Their Scottish B&B dream has finally come true
HELEN and Mark Crabtree have been frequent visitors to Scotland for a long time.
For 20 years they travelled from their home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to the picturesque west coast of Argyll.
They loved it there – the tranquillity, the scenic views, the relaxed feel of the place.
Helen,whowasalegal secretary back in Harrogate, and Mark, a conveyancer, chatted more than once about moving north permanently.
But once the holiday was over it was back to their everyday lives in Yorkshire.
Helen had always harboured thoughts of running a bed and breakfast, and while they were on holiday three years ago they heard about a house being up for sale in the quaint village of Tayvallich, which sits on a harbour at Loch Sween and is a short drive from Lochgilphead.
They decided to view the place and agreed it would make a perfect B&B. But although it was ideal, financial and family circumstances made it impossible.
Last year Helen was browsing properties online when one jumped out at her.
It was the same house they had viewed a couple of years earlier.
The couple’s situation had now changed and they believed they were in a position to make the jump.
They were also both approaching their 60th birthdays, so they felt if they didn’t do it now, they might never.
Last October Helen and Mark bought the house, gave up their jobs, and moved in on December 23.
After carrying out modifications and work on the self-contained holiday accommodation, they made their dream a reality and opened Dun Eistein B&B in April.
Every day’s a school day for the couple as they turn their hands to their new occupation, but so far they’re delighted with how their life is going.
Directly across from them is the ferry terminal to Jura, which is attracting plenty of stay-overs at the B&B, and they’ve also been embraced by the locals who are happy to see a B&B in the village again.
Each morning when Helen and Mark wake up and look out at the stunning views, they know they made the right decision to start all over again.
For them, life really does begin at 60!