Food, Tourism, Uncategorized

Sunset on the season

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OK, so you have to use your imagination a little bit, but there is a hint of a sunset in that image.

Thanks to all our lovely guests this season, specially the ones who had to put up with views a bit like this

We did have some gorgeous weather over the season, particularly in May and June, but even lately we have enjoyed days when the sky and the sea were blue

And there is a certain romanticism to the moody, misty days

Here’s a shot of a couple of our last breakfasts of the season

And a look at the breakfast room ready to go (and muffins)

We’ve already managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Arran – inspired by some of our guests who had been there prior to staying with us.

Left to right that’s, Lamlash and Holy Island, Brodick Castle, and the path to Machrie Moor standing stones.

Thanks to another set of guests who told us about Mara Fish Bar and Deli, where we had a delicious lunch.

It was a great short break, giving us the chance to stop and smell the roses

And eat the ice cream – it wouldn’t be a holiday otherwise.

See you next year,

Caroline xx

Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

In the swim

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I won’t lie, we’ve had some days this summer when I could have filled a decent sized plunge pool from the sky, but we’re currently enjoying a few days of scorching sunshine.

And when the sun shines, what better way to cool down than a dip in the sea.

We can and do swim from the garden here at Sheiling but as it’s tidal (yes that is the sea) it’s not always possible. And when the tide flows it does so with a vengeance, specially through the channel and near the bridge. I’ve had unplanned visits to the pub car park in the past. So care is needed at all times.

I’ve got a favourite spot over the hill from Puilladhobrain anchorage, we often walk by it with Bramble. She loves the beach there as it gives her a chance to find some new pebbles for her collection – Bramble is devoted to stones as her very worn dentition can testify.

If you fancy a swim while you’re here I can point you in the right direction, or put you in touch with our local wild swimming group the Bluetits of Dunearn – you can find them on Facebook.

Whatever your choice, getting in, on, or just looking at the water – even if it’s the type that comes down – we can cater for you here at Sheiling. Just remember to stay safe, in the water and the sun.

Caroline x

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Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

Spring 2025

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We’re enjoying Spring here at Sheiling BnB, we’ve had so many dry sunny days that there’s a wildfire warning, of course that’s not to be celebrated.

We’re taking advantage of the weather to spruce up the outside of Sheiling

Well…George is.

And it’s so nice you might even find me doing a few jobs in the garden (I love gardens, but gardening? Not so much) though it’s a constant struggle against these critters.

But I’m never unhappy to see these

It’ll soon be time to welcome guests, but before that we have family visiting for Easter. Hope the weather holds.

See you soon,

Caroline x

Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

Scarecrows and scarycrows

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Our second annual (if you ignore 2020 and ’21) Scarecrow Festival kicked off today. And while we’re enjoying typical Argyll summer weather as I type (it’s pouring), this morning the sun shone for its launch.

There was music and a classic car parade

these folk are maybe a bit quiet, but the Nevis Ensemble played up a storm
Lagonda, the oldest of the cars on show today

Unsurprisingly there are a number of scarecrows with a maritime theme

And with an active wild swimmers group a number of mermaids

But we’ve also had a visit from Mary Poppins, or as she’s known around here Mhairi Popsox

And some very inventive in jokes

If there are more deer than people on Jura, I’m pretty certain there are more rabbits than us here on Seil

And inspired by last time around’s favourite. There are a number which are actually scary crows

having killed the farmer last time around they’ve now taken over the farm

We’re due a fun filled week, rain or shine.

So staying with us or elsewhere, or just visiting for the day you’ll have a great time.

See you soon

Caroline xx

Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

February 2021

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Here we are in lockdown again. Our days have resumed their pattern of walks and chores. But Spring is on its way. These are icicles from earlier in the month.

Now replaced by pussy willow and catkins.

The snowdrops are already here.

And we’ll soon have daffodils, maybe even for St David’s day.

There are other green shoots.

But lots of our plants have been chomped by the deer and rabbits

George has had his first dose of vaccine, I’ll have to wait a little while longer.

We have dates to look forward to, to meet our friends outdoors, have a haircut, visit a bookshop. Hopefully we’ll be able to welcome guests sometime in the summer.

In the meantime, stay safe. And when we can open, you’ll read it here first.

Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

Looking forward

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Back in January I wrote a post called “Looking forward, looking back”, it was a look back at our time here, and a taste of the season we were looking forward to.

Little did I know.

It’s nearly the end of the year.

Spring was sunny but we had it all to ourselves.

Our summer was much better than we could have expected. We had to make changes, but were rewarded with lovely guests once again. And we managed some family time and personal celebrations before restrictions tightened in the autumn. And then this month our community managed to deliver some Christmas sparkle for local children, with a walk through Cinderella performance.

Tomorrow we’ll celebrate alone, raising our glasses to toast a new year. And looking forward to opening our doors to guests once again.

Stay safe, stay well, and have a happy new year when it comes.

Caroline, George, and Bramble xxx

Covid, Seil, Tourism

October and on

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Autumn is most definitely here, the leaves have changed colour (and started to fall) and the storms have arrived. At the moment we’re probably at the peak of colour before we tip into the faded palette of winter.

