We celebrated owning Millburn Bed and Breakfast for a year on 15th November, although we didn’t move in until 30th December, as we had to have considerable damp proof work done. We moved in just in time for Hogmanay, in Portree. Followed by a New Years Day concert at The Gathering Hall with Skerryvore and Manran.
And what year it has been! I think you would agree no one would have predicted the events that happened this year.
Over the first five months of ownership we had a lot of work to do and I thought I would share some photos with you of the renovations to our Bed and Breakfast and what we found on the journey. We were helped considerably during this time by Ian’s sister, brother-in-law and youngest niece and we couldn’t have done it without them.
We had to strip back the electrics in our lounge, both guest rooms and the two loft rooms to allow Mike and Daniel from John Morrison Timber Preservation to insulate and treat the walls, starting at the top and working down.
It was great to see the stonework underneath and find hidden windows, doors and fireplaces.
We loved being able to use local artisans to help dress our rooms such as the throws from Skye Weavers and Scottish Tablet from Donnie’s Tablet Shed. In our en-suites we used products from Highland Soap Company and chose their Lemongrass and Ginger and Whiskey & Honey as they have a delightful scent. Our guests have commented on how nice they are and we plan to have it available to buy next year if you wish to purchase it during your stay.
We loved the transformations and addition of Cath Waters mugs and Millburn shortbread to guest rooms.
The guest lounge was the only room that didn’t need any work, except to remove the woodchip wallpaper ~ that took a while. In the beginning we were living in one room – cosy!
Our lounge, although not seen by guests, involved not only damp proofing the walls, but refitting a window and having to have the floor dug out as there was no subfloor.
Finally what may be considered one of the most important rooms in a Bed and Breakfast, the kitchen.
When we started stripping out the old units and floor tiles we found that the whole floor needed replacing too.
The window that would have been on the outside wall.
Subfloor dug out for lining with fleece and sand.
And where there is sand there has to be castles!
New walls and ceiling.
Finally nearing completion
Interspersed with all this hard work were days of frivolity…..
Many a trip to the tip, when wet and windy, and boy does the tip get whiffy!!
A bracing trip out to the Quiraing.
Ian is a member of Portree Gaelic choir and was euphoric to be given a kilt.
Joining the ‘Let’s make Dunvegan beautiful again’ team tidy up the village.
Celebrating Burns Night at The Dunvegan, delicious food and live music.
Looking through the photos to share with you makes me realise the amount of work we took on but we are very pleased with the end result. I hope you agree.
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