Spring in Arisaig - what's new at Ach na skia Croft

There has been a lot going on here at Ach na skia Croft the past few weeks, with a frenzy of activity preceding our annual QA inspection visit by the Tourist Board, or "Visit Scotland" as they are now known. We passed with flying colours once again, with our two 3 star properties only not achieving a 4 star because of restrictions on space in one or other area. So you know you're getting a good deal quality wise! The two 4 star Lodges hold their 4 star grade very comfortably.

Great spells of weather in February and March have meant we've been able to get a lot of outdoor jobs done, so a lot of the house is bright and white again and we have a lovely new wall between the house and the Cottage, which has tidied things up considerably. We are delighted to see so many of our guests returning again this year - we're so glad you keep coming back and telling your friends about us. I'll give you a little sneak preview of some of the changes in store! Cottage guests will find not only the wall, but some bonnie new tiling in the kitchen and the addition of a kitchen trolley to provide a little more work and storage space, as one of our guests thought it could do with a bit more.

We ourselves lived in the Cottage years ago with our 2 teenage children and never had a problem, but we try to listen to your feedback and give you what you want! The additional outside light on the corner of the building has improved the illumination of the path from the gate for winter visitors. A new gate is on its way.

Island View already has its new gate and also has a new tile splashback in the kitchen. New dimmable lights are going in in the kitchen dining area next week and the bathroom now has a privacy lock handle - an improvement on the old bolt.

Creag Mhor's gate is moving to a new, improved we hope, position and is wider than previously, which required an additional stretch of path. We hope to have this work finished for our guests arriving on Saturday for the week. The old gate area has been tidied up, with a stone step and edging to define the flower bed and grass and leading to the back garden.

Both Creag Mhor and Glen Mhor have new Viner's cutlery sets and pans with steamers and egg poachers. Glen Mhor also benefits from an additional outside light, at the end of the building.

In all the properties, we now are delighted to have lots of original watercolours commissioned from Laura Kingswood who studied at Newcastle, did an MA at Goldsmith's in London, worked first for Zakee Shariff, a textile and clothes designer in London, then for Damian Hirst, who needs no introduction, and now works as Artist in Residence with the children of Room 13 at Caol Primary school in Fort William. Recent commissions, apart from us, have been for the new Medical Centre in Fort William.

Everywhere is painted, washed, scrubbed up and sparkling ready for the new season - just a bit of outdoor painting to do in the next few weeks, weather permitting. It's still a bit chilly for that at present.

As you see, we don't sit still at Ach na skia - especially since I retired!!

For those of you who have been monitoring the (snail's pace!) progress of our new house up the hill, we are excited to report that as I write the slates are going on and the main section is almost complete. Hopefully all will be complete in 3 or 4 weeks' time and we can get those funny shaped windows in!

Our visitors this week have enjoyed beautiful sunny days, vivid sunsets and perfect skiing conditions at Nevis Range.

Eagle Watch cruises on Loch Sheil at Glenfinnan have started up for the season this week and the boats are going into the water at Arisaig marina. The Sheerwater trips from Arisaig to the islands of Eigg, Rum and Muck, with time ashore to explore these diverse and interesting islands, will commence on April 28th. 2008 and run until 21st. September. A wide array of sea and bird life can be spotted on and around the islands and it is not unusual for sailings to be slightly late due to a detour to watch Minke Whales, Basking Sharks or Dolphins!

If you're coming over the March Easter break you will be disappointed if you're hoping for one of Jeed's nummy Thai take-aways, as she's off on holiday herself from the 23rd. for a couple of weeks to get some r&r before another busy season. You could wet your taste buds with a look at her menu if you are visiting after 6 April. Meanwhile you could try the Indian restaurant in Mallaig, "Mallaig Spice", which specialises in excellent contemporary Indian Cuisine and you can eat in our get a take-away.I had a delicious meal last week at the Cornerstone restaurant in Mallaig, who also serve fish and chips to take away. If you want to feel like one of the local fishermen you could try the food or just a cuppa at the Fisherman's Mission.

Well, that's all for this update - I know I'll keep thinking of things I've forgotten, but it's time to go and get on with things on the croft. The only reason I had time for this was I was making Hot Cross buns for the roofers (and us) ............... mmm!!

One final thought - maybe this year I will meet the ever-busy-on-his-computer John Winkler of Bayview in Kentallen, another fan of Arisaig, with his own lovely holiday cottage in Glencoe.

