 | | | These are the comments left in our Guest Book during 2011: some are condensed or paraphrased for the sake of brevity or clarity - but certainly not to edit our adverse comment (not least because there wasn’t any).
21-28 January 2011 - Sale Family, Bolton
Jonathan: One word describes this holiday - Salmon! You have just got to go to the salmon smokehouse [at Loch Carnan]. Suzanne: A lovely cottage in a beautiful location. Enjoyed the family time we have spent here: waling and playing games - with no distractions. Unfortunately the weather has not been good and we didn’t see much wildlife. Would love to come back in summer! ^
26 March - 02 April 2011 -
John Roe, Cambridgeshire
The cottage is lovely and homely. We will be back! ^
02-09 April 2011 -
Shona Grant and Audrey Robertson
Another lovely stay in this cosy cottage. Weather not so great but still managed lots of walks with the dog. ^
09-16 April 2011 - The Young Family, Lockerbie
We have enjoyed the most wonderful time here in South Uist. The weather has been very kind and we have taken some tremendous photos to take home with us. The wildlife has been amazing and so easy to see. Thank you Denise for your hospitality: the cottage is a credit to you both. We have stayed in many places over the years and this is by far the nicest. We can recommend Denise’s lovely lemon curd and other jams. This is our first visit to Uist and it certainly won’t be our last. Our little Jack Russel has found the walks, beach and rabbit so much fun! ^
16-23 April 2011 -
Edward & Sharon North, Wolverhampton
Nice cottage - and very cosy with the wood-burning going! We have really enjoyed our stay in the Outer Hebrides and would definitely like to return. The weather has been very good with at least three full days of sun, so we’ve been able to take some beautiful pictures. We’ve visited Harris, (gorgeous beaches) and Lewis on the ferry from Berneray. Barra was lovely with white sandy beaches there on the west coast and at Vatersay. We found a nice walk at Loch Skipport as recommended by a local crofter. Lovely white-sand beaches in Eriskay too. We bought some jewellery from Hebridean Jewellery in Iochdar: they have a nice coffee shop there, too. We had two good meals at the Polochar Inn. Fantastic eggs from The Big Garden. The dogs absolutely loved the walks. Very sad to leave! ^
23-30 April 2011 - Evans Family, Evesham
This is our first time in the Western Isles and this clean, bright and cosy cottage made a lovely welcome. The weather has been fantastic, and we’ve enjoyed walks along the beaches, especially in Eriskay which is beautiful, and where friendly semi-wild ponies roam freel. The Kildonan Museum was a good visit. We didn’t use the cafe there, but did try many others, and would certainly recommend the Kirkibost Centre in North Uist. Others have recommended, them, but we had bad experiences at Am Politician in Eriskay and at the Oransay Inn. [Unfortunately the Evans don’t tell us what happened!] Our meals at the Polochar Inn were very good, though. The children enjoyed seeing all the wildlife (as did we!) especially the new-born lambs, calves and foals that are around at the moment. We didn’t see any otters or seals, sadly, but did see many birds, including birds of prey. All in all a lovely break, and at a lovely cottage. ^
30 April - 07 May 2011 - Kirsty and Alan, Edinburgh
We’ve had a lovely week here in the Western Isles. Amazing weather for most of the week and a couple of days overcast at the end were an excuse to relax and enjoy the peace and comfort of the cottage. We went to some lovely beaches in Eriskay (our baby boy had his first paddle at Prince’s Beach) and at Clachan in North Uist. We had lots of good food: we’d certainly recommend the salmon from the smokehouse on Loch Carnan, and lamb chops from The Big Garden. The cottage was very clean and well-equipped. We hope to come back some cay when Lewis is a bit older so we can do some more walking and explore more easily. Although wildlife-spotting isn’t as easy with a wee baby, we saw a short-eared owl and three deer outside the kitchen window! ^
07-14 May 2011 - Alison & Pete Wilkins, Coventry
We too have had a lovely week. The weather has been mixed, with persistent strong winds ... and getting stronger by the day. We have had some lovely waks and seen lots of wildlife: geese, short-eared owls, curlew, snipe, grouse, deer etc. Lots of seals in the sea beyond Askernish golf course, and in Loch Aineort. The sheep and lambs were moved from the machair to the land around No 8, and it has been lovely to watch them from all windows. A cosy homely cottage. Thank you! ^
14-21 May 2011 -
Andrew & Mary Schofield, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Sunshine and showers until today, when the proper weather arrived [and they don’t mean sunshine!]. Lots of exciting places to discover and wildlife to see. A very comfortable cottage - thank goodness. Next stop Harris and Lewis: weather forecast is not good. ^
[At this point worth I’ll mention that whilst May is usually the most reliable month of the year for glorious weather, May 2011 was an exception determined to prove the rule. The worst May in living memory in fact, with weather so persistently bad that our croft and garden suffered lasting damage and we had less to eat through the following winter. Jonathan]
21-28 May 2011 - Yelland Family, Exeter, Devon
What a week!!! Gales, rain - every day! Not the best of conditions to explore the islands but the dogs had lots of galloping on the beaches every day. Thank goodness for such a lovely warm and comfortable cottage to come back to! Many thanks Denise and Jonathan for providing such a lovely cottage - and for sorting out the electrical snags! ^
28 May - 03 June 2011 -
Jonathan & Jill Wilson, Penrith
What an enjoyabe and relaxing time we have had here this week! We have experienced a variety of weather - all at the same time! We had two excellent meals at Polochar Inn, and we would highly recommend the eggs from The Big Garden. Thank you for a fantastic stay! ^
04-11 June 2011 - Kevin Paul, Dursley, Gloucs.
