Information for 2021 – hopefully a much-improved picture by 2022!

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Summer Isles Croft – at a safe distance of course! – when you come for your much-needed holiday in what’s been a challenging time for us all.

We’ve prepared some useful information for you on Coronavirus, to keep you, ourselves and our community safe from infection:

General Information

Scottish Government Covid-19 policies differ in some respects from those of the Westminster Government, generally taking a more cautious approach to disease control. The Scottish Government policies in place at the time of your visit can be viewed here: https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/

Those coming from outside Scotland will have to comply with their own country’s current regulations, as well as Scotland’s, when considering travelling to the Highlands.

The Coigach peninsula, and its 260 residents, has so far been little touched by the Covid-19 virus, though at no small costs as far as precautionary restrictions are concerned. If there was to be an outbreak it is relatively easy to pinpoint the origin with such low population numbers, with the stringent Scottish Government Test and Protect programme. With restrictions being lifted particularly so in England compared to Scotland we respectfully ask those guests from south od the border to observe the precautions being exercised locally. Please help to keep our local population free of this disease as we have a large proportion of long-lived and therefore vulnerable residents. Thank you.

General guidance given by VisitScotland is as follows:

–       Not travelling if you have Covid-19 symptoms or have been told to self-isolate

–       Observing physical distancing measures

–       Regular use of hand sanitiser and regular handwashing

–       Planning ahead and checking if businesses and attractions are open and welcoming visitors

–       Being considerate of local communities and their precious resources

–       Supporting the local tourism industry by eating local, seeing local and buying local

If you develop symptoms while at Summer Isles Croft

If you develop symptoms during your stay, please immediately inform us. Specific steps you should take can be found here.

NHS Scotland operates independently from NHS England; should you wish to be informed about Scotland’s Covid-19 response strategies, please consult NHS Scotland’s online information available here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/

Covid-19 safety procedures which we have put in place for your and others wellbeing 

The house will have been thoroughly cleaned as usual, but with additional steps in the cleaning protocol to include specific anti-viral treatment of all hard and soft surfaces. Entry to the house will be delayed until 4pm on the day of arrival to allow for the full cleaning and disinfection procedures to be completed.

We follow the rigorous cleaning protocols set out by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers. They can be viewed here.  

We are registered and approved under the VisitScotland Covid-19 “We’re Good to Go” initiative which covers risk awareness and management, and cleaning and disinfection procedures amongst other steps to minimise opportunities for viral transmission.

A pump spray of anti-viral surface disinfectant is provided for your use around the house.

There will be wrapped soaps in the bathrooms and individually wrapped toilet paper rolls ready for your use.

We will of course provide all bed linen and towels, hot washed and quarantined for a week before use. However, should you wish you may bring your own but please let us know if you plan to do so.

Before you go

There are some important safety considerations for ourselves and helpers who perform the cleaning and ‘changeovers’ between guests. Please follow these instructions to help ensure our safety and that of others:

• Please strip your beds of top sheet, duvet cover and pillow cases and fold into large zipped plastic carrier marked ‘bed linen’ before you leave.
• Please fold all towels into the other zipped carrier.
• Please tie up and close the plastic bags lining the little waste bins in the bathrooms, bedrooms and the main rubbish bin under the sink and pop into the outside main black rubbish bin before you leave.

Thank you so much for doing this – it will help protect us and the next arrivals just as the previous visitors will have done for you.

Other information relating to Covid-19 measures in the community

Like so many in the hospitality sector, local food providers have been hit by the double-whammy of Covid and Brexit meaning seasonal staff are very difficult to come by, consequently there is not the same choise of eateries as we normally enjoy. The Fuaran Bar is open for evening meals and the Summer Isles Hotel’s Bistro is begining to extend its service offer as staffing improves. You can find details of these in the blue Summer Isles Croft information booklet in the house. 

The two local food shops here, both licensed, are very well stocked. Remember to wear face coverings when visiting the shops and observe their customer instructions. 

Achiltibuie Stores (which has the fuel pumps) often also stocks local seafood. It will also deliver right to your door. You can place orders with Achiltibuie Stores before you arrive by phone or email.( http://www.achiltibuiestores.com/). The smaller Port a Bhaigh Campsite shop in Altandhu has longer opening hours, and Sunday opening, for your convenience.

www.Coigach.com (our local visitor-info website) has the contact details of local businesses, opening times, events and activity providers locally. 

We hope this has been of help to reassure you about our stringent Covid-19 preparations and the availability of other services during your stay.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone if you have any questions.

These are strange times we are living through, but with care, consideration and thoughtfulness for each other we can all still enjoy being in our holiday destinations.

Please bring your own face-covering and bring personal bottles of hand-sanitiser with you for use with gates, etc, when out on walks.

Very best wishes

Lesley and Iain Muir

www.SummerIslesCroft.com