English Charlie's is so named after Charlie, a character
known throughout the area who, 60 years ago, lived on the site where we
built this house.
We have made his place ours and yours too, if you would
like to stay.
We built English Charlie's in 1964 as our family home.
It is set back off the road, with south facing rooms which look out over
a semi-wild garden with the Milton burn running through it and over
fields to the hills beyond.
English Charlie's is a place that offers peace and
quiet, where you can be replenished and restored.
You can set off from the house and walk all day without
crossing a road, or you can just go out for a stroll for an hour or
less.
Rooms:
Guest accommodation consists of 1 twin bedded room and 2
single rooms, 2 bathrooms, a sitting room, tea and coffee making
facilities and a good drying room.
There is central heating throughout and all beds have
electric blankets. There are also basic facilities for self catering,
rates on request.
Location:
We are located in the heart of the Spey Valley, 2½
miles southwest of Aviemore, on the road that leads to Loch-an-Eilein
with its picturesque castle ruins on the island.
The area is part of Rothiemurchus Estate, one of the
loveliest places in the Highlands, with unspoilt lochs, woodlands, and
forests, bordered on one side by the River Spey and on the other by the
beautiful Cairngorm Mountains.
Aviemore is situated just off the A9, the main road to
Inverness, and we are about 30 miles south of Inverness and about 120
miles north of Edinburgh.
Places Of Interest:
This is a wonderful area for bird watchers, for those
interested in natural history, and for those interested in Scottish
history, whether fact or fiction.
The ruins of Elgin Cathedral, the battlefields of
Culloden, and even the fabulous Loch Ness Monster itself, all are only
about 1 hour away by car.
Activities:
- Farm tours
- Guided tours
- Skiing on Cairngorm
- Clay pigeon shooting
- Pony trekking at Alvie
- Mountain bike hire at Inverdruie
- Fishing at Rothiermurchus Estate
- Water sports at Loch Insh/Loch Morlich
There are plenty of pubs and taverns a 10 minute taxi
drive away.
Loch-an-Eilein Pottery:
Loch-an-Eilein Pottery is a rural craft pottery which is
simply unique reflecting your host’s spontaneous enjoyment of creating
hand-thrown pottery that reflects the impressive surrounding landscapes.
Loch-an Eilein Pottery is a small rural craft pottery
located on the road to Loch-an-Eilein, Rothiemurchus, one of the
loveliest spots in the whole of the Spey Valley.
The pots are all hand thrown in red earthenware by Penny
Weir. She specialises in jugs of all sizes from cream jugs to pitchers,
and in large breakfast cups, teapots, mugs both large and small, storage
jars and garden pots.
She glazes them in blue and green and in a rich
turquoise, or in majolica, which is a white glaze with a blue design
painted or sponged on. The results are spontaneous and simple and
reflect Penny's enjoyment in handling the clay.
Pottery Classes:
The workshop has 3 electric wheels and 3 small kilns, 1
gas and 2 electric. We use red earthenware clay for throwing and
modelling, and learn slip-trailing, pressing moulds, and explore an
innovative use of colours and materials.
The glaze colours are predominantly blues and greens,
and white and brown. Creative expression and experimentation is
encouraged.
You can come and "throw your own" on a Tuesday
or a Thursday. Spend an afternoon, for a real chance to enjoy and
understand the art of pottery making.
If you are interested in taking a pottery class, then
please contact Penny for current rates, dates and
times. It is wise to book ahead during July and August to save a long
wait.
In winter Penny runs weekly evening classes and weekend
courses for those who want to get more completely immersed in the clay.
Over the 2 days a range of techniques and ideas is demonstrated to the
group, which includes:
- Hand-built forms
- Modelling with moulds
- Throwing on the wheel
Weekend courses are offered for a range of ages and
abilities, and take place in the pottery workshop adjoining Penny's
home. Group numbers are limited to a maximum of 8 people and a minimum
of 3 people.
Coffee and tea breaks and a simple lunch are provided.
The course programme is deliberately flexible allowing
participants time to enjoy the lovely surroundings.
