Linda Battison, Author at Cologin

April 8, 2026

Easter Frolics

After the sadness of losing Cologin's best canine ambassador - the legend that was Benji - it was a pleasure to see the Barn Bar lightening the mood with it's annual Easter celebrations. This year the weather decided to throw all 4 seasons into a single day and our guests battled through snow, hail, sunshine and April showers to join in the fun. Benji was no doubt looking on from above and our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took the time to share...

by Linda Battison

February 7, 2026

barn bar blog

Annual Clan Gathering and Highland Cattle Sales

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...

by Linda Battison

December 24, 2025

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Happy Christmas Everyone

Happy Christmas from everyone in the Cologin Team! Please forgive the dearth of blog updates since the arrival of baby Oliver! Time has certainly rushed by as Jim and I covered for Katie on maternity leave with her delightful (and fast growing) son. Tomorrow we will be hosting all our family and young Ollie will enjoy his first Christmas at Cologin. We hope every one of our guests old and new will have a wonderful time over the festive period and whatever your beliefs;...

by Linda Battison

August 21, 2025

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Baby News

Baby Ollie Joins the Cologin Team! Katie and Andy welcomed Baby Ollie to the world on Friday 15th August - right slap bang in the middle of the busiest week at Cologin! Mother and baby are both doing well and Katie has already started to juggle being a new mum with keeping an eye on what her (supposedly retired) parents are up to. There will be trouble if Cologin's ratings drop on our watch so we're working flat out to keep to Katie's high...

by Linda Battison

July 9, 2025

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Kilbride – Free* Walking Tours This Summer!

Kilbride Tour – Take a step back in history This summer Cologin guests who book directly with us can add in a FREE guided walking tour of one of our local hidden gems – Kilbride Kirkyard. This scheduled monument includes the historic Clan MacDougall Burial Aisle featuring the grave of Iain Ciar, 22nd Clan Chief of the MacDougalls who was a leading light in the 1715 Jacobite uprising. Coincidentally, the first known house to be built in the nearby Oban was also constructed in...

by Linda Battison

April 4, 2025

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Spring News

Re-fits, Re-furbs and new additions! Katie and the team were kept busy throughout the early months of 2025 as storms swept through Argyll leaving damage to property, trees, fences and several missing (never to be found) rubbish bins and roof gutters! After a great deal of hard work Cruachan reopened to guests this Spring and so far our April visitors are loving the new open plan layout and the south facing decking. As with any small business, budgets need balanced and some of our scheduled...

by Linda Battison

November 13, 2024

blog events and festival

Oban Winter Festival

Oban in WinterThe end of the busy summer season usually heralds a return to a slower pace of life for locals. (And what a busy summer it was with the first-ever visit of the round the world Clipper yacht fleet in July.) This year, the visitors just kept coming as Oban hosted the MOD in October and Cologin became home from home for two competing choirs. The skirl of pipes and the harmonious voices of our Gaelic singers brought a special charm to Cologin and...

by Linda Battison

May 20, 2024

blog events and festival

May Madness

May Events DiaryWhat a busy month May has been so far. As I write this Cologin is enjoying yet another sunny day away from the madness of Oban town center. With two bank holiday weekends in May and several local festivals Oban has been jumping. Events really get going in May and in the last few weeks we’ve witnessed the Oban Sportive cycling event, Three Peaks yacht race, several cruise ships, the Oban and Lorn Drama Festival, Highland and Islands Music and Dance Festival, the Rib Rendezvous,...

by Linda Battison

April 3, 2024

barn bar blog

Happy Easter – Spring has sprung!

So as promised in our last blog, Jim and I have been 'missing in action' for the last few weeks - cruising around South America and crossing the Atlantic ocean (and the equator) leaving Katie to get on with all those winter jobs that always take longer and cost more than planned! And Easter was early this year, so bless her she has been working hard this Spring. Most tasks involve improvements to infrastructure (upgrading water and wifi, repairs, renewals and replacements to lodge interiors and exteriors) but...

by Linda Battison

December 29, 2023

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Festive Greetings from Cologin

As 2023 rushes towards an end let's take a moment to look back over the past 12 months. Katie is now firmly established as the 'face' of Cologin and customers certainly appreciate her calm 'can do' attitude. We are of course delighted she’s here so we can finally relax and enjoy our retirement. Expect to see a lot less of us in 2024! Julie and Angus have also made The Barn their own and feedback has been wonderful. They’ve put their own stamp on the iconic heart of...

by Linda Battison