Our Houses on Islay

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Our Houses on Islay

With so many friends coming back to Islay year after year, we thought it was time we kept in touch.

28/06/2024

Same arguement/discussion every year - where should we stay this summer? Shore Street is always a contender. Close to everything, friendly neighbours and views right out the back window. One day I'll arrive here and just stay.

27/06/2024

What is it about these West Coast skies that makes them so unique? There have been quite a few times this week when just standing and looking at the sky is all you need. And there's been enough of a breeze to keep the midges away on the walk back from Blackrock.

29/02/2024

Early in the year is the time to get some outside work done. There are gaps in the diary so I try and make use of them. As ever, I'm at the mercy of the weather. I arrived off the afternoon ferry and drove through a heavy shower thinking that work would need to be suspended for today. But, as soon as I'd unloaded I looked towards the west and saw the sky clearing. Don't worry about the weather, it's always going to change here. Thank you Islay. I can put my feet up now with a smug look on my face knowing I did some work.

18/01/2024

Snow is a big event on Islay. It's rarely cold enough thanks to all that ocean surrounding us. Today is different. There's a thin white blanket over the island and somehow everything seems even more peaceful than normal. The geese are chattering away in the distance, but there's little else to disturb the peace. We're off to enjoy the sunshine along the beach at Cross Houses.

14/01/2024

The shadows stay long at this time of the year. Get wrapped up and take a walk along the beach. You'll almost certainly have the place to yourself and there's a warm fire to look forward to later.

13/12/2023

I never know why but there always seems to be so much sky to see when I'm here on Islay. It's a perfect day with Bowmore reflecting on the loch and the blue sky in every direction. If I didn't have things to do I'd just stand here all day.

28/11/2023

When you're on Islay, and it's a sunny day, and you've brought a guitar and an accordion, and........... Well, a tune just has to appear from above, doesn't it? Nowhere I'd rather be.

21/09/2023

At last, the trusted West sign is back in its rightful place. What, with the X on the gables of the houses, and both having a name plate, there's no excuse for arriving guests ending up in Bruichladdich. Or for choosing the wrong house when they come along the track. It has happened, you know.

30/08/2023

Just around the corner from Shore Street at the edge of the harbour, there's this lovely house. I often wonder what it looks like inside. If you look closely you can see Cross Houses away across the water in the background. Looks like a clear sky for the evening.

21/08/2023

Great excitement on the Islay ferry as a pod of dolphins appear to race us on the way to Port Askaig. Maybe they were just happy to see The Finlaggan back in service.

20/08/2023

Understandably most of the pictures of Shore Street are from the balcony looking out. Yesterday, after a stormy start, the weather cleared and the house got a well-deserved coat of paint on the street side. It's a cosy looking house but from the outside you've no idea what the inside is like.

19/04/2023

I travel to Islay a lot. Sometimes - usually after I’ve been on a trip somewhere - I lose track of Islay’s charms when it’s winter and wet. Then I turn up and… Well, on days like this I can sit on the Bowmore headland and look at the view for hours. No noise, clean air, and a sunset to look forward to.

12/01/2023

It was wild and windy yesterday around islay. I was cold and wet by the time I’d finished working outside. But just to cheer me, the skies cleared. I don’t know how it happens but there’s always an interesting evening sky with colours and columns of light giving a dramatic end to the day. If you’ve been here, you know exactly what I mean.

07/12/2022

A stranger who’s never been on Islay before might wonder about those oriental style chimneys letting off steam in the twilight. Once you get a sniff of the Bowmore Single Malt Whisky in the making, you’re left in no doubt.

04/12/2022

It’s always a relief to see the tree lights working after them being locked away all year. There’s a Christmas welcome ready for our guests. Even better, Wham weren’t being played when I visited the islay shops or Bowmore distillery.

02/12/2022

It's the perfect time to enjoy some peace and quiet. The usual cheesy TV Christmas adverts have been pestering us since late October. It was a perfectly calm crossing and as soon as I see Port Askaig I'm looking forward to hiding away for a few days. Ironically, I'm here to put Christmas trees up in each of the houses - when it comes to Christmas madness, you can run, but you can't fully hide.

10/09/2022

Early September and the light from the sunset has changed already. Dusk is earlier and the gable at Cross House West lights up for a while when you look across the grass. Behind, the bay catches all the colours from the sunset. Tomorrow it'll no doubt be stormy but who cares? Tonight it's calm and warm. Not a midge in sight either.

