Thursday 1 October 2009

Glencoe Icon or Firewood?

Time for a bit of feedback, please. We know you're reading. The counter tells us you are. Yes, nearly 10,000 of you so far this year. So, how about just leaving us a comment at the foot of this item? We need to know whether you think this sign is an iconic part of Clachaig and should be preserved, or whether we're just being a bit sentimental and it would make a rather hefty chunk of firewood.

October already and despite the fact that we're still very busy we've been tunring our attentions to some of the many jobs that we need to get stuck in to in the 'quiet' season. We've got a few fairly major items on the list and we're working through each to try and allocate a priority and a budget. Don't like to say too much as when it doesn't happen, for whatever reason, it doesn't look too good.

However, this sign has definitely been on the list for a few years now. A few patches, repaints and a little bit of wishful thinking isn't going to stop the rot after decades of exposure to the Glencoe weather. Time to consider its future!

P.S. If you're not sure which way to vote; icon/firewood why not take a peak at Flickr, search for Clachaig and see how often it appears?!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Ed, I'd always take very special care before taking down anything that traditional. People in remote parts of the world agree that they'll meet up again for climbing in Glencoe. "See you at the Clachaig, that place with the funny old fashioned sign" It lives in their memory for years.
Too much re-branding going on, usually after a business has fouled up.
Eg, would you give up your Campbells sign in the Reception? Absolutely not.
John

Anonymous said...

Iconic! Definitely. I love driving into the Glen and knowing I've arrived. A pint in the beer garden with the best view in the world. You know you've arrived.

Anonymous said...

I think we're all a bit sentimental when it comes to the Clachaig. Personally the sign never fails to put a big smile on my face as we drive up the road to the inn, especially if (like now) it's been a while since I've visited. I've never noted it as being particularly old fashioned, it's just "the Clachaig sign". And its current state of repair doesn't diminish my opinion of the inn in any way. To be honest I'm not particularly fussy if it's a little rag-tag and rusty, you don't really need to read the words on it because you know what they say. But if it were gone I think it would leave a gap in the Clachaig shape in my mind.

So I'd say - don't get rid of it; if you're going to replace it then replace it with a similar sign; and that it doesn't seem in so bad a state that it needs sorting out right now, especially if there are other things of higher priority on the list.

Unknown said...

Definitely iconic! Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater....

RILEY said...

FIREWOOD YOUR HAVING A LAUGH WEVE BURNT ALOT OF UNUSUAL STUFF IN THE COE MAINLY LOGS NICKED FROM THE BAR BUT YOU NEED TO DRAW THE LINE AT AN ICON

Unknown said...

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING -ABSOLUTELY, ICONIC!! Glenn Coe is not, but the traveler's inspiration; while, you sign heralds an age past, beckoning the weary traveler, in search of comfort & refuge.
You will loose much, with the loss of such a marker.
Mary Ann

Unknown said...

Its more than iconic its a necessity...forty years I've been traipsing through the Glen and the sign means everything to me...Please replace with an exact replica if the old one has to go.....It wont be the Clachaig without it.

Anonymous said...

Please no, don't change the sign. We all have great cheesy group photos taken beside it and there are generations to come who haven't had the chance to do that yet. It's pleasing on the eye, fits into its environment and triggers nothing but a wealth of good memories. Branding teams just can't buy this stuff...Julie

Alex -S- said...

The sign needs to stay! - its as much a part of the Clachaig as the bar itself - or the fixture that was known as Davie the Rum Monster.

If you can't budget its repair - get a quote for it and let us all know how much we could donate to save this key part of the old Clachaig identity!

Summer of 1995, you'd find me occasionally sitting near that sign, waiting for a cute wee bartender, name of Terri to finish her shift and hang out with me. 15 yrs later and we're still married, so yes i have a little sentimental attachment to the old sign too!