Roe Deer & Buzzard

Well - what a week that was! Goodness me.

On the way home from Port Charlotte about 10am we spotted a roe buck looking very proud
of himself - and laying a little way from him was his mate - it was so good to see them out.

Odd behaviour by a Buzzard on Thursday afternoon - Pip had flushed it from the side of the road in the morning - and all day it hung around flying in circles all over the yard and North Gearach - calling out... Mark & I walked the dogs round North Gearch and down past the Loch in the buzzard was still there - calling & circling.

Went to Port Charlotte on Friday morning at 10am - as we turned out of the yard and drove 300 yards - Thomas spotted a Roe Doe and calf - on the side of the road.
We slowed down to look at them. They were undisturbed and they stayed by the side of the road - they walked up to the fence to try and go back into the forestry - but they weren't to bothered.

When we got home - MArk told us that a two cars with tourists in had pursued the deer all the way down to our yard - the tourists were out of the car and trying to take photos of the deer - the deer were screaming out in panic - Mark showed me were the deer had forced itself through the fence opposite our yard - the tourists were calling out to Mark who was working on the fence - telling him how great it was to see Roe Deer that close up - and asking him why it was screaming like that.

Mark told the idiot tourists to back off the panic stricken deer and leave her be.
They were not impressed apparently! So much for these 'oatmeal sandal wearing - yogart knitters!' it gets my blood boiling - they join a bloody national trust and then they frighten a roe doe so much that it gets spilt up from its calf and looses 2/3rds of the hair on its back - trying to squeeze through the deer fencing!

Holiday Cottage On Islay

The Smithy - the old blacksmith shop in Bruichladdich is now a holiday cottage exclusively for adults.

The garden is a 5th of an acre - & as we are so quite a family of roe deer are busy nibbling away at all the new shoots and buds that are trying to poke their heads up.

The sparrows who make their home in the eves are still hopping about - the lady opposite has a bird table and they can poke their heads out from under the roof tiles and see her putting food out - perfect.

The Gearach at Bruichladdich holiday cottage - "The Smithy"

Islay offers you the most relaxing, breathtaking and interesting opportunity for a holiday. It is an idyllic island that does not boast the name Queen of the Hebrides for nothing.

The Smithy affords you 5 star luxury self catering accommodation. It was originally the blacksmith’s shop in the heart of Bruichladdich vllage.

It was here that all the horses were shod, farm machinery, ploughs and tools were made and repaired. many local people have fond memories of the Smithy, warming themselves inside the shop by the furnace. It was the centre of commerce when the paddle steamer used to bring the provisions to Islay and moor at Bruichladdich pier. The busy farmers taking livestock to and from the pier for transportation - the Smithy was the hub of life in those days.

Now the Smithy has been sympathetically converted into a self catering holiday home. It is all on one floor, with two steps up to a split level lounge.

This superior detached three double self catering bedroom holiday home sits in its own fifth of an acre garden, that has a sun trap patio and purpose built barbeque area.

The cottage affords views of Loch Indaal and the Paps of Jura.

The famous Bruichladdich distillery dominates the village - you are a few steps away from the gate and only a few steps further on to the minimarket and post office. Here you can enjoy freshly ground coffee and home made cakes and pastries.

The minimarket is very well stocked with everything you will need, including a delicatessen counter. Ideal to be able to walk - saves using the car each time you need some shopping or a newspaper.

There is the famous An Taigh-osda restaurant for lunches and evening meals. It is reported by many to be the best on Islay.

The location of the Smithy is a definite bonus for your holiday.