Useful Information
Please call the housekeeper, Margaret Rose, a week before your stay to let her know what time you will be arriving and to confirm everything.
Margaret Rose - housekeeper:
h: 01876 500 228 | m: 07915 699 356
🔑 On Arrival
Margaret Rose will have informed you of the necessary things and where to find a set of keys. Please do try not to lose the keys as it is difficult to get replacements on the island.
It is advisable to lock the house when it is empty and to shut windows to protect against fast changing weather.
Please leave the house as you found it.
🛏️ Linen
Linen is provided and will be left on your beds for your arrival. If you require any extra please ask Margaret Rose, but there is a washing machine and sheets can be dried on the line or over the Aga and, if necessary, in the dryer.
Please bring your own towels for the beach.
If you require a cot please inform Margaret Rose before you arrive. It is best to provide your own linen for this but we do have some sheets and blankets.
💧 Water & Electricity
We do read the meters so if you consume an unreasonable amount we may have to charge you. Please ensure the heaters are not left on during the day and the timers are used to minimise wastage and environmental impact. Please turn off anything that is not necessary.
The hot water is heated by immersion heaters and should be adequate for a full house. It is heated overnight and there is a booster on the big tank that can be used if necessary. The Aga is now wholly electric and is set to an automated timer. The en suite bathroom in the master bedroom has a separate immersion, which heats the downstairs water as well.
🪵 Fuel & Fires
We do have a limited amount of peat, logs and coal which are all found on the island. Peat requires much hard work to dig and is limited so please use sparingly.
If you find any driftwood on the beaches that can be transported home please feel free to replenish the stocks. The more the merrier! Logs can also be bought at some of the shops. The wood we collect is liable to spit so it is necessary to put the guards on the fire whenever the rooms are empty. Coal can also be used on the fire in sitting room or drawing room and can be obtained at the shops. If there are any queries please contact Margaret Rose.
🏡 Outside
There is a site beyond the garages where a bonfire has been lit. Please feel free to burn anything here but please ensure that all fire is extinguished when not in attendance and be careful on a windy day.
A round Kettle BBQ can be found in the garage but please do not remove it from the premises. Disposable BBQs can be bought on the island for beach use. There may be an old rack in the garage for homemade ones, but please do not use the racks from the cookers. They are not for outside use.
🚽 Plumbing, Appliances & Washing
Please do not put anything other that loo paper down the lavatories. No nappy liners, cotton wool, Sanitary Towels, tampons or toothbrushes, which we have often found.
Please try to ensure that there is not too much sand put into the washing machines as they clog up. Please use tumble dryer sparingly as it consumes a lot of electricity.
We do try to equip the house with all the relevant appliances. If there are any breakages we would be grateful if you could inform us or replace them.
♻️ Rubbish & Recycling
It is essential for the local environment that as much recycling is done as possible. We do not compost as this can attract vermin. Bottles and glass can be taken to the recycling containers situated by the Berneray Ferry, Sollas co-op or Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy.
There are wheelie bins at the roadside for other recycling and rubbish but it is amazing how quickly they fill up. These are marked for plastic & tin, paper & cardboard, and non recyclable. The bins are only emptied every two weeks from the end of the track by the roadside. The dates they are collected are circled on the calendar in the kitchen. Any rubbish that can be burnt safely, do so outside in the bonfire area but please ensure that all fire is extinguished when not in attendance and be careful on a windy day.
🚨 Fire & Emergencies
Please ring 999 in cases of fire. The nearest fire engine is some distance away, so please be very careful with the open fires. The wood we collect is liable to spit so it is necessary to put the guards on the fire whenever the rooms are empty.
Also it seems that candles are used more often these days so please ensure that they are always in a heatproof candleholder (especially nightlights) and not placed directly onto surfaces.
If the housekeeper is not at home please call the relevant person:
Electrician- A. Morrison
Tel: 01876 560 260 or 07733 021 404
Doctor’ Surgery- Lochmaddy
Tel: 01876 500 333
Practice Appointments
Tel: 01876 500 463 (Office Hours)
Hospital- Balavanich, Benbecula
Tel: 01870 603 603