The 135th Annual Spring Show and Sale at United Auctions just up the road from Cologin starts tomorrow (Sunday 8th February). Oban is the home of the Highland Cattle Sales and buyers come from all over the world to add or start a fold as there are so many experienced breeders in attendance. It’s a popular event and I’m sure it is just a coincidence that our annual family Clan gathering is also underway this weekend! Tonight we will celebrate another year as a family with a meal together in the Barn Bar. Sunday is show day at the mart so I’m sure a few family members will pop up to admire the hairy coos and chat to the farmers who congregate at the event.

Cologin is ideal for hosting family get-togethers and whilst we can’t claim centuries it’s certainly been at least a couple of decades that Jim’s family has taken over our site. It’s been a great opportunity for our children to meet far-flung Uncles and Aunts, grandparents (now sadly deceased) nieces, nephews and new partners. Sadly, of course, we’ve often toasted ‘absent friends’ but new lives have often taken the place of those that have died and are fondly remembered. With our eldest daughter Katie now running Cologin the task of allocating accommodation and organising the weekend event is down to her and despite new baby Ollie keeping her busy she’s in control of everything other than the annual group photo which over the years has been a source of much amusement.

Here’s a montage of some old photos taken over the years at the annual Clan gathering. 

And in other news – we’ve just received our annual traveller award from one of our most popular online travel agents – Booking.com. Katie should be rightly proud that she generate such good reviews from the platform over the year to achieve an average rating of 9 for Cologin.