Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
14 Feb 2025
Reply rate
95.2 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
88
Email verified
Host offers payment
Badges (2)



Find your perfect host
Details
Description
Madainn mhath! (Welcome in Gaelic)
We're Ian and Jess and we live on a small private tidal island connected to the nearby village of Badachro by a floating footbridge.
We live here with our three lovely children, aged 17 15and 8
Ian is the descendent of the ancient Mackenzie clan, whose family has occupied this island since the 18th century!
Jess is from England and moved up to the highlands to join Ian in continuing his family's legacy of sustainable creel fishing in the surrounding waters.
We are a lively family always on the move, fishing out at sea, selling our catch at a local market, and hosting visitors in self-catering accommodations on the island.
Ian and the kids are always dreaming up new projects around the island, and in our free time, we like to interact with our local community playing Scottish music, going on scenic walks and bike rides to the beach to see the rich wildlife around our home.
We also have a very friendly patterdale terrier called Dubh, Gaelic for black.
This is a paid position, we will pay minimum wage,but will deduct money for accommodation as this is a live in position all food is included, happy to discuss this with further with potential helpersTypes of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We want you to feel at home and to be a part of our family!
Many of our Workaway volunteers come to our home to improve their English.
You will have lots of opportunities to learn not only English, but a diverse range of English accents, from Ian's Scottish, Jess's English, and Gaelic from the kids. (Our two oldest daughters are fluent!)
Our island also offers a great deal of information about Scottish fishing history, and if you wish, coming out with Ian on the boats to see the fishing industry in the UK from a first-hand point of view.
Visitors to our Island love learning about the local fishing industry so much that a few years ago we started our business to organize professional fishing tours, which you can also experience with us space and weather permitting. We usually go out for tours during the warmer months.
Outside the island, there is a vibrant local community that makes the absolute best of a rural environment.
With weekly Scottish Music jam sessions, a cozy coffee shop, library, community centre, and history museum, there is no shortage of activities to involve yourself with. Ian and Jess and all of the kids are active figures in the community and you will be welcomed as if you were a local yourself. The nearest shops are 5 mins so best to bring your favourie snacks with you
The local pub, the Badachro Inn is within walking distance.
We have sit on kayaks and bikes available for your use. There are also lovely walks in the area. The nearest sandy beach is 3 miles away.
Make sure you bring your swimming costume as you will have a chance to use our guest hot tubs
You may have the chance of seeing pinemartens, otters and deer.
Also you will certainly be able to enjoy the fabulous night sky and there is a chance during winter time to see the northern lightsProjects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the UK minimum hourly wage for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided inline with UK guidance. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
We're looking for self-motivated, driven individuals to help alongside us in taking care of our island,
Examples of help are cutting the grass, painting, trimming back wild paths, and of course helping us look after our
As per the norm with Workaway we ask no more than 5 hours of active help for 5 days a week.
We are very much an 'around the clock' family so we recommend that Workaways can adapt to a hectic schedule that having a family typically requires.
We cannot always actively manage our volunteers so especially for the younger travellers it's very important that you do not always wait for us to ask for help, but for you actively seek out projects and help where you know you can be the most helpful.
Please be prepared to give a helping hand not only during the day but also around mealtimes. We love for Workaways to share with us their recipes from home!Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Gaelic (Scottish): Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: BeginnerAccommodation
We offer our Workawayers a small stunning private bedroom in our home with a beautiful view of the sea.
Our whole island operates a high-speed wifi connection.
Of course, we love for our Workaways to share in all meals with us, as well as to feel at home helping themselves to tea and coffee and snacks whenever needed.
We eat a diverse diet of traditional Scottish food like Ian's famous Mince and Tatties, Jess's British curries, and all the cakes and cookies the girls can dream up.What else ...
There is no public transport around Badachro but you can arrive by bus to Gairloch via the Westerbus leaving from Inverness.
We will pick you up in the car when you arrive!
While you're here you have access to our collection of bikes to get around the area, and we are always commuting to and from nearby Gairloch should you want to hitch rides with us during your free time. We also have 7 seater car and usually have day of on Sunday which could consist oanything from trips north to Ullapool and beyond to the Isle of skye and all points between!A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (40)
Both the area and the family are absolutely lovely. I was part of the family from day one😀, they included me in family day trips out like Oban, Inverness and Ceilidh dances (Scottish traditional dances). They also made a big effort to show me around the places and sights along the way.
In terms of the family. Ian… read more
Feedback
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:
(4.9)
Both the area and the family are absolutely lovely. I was part of the family from day one😀, they included me in family day trips out like Oban, Inverness and Ceilidh dances (Scottish traditional dances). They also made a big effort to show me around the places and sights along the way.
In terms of the family. Ian… read more
The only thing about her leaving is she is going to be coming back to stay with us for longer, we wish our soul sister/daughter every success in life and look… read more
It was lovely to be part of their family and also be included in the community. I enjoyed the work, especially going out by boat with… read more
Not only did I learn… read more
I was helping to set up a B&B house, some scrub cutting built a walkway… read more
The people here are very… read more
The family was always there for me, open and friendly. Going out on a boat, fishing and just enjoying the landscapes. It is stunning. Also using the bike to get around makes you very flexible. Thank you for everything.
Ian is a fisherman which gave me the opportunity to learn the traditional way of fishing, known to the area.
I had plenty of free time to explore and hike the Highlands, with guidance and advice… read more
What can we say,toria was hard working conscientious and soon became part of the family we were sorry to see her go and all of us wish her a speedy return here ,thank you so much for all your hard work and friendship cheers.
I stayed with them four weeks in august and september 2018 and had a great time on the island. The rural area with the stunning nature is perfect to forget about everything. This family lives at an unique place and the cottages are very cosy and comfortable to stay as a guest. Every little space in the family-owned house is… read more
The island they live on is beautiful and a very relaxing place to be.
I also had a lot of fun with Iona, Isla and Finlay and I'll definitely miss them.
The work I had to… read more
I was happy to take part in ShellfishSafari and to enjoy… read more
There was always something going on in the house with Iona, Isla and Finlay around :-)
Thanks for all of… read more
Where do I start, wonderful young man a credit to hisnfamily and country ( I'll say Italy) everything he did was of the highest quality, I would highly recommend him to anyone that needs a clever proactive interesting and practical person on a more personal level we all miss and look forward to the day when he washes back on our shores (… read more
The work was fun, the family were lovley and the scenery… read more
We stay in touch,
Lots of kisses to you Jess, Ian, Iona, Isla, Finley and Dugh!
Pepette
This is a beautiful place located in the most magnificent part of Scotland.
It was so much fun to work on the boat with Ian and I really felt part of the family at home.
Thank you so much for your availability and your extreme generosity. I hope we'll keep in touch.
12/10… read more
The help was different on every 5 working days (housework, self-catering changeover, looking after shops or at comunity market) which i enjoyed so much rather than daily routine.
Beautiful place and people,… read more
They are very generous, kind, extraordinary, and more ... They did lots of things for me !
The girls and the baby are very endearing !
I hope come back to see them !
Lucile.
, sorry to see them go but would be great asset to any host thank you ian jess iona and isla
As for workaway, we did a variety of projects from painting Ian's boat to building platforms/decking and varnishing the new glamping cabin. We also did the… read more
Badachro was such an awesome place to live and work !wish you and all your family the very best for your future ventures ,especially thanks for showing… read more
Ian and Jess are extraordinary people, user friendly and generous. So kind, they did everything to help us with our english and to discover their country, region then Ian his work.
Iona and Isla are two lovely girls. We have enjoyed to live with them for one month and two… read more