These are the comments left in our Guest Book during 2009: 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 March 2009 -
Steve and Millie Clarke, Gosforth, Cumbria:
We regularly stay in self-catering cottages and without doubt this is the nicest cottage we have rented: clean, bright and warm, and the furniture and decoration are spotless. This is our first visit to the island and we are very pleased with what we have seen. To the west of the ‘main road’ we enjoyed the white sand beaches and will be coming again to see the machair in flower. To the east is as wild a bit of country as anything in the Highlands ... As for the wildlife, we enjoyed the different waders on the beaches and machair, golden eagles at Loch Druidibeg (on two separate occasions) and also at Loch Eynort, and hen harriers at various places including really close views of a female right outside the house. Otters were seen at Loch Eynort and South Lochboisdale. We had blue skies and sunshine most days. We’ll be back sometime. Thanks very much, Denise and Jonathan! ^

29 March - 03 April 2009:
David and Rhian Lidell, Lichfield:
Not so much ‘Whisky Galore’ as Whiskers Galore! After years of looking for otters in Scotland we have struck lucky and seen several swim and fish. We’ve also seen golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and many more birds. We have had the considerable advantage of Steve Duffield (wildlife guide - 01870 620241) to show us around. He is available for day tours. The islands are beautiful and we particularly recommend Berneray for its beaches and views. The weather has been kind all week (dry, sunny, but quite windy). The cottage is very comfortable indeed - the perfect place to return to after a day’s birding. ^

04-11 April 2009 - Alan and May, Fort William:
Had a lovely time and enjoyed our second visit to this cottage. No complaints about anything - not even the weather. Out walking every day and even saw an otter on Prince’s Beach in Eriskay. ^

28 April - 02 May 2009 - Peter and Sue Gray, Ilkeley:
Just four nights, but with mostly bright sunshine (plus strong winds) a good introduction to South Uist. ^

02-09 May: Eddie and Margaret Peddoe, Nairn:
Watched lapwings rearing chicks from kitchen windows! Also barn owl across the field. Very comfortable cottage. ^

09-16 May 2009 - Geoff and Lesley Creamer, Thornhill Dumfriesshire; Alison Creamer, Cupar Fife:
Excellent weather has enabled us to explore South Uist properly for the first time, with some good walks around the south end of the island - also one day on Barra. A terrific amount of good bird life on the shore line, but no sign of the larger birds of prey we were hoping for (maybe North Uist next week?). ^

17-23 May 2009 - M K and J Dix, Bath:
What a delightful cottage to spend a holiday on this stunningly beautiful island. We have all been captivated by the wildlife, amazing beaches, fantastic light and clean air. We have dubbed the kitchen here the luxurious wildlife viewing hide (all mod cons and reat views). We have been blessed with really good weather: Monday and Friday were both clear sunshine from dawn to dusk. We have had far too many ‘highs’ to list them all: white-tailed eagles, golden eagles and Eriskay ponies, hen harriers, short-eared owls, arctic skuas - 91 species of bird in all! ^

30 May - 06 June 2009:
Vivian Macdonald, Ontario, Canada:
I love this cottage! The perfect place to stay on this lovely island. The landscape is beautiful: the open barren country that I love - it must b bred in the bone of those who like me are of Highland descent. The wild flowers are lovely, so too the birdsong beautiful. And I just love my neighbours - little lambs with their mothers. I have travelled every single-track road, east and west, marvelling at the beauty of the hills and lochs, the magnificent beaches. This holiday is a dream come true!. ^

06-13 June 2009:
Dave and Kate Crill, Settle, N Yorkshire:
So good to be back in South Uist! Cottage really comfortable and we’ve had a lovely relaxing stay. We’ve had some wonderful walks and the bird life has been fantastic. Hope to be back soon! ^

13-20 June 2009:
Alasdair and Kate Gordon-Rogers, Jacqueline King:
What a beautiful, clean bright cottage! We loved staying here and enjoyed the wonderful silence, beautiful weather - a hot four days, the rest showery, blustry but still very enjoyable. We saw a pair of basking sharks off Vatersay, a golden eagle, hen harriers at close quarters (right here at the cottage), heard the corncrake - many wonderful birds and flowers as far as the eye could see. Enjoyed meeting the wild ponies with folas, and plenty of great walks on beaches, moor and mountain. Met many friendly people. Recommend the newly opened Golf Club cafe, just up the road from the cottage, and the Polachar Inn for an amazing smart meal. Als the Am Politician pub in Eriskay. Failed to see otters, but maybe today? Lots of seals off the beach here at Askernish. Enjoyed our visit to the gallery and studio - just up the road - of Willaim Neill, a wildlife watercolourist. ^

