Guests won't take advice

[Sally68]

Hi, I live in a really remote cottage in Scotland (really, really remote ... there's no road and we're the only building for 6 miles in any direction). I strongly suggest that guests come by boat but it is, just, possible to walk/cycle the six miles in. I've got a reservation from a couple who are intending to walk the six miles into our cottage in the dark. I have accepted the reservation but stressed that walking in the dark over unknown and unmarked Scottish moorland with aggresive and unpredictable wild animals (it's rutting season for the numerous red deer) and no mobile phone reception is a very bad idea. I have pointed out that there is an alternative route (getting a bus to the village across the water and hiring a boat from there). If the guests continue with their plan to walk in the dark they will be putting themselves in danger and leaving me responsible for finding them if they don't turn up. Any ideas for how I can dissuade them?

Sally

[Sally68]

I hope I haven't disappointed anyone but the very first communication I had with this guest I noted the time of sunset on the day they were due to arrive and noted they should "ensure they have plenty of time to get here before dark". Following my note to them that they must plan to arrive either by sunset or by boat or I would have to cancel, they have now changed their plans so they will arrive in plenty of time.

I had lots of communication with the couple who came by canoe - they were keen to check the local conditions and tides. It's a great way of getting around this area.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Sally68

A suggestion  - people dont read the entire description: Your very first para is way to inviting: This is an old crofthouse that has been refurbished as a cosy off-grid studio for adventurous travellers on Scotland's west coast. It has outstanding views surrounded by truly wild countryside. Loch na Droma Buidhe is very remote, there is no road and the nearest neighbour is 6 miles walk away. Access is by boat only.

You  need ton include things like: This is only for the intrepid travellers as there is road way, etc....It's a challenging access route, but so worth the view and peaceful atmosphere

[Sally68]

Thanks for checking the description. I'm delighted if you see it as "too inviting"!

So far all of my guests have arrived by boat (it's a great trip ... lots of seal and whale watching!) and I provide detailed information on access by land if anyone enquires.

[Sally68]

I told the guests that they would have to check in before sunset or I would have to cancel the reservation. They came back in a couple of hours with changed travel plans (using the information on bus and ferry times that I'd provided) and they will now arrive in plenty of time.

Many thanks for all comments and advice

[Lizzie]

Aw what an adventure, eh @Sally68! I am glad to hear it has all worked out with you guests, I am sure they will enjoy the walk over to your home a lot more now. The scenery looks amazing, what a wonderful place to live! 🙂

[Steve2743]

Honestly, this sounds like an absolutely amazing hike to me, and I kinda feel like you're projecting your personal limitations into your guests. You feel that because you couldn't do it, no one should. The reality is that there's plenty of experienced outdoorsmen/women out there who would be more than capable of safely making the journey. Now, as a courtesy they should provide you with some information on their outdoors experience, but I would be thoroughly pissed if I had planned and prepared for such an amazing experience, only for the host to cancel it at the last minute. 

[Steve2743]

To elaborate, try to keep in mind that a for many (myself included), a vacation isn't about the destination, but the journey. It's easy to say "Oh, it would be easier to just take the boat". But for them, it isn't about "easy". As beautiful as your place is, and as much as they were looking forward to staying there, they weren't going because they wanted to see your place. They were going for an amazing hike, and your place was just a soft bed, and a well deserved rest after an amazing adventure. It's like telling a book lover that it would be easier to just watch the movie. In the end, it's your place, your rules. But it's something to keep in mind. 

[David126]

I had a couple stay last week who are doing a 2745 mile Mountain Bike ride from Canada to Mexico, they were about 1700 miles in, they stayed with me because it was snowing and they were cold and wet.

Nice people, they had seen, Moose, Bears, Elk, Deer, Antelope and quite a few other things, I know there is a Mountain Lion in the hills above me.

These things are relative.

(They were English)