The important Alloway 1759 event is being held this year on Sunday 29th Jan in Alloway main street timing 12.15 -15.00. Ayrshire Food network members will be participating in the farmers’ market,which will include some local crafters and textiles.

The whisky experience is a great new attraction Based in what was the old Kirkoswald Primary School, it is owned by Tim Morrison whose family pedigree in the whisky business is impressive to say the least. This is something I’ve always wanted to do as I was responsible for establishing the Visitor’s Centre for Bowmore on Islay and knew the direction I wanted this to take. I also developed the packaging for Bowmore from 1971 and you can see examples of this – and the whisky, of course – in the shop.

The sampling room is only used by Nick White, managing director of AD Rattray Ltd., whose offices are upstairs in the building.

This is the arm of the business which 90 per cent of the time deals only with the huge export market.

Visitors can see into this room through a viewing window where there is row upon row of carefully labelled whiskies.

These are all samples from the 95 distilleries in Scotland from where individual casks of specialist whiskies have been carefully sourced by the company to let AD Rattray’s customer’s taste before they buy if they wish.

There’s also a fabulous tasting room where groups of up to 12 can sample the kind of whiskies they may be curious to try or may not have even thought of trying.

Strong links have already been forged with Turnberry Hotel to provide guests with an unusual whisky experience as well as golf tour operators.

“We feel there’s also a big market for us in Northern Ireland and we are establishing links with the council and also tourism bodies but anyone can give us a call and we’ll tailor make tastings to what may be required”, said Tim.

In the softly lit, whisky cask room and bottling hall – which has an array of different brands of barrels – visitors can enjoy A D Rattray’s ‘Whisky Experience’.

Two casks actually do have whisky in them, one has an 11 year old Bowmore, and the other a 14 year old Cragganmore from which you can fill your own bottle of whisky, have it sealed in wax, and then your own personalised label put onto it.

At the moment this is £45 per bottle but the price may change, up or down, depending on the current whisky in the cask.

Added to all of this a programme of educational courses about whiskies, their fascinating histories, and subtleties is being put together.

These will be held in the spacious upstairs board room adjacent to the administration offices.

Anyone can come along and enjoy these courses but it’s envisaged that professional Sommeliers who work in hotels, and who may know a lot about wines, but not whiskies, will be amongst those who will most benefit.

Shop manager is Raphael Marinoni who is half German and half Italian and who has led an international career in the hospitality industry.

Raphael, who masterminds the tastings, was formerly bar manager at Turnberry Hotel and has been in Scotland since 2003.

Added Tim: “We have whiskies that are deemed collectables.”

“Some of these collectables are for sale but there are those that are so unique that they are only for viewing and Raphael will be delighted to explain their background.”

“One of the most valuable of the collection, and not for sale, is a Glen Grant which was already a 30 year old whisky when it was finally taken from the cask and bottled in 1960.

“It’s worth around £2,500.”

Cosses Country House is the perfect place to stay to savour all these flavours and we have an impressive malt whisky list for you to try.

Home grown produce

On Sunday from 11.00am until 4.00pm:
An exciting festival of all things Ayrshire – including farming, food, arts, history, and the environment. Entertainment and activities for all the family, including musical entertainment with Maybole Pipe Band and Newmilns & Galston Brass Band.
Celebrate and support your local heritage at this popular annual event.

In keeping with the Burns theme of the Homecoming year, visitors will have the chance to meet Ayrshire poet, Robert Burns in the flesh as he mingles with the crowd and shares some stanzas of his best known works.

More contemporary poetry will be provided by the talented Makar Press Poets, who will offer lively recitals of their latest pieces.

Another theme of the day, again with a Burns connection, is farming. Milking displays featuring an Ayrshire cow, Ayrshire tractors and Ayrshire produce will all feature in this fantastic family day out.

Event organiser, Katie Walker, who is also one of Culzean’s rangers, said: “In this year of Homecoming, many people from across the globe and locally are planning to discover Ayrshire, pay their tributes to Burns and explore the area. As well as its strong traditions in the arts and poetry, Ayrshire has contributed much to Scotland’s way of life. Its agricultural produce is well-known throughout the world for its variety and quality.

“We are very pleased to have so many excellent local organisations, food producers and talented performers involved as we spread the word about Ayrshire and all it has to offer.