20-27 June 2009 - Aysen and David, Lichfield
We’ve had a wonderful week here, both back in South Uist and in this cottage, too. Staying here has made our week very comforable and special (having just got engaged last week!). We’ve travelled all over the island from Berneray right down to Barra, and with the amazingly warm weather (unlike last year!) we couldn’t have wished for a better week. Do try and day out with Steve Duffield (local wildlife guide - see flyer in folder). We had a wonderful day spotting otters and golden and sea eagles. Thank you for the hospitality, Denise: see you next year! ^

27 June - 04 July 2009 - Tony and June Mathews
We have really enjoyed our first visit to South Uist. The cottage is lovely and the wildlife we have seen from it - short-eared owls hunting, cuckoo on telegraph wires, buzzard on the rocks in the field and hen harrier with prey behind the house - has exceeded all expectations. We also had a great day out with Steve Duffield. He is very knowledgeable, both about where to see each species and about their behaviour. The flowers on the machair are gorgeous, especially in the sunshine that we had at the beginning of the week; but we also enjoyed our walks in the rain! Hope to return one day!

04-11 July 2009 - Lickley family, Newton Mearns
The most amazing start to the week - at Princes Bay in Eriskay - we had a close encounter with a pod of dolphins! We were Swimming in the shallow water when the dolphins came round the pier following a yacht - ad came right up to the beach, maybe 20 yards from us. As they swam back out to sea, they were jumping up high just like a show! Luckily for us the yacht owner came over and offered to email us photos. Apart from getting completely druckit on Barra we have had good weather and the upside of the constant wind is that there’s no midges. ^

11-18 July 2009 - Ailean and Herb Telford
Pat and Keith Davies, Whitehaven Cumbria
Our seventh visit and we have been blessed with a week of wonderful weather. We have been captivated with the scenery, wildlife and machair flowers. The cottage is lovely and in such a peaceful spot. Hope to return in the not too distant future. ^

18-24 July 2009 - Stansfield family, Aberdeen
We had a great week here, saw some amazing wildlife, including sheep right at our front gate and the male and female hen harriers zooming around the cottage! The last two days gave the best weather and the rest were cloud and rain - but it was great! Eleanor, Age 9 1/2 yrs Excellent cottage - so clean and comfortable. Had a really good week - weather improved as we went along. We walked along the beach from here to Pol a Charra - a long way, but great lunch at the pub there. We caught the bus back. A trip to Barra and Vatersay are recommended - beautiful beaches. Really enjoyed the eggs, Denise, and thanks for a great week. Tehmina ^

24 July to 08 August 2009
Martin, Shona and Cathy Grant, Dyce Aberdeen
A lovely two weeks here in Uist. We walked from South Glendale east to the deserted village of Bagh Hairtebhagh - a good four hour walk but well worth it. Lots of fly fishing - we got some tasty brown trout. We got prawns from Kallin Shelfish (Isle of Grimsay) - delicious! We thoroughly recommend the lemon cake served at the golf club cafe. Sounds like we ate our way round the island? We did! ^

08-15 August 2009 -
Derek and Margaret Cutts, Tyne and Wear
A lovely island - everyone so friendly. So nice to be made welcome by everyone - in the co-op, cafes and on the roads. We have seen otters and eagles and wonderful prehistoric sites, but the people are what make South Uist special. Lovely to come home to a comfortable house at the end of so many enjoyable days out. ^

22-29 August 2009 - Nicholson family, Liverpool
A really enjoyable week. Our first visit and a wonderful cottage to welcome us. The children found the cottage and grounds ideal. In the course of the week we explored from Berneray in the north to Barra and Vaterasay in the south. Lovely beaches - especially Princes Bay in Eriskay, and the long strand by the cemetery in Vatersay; also Hornish strand in North Uist. Lovely lunches at Stepping Stones in Balivanich, and at Kirkibost Community Centre in North Uist. The weather has been kind to us, although tonight it is blowing a gale! We will be returning to the Western Isles in the future. ^

29 August to 05 September 2009
Erik and Jan Popping, The Netherlands
We loved the cottage very much - realy cosy and clean and a nice atmosphere. Also we like the beaches and found beautiful shells there. However the weather was not so good ... [The Poppings left after just three days because the weather, landscape and wildlife were too wild compared to what they had experienced before in mainland Scotland. The weather improved the day after they left!] ^

