Space and Time

| July 2, 2020
It felt as if the world had stopped spinning when lockdown came A mad race to get everyone safely home and suddenly everything seemed to stop. We disappeared into a bubble of family life on the farm and got a chance to really step back and appreciate everything around us. From my very first trip [...]

The Persabus Whisky Ambassadors

| June 2, 2020
With the Islay Whisky Festival happening last week, and Persabus being the gateway to the north Islay Distilleries, our very own Brand Ambassadors, were out in force, forming the welcoming party for the north Islay Distilleries. It appears no one thought to tell them that the whisky festival was only happening in a virtual world, [...]

Egg Nomination

| May 25, 2020
Pressure is mounting. The latest lockdown craze for NHS donations involves nominated people filming themselves swallowing a raw egg, a spoonful of sugar and a large dram. The short video clips are then uploaded onto social media with more nominees being presented with the challenge. On the island the challenge is spreading like wildfire, appealing [...]

Crabbit Tourists

| May 18, 2020
Lockdown did not stop our latest visitors in their mission to enjoy a holiday sampling ‘The Persabus Experience’. Despite the government restrictions tourists arrived at our door looking for suitable accommodation for their brief holiday on the farm. At Persabus we remain closed for bookings just now, apart from key workers. We will not be [...]

Curve Balls and Creativity

| April 20, 2020
With everything in ‘lockdown’, the pace of life has changed and slowed. We are flowing on a completely different frequency here at Persabus as we continue forward into unknown territory. Usually April sees us flying at full speed ahead into a busy season. All the different areas of our lives suddenly becoming a tactical juggling [...]

The Happy Farmer Communicates

| April 6, 2020
It has been a mixed bag this week. My head in a complete fuddle. Dry, clear, wild and windy days allowing for gardening projects, cleaning programmes, pottery sessions, interspersed with daily walks and runs. Then the hard slap in the face of reality when the national news creeps into the living room. Here the community [...]

Little Moments

| March 30, 2020
Yesterday was a day for lacing up the hiking boots, packing a flask of tea and a picnic, and heading out across the hills to explore Islay’s north coast. With huge blousy blue skies, the hills and the sea were calling. Eldest, announced, rather last minute, that she was heading off on this epic hike [...]

Social Isolation

| March 24, 2020
A week goes by and everything changes. Suddenly it is all very still. The farmhouse kitchen table has ground to a sudden halt. A time of no guests, no passing farmers. Deliveries being left on the doorstep, thanks to our fabulous Roots and Fruit’s Julie and Jean’s Fresh Fish. The pottery is closed, and we [...]

Changing Times

| March 16, 2020
We are living in uncertain times. Our tiny island community has so far remained free from the virus that is sweeping the globe, but our thoughts have been with all of those affected and the devastating effects it is having on so many lives. At Persabus thankfully the animals are oblivious to the goings on [...]

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 [...]