Good news for 2020!

There is not much of it, I know. However, the Badachro Inn has set up a new pizza van which is serving THE most delicious pizzas. They offer a takeaway service too:) See the Badacho Inn website for details.

Just a wee sunset from Glenview during lockdown. The weather was consistently gorgeous for months...which, as we all know, us unusual for Scotland!

Lockdown 2020

Like most people, we spent lockdown doing a mammoth amount of outstanding jobs! Glenview got painted pretty much everywhere, inside and out. A (log overdue) smart TV was purchased so life should be easier on the lounging front:) The sofa leg was repaired, the floor was oiled, the decking was cleaned, new bar stools were bought for the kitchen and improvements were made to the beach access, to name a few. At home the kids were busy gardening and logging but in general had an amazing time playing the sea during the constant sunshine! 2020 is proving to be a tricky year and I hope everyone is well. 

New Bed! 26th July 2017

We've just purchased a new King size bed for the double room, along with a pocket sprung and memory foam mattress, so I'm hoping you will all have a lovely night's sleep. The new duvet is anti-allergy. I know how nice the feathers are to sleep in but it doesn't suit everyone and this duvet gets great reviews. Fresh cotton linen about to be ordered now. Sleep well!

We have a beautiful new stripey carpet on the stairs and upstairs landing. Very swish and cottagey.  I don't have a photo but this year's calves are cute too and in all honesty, the carpet is lovely but the calf is way more photogenic.

15th June 2016

Our new hydro development, Badachro Hydro, in conjunction with Gairloch Estate, is well underway.  The good news for Glenview guests is that this will provide a great new walking trail.  The views from the top over Loch Horrisdale are fantastic.

19th October 2015

Bookings for next year at Glenview have started already.  If you are looking for a summer escape to the Highlands, please contact us on info@shieldaigcroft.com.  In the meantime, we're looking forward to cosy fires and long Autumn walks around Badachro.  It's a lovely time of year.

17th October 2015

Indian summer and glorious Autumn.

Just so beautiful!

Last week of the Summer Available

Self-catering cottage, Glenview has been booked out all summer but we have one remaining week on 26th September if you want to catch the last chance of it before Autumn is upon us. Thanks to all our guests this summer for booking with us and looking after the house so well.

Sea Rescue!

September 2015

She's not just a pretty face, the Targa 44.  Aside from the fun had in boat charters, she makes the ideal rescue vessel with a top speed of 36 knots.  We love a happy ending to a drama at sea.  Well done to the 13-year old boy who rescued his Grandad! And well done to the Coastguard for putting out an all-ships call.

Film Production Charter - July 2015

We are sworn to secrecy on where we went but suffice to say another very fun week at sea around The Minch with a great bunch of people, as well as dolphins, puffins, gannets, all surrounded by amazing scenery.  We thoroughly enjoyed it!

Targa Charter - June 2015 - Around Skye

Another great time had with a lovely couple who returned this year for another three days on the Targa.  We circumnavigated Skye again but stopped in different places from last year.  This time it was lunch on-board at the Crowlin Islands, ashore for a walk in Plockton, follwed by the first overnight in Portree where they had dinner at fabulous The Three Chimneys restuarant.  Day two was a potter into some lochs to find pilot whales, anchoring at Sandaig Bay for lunch and a walk ashore to see the site of 'Ring of Bright Water'. We then we decided to go around the South of Skye onto the West coast to anchor for the night in Loch Harport where we had Shieldaig Croft Highland beef stew followed by a trip ashore to hear live music at the Carbost Inn. The final day was a cruise up he west coast of Skye, heading North, investigating islands and eventually stopping at Staffin Bay for lunch before returning to Badachro for drinks in the Boathouse. 

6th March 2015

This is about as much of a traffic jam as you will see up here.  We have no traffic lights, no round-abouts and have no need of signs reminding us to be courteous drivers or to fill up our washing fluid.  The cows are moved up and down the road about six times a year for dosing, calving or to chew the good grass in the paddocks but they spend most of their time enjoying the views from the hill on the Torr.

16th Feb 2015

Almost fully booked for the summer at Glenview self-catering. 

Here are the last remaining dates for the summer:

2nd-9th May

30th May-13th June

29th Aug-5th Sept

Please email: info@shieldaigcroft.com if you'd like to chat about a holiday in the Highlands - Mairi x

14 places you'd never believe were in Scotland - a great set of photos!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/12-places-youd-never-believe-were-in-scotland-aplm#.en2P0VWvN

21st Jan 2015 - Seanachaidh X-43

Looking for something a bit different for your cruise around the Scottish Highlands? Seanachaidh [She-na-hay] is a high performance cruiser/racer, making sailing a joy and covering distance with ease. Based in the stunning village of Badachro, she departs from a private pontoon, where you can load and unload at your leisure. The Boathouse is at your disposal as you start and end your trip, equipped with showers, fresh towels and a log burning stove. Cruising the Highlands in speed and comfort awaits…

(Availability: She is booked 5th-12th June, 4th-1th July, 28th July - 7th Aug.)

