Coullabus Beag, self catering cottage.

08/08/2022

Hello folks. After three long years of being for sale, I can finally say that the cottage WILL NO LONGER be available to let,and we have a last folks in now, came for the Ride of the Falling Rain, which it did rain on Sunday. They are now enjoying rest time and walks with friends and their dogs. THANK-YOU to all our customers over the past eight years. It has been a privilege to have you visit this lovely island and to stay with us. Bring on our retirement! Xx Janet and Andrew.

23/06/2022

Don’t think I have seen so much blossom as this year , on the ceanothus. Slow year to start but at last getting there. Making plenty whisky. After last years drought, the ground and the well needs this replacement. All water for the bungalow, is UV filtered but comes from this ground well, so pure mineral goodness. No wonder some of the Islay gravestones state 98 as an average lifespan!

28/05/2022

A little colour at last in the garden, despite the cold winds, and the new gates, originals wrecked by the spring westerlies! Hopefully winds will pass through this design.

27/05/2022

Flag iris finally in bloom, just in time for the FEIS week, rhododendrons fighting them for the colour title. Bluebells almost passed!

27/05/2022

How lovely to have previous Dutch guests call by for a cuppa, as over again, at last For the FEIS ILE , but not staying with us this year as they missed the booking this time.!

21/05/2022

So nice to make new friends from North Connel and sad to say goodbye this am, but that means we can welcome back folks, now on their fifth visit.

18/04/2022

Nice to have the eagle filming crew back, but on relaxed visit not work time. Wood violets, celandines in bloom and Deadmans Fingers( hemlock) and flag Iris, over a foot tall. April showers bring May flowers.

24/03/2022

24/03/2022

Lovely to get a card from recent visitors, safe home after the horrid gales which hit the country, just wet and winds from the west here. They had a lovely time, as it says on the card, and much appreciated the warmth and the drying room at the bungalow. First of many birdwatching holidays for the young man too, I hope. much different week now, as first two lambs seen in a field whilst enjoying the 19c heat of yesterday

16/01/2022

First snowdrop and primroses showing the colours today.

19/12/2021

Well it’s that time of year again, when the cottage is empty, we get to breathe and do family things, but most of all we send greetings to all the NEW family friends who safely enjoyed the space of Islay and her green hills, or beaches and relaxed at Coullabus Beag. Our calendar is upto date and apart from FEIS and most of May p, June time we look forward to welcoming you if safe to travel and the dates suit, for the first or returning time to Coullabus.. Nollaig Chridheil Agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur, a h, uile Duine. Merry Christmas and a Good New Year to everyone.

28/10/2021

Current visitors, have brought a moth trap box, as well as their chocolate Labrador. Dave very excited this am, as. Last nights haul included a Brindled Ochre. Off to visit the Oa bird reserve this afternoon, now a dry day, unlike yesterday which was monsoon weather in the am. Loch Gruinart reserve opposite the bungalow is now heaving with thousands of Barnacle geese, winter visitors who will be glad to have arrived safely before any more gales hit the island.

20/10/2021

Autumn gales now on and bringing the winter flocks of geese. Getting dark at seven pm which is a shock. A few brambles left to pick and lots of fungi appearing now it is damp and still warm -balmy 16c today.

15/09/2021

Pleased to report after months with none we now have a little rain on the island. Almost back to making whisky weather but still need care with water use and definitely not washing cars yet.

28/08/2021

Sad to say goodbye this am, to lovely family with dogs, bikes and boogie boards. They have had a seriously good time, home from home said the son. And bbq every night watching the sun go down and enjoying a different dram every night, for Dad and a lovely G and T for Mum. Resident greylag geese have given them a taste of autumn noise here on the Flats! And the owl chicks displayed their flying skills. Ardtalla,s loss was definitely our gain.

25/08/2021

Resident flock of greylag geese probably sixty plus, moving about the RSPB Loch Gruinart Flats this am, very noisy and most confusing as the rest wont arrive till mid October. Stripping the barley fields and enjoying life! Pity the poor farmers try8ng to get their crops in.

06/07/2021

VACANCY, due to quarantine regs, our Belgian friends are NOT now coming, so we have one week free commencing 17th July. Tel 01496850596 and discuss with me if interested. Sleeps four and dogs very welcome.

06/07/2021

As the island gets busier, we are noticing more rubbish. Please take this back to your accommodation and do not leave on the Beach, if the car park bin is full , please report this to the council amenities office or your accommodation provider. Thankyou for helping keep the island we all love clean and tidy.

29/06/2021

Garden at last coming on after the cold winds of April and no rain for weeks. Have even resorted to a washup bowl to conserve water and add to garden. Thankfully most of our folks are also gardeners, so they appreciate and are helpful. Now have one week available 17th July, due to folks not able to travel from Belgium, so contact if this is of interest. 01496 850596 janet in an evening best time.

29/06/2021

Sadly our returning guests, delayed one year by Covid, now can’t travel from Belgium , due to the quarantine costs. So we have a week commencing SAT 17th JULY available, if any interest, contact me on 01496 850596 in the evenings, or [email protected] . Thanks sleeps four and dogs very welcome.

25/06/2021

Much needed rain and very heavy at times yesterday and three days of frogs mist rain which will have done the garden a lot of good. And saves my arms and bucketing. Folks in this fortnight have had a good read a book day of pure rest, sensibly not setting foot out the door, where as I had four dogs who wanted walked whatever!

11/06/2021

Lovely to have Craig, Louis and Fiona with us this past week, first kennel guest nine years ago too,! So Louis thinks my house is his house too! Great that they have reserved two weeks for next year. We love repeat business! Best advert there is.

30/05/2021

Such lovely weather, not the Bruichladdich Sunday but the weather is here at last and SO lovely to see a large family enjoying the garden and the BBQ properly.

16/05/2021

Lovely to have folks in again, and for their fourth visit, minus last year! Lovely to see them relaxing already and the dog being crazy over the space!

29/04/2021

Nice to have somebody to sleep over! An essential service engineer.Not getting up to see him off for the 0700 boat in the morning!

29/04/2021

Started to prepare the bungalow for our first guests and of course had to take down the last calendar and was just looking back. Little did we know that the year would be like no other, so it is with great happiness that the country seems to be getting on top of the infections and some sort of normal life can commence. The photo and calendar was a Xmas gift from frequent guests Ian and Sheila, who have enjoyed many weeks of relaxing time with dog, walking, having a cake and coffee somewhere and moving on to the next spot for the camera to be excercised! Obviously my garden gets a shot too! Look forward to meeting old friends and making new.

23/04/2021

Geese appear to have gone and swallows seen this am, then heard the cuckoo. So definitely warmer weather around, and worried about the tadpoles up the hill, as the pond is nearly dry, so little rain this month. Nearly time to welcome back folks who can travel and who are ready for some r and r.

14/12/2020

What a beautiful thought and surprise gift arrived today. Sadly not able to travel the distance so had to cancel two weeks over Christmas and New Year. Thank you to Jo & Phil. Much appreciated. Merry Christmas and stay safe to all who have enjoyed the holiday, r and r, birds, space, beaches whisky, dogs and freedom to hike out. Islay will welcome you all hopefully next year.

21/11/2020

Lovely to have folks from Argyll, get well earned relaxation time and see some eagles! Their parting comment was such a lovely place and quality towels! We aim to please!

12/11/2020

No boats until late yesterday but the weather is to settle again, which means the birds will hopefully be up and flying about. Thousands of geese, hundreds of swans and so many other over wintering species here to delight those who are allowed to travel. Stay safe and warm folks.