Winter Storms

| February 11, 2020
With the winter storms raging the farmhouse kitchen has become a haven as drivers bringing supplies onto the island have been stranded overnight. The wild weather forcing cancellations on the ferries and ad hoc sailing times, as the crew have had to take any available opportunity of a break in the squalls to get supplies [...]

The Happy Farmer goes incognito

| January 13, 2020
Early January and the morning skies have been filled with vivid oranges, peaches and purples, as the sun has risen in all its splendour, providing the perfect backdrop to enjoy some gorgeous winter walks. I haven’t quite managed to peel the Happy Farmer away from the farm to join us on the jaunts but whilst [...]

The Happy Farmer’s Ditching Escapades

| January 2, 2020
The Happy Farmer’s services have been in demand over the festive season, and not just his fantastic turkey roasting service. With Persabus now situated as the gateway to the north Islay Distilleries, there has been a lot of ‘ditching’ going on recently, compliments of cars misbehaving. In their enthusiasm to access the Distilleries, they can [...]

‘Tis the Season

| December 18, 2019
It has reached that heady time of year again as Christmas comes hurtling around the corner, firing on all cylinders. The younger clan get the job of designing the Persabus Christmas card each year. A journey our friends have followed over the past twenty years from the innocent and beautiful child art of giraffes hanging [...]

Islay Beach Time

| December 9, 2019
One of Islay’s treasures is its spectacular coastline. The rugged cliffs, where dramatic waterfalls froth and bubble to the seas below. The colourful pebbles worn smooth by the tidal currents. The natural arches and caves in rock faces and then the vast expanses of sand and dunes where seals lull happily on banks and rocks. [...]

Time for Play

| December 2, 2019
It has been a week of falling soundly asleep beneath twinkling stars as the milky way shone brightly across the night skies. In the mornings waking up to the pinks, violets and oranges of a rising sun beaming down across the Sound of Islay. The farmhouse has been treated to a much-needed overhaul. Having spent [...]

A hop, Skip and a Killinallan

| October 13, 2019
The farm has been ‘bubbling over’ with guests and visitors this week. What a welcome back to Persabus. Autumn happens to be one of my favourite times of year on the island. The colours are so incredibly rich and vibrant. The sky could not possibly get any bluer, and those huge, white billowing clouds, dancing [...]

Taste Islay and Jura

| September 22, 2019
It has been a week of climbing hills, giggling dogs, sunshine and smiles washed down with delicious produce from the Taste Islay and Jura food festival. If you passed the pottery yesterday and it was closed it was because I was AWOL in Bowmore Square enjoying the celebrations and feast of flavours that the Taste [...]

Happy Farmer Stories

| September 16, 2019
The Happy Farmer has a skip in his step. We have such lovely guests staying with us on the farm just now. They love the Happy Farmer’s stories. He does seem to have his own unique way with words. I did smile listening to him sharing the story of Bramble, our collie Labrador cross, and [...]

Island Hopping…Islay to Macau.

| September 9, 2019
With torrential rain and wild gales ferries and planes were cancelled as stormy weather arrived last week. Guests were stranded on and off the island and the farmhouse kitchen became a haven as Archie Bread and a few of the other drivers took refuge, much to the Happy Farmer’s delight. Youngest and I headed out [...]