Reviewed 08 Jun 2008 by Julia Graham
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was such a long journey, but walking into the cottage has to be one of the most memorable experiences. The view from each window spectacular and so close to the loch that it was almost like being on a boat at times! Views changed with the stillness of the water or with the time of day and weather. Misty mountains at dawn to orange and red sunsets and each day and time different from dawn to dusk.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book early and dont hesitate! we were so lucky to get a cancellation. Reading the visitors book it was apparent that people return regularly. Other travellers would not be disappointed with the silence and beauty.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We were encouraged to re-cycle, which we did. the pigs nearby enjoyed our peelings and scraps as much as we enjoyed feeding them. Cleaning materials in the cottage were eco-friendly and we did use the cotton bags that were left for shopping.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic. Unmissable. Wish it was this time last week and we were just arriving. the surrounding area is breathtaking. white sandy beaches that were empty! turquoise sea, wildlife in abundance! all so tranquil. 300 photos in a week speaks for itself!
Reviewed 04 Sep 2007 by Sarah Chaudhri
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Day trip to Isle of Lewis and climbing Stac Pollaidh. 11 red deer grazing by our front door.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You are paying for 1 star accommodation - so don't expect luxury.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good - unfortunately let down by poor weather.
Reviewed 18 Feb 2006 by Nick White
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching an otter from the lounge window hunting and swimming 10m away on the waters edge of Loch Broom
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take your walking boots and rain gear and get out and see the enthralling landscape, hills and wildlife.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - these cottages employ local and have given a lot of thought to reducing the environmental impact of their visitors. The associated farm is also run using biodynamic principles, a very environmental approach to farming.
4. Any other comments?
The best holiday I've had in the UK. A lovely cosy cottage on a great farm amongst some of the most stunning landscapes rich in wildlife. **** Some stories to tell the grandchildren, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend - ALREADY HAVE AND WILL GO BACK. Thanks and will definitely use responsibletravel.com as much as we can for future holidays - thanks for all your help and all the best with your good work to encourage a more responsible approach to travel.
Reviewed 06 Aug 2005 by Peter Griffith
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The walk above Little Loch Broom (recommended and described in the information-pack placed in the cottage)
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of waterproof clothing!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, exactly. We liked the whole attitude of the people running the place. We especially liked being able to buy organic vegetables on the farm, and Lucy's helpful directions as to where to find other organic food in Ullapool.
4. Any other comments?
We were only there for four days, but we enjoyed it very much. The cottage is lovely, with a splendid view. The "hints for visitors" printed out for us were extremely useful. The standard of the restaurants in Ullapool (the nearest place) was very high.
Reviewed 25 Jul 2005 by Carl Isenbeck
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Nothing
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't book the cottages I booked
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, as it had a touch of eco tourism (e.g. unfiltered river water used for house).
4. Any other comments?
* as the cottage had no views of the lake or the forest, it was dark, and badly equipped.
Read the operator's response here:
I do make it clear that Campbeltown Cottages No 1 and No 2 have full Loch views if people ask for a loch view, the other cottages do not, but they are set in a very peaceful spot with birch woodland in front and pine woodland behind, I do not understand why Mr Isenbeck could not see woodland? But I do see that perhaps I should make it clear on the website and change the sentence from "Some Cottages have Loch views" to No 1 and No 2 Campbeltown Cottages have Loch views as this would be more precise.
With regard to the equipment of the cottage each year we inventory it ourselves - it is fairly comprehensive; whilst every effort is made by cleaning staff during each changeover to ensure that the house is fully equipped (sometimes we have losses or breakages) we are not infallible. However, if a guest is displeased with any aspect of the cottages or requires any additional equipment we will be happy to help. I am available at the office each morning and at home all day. I did attempt to meet Mr Isenbeck the day he arrived, but he came rather late and we were asleep. I would have welcomed his input on any improvements needed. However, I feel for its price (£10.18 per night assuming 4 guests) it is a good budget option as even the youth Hostel in Ullapool charges £12/night. The cottage is inspected annually by the Scottish Tourist Board and has been awarded 2 stars for quality assurance.
Darkness: does this refer to natural light or to lightbulbs? Natural light: the cottages were built in 1880 to withstand the Highland winters, therefore the windows are not panoramic, but adequate. The light bulbs we use are all eco-friendly between 8 and 11 watts, so they may be darker - but we feel that energy efficiency should be a priority of the cottages.
With regard to our eco-tourism credentials the cottages support environmental management projects: tree planting, grassland management, habitat restoration and biodynamic farming. With each let we pick a bunch of Biodynamic Calendulas which welcome each guest to their cottage together with a copy of the local newspaper, tourist info and a bag of logs. Our office is run to minimise the use of resources and our staffing policy favours local employment and supports year round jobs in an area that usually sees its working population unemployed when the summer tourist season is over. We have a Wednesday Farm Shop selling our organic veg. and we invite guests to come to a free tasting session at lunchtime. In point of fact the water supplied to the cottages is from the mains as since 1995 we have no longer been able to supply the cottages from a private river supply due to European Health and Safety legislation which is a shame. We also source our electricity from Good Energy which uses small scale renewables only.
I would also like to point out that we hold the Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award and are inspected bi-annually by the Scottish Tourist Board to ensure that certain benchmarks are maintained. We have a full environmental policy which is implemented and updated constantly. All guests are welcome to inspect this and ask questions or make suggestions. At the back of the cottage Mr Isenbeck stayed in there is a composting facility and two tracks which take you on beautiful walks into the forest and eventually the moorland. We also let other cottages on the Estate some of which have full Loch views and have been awarded 3 or 4 stars by the Scottish Tourist Board.
I am sorry Mr Isenbeck did not enjoy his time and sad that he did not find me at the start of his stay to voice his concerns as I would have been happy to help him, or find alternative accommodation if that was his preference.
