Oatfield Organics and Bed & Breakfast

Mike and Jen Swift welcome you to High Oatfield.

The gaelic name for our area is Ardchoirk which literally translates as High Oatfield, the field directly in front of the house was under horse and plough until about 50 years ago. See Photo.

Our aim is to offer you a pleasant and relaxing holiday in Lochdon on the Isle of Mull with an organic approach to your bed and breakfast stay.

We are tucked away off the main Craignure - Fionnphort road just outside the tiny hamlet of Lochdon, yet only a 15 minute drive to the main Caledonian MacBrayne port of Craignure, and a 25 minute drive to Fishnish ferry.

Lochdon, a birdwatchers' favourite, is a well known 'hotspot' for wildlife with Otter, Red Deer, many species of duck and waders all present. The rare and spectacular Sea Eagle can often be seen flying over the Loch.

The Sea Eagle is a very important bird on the Isle of Mull and each year the police and local volunteers man a 24 hour watch over the Sea Eagles' nests to prevent the eggs being stolen.

Here at High Oatfield we are lucky to have regular visits from the local wildlife. A White Tailed Sea Eagle (or occasionally a pair) can be seen flying over the house, Hen Harriers 'quarter' the field in front of us and Barn Owls, who have taken up residence in our nesting box, can often be seen at night time.

Geese, Oystercatchers and Curlews feed on the grass just outside our deer fence and in the 'Mad March' season the hares can be seen still displaying some of their white winter colouring.

A resident Sparrowhawk makes regular 'fly pasts' of our bird table, we regularly have Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Dunnocks and Siskins at the table.

Red Deer, stags and hinds, regularly feed very close to our deer fence and think nothing of staring in the living room window. Of course sightings cannot be guaranteed as is the fickle habit of nature!

Our Bed and Breakfast is a non-smoking establishment and as we have our own dogs and wandering hens we cannot accept pets.

We have two spacious, warm and comfortable double bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathroom (Sorry but we do not have the facilities to cater for children).

Both rooms have TV with freeview and tea and coffee making facilities . There is a selection of maps and books available to help you to plan your days out. We can, of course, with our local knowledge offer advice on places to go and the best areas for wildlife.

Some dietary problems can be catered for if we are informed in advance.

There is ample parking outside the house, we do occasionally have to leave in a hurry as Mike is a Coastguard and Jen is a volunteer with the local fire brigade.

Our house is situated next to our organic vegetable business which supplies fresh salads and vegetables to local businesses. We also supply free range organic eggs from our own flock of chickens (which means we do have cockerels! Rest assured though they are not allowed up too early).

We endeavour to have only organic products in the B&B. We offer a continental breakfast of cereal, juice, yogurts, homemade bread and preserves (made from our own fruit when available) which is served in your bedroom. All tea and coffee on the complimentary room trays are organically sourced. All bedding, towels and complimentary guest toiletries are also organic.

See our accommodation photo gallery

All our electricity is supplied from a hydro-electric supplier and eventually we hope to install a wind turbine to supply our own power. The majority of our electrical appliances are 'A' rated and those that aren't will be replaced with 'A' rated ones as the need arises.

We recycle as much as is possible given our unique geographical difficulties. We compost all our vegetable waste and then use it in our polytunnels and raised vegetable beds. We also collect and spread seaweed from the shore along with 'Rockdust' both of which are full of trace elements which greatly enhance the taste of our vegetables.