Linda Battison, Author at Cologin

March 15, 2021

What3words Location for Cologin

Finding Cologin is now easy with the what3words location app. According to the app - using what3words is the 'simplest way to talk about location'. Finding Cologin by postcode has always been a challenge for our guests as PA344SE is not accurate enough to specify our precise location as it covers most of our glen. This makes it hard to find places and prevents people from describing exactly where help is needed in an emergency. That was the thinking behind what3words and the solution was both simple and...

by Linda Battison

February 11, 2021

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Forestry and Land Scotland – Cologin Forest

Although we're currently closed at Cologin the site has been busy recently as Scottish Forestry have taken advantage of the restrictions to take a long overdue look at Cologin forest. The track to the loch has been closed whilst they undertake some tree felling. Hopefully, once this thinning has taken place more sunlight will reach the ground and allow for a less muddy walk for both humans and canines. The forest has not been thinned for many years and whilst it is inconvenient for locals and Obanites...

by Linda Battison

January 4, 2021

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Good riddance 2020

After the most challenging year Cologin has ever endured our family welcomed 2021 with fairly subdued celebrations. News of the vaccine offered hope for a final end to the Coronavirus pandemic, but restrictions meant we had to close our business once again. Now our country is effectively locked down and we must stay at home in one final push to end this madness. As soon as we are able to reopen we will and until then we have closed our booking system for January and will update via...

by Linda Battison

November 27, 2020

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Covid Christmas @ Cologin

If you are looking to get away in your Christmas bubble then you can book a property at Cologin for a brief 5 day period from the 23rd to the 28th December with up to three households. However, in Scotland the rules are a wee bit complicated as there are still travel restrictions and basically if you intend to form a Christmas bubble with friends and family then at least one of the households must live in Argyll and Bute to book a property at Cologin. For families...

by Linda Battison

October 28, 2020

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Why Oban for your Scottish STAYCATION?

Nestled on the west coast and known as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, Oban is a popular tourist destination. Just 2.5 miles from our base at Cologin, we share five reasons on why it’s the perfect place for a Scottish staycation. As you plan your Scottish stay and before you set off for your break, we encourage you to check the latest guidelines and restrictions in Scotland. 1. So many great things to do As the largest town in the area, Oban has many attractions to enjoy including a cinema,...

by Linda Battison

September 23, 2020

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Rule of 6/2 OVERTURNED

The Scottish government has now banned households from visiting each other in their own homes. Self-catering is commercial accommodation and has strict government approved sectoral guidance in place to allow us to operate safely. Despite initial advice from Ministers that self-catering could continue to follow the rule of 6/2 a 'change' has now been decreed. A fumbling apology has been issued by Cabinet Minister Fergus Ewing to the ASSC - our industry trade association but sorry is frankly not enough. Having made a complete U-turn the self-catering...

by Linda Battison

September 8, 2020

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Autumn Breaks

The season is flying by and it is already September. Demand has not dropped and we are as busy now as we have been in peak summer. October school week is filling fast (by the time this is posted it may be full) and we have several lodges booked for Christmas and Hogmanay. To help our guests continue to book with confidence over the winter we have now introduced a flexible cancellation policy and our terms and conditions have been updated. To counter the added costs of constantly...

by Linda Battison

August 19, 2020

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Summer Sunshine

We are half-way through August and the Scottish schools have now gone back full time! Cologin has been busy this summer and the introduction of quarantine for some popular summer sun destinations abroad has boosted the domestic staycation market. Unfortunately we had to cancel all our Dutch and French guests, but demand has been so strong that re-selling has been immediate and it's been tempting to sell some of our fallowed dates. Getting the balance right between health and wealth is critical and we'll stick to our policy...

by Linda Battison

July 22, 2020

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Covid-Confident Certificate

We're delighted that the AA has now approved Cologin's Covid-19 enhanced cleaning and sanitisation protocols and listed us on their Rated Trips website. The extra effort we are making to ensure that our staff, customers and family remain safe this season will be worth it if we can keep Covid out of Cologin. We do ask that our guests also take responsibility for their own health and hygiene and we encourage frequent hand washing and social distancing from others on site and in the Barn Bar. Oban has also...

by Linda Battison

July 18, 2020

barn bar blog

The Barn’s Back in Business – now open daily

The Barn Bar closed way back in March following Scottish government guidelines and reopened to the public on 16th July. Not surprisingly there were plenty of locals in the first night - testing the new one way system and getting used to Covid 19 changes. Thankfully some things have not changed. There’s craft ale in the taps and good home cooked food on offer at affordable prices. Despite the masks and visors there’s still the same friendly welcome from the staff so please come along and give...

by Linda Battison