The family property consists of three lovingly maintained structures, or as was described by our neighbouring farmer:" Un batiment, deux batiments, puis trios batiments!!"

GLENCOE
Our family cottage history begins 5 generations ago, in the 1940's, when David Laing, a two time Scottish immigrant (but that's another story) went on a fishing trip with his work friends from the NRC....and returned having bought a rustic fishing camp.

The deed of sale for the white two story barn-roofed shack included a boat, 2 saws and a home generating plant. As the story goes, David returned the following Saturday morning with his family...then proceeded to spend the whole day trying to retrace his route up the Gatineau to find the cottage,...amid much teasing as to whether or not he actually purchased anything t all!

The cottage had no plumbing, heat, nor electricity. Food was cooled with ice blocks sawed in the winter and stored in straw from the neighboring farm, Milk was also purchased there from the cows that would occasionally stray and wander over for a visit. Oil lamps lit the evening card games, interrupted with reluctant trips to the outhouse.

So began the first chapter of the family retreats to the lake which included the overflowing bedrooms with friends and extended family ( the more the merrier), fishing, card games, lots of hard work & maintenance, horseshoe tossing, happy hour, and happy hour ( the latter being happier and louder than the first).

CHARLIE'S WORKSHOP
Charlie & Margaret Sharp had enjoyed the cottage for 30 years and had since taken it over from her parents. With their own family expanding to include four grandchildren, a little extra space was in order. At age 65, upon retiring, Charlie Sharp started construction on the second structure.

The original plan was for a workshop with a small bedroom. The next two summers were spent hand digging a foundation in the hill. Once the foundation was poured and structure enclosed, the remaining work was put on hold to help with the third cottage below. By the time work resumed, the plans that rolled out onto the kitchen table evolved considerably and comprised a full three story, two bedroom cottage with valted ceilings. Quite the workshop!



COTTAGE RETWEET (LOYOLA)
Michael (Mike) Smith was a born engineer and mechanic by heart. He had enjoyed the cottage for over 15 years since meeting and marrying Judy Sharp. He too became inspired to build an additional cottage. In 1977 he and Judy purchased additional land as well as a Campeau demonstration cottage (Pinecrest at Queensway). The demonstration structure was torn down with nail pullers (Consisting of an army of volunteers) and chainsaws, then hauled up on a flatbed trailer to be put back together like a jig saw puzzle.
We are forever grateful to our village of devoted friends and family who gave up their summer holidays to help with "raising the barn" and helped Mike's dream take life. With a little inginuity, or as Mike called it "B.P." (brain power), ropes, pulleys, duct tape, chains and car engines, the walls, beams, and roof went up. Mike' color blinded vision resulted in a solid engineered....uh..... brown, green and orange cottage. Not sure what exactly what it looked like to Mike, but in 2012, the cottage was winterised and updated to its current pallet of white, beige and brown..

Our fifth generation is now enjoying the cottages 80-plus years later. The original traditions and passtimes remain today: fishing, boating, swimming, maintenance, card games, and happy hour(s).

Cottage "ReTweet"

Our History

History is teaching by examples.
~ Thucydides