Jonathan & Denise >

As of yesterday, the 29th June, in Scotland, non-essential shops accessible directly from the street have been permitted to re-open.

However, it’s on the 3rd of July – just three days away! – that restrictions on travel in Scotland will be lifted (including restrictions on the ferries) and completely self-contained self-catering holiday accommodation can re-open.

Outside-the-wall sign up for the open season. The Hebridean Woolshed, Isle of South Uist

Grounds maintenance. Eight Askernish 2017

Carrick – The Blue House, Isle of Eriskay

That said, the 3rd is a Friday, and we’re not optimistic of being overwhelmed with business. Nonetheless, we’ll have the two cottages completely ready by 10am on the 3rd, and we’ll spend the rest of the 3rd putting the finishing touches to the Hebridean Woolshed, for re-opening on Saturday the 4th.

We’ve spent the equivalent of three full-time weeks, both of us, researching, planning, procuring, practicing, implementing : the outcomes are risk assessments, procedures, mitigation measures, checklists, notices, equipment, supplies, training and ‘We’re Good to Go’ certification …

It’s all about cleanliness, hygiene, social distancing, and hopefully still giving the customers a good experience for a fair price, and some income for us, at last.

Even without actual customers we’ve been incredibly busy – we’re exhausted!  But now, after three months of anxieties – primarily over drastically reduced income, we’ve had bookings coming in and it feels like things are on the mend.

There remains one concern, though : with no known cases of coronavirus in the islands (not in Uist, that is) we have not yet been exposed to the virus, and it would be somewhat aggravating that just as we get back to work, we might end up unable to work.

But, that’s where all that work we’ve been doing comes into play.

Unless someone books Carrick arriving on the 3rd, our first post-lockdown guest will arrive at Eight Askernish on Saturday 4th July.