Help James save Mheall Cottage from foreclosure

WHAT'S GOING ON?

Mheall Cottage in North West Scotland is home to me, James, and my dog Isla.

Mheall Cottage also happens to be one of the most beautiful and unique places on the planet available to rent/base yourself at for an unforgettable holiday in and around the West Coast Highlands of Scotland. Hundreds of previous guests I've welcomed here over 14 years will attest to that!

However, the future of Mheall Cottage as a home for me and a bucket-list destination for you hangs in the balance...

WHY IS THIS?

New laws coming in this year from the Scottish Government mean I need to apply to my local council for an official 'Home-Share License' so as to be able to continue the short-term letting that makes up the principal income I need to remain here and open for business.

Unfortunately, my mortgage provider – The Bank of Scotland – is refusing to grant me the all-important permission letter I need for my license application, claiming the property is residential and I am therefore not permitted to let it, or even let rooms in it.

So it's Catch 22 - The Bank continue to demand their ever-increasing monthly pound of flesh while refusing to allow me to deploy my one remaining asset to pay it!

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?

Either I need to extricate myself asap from the relatively small but brutally restrictive amount still outstanding on my mortgage or I will have to sell up. (I could start legal proceedings against the bank disputing the terms of my contract, but we all know there's only going to be one winner there.)

I can't imagine life without a home and a modest way of making a living in rural Argyll but after 14 years that is what I am facing.

SO WHAT'S THE PLAN?

I have most of a five-year refinancing plan in place that will free me from being beholden to an onerous bank mortgage and enable me to start applying for a license to continue doing short-term holiday rentals, legally and in line with Scottish Government requirements.

However, this arrangement may take weeks/months to complete and I need to raise the last £14,950 of it now in order to fulfil my part of it and give myself some working capital (all the while NOT being able to rent out the cottage or even rooms in it for income).

HOW CAN WE HELP?

I am appealing for contributions towards that £14,950.

Any amount is welcome, but I am not expecting something for nothing and as you will have noticed this is in the 'Business' fund-raising category rather than 'Charity'.

Mheall Cottage is my home but it's also a small business; I have a cashflow issue and I effectively need to crowdfund some investment to plug the gap and help me move forward, so I will therefore be offering a handsome return as follows...

Many of you are already regular guests at Mheall Cottage for a week or more every year (thank you!) and many more have let me know that you are thinking of coming to stay here in the coming years. This year that will cost £650 a week. So if you feel able to contribute that amount this year, I will guarantee you a week's holiday at Mheall Cottage, to be redeemed any time over the next five years (subject to reasonable availability), and 'rate-capped' at today's prices.

SOUNDS LIKE WIN-WIN?

Yes! YOU ARE HELPING ME put up a bridge over troubled water, while in return I AM GIVING YOU a wonderful week's holiday in Scotland at an inflation-busting rate, and before it's potentially gone forever. And I'm sure I don't need to go into what a unique place this is for a family holiday - you've seen the photos on Facebook, you feel you already know the well-equipped, cosy cottage that sleeps 4-5, you love Isla the dog, you can just about tolerate James the human(!), and you dream of visiting the spectacular Highland & Islands of Scotland again or indeed for the first time. (And if you're not familiar with the cottage, you can check out my Air B&B link here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/4233158?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=a1d40d77-538f-40cc-91fe-952e6c92fdf4 although please do keep in mind that there are many more additional rooms available to you as friends/supporters that are NOT publicly listed on there - e.g. extra rooms, living room, kitchen etc; you'll get the entire cottage!)

It seems like an impossible target I am aiming for but if only 23 friends/families were to effectively 'book a week' by advancing £650 for your next Scottish holiday here, the future of Mheall Cottage as a resilient, sustainable business will be secure. You can redeem your week yourselves, give it to friends to redeem, even give it to friends of friends to redeem. But please do give!

If I see your name on the list next to £650 I'll know it's you and we can liaise when you plan to take up your newly reserved week. If you would like to book in for the same amount but prefer to keep yourself publicly anonymous just go ahead with your contribution and message me privately (I'll be the only one who can see your name).

Or you can remain anonymous, contribute any amount, and listen out for my silent gratitude in a quiet moment.

Once again, all contributions welcome – 149 of those at £100 will get Mheall Cottage over the line and enable me to kick the bank into touch for good – but a week holiday's worth (£650 or more) will come with a commensurate return down the track; payment in kind, if you like. And by the way, any funds received over and above the target total will be put towards improving sustainability, upgrading cottage infrastructure and reducing energy costs, e.g. installing solar panels.

Heartfelt thanks in advance - if we can make this happen I truly hope to be welcoming you (or welcoming you back) to Mheall Cottage sometime over the next five years.

James