Rise in VAT for 2011

Worried about the cost of next year's holiday with the new 20% VAT rate? If you book direct with the small business owner then you've no need to worry, as, having a small turnover, we charge no VAT at all! In Scotland there are many small businesses offering self catering holidays and the variety is a wide as your imagination. Scotland is 31,510 sq. miles in area, 274 miles long from North to South and varies in breadth between 24 and 154 miles.

The Highlands, in the north, is largely wild and rugged with mountains, glens, lochs and a deeply indented coastline with lots of places to explore.

A visit to Ach na skia Croft self caterig cottage and Lodges in Arisaig in the Highlands north west of Fort William and Ben Nevis,

with stunning views across the sea to the islands of Eigg, Rum and Skye and the dramatic Cuillin mountains and many lovely sandy beaches

or, if you fancy Argyll, you could try Bayview at Kentallen

by the lochside south of Fort William on the way to Oban,

will afford you that 20% extra to spend on what YOU want -

perhaps some lovely fresh, local fish from Andy Race,

or a trip to one of the Small Isles - Eigg, Rum, Muck - on the Sheerwater out of Arisaig,

maybe catching sight of minke whale or basking shark,

or a mouth-watering authentic Thai take away from Sunset in Morar, freshly made to order.

Enjoy the relaxation and delights of a self catering holiday in Scotland for 2011.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

2010 season in full swing

This weekend saw the first major influx of visitors since Easter. Bright, sunny weather with a bit of a breeze saw people enjoying eating out on the terraces and getting out and about.

At Ach na skia Croft we have a new kitchen in Island View with a larger fridge freezer - looks very smart.

Creag Mhor Lodge sadly had to have a complete makeover after having a burst pipe at Christmas, so all new in there, including table, chairs, bed, sofas, a mile thick wool carpet and underfloor heating and a lovely glass bath shower screen in the bathroom.

New sofas mean there's been a general sofa shuffle and Glen Mhor also has some nice new Sheesham wood furniture.

The new house is coming bit by bit and we are hoping to get the exterior coating going on this week - fingers crossed for the weather. Inside the pipework is operational and we'll soon be moving on to getting the underfloor heating in there.

Had a most enjoyable visit this weekend from our old friend Geoff, who rode all the way from Somerset on his motorbike to see us.

Geoff helped build and erect the fantastic oak frame we have inside the single storey part of the new house and I was pleased that he was impressed by my sanding skills and the fact that we now actually have some walls around the frame!

He even approved of the way we had put the porch up - phew!

Geoff has had his own timber framing company, based in Somerset, for a few years now, and they are building up an impressive portfolio of both traditional and contemporary designs in both oak and douglas fir. You couldn't wish for better craftsmanship, they are good listeners, and will make sure you get exactly what you are looking for.

A few of our sea kayaks were hired out this weekend and some lively seas and plenty of seals were enjoyed by all. We have 2 more sea kayaks this season (Siroccos) and 2 Canadian Canoes for folk who fancy taking the family out for a picnic and a paddle.

Geoff also had his first sea kayak christening!

I have been excited to see a black-eared wheatear around the croft - a colourful bird - and also a meadow pipit in the garden. The field was full of fieldfares this morning and the swallows have returned.

Christmas and New Year at Arisaig

Last minute availability for Christmas and New Year at Ach na skia Croft self catering, Arisaig, on the beautiful coast of the West Highlands of Scotland. We have just had a cancellation for Island View for New Year week, so if you fancy getting some peace and quiet in a fabulous location now's your chance. Reduced to £560 for the week (weekly rate only, regardless of length of stay). The Cottage is also reduced to £550 for the week. Dates are negotiable. Please visit our website for full details of us, our properties, facilities (games room and sauna) and what there is in the area (sandy beaches, great views, great walks, good food and lots more).

Festivities last Sunday at the Cnoc na Faire hotel, just up the road, went with a bang. Santa with his real reindeer, visits by a "penguin" and other curious animals and a fabulous firework display, not to mention a few carols.

There is already snow on the hills, so lets hope the lovely crisp weather keeps up till the holidays and we can get some skiing up at Nevis Range.

View of the islands of Rum and Eigg from Ach na skia Croft.

High summer in Arisaig

Arisaig is a hive of activity now it's the holidays. Kayaks and canoes of all shapes and sizes are up here in abundance enjoying some quite lively sea. Some of the Sea Kayak Highlands rental kayaks are over on Knoydart AGAIN for the week - seems to be a popular destination this year. Of course, this was the Knoydart Games weekend, so it will have been busy over there too.

It's the season for Highland Games and the Arisaig Games last week had great weather and a cracking turnout, both for the games and the dance in the Astley Hall later, where young and old danced with enthusiasm into the early morning. Today is the turn of the Mallaig and Morar Games and another good day for it.

Astley Hall hosted a more genteel concert on 27 July, with pianist Robin Colvill playing some popular piano classice to a good audience, then on Thursday evening grew more lively again with The MacAlmans. Next event at the hall is the Family Ceilidh Dance on 11 August - guaranteed to be another good knees-up.

Been having a go at making some slide shows of kayaking trips etc. and decided to try one for Ach na skia Croft. I've put it up on MySpace so see what you think. It's always hard to show the place in its best light. This bunny - a very tame resident of the Cottage garden, was too late to get in the show, but I caught him snuggled down keeping his bum out of the breeze yesterday.

