Ethel's House, Armadale

10/10/2026

I have never mastered the art of photographing the northern lights on my phone and the battery is flat on my proper camera, but the season is off to a good start with a cracking display tonight. Here's a very bad phone photo to prove it!

06/10/2026

Autumn is officially here. The geese started flying over on their way back south a couple of weeks ago and I've just let the dogs out for the last time tonight and heard the stags roaring in the hills around Armadale as the rut starts. There's a sky full of stars overhead, aurora season has started, but sadly no display tonight.

26/09/2026

If you've ever wondered what the strange collection of gates and fences by the village hall is for - here it is in use :)

We've been dipping the sheep today. While compulsory dipping was ended in 1992 (and you certainly haven't been required to have a police officer to supervise for longer than that!) scab still hasn't quite been eradicated, so a dipping trailer still comes to the village every other year or so.

About 200 ewes and lambs went through this morning - my ladies are in the front pen nearest where my neighbour, Jimmy, is fixing the metal hurdle to the gate. They weren't too impressed with the dunking, but going onto the long grass in my big field opposite the hall cheered them up no end :)

13/09/2026

I am on the verge of jumping in the car and heading down to Melvich for a slice of this!

Homemade chocolate cake available today in Melvich 🙂

Also available today is tattie soup, toasties, cakes, muffins, ice cream, milkshakes, teas & coffee.

Open until 4pm, takeaway only.

12/09/2026

Watching the gannets dive for breakfast this morning. Taken from the track just before the next house down from Ethel's, which leads to the point.

09/09/2026

Saturday 12th September

North Coast Market

11am - 3pm
Bettyhill Village Hall Committee will be doing the Cafe with all proceeds going towards the refurbishment fund.
Soup - Parsnip Soup 🍲 & Bread 🍞 £2.50
Sweet Treat - Apple 🍎 Strudel with Custard 🍮.

09/09/2026

🏆🪣 Who will win the trophy for best sand creation? 🪣 🏆
Get your team together for an afternoon of imagination and creativity on the beach! No need to book, but if you'd like to register interest here's the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1998416848590?aff=oddtdtcreator
See you there!

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

Come and join Arts in Nature as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland for a gentle, immersive session as we explore this year's festival theme 'Reflections.'

A calm creative space for expression, contemplation, connection.... and fun!

All materials will be provided, but if you have a special item that fits the theme, please feel free to bring it along. No previous art experience is required.

For more information or to book your FREE place please contact Charlotte by email: [email protected]

09/09/2026

We're taking part in the Doors Open Days festival again this year! 🎊 Doors Open Days Caithness and Sutherland
Join us on Saturday 19th September between 10am-5pm, there's plenty to get involved with...
• There will be live demos of traditional crafts from weaving and spinning to boat building. 🛠️
• Explore the Mackay Country Archive and the seminal publication At Home in Mackay Country published in 2005.
• Our current exhibition - Salt to Plate - is still on. This explores the heritage and conservation of salmon fisheries along the north coast of Scotland and beyond with local wildlife artist and documentary filmmaker Debasis Biswas. 🎣
• Find out more about our Caithness and Sutherland Culture Collective Artist in Residence programme - they will be working with the community to create a piece of work exploring living heritage traditions in our communities over 15 months.
• We'll have a kids activity too, so the whole family can enjoy a visit together. 👪