“Hopefully Culzean Castle and Country Park will prove to be such an inspiring setting our re-incarnated bard will feel bound to produce an ‘Ode to Ayrshire’ – a fitting tribute in this, the 250th anniversary of his birth.”

Celebrate Ayrshire takes place at Culzean Castle and Country Park on Sunday 14 June, from 11am – 4pm.

Other event highlights include:
Vintage Military vehicles, the land army and Robbie the Clydesdale horse
Robert Watson M.A. B.D. (historian and writer) will be giving a talk on the Scottish Covenanters and playing his short film on the subject.
Local food on sale including delicious Ayrshire Farmhouse Ice-cream
Ayrshire artists demonstrating
Live music from the Maybole Pipe Band and Johnstone Silver Band
Explore inside an open-top Double Decker bus from the Beith Transport Museum
Come and Try Archery with the British Longbow Society

Heavily laden Reverand Greaves cooking apples

There are plenty of leaves to sweep up, tulips and wallflowers to plant for the spring. The Main Crop potatoes need to be dug and stored, and we now start on the leeks, parsnips and Brussel Sprouts.
We have already served partridge from Dumfries House, and soon the Crailoch Shoot will supply us with pheasants.

Come and spend an Autumn or winter break with us – we have some excellent special offers

Kitchen garden

Breakfast menus using home grown fruit compote and home made yoghurt; Dalduff bacon, haggis, black pudding and sausages; locally smoked kippers and haddock for kedgeree; home made bread and preserves.
Dinner menus using Ballantrae crab, lobsters and prawns, Crailoch Lamb, Dalduff fillet of beef, venison and game. Local Scottish Cheese, home made oatcakes and Rowan Jelly alomg with Joy’s home grown black grapes. All for £90 dinnner B&B in a luxurious suite. Cosses Country House has a superb wine and whisky list to choose from.

Raspberrie Mille Feuille with homemade ice cream

Grease and line 1 large or 2 small cake tins.
Pre heat the oven to 170C
Place the raisins in the water and simmer until the water has been absorbed.
Sift together dry ingredients.
In a bowl beat together the oil sugar and seeds from the vanilla pod. Add the eggs and beat until smooth and thick.
Mix in the courgettes, ginger, lemon rind and raisins, then fold in the dry ingredients. Finely beat the egg whites to a meringue texture and carefully add to the cake batter.
Pour into the tins and bake for 1 and 1/2 hours until firm (and a skewer comes out clean).
Leave to cool in the tins.
Mix together cream cheese, maple syrup and lemon juice.
Cut the cake in half horizontally, then fill and top the cake with the icing. Yum!

As we still have some availability in July and August we have put together some special hot summer deals to tempt you to this beautiful unspoilt part of Scotland

If you are a ‘passionate foodie’ you will love it!

*Come and stay for a minimum of 4 nights (with dinner on a minimum of 3 nights) and receive 20% discount off the B&B price (Sunday to Thursday)

*Enjoy a weekend break away from it all and receive a free bottle of wine, with dinner. ( 2 nights)

*Walking Packages – from gentle walks to a bit more strenuous, to a real challenge (including free packed lunch and drop offs ) The walking in this enchanting area of natural beauty has amazing views with seascapes
, Southern Upland Way, Ayr River Way, Carrick and Galloway hills.

*Romantic Luxury Break with free bottle of Delamotte Brut, Champagne, (Established in the prestigious village of Le Mesnil. Champagne Delamotte is Chardonnays most refined in style and pedigree.One of the oldest Champagne houses, 250 years old this year.)
and Pamper Packages arranged at Pebble Spa. – minimum 2 nights

5*****Golfing breaks on delightful courses, for couples or small parties, in South West Scotland. Golfing itineraries arranged and a 3 night package will include 2 rounds of golf at Dunsky / Stranraer/ Brunston / or Girvan.

3 nights dinner B&B and 2 rounds of golf in the Ailsa or Iona Suite £295 per person / Garden room £265per person

It rained last night, which watered the garden, as I had planted out the runner beans – St George and climbing beans – Cobra. The first early potatoes (in the green house) will be ready at the weekend, the spring cabbage is almost ready, and everything else has grown after the rain – including the weeds!