VISITORS BOOK - 2012

Gorgeous sunset over the bay

Well another season gone season, our sixth now since welcoming our first guests in February 2007.

This year was a slightly quieter year than previously but, after a noticeably slow start, it still turned out to be a reasonably busy year for us. We are aware though that there were mixed reports from accommodation providers across the island about numbers of tourist and level of inquries. It might have been the economic climate although there was also the Olympic factor to consider but overall it was not too bad.

It was a pity though that the tourist numbers were generally down since Skye, and the north-west Highlands, had very good summer weather from April to late August, if a little colder than we might have wished for, but when we watched the weather reports on the national news it was a wee bit galling to hear that we were apparently experiencing the worst summer for decades! You might have been but we certainly weren't!

A couple of years ago we asked guests to make donations to a charity providing funds for the families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan at that time.

In the early summer of 2013 John will be running in the Edinburgh Marathon to collect sponsorship funds for the charity JDRF (Juinior Diabetic Research Foundation) and if you read this and might consider contributing to his fundraising you can do so in a couple of ways.

JDRF is the only UK charity dedicated to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. You can read more about John's reasons for choosing this charity and the work that they do in funding diabetic research, on his "Just Giving" web page.

You can donate on-line by going to John's JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/john-curren-2013marathon; just click on the button below, then click on DONATE and follow the instructions; or you can donate from your mobile phone by texting the code EDIN61 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

.....and now a few of the comments we received from guests during 2012:

"Thanks for your excellent service, hospitality and companionship. We loved it all." Ronand & Marnix Luyters, Netherlands, March 2012

"Lovely views, great food, brilliant hosts." The Shersons, Robbs & Thorntons, London, April 2012

"Wonderful place, wonderful food and wonderful people." Alessandra & Marcello, Italy, April 2012.

"Great view, great hosts." Albert & Dinie Fopma, Netherlands, May 2012

"Wonderful food, great view and great hospitality! Thank you." Joachim & Sina Henke, Berlin, May 2012

"Glorious sunshine, fabulous accommodation, hosts and food. Wonderful break - Thanks." Agnes & Sue Barham, Dorset & Surrey, June 2012

"Our second time staying here, we love it so much! Thank you so much for your hospitality...and the tapenade recipe!" Ivy & Ryan Morris, Edinburgh & New York City, June 2012

"After completing half of the West Highland Way we were delighted to arrive at Ardtreck Cottage. It has been more than we could have asked for, or expected. John and Irene you are brilliant hosts. We look forward to our next visit to Skye." Blythe & Ross, Cape Town, South Africa, June 2012

Ardtreck Cottage from the road

"Wonderful! Everything - Views! Food! People! We loved staying here. Best regards." Mia & Sven, Sweden, July 2012

"Wonderful cottage, with the best view ever. Enjoyed our stay very much - and thanks for the lovely tweed bag." Sybille & Bernd, Eisenstadt, Austria, July 2012

"We just love this place and will recommend it to anybody talking about going to Skye." Jette & Torben Quist, Denmark, July 2012

"Thanks for a lovely stay and the most beautiful view from a bedroom ever!!" Karin & Christoph Kriflinger, Austria, August 2012

"We enjoyed our second stay here at Ardtreck Cottage. Thank you again for your hospitality. Its a wonderful place. We hope to come back." Petra Schwab, Stefan & Liliane Wallner, Vienna, August 2012

"Perfect hosts, perfect accommodation, perfect food. Thank you for making a wet week great!!" Gwen & Will Walker, Weston super Mare, England, September 2012.

"Thank you both for your five star hospitality. Really enjoyed our stay." Chris & Susan Duncan, Edinburgh, September 2012.

"Thanks for everything! Great place, superb view, great service. Come to Canada! Eric & Isabelle, Quebec City, Canada

"It was very nice to be here; feels like we are at the end of the world, but in a cosy house, with warm hospitality and beautiful breakfasts. Thank you again." Helene & Romain Pison, Cameroon, September 2012

View of the Cuillins from Ord