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100 %
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3 Mar 2026
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Description
COUPLES ONLY PLEASE FOR PRACTICALITIES OF ACCOMMODATION
We are a couple who run an informal charity registered alpaca visitor centre at Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It is 2.5 hours by ferry from mainland Scotland and the furthest northwest point in the U.K.
In addition to the 11 adult female alpacas, 2 young male alpacas and 2 studs we also have unusual breeds of sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and turkeys plus a peacock and peahens. Rare breeds are important to us and we also regularly rescue and re-home animals. The current total is 180+ animals!
We have (inadvertently) developed into a visitor centre and many people visit from all over the world! Despite this we consider the animals to be our pets, admission and animal tours will always be free and we love people to share our enjoyment of having all these beautiful animals.
Visitors include both children and adults alike and we sometimes have whole primary schools visit! We also have a strong connection with the local autism groups and caring services.
Our charitable aims are animal welfare, education and a recreational centre.
In 2024 we opened a tiny café in a converted stable with seating in a double decker bus. This also doubles up as a classroom.
The whole set-up is run entirely by us as a couple and one of us works full-time therefore we would welcome some volunteer help both animal-related, with the visitors and on the 12 acres of land.
We would like couples for the practicalities of maximising our accommodation, teamwork and company when venturing around the island. A good grasp of the English language is essential in order to explain the tasks accurately.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The island is remote and despite being 80 miles long has a population of only 21,000. Stornoway is the main town. It is one of the last strongholds of the Gaelic language and culture. We hail from South Wales and therefore were not brought up on the island but have plenty of local connections with people who were.
We can introduce you to a variety of local people and friends who continue the traditional Hebridean lifestyle including crofters, spinners and weavers of the world famous Harris tweed. Crofting usually involves keeping a variety of animals including but not exclusive to various breeds of sheep and Highland cows. We ourselves have rare breed four-horned Hebridean sheep.
At certain times of year there would be the chance to go peat cutting on the moors; every crofter has their own dedicated peat patch including us.
Most of our friends in Callanish are Gaelic speakers and would therefore be able to share their knowledge of the language and culture with you. Playing the bagpipes and Highland dancing are popular hobbies here and you can experience both.
Your accommodation is immediately outside our home so we'll be seeing you all the time and will make you very welcome in our household. It's a certainty that we'll be sharing some of the tasks with you on a daily basis. We'll be able to guide you to interesting points of interest on the island and further afield if that takes your fancy.
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in the UK and is looking for help with their charity project. Guidance on charity worker sponsorship by a UK registered charity, can be found here.
Help
Daily routine animal tasks including letting them out in the morning, providing food and water, cleaning their houses and putting them to bed at night.
Involvement with taking visitors on informal tours is optional but a great way to meet a diverse variety of people.
Maintenance of the animal houses and enclosures including simple repair, adjustments and painting.
Various improvements of the land for those interested in it including cutting the rushes, seeding, spreading lime and upkeep of drainage ditches.
All tasks are fully negotiable and appropriate waterproof clothing and footwear plus power tools and safety equipment where necessary will be provided.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have accommodation in the form of a two fully equipped caravans (including kitchen, toilet and shower) immediately outside the house. One is a five berth and the other a four berth but we’d only have couples or two friends in each. Your choice of food is provided by us for your preparation in the accommodation. There is a TV and unlimited wi-fi in the caravans. All bedding and towels provided. Laundry facilities on site.
What else ...
The island is outstandingly beautiful throughout and there are countless outdoor activities but volunteers should be aware that getting around the island to reach some places can be a challenge as it is so sparsely populated and remote. Bicycle and car hire are possible.
There are 700 miles of coastline and the numerous beaches have white sand and turquoise sea.
Callanish Stones are impressive standing stones dating back to 3,000 BC. They are a world famous attraction. It is only a short walk from our house to the stones and they are clearly visible from here.
The Hebridean Way is a popular cycle and walking route. It runs 185 miles through the entire Outer Hebrides from the most southerly island, Barra to the most northerly point of Lewis. The islands are joined by causeways or linked by cheap ferry services.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Surprisingly fast wi-fi for a remote location! Stable speeds of 50+ mbps download/mid-teens upload in the caravans.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Alpacas, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys and peacocks
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
We stayed in one of the caravans, which was very comfortable and cozy. We were… read more
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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We stayed in one of the caravans, which was very comfortable and cozy. We were… read more
She… read more
Accommodation was provided for us in a cosy cabin which is located at the front of the property. We had the pleasure of seeing the alpacas and pigs right outside our cabin window!!
With… read more
They arrived at 10pm after a rough ferry crossing but were up raring to go the next morning at 8am!
Neither had worked specifically with animals before let alone alpacas, rare breed sheep, Kunekune pigs, peacocks and a huge variety of unusual chickens and ducks (150+ animals in… read more
They offered us the perfect balance of efficiently helping with all aspects of animal management (both daily routine and more challenging tasks!) and tackling some very complex practical jobs. Their mother/daughter relationship was heart-warming to… read more
They offered us the perfect balance of efficiently helping with all aspects of animal management (both daily routine and more challenging tasks!) and tackling some very complex practical jobs. Their mother/daughter relationship was heart-warming to… read more
