Isle of Islay self catering accommodation, Scotland

Isle of Islay self catering accommodation, Scotland

How this holiday makes a difference

We are passionate about the wild place that is the Oa and are committed to sharing it with our guests by providing high-quality low impact holiday experiences. Tourism is important to the sustainability of our island community. Traditionally people have visited Islay mainly in the High season summer months.

We are committed to support a wide range of local businesses and enterprises in our operations including care and maintenance of the property. We encourage our guests to support local suppliers and use local services. We believe that in order to be sustainable this support needs to be year round rather than only in the high season summer months.

We encourage our guests to enjoy and appreciate the fragile local environment. We offer tailormade bushcraft experiences from a five star wildlife operator. The family farm is operated using the traditional farming methods which have encouraged wildlife for generations and we work in co-operation with the neighbouring RSPB reserve.

The local angling club has improved access to the nearby Glenastle Loch and we support the club with corporate membership fees and sponsor the annual Coillabus Quaich. We share our passion for wild places with The John Muir Trust. We support the work of the Trust and provide information on the Trust for our guests. Should they wish to do so we encourage our guests to offset the carbon emissions made in travelling to Islay by supporting the John Muir Trust.

We operate a paper-free marketing policy and use a website to promote the cottage. We use email and electronic means of communication where possible. When we do use paper and envelopes they are made from recycled paper. We provide facilities for our guests to recycle paper, card, plastic, aluminium and glass. Weather permitting we line dry our towels and bedlinen which also minimises electricity used in ironing. 100% of our electricity is produced from sustainable Hydro Electric plants.

We use eco friendly cleaning materials and provide recycled toilet rolls and bin bags and have recently installed massive amounts of loft insulation. The open fire burns local fallen trees and the back boiler supplements the immersion heater.

Isle of Islay self catering accommodation, Scotland

Reviewed 10 Apr 2010 by Alison Boast

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

There were lots of brilliant bits.
- Arriving to see how beautiful it was at the cottage.
- Settling down in front in the fire, listening to music, reading and sewing.
- Trekking through deep peat to see abandoned settlements.
- Watching the stars in the completely black sky.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

There was lots to do at the cottage, some really good walk books of which we did 4 or 5 walks, board games, reading material. It is really isolated and that makes you want to stay in and enjoy the seclusion. We took our mountain bikes and whilst there isn't much off roading the local roads would not be suited to road bikes with the subsidence from being on peat so these were the best choice. Proper walking boots and gaiters essential in March as even the tops stay very wet. Its a great location for photography and painting.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

We did a couple of whisky tours which helped local people employed there. We gave business to local shops & restaurants. We recycled our waste and were respectful of the places we visited trying to leave no traces of our visit.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

We are still missing Islay and the cottage a few weeks after returning. It is a real family home that feels lived in and comfortable. We plan to return for another holiday. The owner was really helpful with any requests for information.