Watch roe deer and osprey among the abundant wildlife on tranquil croft with beautiful outlook over trout loch amid birch woods set in our own hidden glen. Greater spotted woodpeckers visit the nut feeders. You can watch roe deer, perhaps spot a red squirrel, or glimpse a wild cat. Farmed organically with cows, sheep, hens and large vegetable garden. Guests welcome to meet the animals and collect eggs.

Rowan Tree extends our range by providing a chalet that sleeps up to five, midway in size between the caravan and lodges. With car parking adjacent, entry leads into a porch with the washing machine and space for outdoor clothes, and on into the hall with access to all other rooms. The kitchen has a gas cooker, fridge/freezer and microwave plus all the utensils you will need. Open to the dining and sitting areas they all have a raised ceiling and south facing view over the loch. French doors open on to the patio.

There are three bedrooms - a double, twin and single. The bathroom has a shower with a tub incorporated.

THE AREA

The Moray Firth has many varied geographical areas all within easy reach. From long sandy beaches, through mature woods with cascading rivers, up to the ski slopes high in the Cairngorms. The climate is usually kind with only 23in of rain and plenty of sun. There are dolphins in the sea, monsters in the loch (or so we believe), deer on the ground and eagles in the air. If you take a little time to look for these and the other birds and animals you have a good chance of success.

THE ATTRACTIONS

SCENIC TOURS

The west coast and Inverewe Gardens - 2 hours away, Loch Ness - 45 minutes away

Findhorn River valley, The fishing villages of the North East

HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Fort George, Cawdor Castle, Brodie Castle

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

Landmark Adventure Park, Speyside Steam Railway, Speyside distilleries, Baxters of Speyside

GOLF

There are over 14 excellent courses within an hours drive

The Walker Cup was played at Nairn on 11/12th September 1999

TOWNS AND CITIES TO VISIT - Inverness, Forres, Elgin, Aberdeen, Avimore

WILDLIFE - Loch Garten ospreys, Moray Firth dolphin cruises, Kingussie Wildlife Park

CULTURE - Eden Court Theatre

ACTIVITIES - Swimming at Nairn pool or beach, or Inverness Aquadome, mountain biking, pony trekking

There is a large selection of good pubs and restaurants to suit all budgets.

RELAXATION

Stay around Laikenbuie, read a good book, paddle the dinghy on the loch and relax in our peaceful surroundings. There is a children's play area and you are welcome to help collect the eggs and see the other animals.

Location, climate and geology

We are situated 5km south of the Moray Firth coast at 60m above sea level in a small glen. This takes us off the narrow coastal plain which tends to have light sandy soil and over the brow of a low ridge to give us a southerly aspect. With prevailing westerly winds the Moray Firth creates a very favorable climatic pocket. Average rainfall is 575mm (23in), only a third of that falling on the West Coast 80km (50miles) away. Inversely hours of sunshine are increased.

The crops and livestock

The total of 57ha (140ac) comprises approximately a quarter each of improved grass, wetland, rough grazing, and birch woodland. We are now fully organic and certified by the Soil Association. We have 13 cows and 34 ewes. Hopefully these will utilize half the ground each allowing us to work a clean grazing system by alternating them year about. We hope to develop a market for all the lambs selling direct to the consumer, freezer ready, to eliminate the stress of livestock markets and long journeys to slaughter. The calves will probably be sold as stores at 10 months old. There are horses on rented grazing which can help balance the system. We also want to maximize the number of different wildlife habitats, for our own interest, and to provide a special holiday destination for our guests. As amateurs we have identified 90 species of bird and have a long list of mammals, some of which we would rather be without - rabbits!

The garden

Therese has been dedicated to her garden ever since we moved here and it keeps expanding every year. The main area is in a four course rotation of potatoes, peas and beans, brassicas, carrots and onions. The other areas include asparagus, cougettes, leeks, salad crops and of course flowers everywhere to encourage beneficial insects.

There is also a greenhouse, an orchard of apples, pears and plums, a polytunnel to extend the season for basic vegetables and to grow tomatoes and cucumbers. There are Shitaki mushrooms growing on birch logs.

The woodland

We inherited typical farm woodland, damaged by livestock and neglected by man. Mainly birch, with some pockets of ash, and a scattering of holly, willows, rowan, gean and hawthorn. There is an area of older trees but I suspect that the bulk of the trees started growing after the Shetland ponies left in the early sixties. We want to develop a woodland more diverse in age structure and species, with an improvement in timber quality, but retaining the wildlife and landscape features.