My walk reminded me of one back in the spring, also a damp day. Then the colours were beginning to develop.

Opposite sides of the seasonal spectrum.

This year more than most spring brought signs of hope; infection rates fell and we were able to meet our friends again.

Summer, well it wasn’t normal but it was freer, and we were able to welcome guests.

Now we have the prospect of winter, and a retreat back to our homes*. We’ve adapted, there’s no guising** for the children this year but windows and gardens have been filled with pumpkins and spooks for a hallowe’en treasure hunt ***.

As the nights and our lives draw in, I’m getting the sparkly lights out early to brighten up the dark evenings.

Christmas won’t be a big family gathering, whatever the governments decide. There won’t be carols at the pub, nor our panto in January. But I’m just hoping that winter won’t be too long and dark, and I’ll be watching the spring flowers in the rain in 2021, planning the season for our guests.

Stay safe. Stay well. Hope to meet you soon.

*As I was writing this Argyll and Bute was put into tier two restrictions, which means we can meet friends outdoors or in cafes, but not at home.

** dressing up and visiting houses

***Parents take their children around the island spotting the pumpkins, the children earn a treat for each they spot

Covid, Seil, Tourism

That’s all folks, ……………. until next year.

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Way back in March, even before we went into lockdown I started to doubt that we’d be welcoming guests this year. And I was worried because we already had a good number of bookings which I thought might have to cancel. When lockdown came I had to decide how far ahead to cancel bookings and luckily, made the right call. Also we have the nicest guests, so everyone was understanding about their bookings being cancelled.

Bramble enjoying the spring daffs

We could have reopened mid July but wanted to spend the time planning our approach. And of course to have family visitors. So we delayed our reopening until 1st August, when we were please to welcome some return guests.

Daffs replaced by daisies

Now the leaves are turning, mornings are much darker and we’ve closed our doors for the season.

Autumn colour

We’re now thinking ahead to 2021….

We are going to retain the two night minimum stay, I haven’t liked refusing bookings but it’s more rewarding when guests stay and explore the area. Even without some of our local attractions we’ve found visitors have found plenty to enjoy on Seil and its surrounding area.

Boats in Balvicar bay

We’re going to concentrate on booking out one room. This year it was Nancy. Next year we’re going to use Flora, though we’ll book both rooms to an extended group.

  • Flora sitting room

That will mean guests will have exclusive use of a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room, and the dining room. Like a small apartment. Except we cook your breakfast.

Other breakfast dishes available

And as it seems unlikely that this virus will disappear any time soon we’ll continue to avoid back to back bookings.

But most of all, whether like this

Or this

Maybe without the shades?

We’ll be welcoming you with a smile

Stay safe and we hope to meet you(again) next year.

Caroline, George, and not forgetting Bramble xxx

Days out from Sheiling BnB, History, Tourism

A day out

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For obvious reasons we haven’t had many days out this year. But last week we managed one. I revisited my old friend WalkHighlands looking for a route we hadn’t explored before. We’ve walked most of the Oban and North Lorn ones, well the ones that match our capabilities (the one, two and three boot ones) so I had a look at the Fort William selection where I found this one

So on a sunny morning we packed ourselves a picnic and headed off. Ballachulish is an hour or so’s drive from Sheiling. Head for Oban and then take the A828 north from Connel (over the bridge) If the tide is right you might get a great view of the Falls of Lora as you cross. The rest of the drive is scenic too, so it could take longer if you wanted to stop and admire the views.

There’s a public car park in the centre of the village next to the Co-op, public toilets, and also the Quarry Centre which sells food and snacks. (We bought ourselves some cake to go with our picnic)

The walk starts in the old slate quarry and takes you high above the village with superb views down Loch Leven

looking down to Loch Leven

The path then climbs up through trees

Bramble enjoyed all the new sniffs, and hunting for stones in the burn.

She didn’t find this one in the burn

We passed an old settlement

I searched in vain for a four leafed specimen in this clover patch.

And then headed downhill towards Brecklet.

It was probably all to the good that we didn’t spot any of these chaps*

*Actually the path turns in the opposite direction but I was feeling a bit nosey.

And then it was down into the village to enjoy our picnic lunch, and explore the old quarry areas.

It was such a lovely day that we took the long route home, passing through Glencoe, and then beautiful Glen Orchy where we had our final stop beside the river.

A perfect spot for coffee and cake

Covid, Seil, Tourism

September

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September when, in the words of the song* “….the days grow short…”. Usually marking the end of our season, birthdays, stone skimming, and plans for travel. But in this strange skewed year that’s all changed. Our season only started in August so we’re continuing through, until October at least. We’ll have the new challenge of dark mornings, the stove has already been lit at breakfast time. There’s no stone skimming championships this year, but you’re welcome to have a go yourself, and when the tide’s right you can even try from the garden. Travel, well after months at home every day out is an adventure, and lockdown easing permitting, we might manage some trips to other parts of Scotland. Birthdays, well that’s one thing that still goes on.

*”September Song” by Kurt Weill, and sung here by Lotte Lenya.

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