Best cottage we have ever stayed in! Fantastic views, wide open skies, and amazing bird life. ^
11-18 June 2011 - Kay and Clive Mills-Hicks, Leeds
Enjoued five days of sunshine - couldn’t believe our luck! Had an excellent time cycling and walking. Cottage is in perfect location. We will miss the cuckoo, the otter and birds - all right by the cottage. On to Barra now ...^
18-25 June 2011 - Ray and Julie, Cumbria
Lovely stay at the cottage, adn enjoyed six days of sunshine. Birdwatcing, cycling and walking. We saw a Golden Eagle, White-tailed (sea) Eagle, Hen Harrier, Short-eared owls and conrcrakes. A birdwatcher’s paradise! ^
25 June - 02 July 2011 -
Charles Jenkins, Hlywell, Clwyd
Beware the vigilante ponies on the B890 to Loch Sgioport. They may only come up to your hub caps, but they are dangerous bandits! Decoy ponies lie or stand in the middle of the road until you stop and open the window ... then the pirate ponies emerge form the heather, stick their heads into the car and eat anything in sight!!! It was my misfortune to be sucking a polo when we were accosted int his manner. I will spare you the details of the french kiss that followed. Needless to say I lost my polo ... and now carry a bottle of Listerine in the glove box. All other elements of the holiday were a great success! ^
02-09 July 2011 -
Joan & John MacIver, Fearn, nr Tain, Ross-shire
Mixed weather. Lovely cottage. Great beaches and lots of music. [They must have been to the Ceolas festival! ] ^ |
| | | | 10-17 July 2010 - Julie Milton, Hythe, Kent
Really comfortable cottate. Fantastic week of walking, cycling, and touring the islands. Particularly enjoyed the beautifyl beach at the end of the Askernish road, views from the walk around Langass Loch (N Uist), sea eagles at Eriskay causeway, and fabulous scorching day in Barra. Will definitely return! ^
17-24 July 2010
Sarah, Paul and Joan, Grimsby and Stoke on Trent
Had a fab time, weather great. Brill trip to Barra with the bikes, definitely cheapest way to go. Beware the walk up Hecla: do not follow the sign post and path round to the bay otherwise you are in for a long wet walk, although the views were amazing. Saw eages at Loch Druidibeg, loads of seals, golden plover, corncrake (at dusk on the golf course), deer and a black rabbit. Highley recommend walking or biking down to the Askernish beach and then south towards Poll a Charra and then towards Eriskay. Amazing beaches! We even saw the plan land at Barra: how does it do that! We all wish we could have a go: we’ll have to make do with landing at Benbecula. ^
23-30 July 2011 -
Alan & Lisa, Peterlee, Co Durham
Had a lovely week in the cottage: everything you need and very clean. Like previous comments I would definitely take a walk along the beach, and also take a drive up to Loch Druidibeag and Loch Sgioport, where the wildlife and scenery are fantastic. Also a must are the eggs from Denise at The Big Garden - they were amazing. ^
30 July - 06 August 2011 -
Wilson Family, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Had a lovely week here. Enjoyed walking on the beaches in all weathers. Spotted dolphins by the Polochar Inn. Laura (11) and Holly (9) enjoyed a day at Princes Beach, Eriskay - ideal for swimming. ^
06-13 August 2011
Steve, Jackie & Sophie, Petercutter, Aberdeen
A really enjoyable stay in a comfortable cosy cottage. We slept like logs every night! Enjoyed beaches - especially Princes Beach in Eriskay, the beach at Hosta in North Uist and the fantastic beaches in Berneray. Lovely lunch at Hebridean Jewellery and wonderful smoked salmon from Hebridean Smokehouse in North Uist and at Loch Carnan. Very good coffee and cakes at Claddach Kirkibost cafe, North Uist. Amazing wildlife: seals in Eriskay and Berneray, Golden Eagle on Beinn Mhor, White-tailed Sea Eagle flying past and stopping outside the kitchen window!!! ^
13-20 August 2011 -
Nicola & David Keynes, Dorchester, Dorset.
