Help look after a large historic house and garden in a small town near Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

United Kingdom

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Favourited 196 times

Host rating
Feedback
8
Last activity
16/01/2020
Reply rate
94.3 %
Average reply time:
within 6 days
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Availability

2020

Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Description
Hi, we are looking for active Workaways to help look after a large historic house and garden in the centre of a small Scottish town called Huntly near Aberdeen. The town has pubs, shops, cafes, and a train and bus station. It is surrounded by beautiful woods and hills were you can go walking straight from the house. Huntly has an active arts project called the Deveron Project (details on-line) with lots of fun events such as cooking, talks, walking, dancing etc. Workaways have previously visited castles, distilleries, Inverness, and Edinburgh during their stays.
The house has a walled garden with flowers, trees, herbs, vegetables, apple, pear, plum, raspberry, blackcurrant, and blueberry plants. The work is mainly painting inside the house and getting the garden ready for the winter.
We normally have 2 - 3 Workaways staying at any time. Workaways will have their own rooms in the house with WIFI. We eat together in the large kitchen and normally have fun discussions on what is going on in the World, and of course Huntly.
Type of help
Gardening
General Maintenance
Help in the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Meet locals, explore Huntly castle, go on the whisky trail, local free arts events sponsored by the Deveron project, exercise classes 5 mins walk from house. Explore Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, all accessible as day or weekend trips from the town railway station that is 10 mins walk from the house.
Help
Preparing the garden for the winter and interior painting.
Languages spoken
English Spanish
Accommodation
Workawayers will have own bedrooms in the house with a separate bathroom. Talks over dinner are a good opportunity to share experiences. The town has a range of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
What else ...
No smoking, no pets. Meat normally eaten with most meals.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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Feedback left by and about host (8)

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

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

10/01/2020

Left by Workawayer (Leonardo) for host

I've been at Erica and John's place as my first Workaway experience and I've been more than happy to spend my time there.
I stayed in Huntly for about three weeks: a satisfying amount of time to get familiar with the town and its social life, which, as for such little towns, isn't overwhelming but still enjoyable. I recommend to take part in some… read more

(Excellent )

18/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Guillaume) for host

Marvelous time spent in the town of Huntly and in the house. Erica and John are very friendly and welcoming. The house is huge and beautiful, you have your own bedroom, cooking is different and fun with their stove, there is lot of different tasks in the garden so I've never been bored doing again and again the same work. There is as well nice… read more

(Excellent )

26/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Thomas) for host

I spent lovely time in Huntly with John. He's a very nice man, I felt confortable as soon as I arrived in his wonderful house. I miss our conversations in the kitchen and in the sitting room, next to the fire, listening some music. It was my first Workaway experience and I could easily say that I couldn't have had a better first experience.… read more

(Excellent )

26/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas)

Tom stayed as a Workaway for about 6 weeks. During this time he performed a number of tasks including varnishing, painting, gardening and repairing some walls. He performed all these tasks to a good standard and always kept me informed of any questions and his progress. He speaks excellent English.
Tom is a very pleasant chap, and fitted in very… read more

(Excellent )

02/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra)

Alex stayed with us for 3 weeks in January this year. She is a very friendly and helpful person, always very polite and has a great sense of humour and excellent English. During her time here, Alex helped re-decorate a room, cleaned the house and did a lot of heavy garden work, moving bark from one end of the garden to the other …. yes, even in… read more

(Excellent )

08/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Alexandra) for host

I stayed at John and Erica’s place for three weeks and it has been my first workaway experience. I had such a great time with them ! They are both really kind and make you feel at home. The house is absolutely gorgeous and is located in the city center. Huntly is a cute village where you can have nice walks and visit the castle. It’s also really… read more

(Excellent )

13/01/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Carolina )

Carolina stayed at our house for 3 weeks just before Christmas. She worked very hard at all the tasks she was given (both in the house and garden) and also very helpful performing washing up after dinners etc. Carolina is a very nice person and a pleasure to have as a guest in the house. Have fun in your travels. John.

(Excellent )

29/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Carolina ) for host

Huntly is a lovely little town. John and Erica know many places in the world and they love sharing their experiences. Erica was very attentive during our chores and always brought us coffee with cookies at the time of our breaks, as well as preparing us delicious dinners. The house, a building from 1820 is beautiful and has a beautiful and cozy… read more

(Excellent )

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