Come and volunteer on a croft in Sutherland and explore the northern Highlands, Scotland, UK

United Kingdom

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27
Last activity
11/09/2020
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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2020

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Description
*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️Please read about our current projects before emailing*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️

We are a couple with 2 grown up children, a son who has settled in
Edinburgh and a daughter who is starting a PhD in England.
We run a croft - ie a small farm - in the northern Highlands of Scotland a couple of miles from the nearest village. On the croft there is also a self catering holiday cottage and caravan site. We have sheep, poultry, two sheepdogs and two cats - and a poly tunnel. We farm extensively rather than intensively in order to maintain the environment and wildlife.
We are always happy to help improve your English if needed or just enjoy the cultural exchange.
Please do not apply if you are a smoker.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We can: help with your English, show you the history, culture, ecology and geography of the Highlands of Scotland, and in particular the history and culture of crofting which is a land tenure system unique to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Help
Up coming projects: will be varied so don't get bored, including gardening chores, mending fences and other general croft work etc. Our sheep are due to start lambing around the 8th of April. If you have any particular skills let us know - or if you like to cook occasionally. Also hoping to get some sort of art work in the garden this year - so if you have an artistic bent we can find some time for that during the week.
Stay is usually maximum of 2 or 3 weeks.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation at the moment will be in the cottage. At the end of your stay we expect it to be clean and tidy for the next guest. You will have your breakfast in the cottage - we supply cereals, tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits, but other meals will be with us in the main house.

We have Wi-Fi in the cottage and main house.
What else ...
We have beautiful panoramic views here, mountains, moorlands and native woodlands. Mountain bike trails and opportunities to explore the north of Scotland.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
max 25 hours a week

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Feedback left by and about host (27)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

11/09/2020

Left by Workawayer (Asha & Declan) for host

Staying with Russel and Evelyn over lambing season was a really great experience. We learned a lot, and got to help out with a huge variety of tasks. We helped with all of the lambing jobs (sheparding, clearing pens, assisting with birth, feeding lambs and sheep) with expert instruction from Russel. Evelyn gave us nice jobs in the garden. We… read more

(Excellent )

04/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Angela & William) for host

My sister and I were lucky enough to take part in a workaway with Evelyn and Russell. We are from Canada and had the pleasure of staying in their cottage for three weeks in October while we helped them out. We were treated as proper guests, getting the full Scottish experience, and yes, that also included a haggis and black pudding meal. Evelyn… read more

(Excellent )

27/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Josephine Renée)

Josephine is a pleasant, capable young woman who gets on with the job in hand. She is mature and easy to talk to. She was a great help with outdoor work and working with animals, and all with a cheery disposition. She also has perfect English as well as being a Runrig fan. We would be happy to see her back here any time.

(Excellent )

22/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Josephine Renée) for host

My stay at Evelyn and Russell’s was not only a great experience of the Scottish Highlands. It has been truly educational, rich, pleasant and enjoyable.
I arrived just as the lambing season kicked in, which meant that I had to learn shepherding and caring for sheep rather fast!
This, however, wasn’t a problem, since the couple was patient and able… read more

(Excellent )

26/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Richard)

Richard is an interesting, pleasant and hardworking guy. He is cheerful and willing to have a go at anything. Worrying about what he likes to eat is no problem as in emergencies just give him a tin of Heinz baked beans. He was a pleasure to host and hope he finds lots of interesting placements for the rest of his gap year.

(Excellent )

27/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Richard) for host

I stayed with Evelyn and Russell for 17 days in May, and as a first time workawayer, it was the perfect choice.

Evelyn is a very bubbly, sociable, laid back and caring person who treats the workawayers fairly, making sure that they don't exceed the agreed 5 hours of work per day, whilst ensuring that they have two days off per week.

Russell… read more

(Excellent )

10/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Delphine) for host

The stay at Evelyn and Russell was quite short since I only stayed a week but it was great! Evelyn and Russell are very nice, they helped me a lot with English.
Their house and very conformable with absolutely sublime views (loch, valleys, ...) and quiet. (With 3 adorable cats and a lovely sheepdog). Evelyn cooks very well.
The works were quite… read more

(Excellent )

05/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Nikita) for host

I was at Russell and Evelyn’s for a WorkAway in June 2018. My main responsibilities were to help Russell on the croft with odd jobs, look after and feed the lambs, feed the chickens, gardening and housekeeping in the holiday cottages.

Russell and Evelyn really made me feel like part of the family and so hospitable. Evelyn is a fantastic baker and… read more

(Excellent )

04/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Salomé) for host

What a great experience! I stayed with Evelyn and Russel for two weeks and it was amazing. They are very kind.I really enjoy discovering the work in a farm, working with the chickens, cut woods, the area is beautiful and offer a lot to see. Thank you for this 15 days at your place , for the trip to Ullapool where we have seen dolphins. I had the… read more

(Excellent )

14/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Louis)

Louis stayed with us for a few weeks during the summer and we found him to be a pleasant, well mannered, helpful young man. He was always willing to help with whatever was needed and never complained. With his help we made a little more headway in the garden and although he had never worked with sheep before he picked it up quickly and was a big… read more

(Excellent )