05-12 September 2009 -
Chris and Dianne Truswell, Windermere Cumbria
Chris and I came here to celbrate our ruby wedding - we were married here in South Uist. Who would have thought all those years ago when we were young and lived life in the fast lane that we would totally fall in love with a cottage on a remote island. But we have! We adore the cottage, and the island. The beauty of the beaches have moved us to tears. To sit in this cosy cottage in front of a roaring log fire whilst an 80mph gale rages outside is an experience we will never forget: we were were very glad not to have a ferry journey booked for that day! Enjoy the adventure of turning into lanes and discovering what is down them - you will be pleasantly surprised. Wave and smile when meeting other motorists - the locals are very friendly. We have just two regrets now our holiday is almost over: 1) we have to return to what we thought was a quiet and relaxing semi-retirement, but now realise is not! 2) despite spending hours with our binoculars, we did not get to see any dolphins. Seals, many different species of birds and other wildlife yes, but not dolphins: a reason to come back? Thank you, Denise, for a fantastic holiday! ^

12-19 September 2009 -
Anne and Colin Hunter, Aberdeen
Had a relaxing week. Weather was perfect - not a drop of rain! Beaches beautiful. Scenery stunning. Wildlife wonderful. Cottage cozy and comfy. Dogs loved lots of walkies. ^

19-26 September 2009 - Gordon, Ishbel, John Askew, Sampford Courtenay Devon
We’re here to celbrate John’s 70th birthday - decided to get away from it all rather than have a party. Saturday: Arrived here about 6pm, unpacked and headed down to the beach for the sunset. The space of the Atlantic really hits you! Sunday: We walked up the nearby hill of Aisgerbheinn, then to Dalabrog for food at the hotel. We walked back along the beach - about 12 miles in all. Fabulous log fire in the evening. Monday: Stormy weather. Only managed a short walk, up Eisebhal from Ludag. Tuesday: Forecast not good, but we set off north up the beach to Flora MacDonald birthplace (at Milton) and the museum. An otter ran across our path! Lots of lovely birds - left our bird book at home so can’t name them! Wednesday: A day of real weather - sun, wind, rain ... We walked the way-marked walk in Eriskay, about 5 1/2 miles but took us several hours, taking in the sea, beaches, mountains, lochs, seals and birds. Home to a log fire - bliss! Thursday: John’s 70th birthday! We planned a trip to Barra but the weather was grim, so stayed in bed till late then after lunch walked to the Museum; but the walk took much longer than we’d expected and the museum was just closing ... We made good with an evening of champagne and a log fire. Friday: Last day, grey and drizzly again, but we’ve decided to go to Barra anyway. Foot passengers on the ferry - a bit rough! Walked to the beach where the airport is - saw the Flybe plane arrive from Glasgow. We saw a big ‘gang’ of seals on the walk back to the ferry. Despite the poor weather, the cottage was always so lovely to come back to with cosy evenings by the fire. We’ll be back! ^

26 September - 03 October 2009
Sue and John Higson, Dewsbury West Yorkshire
Our second stay at 8 Askernish. Weather not too kind this time, but could not spoil the cosiness, peace and tranquility. Log fires are something else! We have certainly never been cold - the cottage is a real credit to Denise and Jonathan. We had sightings of hen harriers, wrens, greylag geese - and plenty of sheep - all from the cottage itself. Sightings of otters, seals and various birds including lapwing, curlew, sea birds (on walks). Unfortunately no deer! [Deer are rarely seen west of the ‘main road’, except between Bornish and Howmore - Jonathan]. ^

10-17 October 2009 - John and Marin Mulloy, Fife
We are regular visitors to both South Uist and Barra, but this was the best cottage we have ever stayed in and will definitely return. We had four days of good fishing on four different lochs, and return home with a decent bag of sea trout. A highlight was seeing a pair of golden eagles over Mill Loch. Played golf at Askernish in such still, sunny weather I wished I’d had some sun-block! Who could have imagined such a day in the Outer Hebrides in mid October! [Due to the clear air, sunshine here has a lot of UV - this is especially so in winter! Jonathan] ^

20-31 October 2009:
Tony and Elizabeth Wright, Welton Cliff, Lincoln
Our first visit to the Western Isles - certainly not our last, we hope. Beautiful scenery, fantastic coastline and a lovely warm cottage. We’ve had some beautiful sunny warm days ... and also the other kind! Nice though to curl up with books and watch the weather doing its worst while we’re snug and warm inside! The dogs have loved their walks and have thankfully behaved themselves - just one brief spot of rabbit chasing for 18month old Poppy, but she quickly came back when called. Thanks Denise for the interesting talk about history of the islands, for the loan of books and most of all for the lovely wool. ^

Guest comments from 2008 >

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