemed intent on wanting us to reconsider our dining options 'Have YOU booked'? was the words we were met with, and then to be told we look after our residents first and NO we can not have a seat by the window view.
I had dined here 2 months previously (August) and received outstanding personal service from what I thought to be the manager at the time, a great ambassador for Scottish hospitality.
Sadly this time that was the major factor lacking in our recent visit.
Letterfinlay you would be best placed to find someone of the ilk of that young man to provide a true welcome, other than that of a harassed troll.
I hope you take heed of these comments,

Best Regards,
Dr James Ferguson