Ivy Cottage Self Catering Accomodation

I’m missing having my great nephew Jack as my lambing assistant this year but his sheep Jackie had those cracking cross Beltex twin lambs tonight. A late birthday present as Jack was 13 last week.

No lambs born today but our neighbours calves are out in the field beside the cottage for the first time. Lovely markings on those twin calves with 3 sets so far.

The real sheep started lambing this weekend - my favourite Swaledales. This is one of my pure Swaledales bought from Cumbria 5 years ago with her 3/4 Swaledale twin ewe lambs. Meanwhile Rosie the “pet” has learnt to get out of her pen and checking out whether Shep has brought her a bottle.

As promised to our guests who were unable to join us at lambing as planned - a virtual tour of the lambing pens this evening.

Another good news story this morning amongst the gloom. Had a really tough delivery of a set of twins from Texel No 4 last night with first one coming breech . Really struggled to get him breathing so took him down to the house and warmed him with the hairdryer , tube fed him and put him in the heating cupboard. He was just breathing at midnight but at 3am a loud mea told us he wanted back with his Mum. He’s the one on the right and still shakey on his legs but hopefully he will be fine. Its the year of the male lamb so far - 8 in shed and only one girl.

Lambing started with a bang ! 3am all quiet in shed so back to bed. 6.30 am No 7 has stillborn twins a week early then No 6 who was due twins possibly triplets today ( she wouldn’t stand up for John to get an accurate scan) starts lambing . Got all 3 out alive but sadly one never lasted long. Big decision then giving one of the triplets to No 7 which she gladly accepted so 2 happy mums with a lamb each as you can see from photos. Success !!!!

Amongst all the doom and gloom the sun shines down at Ivy Cottage this morning and the first lambs have arrived - spring is in the air. Lambing didn’t go to plan this morning but it looks as if we have a satisfactory out come - update to follow. Keep safe everyone.

Following the Scottish First Ministers announcement earlier today Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation have been advised to no longer accept visitors. Accommodation can be provided for staff and to help essential works and support essential services. This is very welcome advice as we were in a difficult position in knowing what was the right thing to do with information changing by the hour . No one who has booked Ivy Cottage will lose out and you can have your money back now or wait and see how things are nearer the time of your planned arrival or re schedule for when normality returns. Stay safe and we will hopefully provide updates from the lambing shed within the week. Angus and Fiona

Couldn’t find Shep this morning but he is working from home like myself!

More stunning pictures of the red deer up Strathconon valley and also a field of Hebridean sheep grazing - well worth a visit during your stay at Ivy Cottage.

Took a drive along the Glen of Strathconon this afternoon which is only a few miles away from Ivy Cottage and shot this footage of red deer by the roadside.

As panic buying hits the shops it’s great to have pick your own available on the croft!!

Well for those of you who have booked to come and stay with us at Ivy cottage at lambing time you are going to be very busy! We scanned the sheep today and loads of lambs forecast with 45 sets of twins , one set of triplets and 10 singles. 181% which is amazing - how am I going to cope ! Our previous best was 33 sets of twins. It was great having this weekends cottage guests from Perth join us at scanning and they loved seeing John carrying out the job so expertly and quickly.

A lot of our guests go on a day trip to this beach about a 2 hour drive from Ivy Cottage but this photo shows you why - stunning!

Glad to see the pet lambs Peat and Diesel are in the party mood at their winter home in Barbraville. Thank you Lisa for looking after them so well and sending on the photos.

What a beautiful December day with the sun shining and all the snow and ice from earlier on in the week gone. Fiona the Ivy Cottage housekeeper has been busy getting the cottage ready for our Christmas guests who arrive later today . No worries about getting snowed in but the log basket is well stocked just in case.

For those of you who wondered where our pet lambs got their names from ,have a laugh listening to this and Merry Christmas to you all.

Beautiful November sunshine at Ivy Cottage today and though Ben Wyvis has a thick coating of snow it’s staying on the higher ground. The sheep calendar started again yesterday with the tups going out to the main flock so here’s hoping they perform as our lambing period for next year is already fully booked at Ivy Cottage.