Lay Me Down In A Bath Of Roses! (applecross-aromatics.com)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	applecross-aromatics.com
Date:	09/01/09 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful scent of a rose garden and many more to choose.

Disadvantages: None

If you love Lush you will adore this little business located in a remote corner of Western Scotland. I first went to Applecross three years ago and the thing I remember was the drive. If you have a head for heights and a good command of the gear box and steering wheel you are in for a treat as one approach is to take the "Pass of the Cattle" locally known as the Bealach na Ba -a swirling snake like pass which winds its way to 2054 feet with sheer drops and gradients approaching 20%. Not a winter route in the snow but one which adds to the sense of remoteness and isolation.

Applecross Aromatics is a small business the brainchild of a lady called Tracey who makes all the soaps and bath treats by hand to recipes which are not tested on animals. This area is economically challenged as there are long distances to travel to centres of population and the job opportunities are scarce, and so supporting an enterprise like this is one of the ways in which you can make a difference.

The website is www.applecross-aromatics.com and here you will find an oasis of treats and all made with pure essential oils. Ideal to give as gifts or for a treat for yourself to brighten up the bathroom on a cold January night, this website has so much to choose from.

I sent an order to them last week and it came within 2 days. Ordering is simple and you can pay by Google checkout. Postage is reasonable at cost price. I selected the rose soap to try because it looked so elegant and feminine on the website and when it arrived I wasn't disappointed. The smell is divine! The bar is a generous size -almost 4 inches long and over 2 and a half wide and on the long end are placed dried rose petals. These retail for £3.45. To go with this treat I also purchased some rose bath melts which are similar to the lush bath bombs which I adore. These are £3.95 for 2. I am always buying the Chelsea Garden ones in the summer in Lush because these explode releasing many dried petals and make you feel like you are bathing in an oasis of flowers. This time of year Lush don't make the Chelsea Garden version so I was looking for something really feminine and came across the rose bath bombs which are absolutely gorgeous. Hand made just for me to order these arrived in packs of two and the kind owner included an extra one which was surplus after she had used all the mix. About half the size of the Lush bath bombs, but size doesn't matter because the scent is wonderful. The photo of these on the website is just perfect and they would make a lovely gift with some red roses for Valentines Day.


In the bath I went to try out both the soap and the bath bombs and I was missing for some time! The scent in the bathroom was out of this world and I felt like I was in a spa. My son said to me he thought the bath bombs were so nice it was almost like you felt you could eat them! My skin felt soft and the smell of the rose was with me all night!

Also sold on the website and look lovely are lip balms, French lavender stuffed cuddly toys, organic soaps, and many different varieties of the soaps and bath bombs I tried. Each order comes with a small slice of a free soap of your choice which is really good if you just want to try a different one, or if you are going away for the night as it makes a great travel size.They also sell great big soap blocks useful if you have a guest house or do bed and breakfast for example.

For soaps and treats inspired by the natural landscape in the beautiful village of Applecross and for those looking for products which are kind and gentle to the skin these are really perfect. No animal has suffered in the making of any of these wonderful products and the great thing is you can order from home and look forward to a lovely parcel arriving within a few days.

If you are ever travelling about in Scotland the website gives a list of stockists to visit which is good if you are like me and enjoy touring up there.

It is great to know that you can still find small producers in hidden locations who are beavering away producing top quality goods at competitive prices, and I am now supporting companies like these and choosing them for my gifts and treats. It is in some way helping to avoid the sad reality of rural depopulation and is encouraging families to settle in these locations. This in turn helps to support the shop (I know for a fact Applecross has a shop) - the logistics of keeping it stocked year round are a challenge in itself with the weather and the terrain. With families staying they are making a life again- these hills will be preserved and they will be alive with communities who are seeking to provide services and products which are using the power of the internet to obliterate the barrage of blockades which hit you when you are trying to set up enterprises in remote and harsh climates.
I wish Applecross Aromatics every success and I am planning my next order now!

Summary: A gorgeous collection of home made to order bath treats.