News from Staffa House
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September 2009
A long-awaited project comes to fruition - solar panels on the roof of Staffa House! After much research and deliberation,
we now have a solar thermal system up and running, installed by Sun Harvester Solar Systems of Stirling. We're very excited -
it's great to check the monitor as the day progresses and see the temperature on the panels and in the hot water cylinder
climbing upwards and helping reduce our carbon footprint.
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October 2009
The rowan berries are wonderful in Fionnphort this year, showing themselves off to their very best in the front garden of Staffa House.
Our friend Katrina gathers up some of the berries and makes rowan berry and apple jelly with them – truly local and organic food!
The visitor season is quietening down now, so it’s time to resume ‘Music Box’, Gillian’s pre-school music programme which she leads
on a weekly basis for the young children of the Ross of Mull and Iona. This season we’re holding the sessions over on Iona –
let’s hope the gales stay well away on Thursday mornings and allow the ferry to run! If any late-season B&B guests wish to join us
for the music-making, please feel welcome….!
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November 2009
Winter timetables are upon us! Both Calmac ferries and Bowman’s buses operate a different schedule from the end of October until mid-March.
It’s easy to be caught out – for example, there’s no longer a daily 9.15am bus from Fionnphort to Craignure, so please do check the little notes
on the timetables carefully before you travel! Ferry sailings to Iona aren’t as frequent as in the summer and the earliest/latest ferry of the day needs
to be booked in advance, but getting to Iona is still perfectly possible so don’t be put off, this is a very special place in the quiet season and has much
to recommend it.
At Staffa House we’re busy planning our winter jobs, but it’s great to welcome one final group of guests for 2009. They have all served on the Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. (EAPPI). They gather at Staffa House for a long weekend to reflect on their experience in that troubled region, to share their stories, challenges and hopes whilst enjoying nourishing food and the peaceful autumnal landscape on the doorstep.
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December 2009
Where’s that list of winter jobs? Running a B&B has its own rhythm and routine in the ‘quiet season’. We swing into action, with various projects - new floor tiles, fans and lights in the ensuite bathrooms, fresh paint in the guest bedrooms and landing…… it’s all go! We have a great team of people working with us, they take such pride in their work and we’re delighted with the results.
Meanwhile it’s a bit chilly outside – someone says that there’s snow on the way for Christmas…..!
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January 2010
What weather! And what scenery in which to enjoy it! Family members gather over New Year at Staffa House to enjoy superb winter conditions –
sparkling snow on the hills, cloudless blue skies and cold, crisp air, with some memorable sunsets. There are some spectacular ice effects around too –
even Fionnphort beach is a bit like a skating rink!
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Nothing will deter the intrepid shinty players on Ardalanish beach however – they turn out in good numbers
for the annual match on New Year’s Day – a wonderful mix of fun and fresh air, perfectly rounded off with warm
soup and delicious baking served by Minty Mackay and friends up at Ardalanish Farm.
Inside jobs continue through January –
new carpets are fitted and we enjoy putting up more local artwork in the guest areas of the house – we’re very fortunate
to have so many talented artists living on Mull and Iona. Hope we don’t run out of wall space!
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February 2010
Marmalade madness! Ali is hard at work for three days, chopping, boiling, simmering, testing, filling jars, only to start again on the next batch!
The entire house is full of a sunny marmalade smell and the neat little jars are stowed away safely – all ready for B&B guests to savour with warm wholemeal
toast and lots of butter!
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Cold, sunny weather continues on Mull – where are this winter’s gales? A pod of dolphins turns up unexpectedly in the sound of Iona.
They must think it’s time to come and play already! The colours of the setting sun on the pink granite of Torr Mor are a daily delight.
With most of the house jobs done, the garden beckons – we have new projects in mind for 2010, including a raised bed for growing more vegetables….
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