Days out from Sheiling BnB, History, Tourism, Uncategorized

A quick weekend break

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We’re just back from a quick break to Dundee

I’d booked tickets for a few of the sessions at

Dundee Book Festival

MK Hardy Hester Musson and Natalie Jayne Clark discuss writing Scotland – where landscape becomes a character in the story.

I also listened to Graeme Macrae Burnet talk about his novella Benbecula, which is part of the Darkland Tales series,

and Professor Dame (not sure if I’ve got the order right there, and she’s also a Baroness) Sue Black, in conversation about her work as a Forensic Anthropologist.

It was a lovely sunny weekend over on the east coast and on Sunday we visited Barry Mill an old working water powered mill.

As well as visiting the mill itself there’s a lovely walk along the mill stream

And we had a quick picnic lunch too

Bramble enjoying the shade.

Barry Mill is close to the coastal village of Carnoustie so we made a quick detour for a walk on the beach and a paddle.

It’s a three and a half hour drive to Dundee, on a summer’s day it can be a day trip, but we usually stay over. Our break made me think about the itineraries our guests follow. Few of them include Dundee, I don’t think it figures high on the tourism radar, but that’s a mistake. It has a number of great museums, including the V&A, and one of my favourites the McManus plus it’s a good base for visiting St Andrews, Perth, and nearby long sandy beaches.

I think a trip taking in Dundee, followed by a drive through some beautiful highland scenery, to come and visit us on our even more beautiful west coast would give a great taste of Scotland.

See you soon.

Caroline x

Seil, Tourism, Uncategorized

Seil under siege!

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Not Really

We were visited by a film crew last month. I was ridiculously excited and took every chance I could to go and spy on the action. My perseverance paid off and I saw the helicopters flying. Those stunt artists earn every penny of their salary. They flew high over the bay and out over the sea towards Mull – on the outside of the chopper. They were pretty scary, even though it was all make believe.

What show was it? That would be telling, but it’s one of my favourites and the production company was called Jackson River so IYKYK.

In other news we’ve had a glorious spell of weather, the bluebells and primroses are gorgeous

And our mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong

Screenshot

This was a particularly busy evening for my bird app.

But with the dry weather we’re also on wild fire warnings, so if you’re out and about remember, no open fires and dispose of litter carefully.

Hope to see you soon

Caroline x

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

Summer

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June has arrived and more lovely sunny weather. Late Spring and early summer are often the nicest times here on Seil. This year  I’ve had more time to look around me and appreciate the flowers and the birdsong.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from my daily walks.  You’ll have to imagine the birdsong

It hasn’t been sunny all the time,

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in fact it was a bit grey the day we crossed the Atlantic.

But whatever the weather there’s always something  to enjoy.

And we’re looking forward to sharing that enjoyment with our guests again.

Stay safe. x

Days out from Sheiling BnB, Food, Plastic Waste, Uncategorized

No washday blues….

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Once  again we had blue skies and sunshine on Monday. This time our day out was not entirely leisure related, we were heading down to Cardross to pick up our bathroom supplies from the lovely Lomond Soap Company,  but more of that later.

Enroute we had a coffee at our regular haunt Brambles,  Inveraray.  The loch was looking particularly beautiful and we had a quick walk around the shops too.

 

Refreshed we continued on to Cardross to pick up shower gel, hand wash and lotion from Corrie at Lomond Soap. I’d been searching for a supplier for a while and researched the company after using their products in a cafe.  All products are palm oil and animal fat free, they don’t dry out your skin and smell yummy too, I chose Citrus and  Rosemary for the Sheiling bathrooms. They will be available in refillable large dispensers to avoid the plastic waste from lots of little bottles.

 

As well as her range of soaps, gels and lotions Corrie has some lovely home and gift products in her shop. It’s on the main street in Cardross and well worth a stop if you’re in the area.

Before heading home we called in to the larger town of Helensburgh, home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House, as well as a good range of shops and cafes. We had a late lunch at Sugar Boat where I’d first been impressed by Lomond Soap. It’s a stylish , friendly cafe/bistro which is also dog friendly in the bar area.

Today it’s raining, but that doesn’t matter as I’ve got some work to do…….

soap

Days out from Sheiling BnB, Food, Tourism, Uncategorized

Monday blues, but not the bad kind

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Two weeks ago  we had our trip down to Kintyre, today and last Monday we stayed a little closer to home and enjoyed what our beautiful neighbouring islands have to offer.

Seil has ferry links to two of the other Slate islands, last week we took the “big” ferry (it takes cars) over to  Luing. We weren’t lucky enough to see the dolphins* we’d spotted on our last visit but the view is beautiful even without cetaceans.

at south cuan

We drove up to Cullipool for a walk along the shore and lunch at The Atlantic Islands Centre.  Bramble loves it there, not only is she welcome at the centre but there are sooooooo many stones to chase on the beach.

Today we took the little ferry (passengers only) to Easdale our nearer neighbour. It’s a great place for dog walking as there aren’t any cars. We took the paths around the old quarries and climbed to its highest point  (not that high, around 38 metres). After that it was back to the friendly Puffer Bar and Restaurant for coffee and a scone. Dogs aren’t allowed in the tearoom but are welcome in the bar, there’s also plenty of seating outside, which is where we enjoyed our drinks today.

 

So will we get another “Blue Monday” next week? Fingers crossed.

 

*when I  didn’t have my camera

Days out from Sheiling BnB, Tourism, Uncategorized

Signs of Spring

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It’s only the 4th of February and some recent sunny days may have turned my head but I think there are signs of Spring in the air.  I’m definitely noticing longer days, it’s so nice when it stops being dark by 5pm. On my walk this morning I spotted these pushing their way through the roadside verge.

green shoots

Soon there’ll be daffodils brightening my way.  The view down to the bay was extra beautiful   too.

balvicar today

We decided to drive down to Arduaine gardens to see how Spring was looking there.

And I think beautiful is the word?

Then stopped off for a bite of lunch at The Lord of the Isles at Craobh Haven and enjoyed more gorgeous views. It’s dog friendly too.

Back home I was pleased to see these signs of Spring in our garden

and hopefully there’ll be more ready  to welcome guests soon.

 

Interiors, Uncategorized

Back to business

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I haven’t posted in a while, but we haven’t been idle. Walls which were painted last year have been refreshed, furniture has been moved around and the dining  room has a new colour scheme.

We had a little uncertainty about plans for the summer, but now any building work has been pushed back to the Autumn,  so it’s all systems go for the summer season.

We woke to grey skies and rain,  but this afternoon the sun has returned. Lets hope it’s here for the summer.

blue sky and clouds