We have one week free at the end of August in one of our 4 star Lodges, if you have a chance for a break before the end of the summer. Have a look at the details on the website. There is still some availability in September too, when things quieten down a bit. People are starting to think about booking for next year, so if you want a popular week don't leave it too late.

What a year so far!

Oh so quiet on the blogging front 'cos just been having too much fun! Paddling exploits so far this year have seen us at Corrievreckan, Grey Dog, Cuan Sound, Kyle Rhea, Ardnamurchan Point, Sleat Point, St. Kilda, Monach Islands, Taransay, as well as lots of local fun - beautiful, sunny BBQ paddle, feasting in the Morar estuary. If you'd like to see some pics we have a few on TwitPic.

As well as doing our own paddling we've started renting out sea kayaks. If you have some experience and fancy a day or two on the water when you're up here in the Arisaig area, check out SeaKayakHighlands.

Friends and blog followers may wonder how the house building project is going. Well, what do you think? Slowly!! You just have to make the most of the long days and lovely weather. Hoping to have water and electricity soon and maybe some window cills. No birds nesting in the house this year, now that windows and doors sealed off. The greatest amount of frog and toad spawn ever around the house was doing well until the prolonged dried spell, when most of them perished, sadly, despite our attempts at relocation!

Rabbits are doing way too well, on the other hand. We have normal rabbit-coloured rabbits, black or partly black rabbits, and white or partly white rabbits. Very colourful and cute, but extremely annoying when they eat all the plants you've just carefully bought and planted out.

On the Croft, guests have been happy and enjoying some mixed, but mostly good, weather. Sunsets have been up to scratch and dolphins gave a great display in Mallaig harbour one day. Sheerwater trips to the islands are well under way and the "Jacobite" Steam Train is back and chuffing up and down between Mallaig and Fort William.

We're fully booked until 29th. August except for one little lonely week on 27th. June in the Cottage up for grabs if you fancy a break before the school hols. get going in ernest. It sleeps up to 4 in 2 bedrooms and has a great garden and views across the sea to Rum, Eigg and Skye. (oh, and lots of rabbits!) Check "Ach na skia Croft offers" for details. Wi-Fi internet access, use of sauna and games room. Home from home!

If you're a twitterer, we now do a little twittering ourselves, so check us out on Twitter.

Well, that's enough of being indoors - I'm off out into the sun . . . .

Sea kay rental and Knoydart's 10th. anniversary

Easter's over and we have had some great kayaking weather - blue skies and a bit of a breeze to keep life interesting. Sea Kayak Highlands' first kayak hirers took the double up Loch Nevis and camped a night on Long Beach at Inverie, making the most of the hospitality of the Old Forge. Yesterday the pier at Mallaig was packed with excited campers heading for the musical celebrations of the 10th. anniversary of the Knoydart Foundation. With totally perfect weather, no midgies and a fantastic line-up of bands including include Squashy Bag Dance Band, Mystery Juice, Vaguely Cajun, Lori Watson, Daimh, Bombskare and Shooglenifty, the weekend will not doubt be an unqualified success with lots of burned noses. There are anniversary events taking place throughout the year so if you fancy a taste of Knoydart this is a good year to visit. The Western Isles ferry makes regular trips to Inverie in summer and also calls in at Tarbert, so if you walk along the north shore of Loch Morar and then across to Loch Nevis you can connect with the 3.30p.m. boat to take you back to Mallaig - a great day out.

The second group of hirers took the double and a single sea kayak and headed north up the coast from Arisaig village to Traigh beach and then back down to Back of Keppoch where we met them on our way to go out for an evening paddle ourselves. Lots of oyster catchers and sanderlings about on the skerries.

On the subject of music, there was a beautiful concert in Arisaig this week with Duncan Chisholm and Ivan Drever impressing a very appreciative audience with their accomplished and sensitive performances - and some good craic too.

Wednesday saw the official opening of the final stretch of road - so now we have no more single track road between Fort William and Mallaig. Wednesday evening saw a family ceilidh in the village hall, foot stomping along to Ross and Eilidhs tunes.

What's new at Ach na skia Croft for 2009

Well! QA Inspection just over for another year and we're still sitting very comfortably at the top of the 3 and 4 star brackets. They were most impressed with the brand new kitchens going in to Creag Mhor and Glen Mhor, the 4 star Lodges. Creag Mhor's is complete and our German guests are thrilled with the addition of a dishwasher, not to mention new ceramic hob, oven and fridge - all 'A' rated to help keep the carbon footprint under control - more work surface, under cupboard lights and twin bin for sorting the rubbish for the Council's new recyclable waste collection bin.

Meanwhile the Cottage porch is getting a makeover with some slate-look tiles which should look very smart.

The Wi-Fi we put in last year has been very popular with our guests, who can use it to check out what's on around Arisaig while they're here.

Another new venture we are dippping our toes in this year is sea kayak hire. Being keen kayakers ourselves and lucky enough to live in what is recognised as one of the most fantastic sea kayaking destinations in the world, we are happy to share our knowledge and now our boats with like minded paddlers who would like to hire a boat for a day or 2, or even a week or more, to explore the area.

As we don't have the time at the moment to come out with you on the water, hire will be restricted to paddlers with some experience.

The daffodils are blooming and Spring will soon be on it's way so we look forward to seeing you all at Ach na skia Croft soon. You might even see a few developments up at the new house, though progress is at a standstill again at the moment while we polish the skirting boards for all our 2009 guests!