Sun, Snow and Wedding Bells April 19, 2012

It’s been a while since our last blog so we’re playing a bit of catch up in this one. I cant quite believe its April – where is this year going?! As ever we’ve had a busy few months at Pine Bank. The refurbishment work has continued; Ptarmigan has a new en-suite shower room, we’ve [...]

Building in the Boiler….. January 31, 2012

Indoor coats Whilst planning our move to the Highlands I was very aware that I would have to prepare myself for some colder weather and I wisely invested in some heavy down coats and fleece lined boots which have come in very useful when the temperatures do tumble! The one thing I did not account [...]

Bathrooms, Blizzards and finally some boarding! December 18, 2011

The Highland Way November is traditionally a quieter month on the booking front before the madness of the ski and festive season, so many businesses shut up shop and go on a well earned holiday. But not here at Pine Bank Chalets! We have been working hard to put in several new bathrooms, more new [...]

The completion of our first year, and the count down to the snowy season! October 19, 2011

Well here we are, our one year anniversary in Aviemore! This time last year we had just completed the 10 hour drive from London and were frantically trying to find our winter clothes, unpack and acclimatise having just spent 5 weeks in South East Asia! The year has flown by and it has been a [...]

Inside Out – Festivals, weddings and down right mayhem! August 18, 2011

This is our first summer in the Highlands and we are thoroughly enjoying ourselves. With a move to weekly bookings for the holiday months, full chalets, happy guests and long evenings, we now have lots more time on our hands to relish the great outdoors.   It seems Aviemore becomes even more crazy in the [...]

Storming Ahead May 29, 2011

Four seasons in a day! What crazy weather this month! After a scorching April I think the April showers have finally arrived…in May! We have had sun, wind, rain, sleet and snow – and that is just today! Unfortunately there has not been enough snow to get the ski season started again, but there was [...]

Hot in the Highlands! May 1, 2011

Spring is finally here, the sun has been shining now for about a month, and its hot – even in the highlands! I’m writing this in the garden wearing shorts and a vest, all I need is a refreshing glass of Pimms and life would be pretty good right now! Simon’s new toy Simon turned [...]

Boarding and Burns…. March 22, 2011

          The last few weeks at Pine Banks have been busy busy! The snow returned with a vengeance so two days were spent shovelling and ploughing so that guests and staff could make it around site. Every time the snow comes down like this, Simon has been asking everyone if they [...]

Getting by with a little help from our friends February 26, 2011

Procrastinating Since we arrived we have been inundated with friends and family. It’s been great to see so many people up here and to get out skiing, cycling, walking and riding. The rest if the time we have been working hard implementing a few of the many changes we hope to make to the business. Our [...]

Good Bye Bright Lights…… February 4, 2011

Having sacked in our careers, sold the London flat and furniture, traded in my sleek little city sports car for something a little more practical, had various ‘farewell’ drinks parties we loaded up our newly purchased and very country Landy and set off up to the Highlands of Scotland. We had agreed with little hesitation [...]