Elphin Tearooms

As Dafty has grown (older, but not any bigger!), he has progressed from cafe "meeter and greeter" to gardener.... lawn mowing specifically! He was at work thismorning when we had a brief spell of decent weather, amongst the miserable rain that we've had all week (and have again now!).

We were very lucky today to meet Faith, who is running the length of the British Isles, from the tip of Shetland, down to Cornwall, entirely unsupported, and raising money for Longfield Hospice and Parkinsons UK on the way (Great British Run). Despite some big challenges and setbacks,including injuries and equipment problems (mainly due to the extreme weather we've had!), she was still positive, cheerful and looking very fit and well. We wish her success (and enjoyment!) on the rest of her journey!

Our white tailed eagle made another appearance yesterday, much to the delight of two avid eagle watchers who had just had 4 days on Mull without seeing one!

We have too many cakes today! Can anyone come and help us eat them? (Not much to see outside anyway - much better to be inside eating cakes)

For everyone who's been asking about Dafty, here are a few pictures. He is alive and well (as well as he ever is) and living in the field with the other sheep. He is still tiny though and is always happy for someone to come up and give him a good scratch and cuddle!

We are very proud to have some knitted products from our very own sheep. These are hand spun right here by us, and knitted by a friend of ours in Edinburgh (and grown here by these lovely ladies!). We did have some more beautiful things but they sold before I had a chance to take photos of them! We also have a range of other locally (ie Elphin, not wider Scotland) handmade knitted garmets, all hand spun and hand knitted. They are really lovely and we are delighted to have local quality handmade products available.

The weather has been "interesting" recently, and it's not looking like settling down any time soon. Forecast for today is heavy rain followed by sunshine followed by heavy rain followed by sunshine followed by heavy rain! Yesterday we had the same, interspersed with hail, . . and hail during sunshine!! The pockets of sunshine are lovely though, and it makes for some good photos!

We were lucky enough to have a white-tailed eagle (sub adult, so no actual white tail) hanging around overhead, sometimes quite low, late this afternoon, although not too late to share with our last 4 customers! I'm normally the one saying "no, it's a buzzard", but this thing was HUGE! Definitely not a buzzard, even before I got a closer look at it. (Edited to correct my incorrect assumption that is was a golden eagle!)

It's a pretty miserable day outside today. Perfect excuse to light the fire!!

Only 3 days to go until Chicken Day! The weather forecast does not look great, but we all know how much that can change in a just few days. Fingers crossed for sunshine and light breezes on Saturday! Just a reminder that we will be closed for Chicken Day (Saturday 15th September) as we couldn't find anyone willing to work while there was so much fun happening down the road! There will be tea, coffee, cakes and burgers available at the Village Hall if you do need anything.

Border Terrier lost near Shenavall / Fisherfield / An Teallach.... if anybody knows anybody hill walking in that area, ask them to keep an eye out for him.

It's almost time for Elphin Chicken Day again! This is the one day of the season that we close, because who'd bother coming here when there is so much fun and excitement just down the road at the Village Hall? (plus, we all want to go to Chicken Day so need the day off!!)
Full details below, but I hope you've all started training your chickens and practicing your egg throwing - there are only 3 weeks left!

We'd like to welcome our newest team member. He's only part time at the moment (only 4 months old), but will be making guest appearances (when it's not too busy) to meet other friendly dogs and puppy loving customers. (Part of the reason we've been so quiet recently is planning the 6 day trip to pick him up!)

For all our friends in Assynt, the Community Engagement Team at the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust is engaging with the community to find out what we think is important for the future of Assynt. Please complete the survey (link below) to have your say.
https://www.facebook.com/…/pb.254692274 5…/2165991003420328/…

A reminder that there is a story telling walk starting from here today at 1:30pm. There is also a North West Highlands Geopark walk at the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, just down the road, from 11am until 1pm. The Elphin Markets are also on in the Village Hall from 10am until 4pm. And if that's not enough for you, we have homemade soup, sandwiches, cakes and delicious coffee, tea and hot chocolate!

This Wednesday, 11th July, there is a storytelling walk starting at the Tearooms at 1:30pm. Griogair MacAllein, a local folklorist, will take people on a 1.5hr walk, telling stories about the way of life for the generations who have lived in the area.
This is a free event but a donation would be appreciated. Please wear sensible clothing and footwear.

It was lovely to meet Ian yesterday, who is cycling from John O'Groats to Lands' End, via the four corners (north: Dunnet Head, west: Ardnamurchan Point, east: Lowestoft Ness, and south: Lizard Point) to raise money for Alzheimer Research. His planned route is 1,500 miles and a staggering 101,000 feet in vertical distance. Wow!
Check out his Just Giving page (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/i an-stocks2) and keep an eye out for him on the road (heading from here, towards Fort William, via Contin/Beauly/Drumnadrochit..... unless my directions were terrible and he gets lost!). Then Adnamurchan then south.
We sent him off with a piece of ANZAC slice so I'm sure that will help him on the next few hills.