8th January 2015 - RYA certified courses

Calling all budding yachtsmen!  Our boats are now available for RYA courses for sail or power.  We operate through our partners, Spirit of June in the village of Badachro, Loch Gairloch amongst some of the most stunning scenery in the Highlands of Scotland.  Courses are available for all levels from Day Skipper to Yachtmaster.  We can also offer milebuilders. Contact info@shieldaigcroft.com or call 01445 741 229 for more info.

6th January 2015

Our X-43 sailing yacht, Seanachaidh is now taking bookings for charter, bareboat or skippered.  We look forward to greeting you with champers or coffee in the boathouse, showers and fresh towels at your disposal, and easy departure from our private pontoon.  A life on the ocean wave awaits...or the Minch in this case.

4th January 2015

Happy New Year from all of us at Shieldaig Croft!  It's been over three years since we moved here and life couldn't be better!  Boat charters, holiday rentals and the Highland cattle are all going really well as we send a big thank you to our guests on land and sea.

For those wishing a Highland holiday in cosy croft house, Glenview, we have already taken 14 weeks bookings for this year so please get in touch if you fancy enjoying some fabulous walking and fresh air in the north: info@shieldaigcroft.com.  Wishing you a happy 2015!

Thanks so much to all our guests this year for renting Glenview and for their lovely comments in the visitors book.  Here a sample of some:

"Very relaxing holiday made all the nicer by Mairi and Ewan's hosting help.  Beautiful views all around and so many nice touches about the croft"

Kent (August)

"Superb location!  We've loved staying here, sure to be back.  Thank you"

Staffordshire (Sept)

"Lovely cottage, beautiful area. Thank you!"

Appin (Oct)

Haste ye back.

Winter is lovely!

I'm all in favour of summer - lots of people visiting, constantly out in the sea, lovely runs along the coast.  It's like a little bit of paradise.  Winter, however, is also good and there is something very atmosheric about the wind howling outside while you sit by the fire with a nice glass of red.  It's quieter here in winter and if you're the kind of person who believes in the old addage that it's not the weather, it's the clothes you wear, then the Highlands is a great place for a winter break.  Glenview has availablity from 8th Nov - 18th Dec so please get in touch if you fancy getting away from it all.

11th Sept 2014

The view from the house at 8am this morning!  It's another beautiful day.

2nd Sept 2014. Manonabeach http://manonabeach.com/?p=10137 is all about a guy who makes a living going around all the beautiful beaches in the UK.  Not a bad job really.  Here he visits Gairloch and checks out Gairloch Sands, Big Sands and Red Point.  It gives you an idea of the views, over the sea to Skye and behind towards the Torridon mountains. They are better in real life so you really need to get up here!

9th June 2014

It's a hard life but someone has to do it....

What a wonderful few days of 'work' at sea!  Dad (Iain) and I enjoyed the company of two lovely guests aboard 'Mighdean Mhara', our Targa 44 motor boat.  Great fun, many laughs, fabulous scenery, calm waters and even sunshine.  In our three days at sea, we circumnavigated Skye, stopping to see various sights, including Eilean Donan, Sandaig Bay, Loch Knoydart, Rhum, Canna, Scalpay Harris, and finishing our travels with a few glasses of fizz anchored at the Shiant Islands, basking in sunshine.  The wildlife played game too with Minke whales, dolphins jumping the bow wave, porpoise, seals and puffins aplenty.  Massive thanks to our lovely guests, Mike and Sara - we thouroughly enjoyed your company!

Easter 2014

'Lucky' the calf was fished out the Badachro river by a passing boatman at 11.30pm and was taken into the Badachro Inn, wrapped in a blanket and put in front of the fire.  We arrived and the whole pub was around him, willing to warm up.  He then ended up in our kitchen, recovering from his ordeal.  With the kitchen being a less than tenable solution, especially with 3 children, dogs and several visitors, he was taken in by neighbours who have a cattle shed where he is well looked after!  He has been renamed 'Samson'.  I love happy endings!

6th January, 2014

Papa the stockfarmer, the second book of the What do the grown-ups do? series, is to be distributed in Canada by our friends at The Highland Heritage Farm in Alberta.  We met as they bought bull semen from my father's fold (I appreciate it is not the most obvious way to make friends!).  For those in Canada who are interested in the book, please drop me a line and I will put you in touch with Barb!  The book is aimed at children aged 5-10 years as is based on a true story from Shieldaig Croft www.kidseducationalbooks.com.

6th January, 2014

Glenview - holiday rental

With 15 weeks reserved so far, Glenview is rapidly getting booked up, especially in the summer months.  Christmas and New Year are already gone too.  I've just had a cancellation so the house is now free from 21st June-12th July 2014.  There is also a week free from 19th July-26th July.  Please get in touch with me if you are interested in a Highland holiday. You can see more images in Accommodation.

Happy New Year!

5th Jan 2013

From all at Shieldaig Croft, we wish you a wonderful 2014.  We've had a really lovely Christmas and New year but it is now a relief to be back to work!  It's been a great year here in the Highlands with farming, house rentals, boat charters and our new forest regeneration all going very well.  Plenty more to do!