We have both very much enjoyed our stay in this lovely cottage. The weather has been changeable all week but we have been out and about every day except today (friday) when it has been too wet and windy. So we lit the fire and watched DVDs all afternoon. Restful! We have cooked dinner in the cottage every evening except one when we went to the Pollochar Inn. Afternoon tea at the Kildonan Museum cafe was superb. We are going to to miss the peace and quiet of South Uist! ^
20-27 August 2011 -
Pat & John Carter, Buxworth, Derbyshire:
Lovely holiday, great weather. ^
27 August - 03 September 2011 -
Chris Inglefield, Bieldside, Aberdeen
A week of strong winds which hampered fishing a bit but did keep the midges away! A couple of close fly-pasts by hen harriers, male and femail. On Eriskay one evening, watched three pilot whales basking in a shallow bay. Golden Eagles seen Hecla and in Eriskay. ^
03-10 September 2011 -
Trish Masterton, Leslie, Fife
A week of mixed weather, both sunshine and strong winds, but little rain. Had a glorious day in Barra and Vatersay, but I don’t recommend Barra golf course. Askernish, on the other hand, is a beautiful course although not well sign-posted between green and tee- beware of losing your way on the 11th! A visit to Balranald RSPB reserve on North Uist is well worthwhile, as is Loch Druidibeag and Loch Sgioport.
10-17 September 2011 -
Joan & Malcolm Allen, London
The week started with gales, but by Wednesday the sunshine had arrived and it got better. We had a good week at this very cosy cottage - an ideal retreat. Made the most of the peace, reading and listening to the radio. Tended to go out for lunch and cook simple meals in the kitchen / bird hide. Hen harriers frequent visitors around the cottage. Good walks on beach at golf course. Went up to N Uist on one of the grey days but manage to see Golden Eagles not far from the RSPB reserve at Balranald. On visit to Loch Druidibeg Jane disappeared into a bog and it was difficult to get her out! Recommend Bornais: park near church and walk to headland: we saw otter, short-eared owls, curlew, seals and much more. Eriskay worth a visit - nice walk on both beach and up on the hill. The Big Garden for eggs, and whilst there the Hebridean Woolshed for lovely wools. All in all a very relaxing week, and determined to come again, probably in May/June for the flowers and breeding birds. ^
17-24 September 2011: -
Vivian MacDonald, Ontario, Canada
It’s wonderful to be back at ‘my’ crofter’s cottage. It’s as splendid as ever, feeling very much like home. Several weather changes each day, all beautiful: rain or sun, clear or cloudy, windy or calm. My heart sings! ^
24 September - 01 October 2011 -
John & Sophia, Cambridgeshire.
Had a great time and look forward to coming back. ^
15-29 October 2011 - Alan, Mill Hill, London
Back for a second visit. Weather was very changeable. I had a great time and wanted for nothing. I spent my time walking the beaches and around the local area. The footpath at the end of the road at N Loch Aineort is well worth exploring - the path is well maintained and is a great spot for seeing golden and white-tailed eagles as well as seals and otters. Also walked up Ruabhal in Benbecula for a fantastic 360deg view: it was a little boggy in a few spots but I got up and back in an afternoon, even with stopping to take many photos. Look forward to returning. Already depressed at the thought of return to London. ^
29 December 2011 - 11 January 2012
Heather & Brook Philips, Leominster
The crossing from Oban was ‘interesting’ enough but the day after all ferries were cancelled. However to arrive at this wonderful cottage made all the effort worthwhile. The weather in early January is very changeable, but we did see the sun twice during our stay. [December and early January brought some of the worst weather the islands have seen for many years.] However we saw everything else we wanted to see except otters. We’ll come back again in summer. ^
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