03/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Louis) for host

Staying with Evelin and Russel during 3 weeks was a great experience! They were always very patient with me to explain the work I have to do, to improve my English and to learn me the history and the culture of the Highlands. Evelin is a very very good cooker she cook a lot of excellent cakes (I loved her chocolate cake and her tablet !). I worked… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Petr)

What Petr’s profile doesn’t tell you is that he is an intelligent, educated, capable, friendly young man. During the weeks he spent with us he was always helpful, considerate and a good worker. He uncomplainingly got on with whatever needed doing, from garden landscaping to working with sheep and lots of other odd jobs. We wish him well and… read more

(Excellent )

30/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (Petr) for host

I spent more than three wonderful weeks on Evelyn and Russel's farm. It's hard to express how I'm glad for it. It was an incredible experience for me. I would like to thank Evelyn and Russel for all they've taught me and for their patience with me. I also have to thank that they showed us a beauty of the Highlands. It was an honor to help them… read more

(Excellent )

22/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Ludovico)

Ludovico is a pleasant well mannered young man who was a joy to host. He showed initiative and diligence and worked well at all the tasks asked of him, which were mainly with sheep and landscaping. He has a maturity beyond his years and I am pleased to recommend him as a workawayer. We wish him well and hope he will make a return visit to us… read more

(Excellent )

06/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Ludovico) for host

Stay with Evelin and Russel has been an unique experience. Almost 3 weeks in a splendid place, where I realy enjoyed the work with Russel (particullary the one with the sheep), the amazing meal prepared by Evelin and the walk in the surraunding area with the others workawayers (everywhere amazing landscape). Our accomodation was in a realy… read more

(Excellent )

19/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (JULES) for host

Thank you Evelyn and Russel for this great opportunity. I just spent 10 days in your beautiful farm and it was a rewarding experience. The accomodation was perfect, we had everything we could need. I did a few works that I have never done before and it was truly satisfying. I love Scotland and working in your area was really relaxing. With the… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (McKenna)

We enjoyed hosting Kenna. She is a friendly considerate young woman who helped a lot with the general chores here, and it was great too, to get help with the holiday house. The major tasks were the garden planting and weeding - and I am happy to say the plants are all not only still living, but thriving and blooming. I wish her all success in… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (McKenna) for host

I spent two weeks in June with Russel and Evelyn and my only regret was that I didn't stay longer! They were very welcoming and definitely made sure I was settled in and well fed. The setting is picturesque and there are plenty of hikes you can take when you're free. It was a true taste of Highland life! They have a lot going on on their croft, so… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Dorothea)

Dorothea stayed with us for 2 weeks in April. This covered the period when we were lambing which is a testing time with some long hours, physical work and occasionally atrocious weather . For all this time Dorothea was helpful and cheerful. She very quickly picked up what was required and took the initiative when required, making suggestions and… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Dorothea) for host

Words can't describe how happy I was to help out Russell and Evelyn at their farm. I spent two short weeks there and enjoyed it very much. Even though I was their only workaway for the first week, I didn't mind in the slightest. They are both exceptionally kind and always made sure I was fine (and had enough food). I arrived just in time for the… read more

(Excellent )

02/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Marcus)

During Marcus’s stay with us we found him to be a pleasant, friendly, intelligent young man who was not afraid of hard work. He, among other things, helped out with the sheep and cleaned out a byre, and gave general help around the place when Russell’s back was bad, but what we are most grateful for is all the strimming he did – if only we could… read more

(Very good )

25/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Marcus) for host

Where to begin? I only spent a week here but really enjoyed the relaxing and interesting break from the big cities and Evelyn and Russell were very accommodating and helpful. The food was plentiful and the little holiday let well equipped with washer, TV, bathroom facilities and good WiFi-not to be forgotten: the landscape and countryside is… read more

(Very good )

03/04/2015

Left by Workawayer (Michal) for host

My three-week stay with Evelyn and Russell was totally a pleasant and enriching experience. My hosts helped us to explore the magnificent surroundings with good tips and even some personal guidance that I am very thankful for.
Evelyn is an easy-going person that always does her best to make your stay as pleasant as possible, with great meals and… read more

(Excellent )

03/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Michal)

Michal stayed with us last summer. He was a good worker and also good company. I hope he enjoyed his stay and that he finds somewhere interesting for his 2015 experience.
If nobody want you Michal you can come back here anytime.
Best Wishes
Evelyn

(Excellent )

26/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (loic)

Loic stayed with us for a couple of weeks and worked steadily between some heavy duty digging in the garden and sanding windows for repainting - along with the occasional emergency catching of sheep who needed help lambing. He has a cheerful disposition and soon made himself at home here. His English vocabulary is good and we hope he benefited… read more

(Excellent )

26/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Nat)

Natalie was our first Workawayer. She is good company and soon made herself at home. She enjoyed working outside, with good construction skills and works well on her own. The chickens are still enjoying the summer house she built for them. We wish her all the best in her new venture and if she ever makes it back to the Highlands we would love… read more

(Excellent )

08/04/2014

Left by Workawayer (Nat) for host

Thank you Russel, Evelyn and Ailee (sp?) for a wonderful stay! Russel is a fountain of information both historical and lamb related. Evelyn is a good and thoughtful cook who will keep you more than full. My work for this host was fueled by tea and cake, and then some tea and cake. Evelyn even made me my very own tablet (a type of candy) which I… read more

(Excellent )

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