Coronavirus Update

Carrick - The Blue House Posted on by  

Clansman passing Lismore lighthouse[ We’ll be keeping this post pinned to the top and updated as soon as we are aware of any changes to the rapidly-developing situation. ]

Carrick – The Blue House, remans open for business! However …

Starting a couple of days ago, Calmac aren’t accepting new bookings for sailings before July 15th, services operating until then on a turn-up-and-go basis.  The ferries to and from Uist, including inter-island services, are operating to normal schedules, albeit with fewer passengers and vehicles wanting to travel.

Yesterday, however, the Scottish Government announced that ferries to the Outer Hebrides will, until further notice, be limited to carrying only persons who are permanent residents of the islands, or key service workers !

Flights to Uist have been combined with the Stornoway – Glasgow service, but flights are nonetheless operating on a daily basis. These are currently operating without restrictions, but it is reasonable to expect that, quite soon, restrictions similar to those imposed today on the ferry services, will be applied also to air travel to and from the Outer Hebrides.

These measures have been introduced in response to what might be termed Coronavirus Refugees coming to the islands, and risking bringing the disease to a population that, due to its relative isolation, normally has a low resistance and immunity to diseases that are commonplace on the mainland.  There are not the resources here to deal with the consequences of such an invasion.

At present, the islands are still free of any confirmed cases of Covid-19.

We’re continuing to accept new bookings, subject to the following (which will be kept under review) –

  • For arrivals before the last full weekend in October 2020 (the end of Calmac’s summer timetable), it is essential to phone (+44 1878 700828) or email to discuss your requirements, and if appropriate we will take your booking and payment over the phone.
    We will give priority to anyone seconded to Uist to work in the NHS and other essential services ;
    For others, and in particular those who are not permanent residents of the Outer Hebrides, we may ask for evidence that you will be permitted to travel to and from the islands.
  • For arrivals on or after the last full weekend in October 2020 (the start of Calmac’s winter timetable), our online booking system will operate as usual.

 

[Updated 2020-03-23 15:50:59]

 

Lintols Aloft

Carrick - The Blue House Posted on by

Building of the new croft store / shed has reached an important milestone : the heavy lintols – weighing very nearly a tonne – have been raised aloft, over the big doorway. Soon we’ll be ready to raise up the roof! Perhaps we’ll be visited by a rainbow again, then.

Carrick Eriskay : Building the new croft store/shed down by the shore

Carrick Eriskay : Building the new croft store/shed down by the shore

The shed is being built on the concrete slab built last year, down in the depression down by the shore, and thereby will be substantially screened from view by the house ; and we’ll also be planting native shrubs and trees.

Home Hotline ?

Carrick - The Blue House Posted on by

Three years ago we had a fibre-optic broadband/phone line installed at Carrick, allowing us to offer guests free unlimited access to  high-speed internet, but also free calls to UK landlines.  Guests making the most use of the phone are those who need to keep in touch with close family – a Home Hotline, as it were, or thier own small business.  Mobile networks here are patchy, so the landline provides guests with assurance that they will not find themselves cut off from the outside world!

Now we’re able to lift two key limitations on that service. First and foremost, calls to UK mobile phones are free – just the same as to UK landlines.  Secondly the 1-hour limit is gone : no longer is it necessary to keep an eye on the time, and that’s for calls to both landlines and mobiles.

And if you need to call international numbers, we can – on request – enable that for you , and you’ll pay for calls just what they have cost us – as you will see from the call log from our phone account.

This upgrade is not just about a home hotline for emergencies, but providing the peace of mind of a home-from-home.