We’ll try to answer as many of your questions here, and if you have any further queries, please contact us.
Which of your lodges are dog friendly?
All of our lodges are dog friendly, we love dogs, the only rules we have in regards to dogs are that they are of a gentle nature, and if by your judgement its required are kept on the lead around the lodges, but you are welcome to let them off the lead in the woods and of course stay off of the furniture, bedding etc….if you have a crate for them then they are welcome to stay in the lodge for a few hours unattended, we have two dogs ( Pepper & Ziggy ) and they treat their crates as home, but we know that some dogs don’t like them, so if this is the case, all we would then ask is if you go out, then your dogs must go with you, the only time damage occurs is when they are left in a strange environment on their own we have found, and the crate (being home) sorts this out….
What type of heating is in the lodges?
Electric panel heaters (very effective!) with simple to use individual controls in all lodges, each lodge also has an electric stove in the living area which adds some instant heat when its needed, the lodges are of course insulated and hold their temperature well in colder months.
How do we pay for electricity use?
Electricity is not built into the lodge rental rates because usage varies from season to season and from one guest to the next.
We recognise that some operators do “include” this in their rates, but the charge is still there, it’s been calculated as an average and therefore most likely some guess work. Generally two people will use less than four or six people, much better to be accurate, why pay more for something than you really should because it has been guessed at ?? Done like this, it’s always transparent and totally accurate, guests only ever pay for what they use.
Usage can of course always be controlled, just like at home, making sure that the room heating is turned off when you are not in (the lodges are well insulated and hold their temperature) is the very best way, but we have already taken steps to encourage low usage such as LED lighting, modern televisions, up to date fridges, hobs and ovens, lagged hot water heaters, solar lighting around the lodges etc..
This is how it works :
When we welcome you into your lodge, we will show you how your lodge works, answer any questions you may have and give you a map with guidance notes on the local area, finally, we will write down the initial reading on a simple form, then upon departure guests read the meter again and note the final reading, the difference between the two numbers is how many units have been used, guests then leave the appropriate payment in an honesty box in their lodge, or pay by bank transfer when they get home….simple, and most importantly accurate.
If all this concerns you, don’t let it, call or email us, we can always discuss it.
And don’t worry, your lodge will be ready, warm and comfortable…long before the first reading is taken!
Commencing 01/02/2024 the unit rate charged is 28p, this is exactly the rate we pay per unit, we do not charge guests the daily standing charge
Do the lodges have dishwashers?
The Type A lodges (Eilean & Ferness) and the Type B lodges (Gamrie & Huntly) have dishwashers, tablets are provided.
Do the lodges have WiFi ?
Yes, each lodge has its own WiFi, and its free to use, handy for planning those days out! It’s quite a fast system working off of a 4G signal so for guests who are also needing to work whilst with us you should be fine.
Is there a TV in the lodges?
There is a colour television with a DVD player in each lodge. A large selection of DVDs are available for guests to borrow from the Information Lodge.
Is there a microwave?
Yes, in each lodge.
Are there any laundry facilities onsite?
Yes, there is a purpose-built laundry just a minutes walk (at most) from your lodge, its within the Information Lodge where all laundry and drying facilities are housed, its popular with our guests – who likes the thought of all the washing and drying when they get home, we certainly don’t! Just bring along your own washing liquid to suit your requirements.
The machines are commercial size, and there are also 2 regular domestic types, all lodges have an ironing board and iron!
Each wash and dry costs us £3.50, and thats what we charge, into the honesty box in each lodge.
The facility can be used daily from 2pm, or when we are not using it ( or other guests), at any time 24hrs a day, there is a key in each lodge for this
Are there any midges?
No. Thankfully we do not suffer from midges here at Tullochwood
Is there a kids play area?
Yes, a large play area with games court, climbing frame and swings, and our wooden play house called ‘Little Tulloch’.
Are cots and high chairs provided in the lodges?
Yes, we can provide a travel cot (or two!), preferably please bring your own cot linen as babies tend to settle better this way, we can however provide linen if required, just let us know before you arrive, high chairs are also available , just add either or both of these to your booking, no extra charge!.
