Category: And The Next Thing is …

If you’re using Social Media, then you can get 10% off ScottishLaird merchandise for the next week!

In time for the festive season, the team at ScottishLaird have decided to thank all those folk who follow us via Social Media – on twitter, on Facebook, on Linkedin, through our blogs, with a 10% discount on selected items at our online store.

Our Slate, Stone, Marble, and Family packages all qualify, as do our delightful teddies (Clan Chief Charlie, Handsome Harry and Gorgeous Georgia). If you want to get more formal, the ties, bowties, cufflinks and cummerbunds get the discount as does our fabulous book, the Conservation Plan for Dunans, by our architect Robin Kent.

And how do you get the discount? Use the coupon code “FB14XMAS” at our online shop here.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

Defining the size of the task: New internal elevations of Dunans Castle

AOC’s laser survey has output some very interesting internal elevations of the castle. These will be used to begin the design work on the building over the next few months.

The featured image above is the preliminary specification for the clearance work which will have to be completed before detailed drawings are attempted.

We’re presently obtaining costs on this work, and will report back shortly on the revised programme.

AOC_sections
This plan of the castle shows where the sections have been taken. The ends are squared off in the direction we’re looking at.
AOC_1_2
Elevation 1: View Northwest from behind the front facade, notice the main turret on the left. Elevation 2: View Northeast through the main apartment towards the old house showing the level of the detritus remaining to be cleared
AOC_3
These multiple elevations, 3, 3A and 3B show the sort of detail we will need to specify the works. Also interesting here is the cross section of the main turret, on the right.
AOC_4
This fourth elevation shows the remains of the wall behind the facade, looking South-east, much of which is visible from the front door of the castle
clearance-preliminary
The full preliminary specification for clearance

Almost like having Freddie back again: Let me in your heart again!

Why Queen didn’t release this at the time of the Works I have no idea – its absolutely superb – and Freddie’s voice is at its peerless best.

Have a listen: http://vimeo.com/106916906

Our Sunday Project: Flying Bassett mural in the office.

The girls had a blast creating the mural – their first commission! It adorns the office wall and will amuse me as I work at and on Dunans.

 

” … thanks to the IPCC, no one will ever be able to say they weren’t warned.”

… about Climate Change. This is one of the reasons why I joined the Scottish Greens. And the IPCC report is by its very nature conservative according to Bill McKibben who I quote in the title of this post.

What are you going to do?

Here’s the headline article in the Guardian this morning.

In time for Christmas! Our new Lambswool Dunans Rising Tartan range is now online!

... soft serapes ...
… soft serapes …

We’ve finally managed to get our range of gorgeous lambswool items online and looking lovely. Find it here!

There’s a scarf, a stole, a blanket and a serape – all 100% pure New Wool in the Dunans Rising tartan – all in time for Christmas! But there’s limited stock!

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Topographical Survey at Dunans: GMGeomatics completes a detailed scan of the grounds around the castle.

This weekend the final survey at Dunans was completed – an accurate survey of the ground around the castle is absolutely key when planning drainage, access and outbuildings. Gregor from GM Geomatics spent the day with multiple yellow tripods and lasers, and we should see the results shortly!

IMG_2236

Note the tripod and tallest tree leaning slightly to the right – more about the cameraman than the surveyor!

This is the area surveyed:

Dunans_OSsurveyThe final element of the detailed survey work is an interior dimensional survey of the castle – which requires clearance of the interior spaces.

 

Adorning one’s one square foot: delightful model castle with draw-bridge and two turrets

We have had lots of great moments with Lairds and Ladies when they come to visit their plot of land. Often they will want to leave a marker, or tribute, or ‘development’: we’ve had the flags of most nationalities, we’ve had farmyard animals, we’ve even had a red Monopoly hotel – but today we had one of the most creative …

IMG_2232 IMG_2234If you are a Laird or Lady and want to take the tour and visit your plot of land, please click here for more details!

 

Dunans and the Seaplane: Loch Lomond Seaplanes fly us over Dunans on a perfect day for photos!

Today we had a marvellous outing courtesy of Sadie. For my birthday last year my darling wife gave me a jaunt in the Loch Lomond Seaplane. Well, today we finally got to go. It was a truly brilliant day out, and the highlight was of course circling Dunans in the morning sunlight before going off for lunch at Loch Voil. We thoroughly recommend this as a great way of seeing Argyll and especially Cowal which on the right day is spectacular!

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