This year will see the planting of about 150,000 trees and completion of the Torr track, which will be used to alternate cattle feeding stations to avoid over-poaching the ground.  We have our PD testing today, which is late but the chap seems to have covered the entire west coast mainland and islands before he could get here.  For any locals reading this, there will be more traffic jams between 3-4pm today as we move the cows down to the paddock (apologies!).  All the best for 2014! - Mairi x

29th Dec 2013

Holding up the traffic!  We cause a little havoc on the roads throughout the year as we have to move the Highlanders approx 1.5 miles from the hill, down the road, to the cattle handling area.  We managed to find a dry day between Christmas and New Year to dose the cattle and wean the final two calves.  All calves are now in the paddock and will be sold at Dingwall market in Spring.  The cows, heifers and steers are back on the hill, braving what has been a very wet and windy winter.

We have to put up cattle warning signs but we don't want to stop people enjoying their walk!  This one is on The Torr.

6th December 2013

Here is where our Highlanders live, overlooking Badachro bay on the land known as 'The Torr'.  Full of peat, heather and bog myrtle, the Highlanders graze from the sea to the peaks.  With a fresh river running through it, and acres of space, it is ideal Highlander ground, only for the hardiest animals.  Nice views though...

14th November, 2013

Finally got round to taking some photos of the pure Highland heifers and the x-shorthorn calves.  The heifers are a lively bunch and are pictured here in the paddock.  They will be kept as breeding stock, taking us to 19 breeding cows.  Dambuster, our Shorthorn bull will be coming back for his holidays from my Dad's farm to see his ladies and we will be producing more X-shorthorn calves in 2014.

Seanachaidh, our charter yacht is in Inverness getting cleaned and antifouled, ready for next year! If you are interesed in booking your sailing holiday for the summer, where we will welcome you with a glass of champers at the Boathouse, please get in touch!  This is us at West Highland Week this year - tremendous fun!

21st October 2013

Papa the stockfarmer is book 2 of the series What do the grown-ups do?  Again, for those who have visited Shieldaig Croft, there will be many familiar faces, be they animal or human!  Please contact me if you'd like a copy as they will not be available in the shops until 28th February 2014.

More information on the books can be found at www.kidseducationalbooks.com

21st October, 2013

I'm about to launch a new series of books called What do the grown-ups do?  Their aim is to educate children aged 5-10 years about working life, and the workd around them, using chatty, light-hearted stories.  The stories are all based here and for those of you who have visited and stayed at Glenview, you will recognise the places and maybe even some of the people. 

I'm holding a local book launch at the Gale centre (tourist office) in Gairloch on Sat, 9th Nov from 2-3pm.  Coffee & cake will be served and all are welcome.  The first two books of the series will not be published until 28th February but I have copies here so if you if you are looking for a Christmas present for the kids, please get in touch and I can send you the books.

Once they are published in February, they will be available on Amazon as well as in bookshops around the country.  I have a separate website for the books for more information.  Happy reading!

www.kidseducationalbooks.com

19th October, 2013

It's just great to have Glenview finished and looking beautiful.  The feedback from guests has been everything we could have hoped for.  Thank you to all who have stayed here, for looking after it, and for your kind words.   

The 'Tigh mo shenair' that you see on the herb boxes and in the kitchen means 'House of my grandfather', as he built it around 1910. I know my great-grandparents would be pleased to see it being enjoyed by so many.  Glenview is already neary fully booked for the summer of 2014 so if you are wanting to come and stay, please get in touch and I'll block it out for you!

Thanks to all the lovely guests, Mairi x

29th September, 2013

It' been a beautoful summer again in the Highlands and we had a late summer hot and sunny day where we met with friends to play rounders on the beach.  Sun, sand, sea and views over to the Skye and the Outer Isles.  I can't think of anywhere I would rather be!

23rd July 2013

Glenview is ready!

Glenview renovations are finally finished and the views from the kitchen over-looking the sea are fantastic!  The first tenants are there for two weeks and seem to be very happy!  It is available for rental and we hope you enjoy your home from home.

21st July 2013

Seanachaidh sailing boat charter

We welcomed our lovely Swiss guests to the Boathouse to begin their Seanachaidh sailing charter.  Alex and his crew were fantastic guests and solid sailors.  They covered some large distances in their fortnight of cruising, reaching Oban and back, via many of the outer isles. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them.

7th January 2013

Seanachaidh yacht charters

Sailing yacht, 'Seanachaidh' already has several bookings for 2013 through Spirit of June Yacht Charters. We look forward to welcoming our new guests to our corner of the Highlands, meeting at the Boathouse and departing from the private pontoon.

In July the BBC chartered the Targa 44 'Mighdean Mhara' for two days to film whales for the BBC's One Show.  They spanned a fair distance in their time and finally managed to spot the whales as well as dolphins and porpoise. They have some fantastic footage and we look forward to watching it on The One Show sometime in January 2013!