We have delicious homemade elderflower cordial available, for as long as it lasts!
£1.50 for a tall glass.
We tested it as cordial, with sparkling water and as a syrup on icecream..... all delicious. It will be sold as flat cordial though, unless you buy your own sparkling water or icecream.... UPDATE: We have decided it is so much better with sparkling water that it will now be served sparkling unless requested otherwise. Thanks to all those friends and customers who participated in our product testing!!
It is very exciting to be able to make things from produce grown right here on the croft!
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We visited this charming little tearoom last week, on several occasions. Apart from the fabulous setting (almost Alpinesque!), we were made to feel really welcome ... and not just by the owner, but by Merlin, the beautiful resident Red-setter, who meets and greets all who visit! What a treat to get in from the cold and damp, to sit by the fire with a coffee and slice of yummy cake! And we can highly recommend the lentil soup too ... yum! A definite highlight in our Highlands holiday.

We had the best toasty of the Highlands with a good cup of coffee !!!

The best ginger cake going! Wonderful friendly place to stop for coffee or lunch.

Stopped off here on my way to Durness after seeing on another post it was open this late in October. It was a perfect cafe. Having a homemade cake is an absolute must and they really do try to cater for all types of food allergy sufferers too so don't let that put you off visiting.

Stopped off a few days ago, loved it so much I wanted to go back. Great food, great scenery great atmosphere. Go and you won't be disappointed and say hi to Merlin for me.

Loved this gorgeous little cafe! Homemade soup and bread is out of this world! Absolutely delicious! Run by a lovely Australian family! We were so lucky to be invited to bottle feed Dafty, a gorgeous tame little 4-week old lamb, who is adorable! Will definitely go back here if in the area! Hi to Merlin the dog as well!!

Having stayed at the Clachtoll beach campsite over the years we always made the effort of visiting here. Always been a delightful tearoom with fantastic home baking and freshly made meals. The setting is stunning and relaxing and a welcome break if your touring the area. Nice to see the place up and running again and all the best for the new owners.

Friendly and inviting. Tasty cake and gorgeous coffee: Full flavoured rich coffee.

Fantastic to see Elphin Tearooms open for business and serving amazing coffee (you can taste the care that goes into making every cup) and yummy homemade cakes!

Einfach super!

Called in today on bike,home made cherry cake and potta tea very nice,will definitely be back � � �

Amazing cake and coffee!!! Loved the toasted sandwich & soup too! Warm hospitality. Unbeatable location with glorious views.

We visited this charming little tearoom last week, on several occasions. Apart from the fabulous setting (almost Alpinesque!), we were made to feel really welcome ... and not just by the owner, but by Merlin, the beautiful resident Red-setter, who meets and greets all who visit! What a treat to get in from the cold and damp, to sit by the fire with a coffee and slice of yummy cake! And we can highly recommend the lentil soup too ... yum! A definite highlight in our Highlands holiday.

We had the best toasty of the Highlands with a good cup of coffee !!!

The best ginger cake going! Wonderful friendly place to stop for coffee or lunch.

Stopped off here on my way to Durness after seeing on another post it was open this late in October. It was a perfect cafe. Having a homemade cake is an absolute must and they really do try to cater for all types of food allergy sufferers too so don't let that put you off visiting.

Stopped off a few days ago, loved it so much I wanted to go back. Great food, great scenery great atmosphere. Go and you won't be disappointed and say hi to Merlin for me.

Loved this gorgeous little cafe! Homemade soup and bread is out of this world! Absolutely delicious! Run by a lovely Australian family! We were so lucky to be invited to bottle feed Dafty, a gorgeous tame little 4-week old lamb, who is adorable! Will definitely go back here if in the area! Hi to Merlin the dog as well!!

Having stayed at the Clachtoll beach campsite over the years we always made the effort of visiting here. Always been a delightful tearoom with fantastic home baking and freshly made meals. The setting is stunning and relaxing and a welcome break if your touring the area. Nice to see the place up and running again and all the best for the new owners.

Friendly and inviting. Tasty cake and gorgeous coffee: Full flavoured rich coffee.

Fantastic to see Elphin Tearooms open for business and serving amazing coffee (you can taste the care that goes into making every cup) and yummy homemade cakes!

Einfach super!

Called in today on bike,home made cherry cake and potta tea very nice,will definitely be back � � �

Amazing cake and coffee!!! Loved the toasted sandwich & soup too! Warm hospitality. Unbeatable location with glorious views.