Hello, thank you for looking at our listing, we are Cathy (40), John (38) and Leo who is 7 years old and home-educated. We live in a beautiful little cottage slap bang in the middle of a nature reserve in the Scottish Highlands.Β We like to have 3 helpers so friends are welcome to apply, alternatively, we are happy to take 3 single travellers or even a family β but please be aware you may need to share a sleeping area with another helper (who we will ensure is the same sex and similar age to you.)
Hospitality information
We have a big kitchen, sitting room (with X-box, Wii and DVDs) and a big garden as well as of course plenty of amazing countryside so you are definitely not going to feel cooped up. We also have a bath with unlimited hot water at any time of day β which is apparently a bit of a volunteerβs luxury lol!
Food and accommodation
All meals including picnics for your days off are provided and of course, you can have access to games/books etc. just make yourself at home with us. We do not have WiFi but have a good mobile signal at the house.
Helping hours
We ask that you work about 24 hours a week you can choose how you divide the hours.
Activities
We need help looking after the house and garden and assisting with Cathy`s messy-play and cleaning businesses. The other jobs we need help with are many and varied but could include:
- Looking after Leo
- Dog Walking
- Decorating
- Gardening
- Repairing outbuildings
- Cleaning out poultry
- Berry picking
- Beer / Winemaking
- Jam/pickle making
- Laundry (lots and lots of laundry!)
- Assisting at sales/promotion events
- Or whatever needs doing that day, we need someone to fit in with whatever needs doing, often we don`t know til that morning!
More information
This is a placement for a flexible, confident person who is fine spending time alone and does not need detailed instructions to get on with a task. We have animals including a dog and cats who live in the house so you must be comfortable around them.
Location
We are a long way from anywhere, the bus stop is over a mile from the house and the buses are not all that regular so please only apply to stay if you like walking and the countryside!
Our house is difficult to get to on public transport, especially with a big bag, however, if you get yourself to Inverness airport, train station or bus station, I will pick you up and drive you home. If there is anything you`d like to know about us please get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you and you can add me on Facebook if you wish.
Diet
We usually do not take vegetarians or vegans, as we do eat our own free-range, ethically-reared poultry. However, if you are a vegetarian and not offended by this, please feel free to contact us.
Benefits
What you can gain from us (other than English practice): Country skills.
Moreβ¦
We are trying to be as self-sufficient as possible and grow our own food wherever possible. There will be opportunities to plant, grow, tend and harvest foods. Poultry husbandry. Occasionally there will be the opportunity to learn how to prepare a small animal (rabbit, chicken etc.) for the table if you want β obviously, this is not something you have to witness and for the most part our diet is vegetable based.
We also forage and can share our wild food hunting skills, for greens, mushrooms and berries.
We make jams, chutneys, beers, wines etc. and would love to share these skills.
CONTACT DETAILS ππ§
Volunteer in the Scottish highlands β Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pet.tacular.rescue
IG: https://www.instagram.com/messynessdrumnadrochit/
Website: http://www.messy-ness.com/
Cathy@messy-ness.com