Are you close to the local distilleries?
Yes, the lodges are placed right on the “Whisky Trail“.
The nearest distillery is Dallas Dhu, only three miles from us where you can get a guided tour. The shop stocks a great range of whiskies, and if you take the tour, you get a “wee dram” of the local brew… its warming!
Other local distilleries are Cardhu, Benromach and Glen Moray to name but a few.
What time do we have to vacate our lodge on the last day?
Please vacate your lodge by 10am on the day of your departure so we can make it ready for the next guest, we kindly ask you to ensure this is the case.
What time can we access our lodge?
Under normal circumstances, your lodge will be ready for you at 4pm on the day of arrival, sometimes a little earlier, so do ask us if this helps and if we can, we surely will.
Can we fish in the lochan?
We dont stock the Lochan, there are many , many herons in the area and doing so would just give them a free lunch ! You are more than welcome to dangle a hook in there though….
There is plenty of fishing locally however, the following information and links may help you :
Local Tackle Shop
The most local tackle shop is in Elgin at 33 Moss St, Elgin IV30 1LU, Telephone 01343 547 615
Speycaster Fishing Camp & Tuition https://speycaster.net/
Local Fisheries:
Achagour Trout Fishery:
Achagour Farm , Ardclach , Nairn, IV12 5UY, 07835 025 833
Geddes Trout & Coarse Fishery
Contact us on 07849089232 , https://geddes-trout-fishery.co.uk
Mill of Kellas
Telephone 01343 890 478, Mill of Kellas, Kellas, Nr. Elgin, Find Out More
Millbuies Trout Fishery
Glen of Rothes Trout Fishery, Glen of Rothes, Aberlour, AB38 7AG
Telephone 01340 831888 or 07967 466973
Is there any local bird life?
This is one of the attractions at Tullochwood. We actively encourage wild birds with lots of feeders around the lodges. We have provided bird watching books in each lodge to help you identify the birds.
What golf facilities are available locally and how much do they cost?
There is a wealth of golf in the immediate area. There are Championship links at Nairn and Lossiemouth and lovely scenic courses found locally at Forres and Elgin.
Cost vary, more details can be seen here on our web site Golfing near Tullochwood
How many car parking spaces are available?
Usually 2 spaces per lodge, but there are ample parking facilities within the grounds of the lodges, if you have a very long vehicle or have a trailer you should really discuss this with us before arrival so as we can advise.
Do you provide washing up liquid etc? Our Drainage Systems…
We provide a ‘starter pack’ of washing up liquid, tea towels, oven gloves, loo & kitchen rolls and in the 3 bedroom lodges dishwasher tablets . All these are in your lodge ready for your arrival. Whilst on the subject of drainage, please be aware that our drainage is to septic tanks, so guests must not flush anything other than what comes out of a body naturally and toilet paper down the toilets, other items must go into the bins, the main bin store is near the entrance but all lodges have several bins for guest use. Thank you in advance.
Are there BBQ facilities?
Yes, there is a BBQ facility located on the beach at the lochan and there are a few portable BBQ’s around the site for you to use close to your lodge. Many guests choose to use the disposable variety as it saves on cleaning, but the choice is yours!
Can we light bonfires in the grounds or have fireworks ?
No, sorry we cant allow either of these. We are in the middle of a wood! It’s just too risky! Plus we have many guests with dogs, dogs and fireworks are not happy bedfellows…sorry.
Is there a supermarket near by and what other services are there?
Tesco at Forres (4 miles away) which is open until 11pm Mon-Sat, and until 8pm on Sunday, there is also a Lidl and A Co-op in the town.
We also encourage you to try some of our local traders on Forres High Street, there are several bakers, some fantastic butchers (try Macbeths, who will deliver to the lodges, or Murdoch Brothers) along with several specialist shops, restaurants and fast food take aways ranging from Indian, Chinese, Thai, Pizza.
There are also several chemists, opticians and health care professionals.