15/08/2022

There's been changeable weather this summer on Islay. For me, evening strolls like this along the beach next to Cross Houses more than make up for any heatwave. In fact, it's what makes the islands special.

17/07/2022

When the ferry sails to Port Ellen, it’s a slightly longer journey from Kennacraig but just before you arrive you get to see the Art Deco lighthouse. That side of the bay has Kilnaughton beach and walk along to the lighthouse - both well worth visiting in any weather.

08/07/2022

Sometimes we have to apologise if there are one or two marks on the garden chairs. Alas, it’s the downside of having nature visit the garden at cross houses or the balcony at shore street. This week we’ve had Bernie the Bunny and friends popping in along with the usual swallows, house martins, all sorts of t**s, and the sea eagle soaring above. Today the dove is keeping a watchful eye over little Bernie as he manicures the lawn.

09/06/2022

It's that time of the year when the light never really leaves the sky. This was 10.15 in the evening and the last of the light was reflecting on Bowmore looking across from Cross House West. I sat out for quite a while listening to the bird calls and watching the sky change colour. Wouldn't it be great if the sky was like this everywhere?

08/06/2022

It’s been warm on Islay over the past few days. These Highland Cows had the right idea in taking a dip to cool off. I was on my way to Portnahaven and I stopped every so often just to enjoy the views. Next time I’ll cycle. Who knows what else I’ll notice on the road.

24/05/2022

I’m not normally a whisky drinker but who wouldn’t enjoy a visit to Laphroaig when you can sit outside and enjoy this view? The whisky isn’t bad either and it’s such a friendly welcome.

12/05/2022

You can’t beat a good sunset, can you? And if you time it right, you can savour the aroma of Bowmore Single Malt Whisky on your way to the coop. All within a few metres of 26 Shore Street. What a perfect end to the day.

28/04/2022

The balcony at Shore Street has stood up to all that the islay weather threw at it. Now it’s time to rebuild it. Trouble is, once you’ve started there’s no going back. As long as the sun shines the work should be finished today and I’ll be the first to have a cup of tea out there.

26/04/2022

It’s been a long journey but on Islay things are slowly returning to some sort of normality. It’s a lovely sunny day and everyone (well, almost everyone) is smiling. I’m outside finishing work at Shore Street as the morning flight arrives from Glasgow. What a view there must be on the flights today. And the weather looks good for the rest of the week. That’s good news for those arriving and it’s good news for me working outside too.

06/08/2021

It's easy to forget how perfect Islay was a couple of weeks back now that I'm home and watching the rain through the window. Cross Houses are part of a small cluster called Carnain. In England it might even be a hamlet. This is a view from the road that winds into the hills at the back. At the top you're rewarded with a panoramic view of Lochindaal and, if you've cycled, well it's downhill all the way home with curious sheep and cows watching you as you fly by.

17/07/2021

It's always nice to look up and see a blue sky behind the sharpness of the end gable at Cross House East. Staycations are the best choice this year but Islay folks still want everyone to be careful to make sure we don't undo all the effort.

10/07/2021

The weather looks good!

25/03/2021

My grandparents lived in Cross House West when my Grandfather worked for the Islay House Estate. Of course, the house is different now but the view is the same as it was when the house was built. It's warmer inside these days and hopefully, a bit more comfortable. After a year of restrictions and lockdowns, Islay is ready to get back to some sort of normality. Visitors are an important part of the island economy and we look forward to welcoming our guests. Meantime, here is what to expect when you arrive at Cross House West and walk along the hall.

Address

Bridgend And Bowmore
Bowmore
PA447PL

Website

http://www.ourhousesonislay.com/

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Videos

When you're on Islay, and it's a sunny day, and you've brought a guitar and an accordion, and........... Well, a tune just has to appear from above, doesn't it? Nowhere I'd rather be.

Great excitement on the Islay ferry as a pod of dolphins appear to race us on the way to Port Askaig. Maybe they were just happy to see The Finlaggan back in service.

Sometimes we have to apologise if there are one or two marks on the garden chairs. Alas, it’s the downside of having nature visit the garden at cross houses or the balcony at shore street. This week we’ve had Bernie the Bunny and friends popping in along with the usual swallows, house martins, all sorts of tits, and the sea eagle soaring above. Today the dove is keeping a watchful eye over little Bernie as he manicures the lawn.

Arriving at Cross House West

Lochindaal Waves

On a calm evening, these minature surfing waves land on the beach between Cross Houses and Black Rock. It's a lovely time for a walk and this year more than ever I'm longing to get back to Islay. Let's keep our fingers crossed.