Jonathan & Denise >

We’ve sold Eight Askernish.   After taking the final reading of the electricity meters, we’ve handed over the keys to the new owner, who has moved to the Outer Hebrides from Monmouthshire – in south-east Wales.

Leaving 8 Askernish for the last time, after final reading of the meters and handing over the keys

The last booking was a disaster, the guests badly abusing the cottage and leaving us traumatised and seriously out of pocket.

That’s such a pity, as it’s tarnished our memories of our time owning the cottage.  We put a great deal of hard work, commitment, energy and ideas into the cottage, and got rewards both financial and personal ; but the whole business environment has changed out of all recognition, since we bought the cottage in 2005.  The likes of AirBnB and TripAdvisor are to blame, but they are too big, too powerful to ignore.  So, whilst we can be proud of what we achieved, it was – and it is, time to move on.

The proceeds from the sale will be used – when the opportunity arises – as a (not entirely figurative) downpayment on a new chapter in our lives.

In the meantime – and for the forseeable future, we continue in the self-catering business, focussing on our other self-catering property, in Eriskay.