Christmas approaches at Arisaig

The "Festive Season" is rapidly approaching in Arisaig as elsewhere. Carol singers and Santa, complete with elves and workshop, have visited the Cnoc na Faire. The new, weatherproof, ultra modern tree has been lit up and welcomes visitors. David and Jenny (and myself) have had their birthdays, as has a rather surprised Stuart of Rockhopper sea kayaking, and the parties, complete with Tequila Cocktail fountains and an abundance of girls in school uniform sporting bunches, are over for another year. Sue's house was well and truly warmed as the hung over party-goers traipsed in for bacon sarnies and potent mulled wine.

Becoming a full-time builder has its responsibilties - out in all weathers and keeping an eye on who is going where and why, all of which passes me by at the moment.

The weather has turned a little wintry. Rum, Roshven and the Cuillins have a sprinkling, and the Ben has a good covering of snow. Davey has hopes of a good season at Nevis Range this year.

A few more concerts, Christmas dinners and parties and we will be ready for Christmas day and a walk on the beach at Camusdarach or Traigh before Christmas dinner.

Will you be here? We still have vacancies for Christmas week and one property free for New Year week if you would like to join us at Ach na skia Croft, where you can chill out and forget your worries.

Autumn in Arisaig

Autumn in Arisaig started more of an Indian winter than an Indian summer with some quite chilly days, but recently there have been some great days for getting the sea kayaks out.

This week has seen 2 groups of kayaker/canoeists at Ach na skia Croft. Dougal and friends had 2 good days on the water, hiring 3 of the club Capellas.

Day 1 saw them out to the islands in Arisaig Bay and round the corner to Back of Keppoch then back to Island View to chill out.

Day 2: Out of Loch Ailort and round to the bothy before heading back to the rat race.

The Punters from Banbury are making the most of the weather with their Canadian Canoe, with some ambitious ideas for trips up Loch Nevis to Sourlies Bothy, or to Oban Bothy at the head of Loch Morar.

The highlight for us recently has been a trip to Canna on the last Saturday of September. Seven o'clock in the morning saw us loading the 6 kayaks onto the CalMac ferry at Mallaig. A very tasty full breakfast on the ferry set us up for the morning. Met a few old friends on the boat. John "Bird" Chester from Eigg was heading home after a couple of weeks in the south of France and was looking forward to some proper weather (but not the e-mails!). Eilidh, Canna's teacher, who is taking the school roll as a personal challenge, was on the boat returning from a course, complete with "bump". Morag from Eigg was on her way home from a few days teaching on Rum.

After a quick stop on Rum we arrived at Canna at 10a.m. and were on the water by 10.30a.m. Much discussion about the times and direction of tidal flow had led us to decide to journey in an anti-clockwise direction. Not sure how long it might take, and not wanting to miss the afternoon ferry home, we set off at a good pace, pausing to explore the huge caves on the south of Sanday island. We reached our anticipated lunch stop at Tarbert, where Eilidh said she might meet us, long before lunchtime and decided to crack on and see where we found ourselves. On the next stretch we disturbed a pair of sea eagles that must have been feeding on a carcass at the shore, as they flew up and over us at close quarters. We must have had a bit of tidal flow in our favour as we were soon round to Garrisdale point on the west of the island where we came upon the first of a number of massive Atlantic grey seals. Just as were lining up to go through a narrow gap in the rock on the isside of the skerries one loomed up to the left and slithered down the rock beside us and under the boats. As we approached our new lunch spot at Sgeir nan Sgarbh another was perched on a rock singing a loud and soulful song. On the beach we were watched carefully by a herd of Highland cattle.

The island was much more dramatic than I had imagined it, with towering cliffs and rocky caves being a major feature. The different colours of the layers of rock were fascinating.

The final stretch of the journey was rewarded with further wildlife sightings. Having just passed the Iorcail stac we approached another large rock, An t-Each. Rebecca and Bill went off to explore a cave and I looked up saw a huge shape on top of the rock. As Mike approached I pointed it out to him. Not having his glasses on he thought it was a sheep, but no, it was an extremely large Golden Eagle! While Mike and I sat patiently waiting for it Jill continued on round the rock and was the lucky one, seeing both the one we were watching and its partner fly off.

We got back to the pier by 4p.m. expecting to find Bill and Rebecca already there, but it turned out we'd left them behind in the cave - much ribbing from a foursome of kayakers from Paisley who were already on the pier! After changing clothes and tidying up the gear we had time for a short walk up to the unusual Free Church and along the road. An island that is definitely worth another visit.

The ferry at 6.30p.m. fed us another good meal, gave us a cracking sunset and landed us back in Mallaig at 9p.m. - 6 happy bunnies.

Next we're off for some paddling in the Kornati islands off the Croatian coast. Laura will be looking after things at Ach na skia Croft till we get back.