Refurb at Riverbank

Hot on the heels of giving Oak Tree Lodge a complete overhaul, we're now well on with giving Holly Tree and Cherry Tree Cottages at Riverbank Holiday Cottages the same treatment.

Both cottages are due for a bit of a decorate, but we struggle to do things in small measures, and so it's turned into a little more than that. The aim is to bring the cottages bang up to date with a fresh new look which, combined with the exclusive riverside location on the fringes of Glencoe village, will make them the perfect holiday retreat.

Holly Tree Lounge - cupboard removed to make things much more spacious

Cherry Tree - Harled walls covered over and a complete top to bottom overhaul

New floor coverings, new bedding and curtains, completely new bathrooms, and some new furniture are common themes. In addition, we're making the lounge in Holly Tree Cottage much bigger by removing a cupboard in the corridor and modifying the entry door into the kitchen / dining area. The result will be a much more spacious living dining space. The patio door is also being replaced, allowing for ease of access to the lovely riverbank area.

Cherry Tree - New wet walling for the showers

We're also getting to grips with the gardens and improving the access to the river side. It's an absoloutely stunning spot, hidden from the rest of the world. A great place to sit by the river with a beer from the fridge and watch the ducks float by.

Cherry Tree - Ready for the sink

Holly Tree Bathroom - but no bath!

Holly Tree bathroom - completely stripped

Holly Tree bathroom - even the floor is replaced

Holly Tree lounge - the remains of the cupboard about to go

Holly Tree Lounge - a hint of the sense of space with the new configuration

How many toilets?

Cherry Tree Lounge - mind the carpet!

All being well we'll be finished in about a fortnight and ready to roll for the rest of the season. Watch this space or sign up to our eNews and/or follow Clachaig on Facebook.

Better still, visit our Clachaig Holidays web site and book your self catering holiday in Glencoe for summer 2017.

A new look at Clachaig Chalets and Lodges

It's time for the big reveal as our refurbishment of Oak Tree Lodge draws to a close. The popular family lodge has had a top to bottom makeover, and is now ready for letting again for the 2017 season.

Located in the grounds of Clachaig Inn, Oak Tree Lodge has always been an extremely popular choice with our guests. With some privacy from the inn, it is still just a short walk away, offering the best of both worlds; a stunning location in the heart of the glen, and yet just yards away from a pint and the real fire of the Boots Bar.

Master bedroom with en suite facilities at Oak Tree Lodge

The lodge sleeps up to 5 guests in 3 bedrooms; one double with en suite shower and toilet facilities, one twin bedded room, and a single bedroom.

Owned and managed by the Daynes family for more than 3 decades, details of Oak Tree Lodge can be found at Clachaig Holidays. Real time availability and booking can be made through the web site.

Lounge / Dining in Oak Tree Lodge

Finishing touches include some antler lighting, and some hints of plaid in the cushions and curtains, offering a subtle reminder of the setting in perhaps Scotland's most scenic Highland glen.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the view of Aonach Dubh and the magnificent glen

 The refurbishment included redecorating throughout, giving a calm contemporary feel to the living accommodation. The main bathroom was completely replaced with new bath, shower, wc and sink complete with vanity unit, plus new lighting, ventilation and heated ladder towel rail. Even the floor and window blind have been renewed! The en suite shower room in the master bedroom has seen a similar makeover.  

New everything in the bathroom at Oak Tree Lodge

A complete makeover for the en suite shower room

  

 In addition, we've also been making a few changes to Rowan Tree Lodge. New limed oak flooring complements the rustic look in the lounge while new hanging and boot storage arrangements at the entrance will come in handy when returning from a bracing walk in the fresh mountain air.

Master Bedroom - Rowan Tree Lodge

 Some updated lighting and art in the bedrooms and a few finishing touches in the bathroom and en suite also contribute to a cosy, fresh feel.

Lounge / Dining - Rowan Tree Lodge

But it's not all over yet. We've still got a few ideas for improving things further, and will also be embarking on a similarly extensive review of things down at Riverbank Holiday Cottages in Glencoe village very shortly.

It's like painting the Forth Road Bridge

It's all change at Oak Tree Lodge this week. The carpets are out, the bath is out, even the toilets are out. And before you think that must leave plenty of room inside, think again. Last we looked it was hard to get in through the door for all the plumbers, joiners, electricians, decorators and carpet fitters who were all hard at work. Yes, it's time for a refurbishment at Oak Tree Lodge.

Everything out - ready for a fortnight of chaos

Keeping on top of things at Clachaig is a bit like painting the Fort Road Bridge. Just when you think you're finished, and everything is looking spick and span, it's time to start all over again.

 

Oak Tree Lodge has served us well. It looked slightly smaller and less well loved back in 1984 when we arrived at Clachaig. By 1988 it was in line for a bit of extending and alteration, although that could probably be better described as a near complete rebuild and a start again.

Preparing for a rebuild circa 1988

It then became a family home for a number of years, and quite possibly a family home with one of the most spectacular views in the country. As we became more established at Clachaig and the enormity of developing the business a little more became slightly less daunting, we were able to move out of the tiny flat in the hotel and take up residence in more salubrious surroundings.

Oak Tree Lodge Lounge (as was)

From 1998 things had changed again and Clachaig Holidays as a self catering business in it's own right came to the fore for the first time.  Oak Tree Lodge came into being as a lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 4 star self catering holiday lodge. The rest, as they say, is history. 

The West Face of Aonach Dubh

The lodge is undergoing a complete makeover, and will be available for letting again as of next week. We'll be back with some photographs in due course. In the meantime, we'll be moving on with some new flooring and some less invasive works at Rowan Tree Lodge before moving on to another major overhaul at Riverbank Holiday Cottages in Glencoe village. Remember, it's like painting the Forth Road Bridge...!

For booking enquiries, please see Clachaig Holidays, with real time availability and ease of online booking for all our 4 star self catering chalets and cottages in Glencoe and Ballachulish.