At 7pm, my email inbox chimes: “Might need help” is the subject line, and it’s from a visitor who has checked out of my hostel just 12 hours ago.

Running an island Bunkhouse comes with many different challenges. There is, of course, the day-to-day tasks of cleaning the place head to toe, changing bed sheets and emptying bins, and the emails and admin that go on behind the scenes. But what I didn’t quite expect was the amount of rescuing that would be involved - and today, my bat signal has come in the form of a frantic email.

My ex-guest had set up camp at Harris, to the southwest of the island, at a gorgeous spot in front of an old hunting lodge. But it seemed he was not the only one to think it a great spot - within minutes of setting up his camp, he had attracted the attention of the island’s semi-wild ponies. A beautiful herd that is harmless, but no doubt intimidating when all 15 turn up at your tent flap at once.

“I will wait and see if they leave soon,” the email continued. “But all my food and water is in the tent.”

I am often asked if I get a chance to venture across the island at........

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