This is a ‘Family House of Prayer’ located at Dalmally , which is a train ride of 2 hrs 20 minutes, from Glasgow Queen Street.

It began as a Hunter’s Lodge which hosted hunters for deer.

Now it’s a house for prayer and quiet retreats …youth initiatives for mission …family holidays with plans for their activities. The Eucharist is celebrated daily by a priest who stays at the the Lodge.

The train to Dalmally was a nice peaceful journey. My wife Anjean and I took a cup of coffee at the station and boarded the train at 9.40am . Along with the coffee we had a sausage roll and the train sped along to Dalmally .

Exactly at 12.59 pm it reached our destination. We had requested for a pickup from the station , but due to a mixup, my message on email was overlooked . So started our walk for about 3 miles with our bags . This was a good preparation for our retreat. Thanks to the Lord and the use of Google we found our way . While trudging along we experienced spells of drizzle . The walk took us through the road with forests on either side as we left the motorways. We passed the River Orchy and a church . Soon the road diverged onto the road to Craig Lodge. I think we would have been exhausted , but our time at the discipline of the gym had kept us fit .

We were relieved to see the signboard , directing us to Craig Cottage . It is more than a Lodge ; rather a quaint hotel .

We were about to enter the place when a car drove by us . Rory was quite apologetic.” , I’m very sorry about this .” He had driven to the station much after we left. The walk had taken us about an hour after waiting at the station.

Ruth received us at the entrance. She too was extremely sorry and gave us a warm welcome and showed us to our room . It was a comfortable double bedroom with attached bath . The room was named St Elizabeth . Strangely the lady who prepared our room was also Elizabeth . Some of the persons were voluteeers .

Our room had a rustic look to match a Country House Hotel . The proprietor Calum Macfarlane-Barrow had hosted hunters from various countries who came there to hunt for deer in the earlier years.

This place has now been changed into a House of Prayer after Calum and his wife Mary Ann had a profound experience at Medgegorje . Calum himself was a hunter and an artist too . He is an outdoor person has interests in fishing , mountaineering and strangely fond of building sheds .

One of these sheds previously a play area for his children was then gifted to his son Magnus who used it for storing gifts to aid the war victims in Bosnia/Herzegovina. Magnus set up Scottish International Relief, a charity that became Mary’s Meals. He began aiding deprived school children in Malavi , Romania and other countries with a nutritious meal daily encouraging them to attend school. Thus began the well known ‘Mary’s Meals’. Global support followed from 4 continents through fund raising and awareness raising groups . (www.marysmeals.org)

Calum’s children Ruth, Magnus and Fergus, earlier had a life changing experience at Medjugorje, and got involved in giving Aid to war torn Bosnia -Herzegovina. Many guests at Craig’s Lodge spread awareness of their work . This team gradually expanded with more people involved .

Ruth is now more involved in the running of Craig’s Lodge.

When we talk about hospitality, I am at a loss for words. The team here is outstanding. They not only provide hospitality but a place of prayer and formation for young people who spend 6 to 9 months to train as missionaries. Ruth and Denise served us meals, with such love . Rory cooked up some amazing dishes …. Apple Stroodle pie , with Icecream , salads , Fish in white sauce, Cabbage Salad n chocolate cake with fresh cream , Pasta Bolognaise .

A thick homemade soup with Bloomer bread was an adequate lunch .

We had always wanted to make a quiet retreat and spend time praying in the Chapel . We were happy to discover Craig Cottage by word of mouth .

Along with our quiet time we hoped to walk outdoors .

This was an experience to remember . The scenery was breathtaking with mountains, forests , sheep grazing and so many birds , even rabbits and the red squirrels was like a grand work of art by our Creator ,

Calum devised a route up the 1000 ft mountain with the stations of the cross , to help one experience the passion of Jesus while trekking up . Denise cautioned me “ Let me know when you plan to do this .” And rightly so , as it is quite a torturous route .

Callum was inspired to prepare this ‘Way of the Cross’ on the lines of the one at Medjugorje. My wife Anjean agreed to join me on this trek . As we climbed up at every Station we stopped to pray . Callum kept a white plaque depicting the specific station along the path like Jesus’ walk with his cross to Calvary .

The higher we went , breathing became difficult. The scenery around was beautiful. Twice we crossed river streams . We went focussed on following the path . Somehow we reached the seventh station . Thereafter we lost our way . We were afraid as the slope was slippery . Anjean had difficulty walking . Her knees began troubling her . I felt a bit guilty for convincing her to join me on this trek . So we abandoned the trek onwards and returned carefully . The part down turned out to be easier and faster ,

I was told that at the top of the mountain , Calum installed the Cross . Near it is an alcove in the rocks and one can pray within it .

Our retreat ended at Craig Cottage on the third day , with a time of Praise and Worship in the Chapel . A big group of several families with children were expected the next day. The evening before we left an American group arrived on horseback .

We counted ourselves fortunate to get a booking at this time. Denise kindly drove us to Dalmally station for our return back to Glasgow .

I hope to come again for the peace and quiet here with the richness of nature around .