This month's Country Living promises spring days full of pink and greens - I love their spring styling, so optimistic and inspiring. I felt a rush of spring excitement and creativity inspired by the colours and easter themes.
Speaking of Country Living and spring abundance - we stopped off last week on our way north to Aviemore at House of Bruar. (If you look carefully you can see a bald man hiding underneath the black canopy - that's N.)
The first time I ever stopped here, we were on our way back from somewhere and pulled in to what we thought was a whiskey distillery in order to use their loos. Opening the door we were greeted by the most fantastic shop and deli - which coincidentally at that time was also themed for Easter. Now it has become a regular stopping point on any journey north!
There are a variety of sections to the site, and all run to a very high standard by Bruar (they don't accept coach parties here!). There are tweedy hunting shooting fishing type apparel ranges - not so much my thing; a gallery of wildlife and landscape artists; a home/garden ware shop that sells my favourite string; a fantastic cafe with an abundance of cakes (wheat/gluten free too) -even some of the crockery is Anta, and the most prestigious loos you will find on the A9! Newishly opened is a sale warehouse at the back with discounted cashmere and Johnston of Elgin rugs!
The building looks out over the river that runs through the Bruar Estate, and there is an attractive walk that takes about an hour, up the ravine, through pine woods and back across an estate built bridge down the other side. We didn't do it this time, but makes the place a daytrip destination in itself - or a a stop off just 10 minutes or so north of Pitlochry, right on the A9.
Another image from April's Country Living - love everything about this scene - even the model's hair!
how brilliant- so springy.
sigh. i can't wait to see some flowers/grass/leaves. and yes- i love that model's hair too- my own is dead straight and rather mousy brown.
Posted by: melissa | March 12, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Yes, it is very encouraging to think that winter is beginning to exit, and that spring has almost arrived.
Best wishes!
Posted by: frances | March 12, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Must nip out and get my copy of CL. Do you like their sister mag Coast? I love them both. We might try and get up to House of Bruar in the summer. Thanks for the tip off!
Posted by: janjan | March 13, 2009 at 08:59 AM
I want to paint one of our chest of drawers now! (or maybe the dresser)
Posted by: carolyn | March 13, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Hmmmm, I'm pretty sure I recognise that little girl's coat and wellies...
The magazine looks lovely - I have to stop myself buying such things as I get all whimsical and end up off into daydreams *sigh*
Posted by: dottyspots | March 13, 2009 at 10:32 PM
It feels like the first time I've peeked my head above piles of books/paper and the laptop. Sooo lovely to scroll through your blog. A blast of inspiration for the Spring. Love the bird sketches, the quilts (esp circular patterned one.) and the House of Bruar! Harrods of the north. I love it for the people watching apart form anything else. And they do the best travel rugs ever (but not cheap...) Hopefully see you soon x
Posted by: Susan Collin | March 17, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog and love, love, love it! I especially loved the quilt pictures - so beautiful! I've got you marked now so I'll be back - thanks for the lovely read!
Posted by: Nan | March 20, 2009 at 12:50 AM
Isn't CL wonderful. I bought that very Issue yesterday in a charity shop for £1.99 (normal proce £3.60). How lucky was I!!
Posted by: Teresa | March 20, 2009 at 04:33 PM