We are an early retired couple sharing our lives with many four legged ..dogs and horses in Scotland, UK

United Kingdom

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Favourited 337 times

Host rating
Feedback
8
Last activity
18/10/2021
Reply rate
76.9 %
Average reply time:
within 9 days
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Description
We are an early retired couple sharing our lives with many four leggeds ..dogs and horses . I train with horses in classical dressage and at liberty . We have land and a welcoming spacious home plus lots of opportunities for having fun times with four leggeds . We are looking for some animal loving help as we continue to develop the tracks and garden here on our homestead . We live in a beautiful part of Scotland with easy access to the hills, mountains and castles nearby .

*️*️*️*️ we regularly update our calendar so please check before applying..Thankyou! *️*️*️*️
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are experienced hosts through folk festivals in the past...we have hosted dancers and musicians from all over Europe and Canada ...we enjoy sharing our home and life with warm relaxed individuals and learning about others’ culture and history. We can offer lots of opportunity to spend time with horses including how to work with them totally at liberty . We can also offer the opportunity of living in a beautiful part of Scotland with it’s historical castles and it’s breathtaking mountains and beaches . .
Help
Some manual tasks associated with horses , manure lifting from the fields etc. Playing with the dogs in the fields and some dog sitting days . Fence and shed painting . Gardening .
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
Exclusive use of a Double or twin room ...Workawayers shower room upstairs ...we are downstairs . Separate sitting room for Workawayers to use . Help yourself breakfast and lunch with an evening meal most evenings ...sharing of cooking etc most welcome . We are a vegetarian friendly household . We can not accept smokers .
What else ...
Within a very short distance of the local village, access to bus from there and trains just 3 miles away...we can take to the train station. Lots to explore in the surrounding area. We are home most of the time, outside with the horses and dogs , days revolve around them ...we would welcome people who want to learn all about interacting with them and who are happy to undertake the necessary chores associated with them ....we don’t require people to ride the horses !....we also have many fences to paint so if that’s your thing, please do get in touch!
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 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)

07/02/2021

Left by Workawayer (Chantelle) for host

I absolutely loved my time with Julie and David. I was to stay for three weeks but ended up staying for 3 months (September-December 2020), and planning to go back! A typical day consisted of starting at 8:30, feeding the horses and chickens and turning them out, poo picking, breakfast sometime around 10:30/11 (when you are eating with them this… read more seems normal!), then other jobs like moving wood chips/repairing gateways/fixing fences/painting barns and fences/cleaning/working with the horses. Lunch is sometime between 2-3pm and you have the afternoon free. If any horses are stabled or in the 'not okay corral' you might have to bring them in or give them more haynets at night. Dinner is sometime at night! You can sit and watch TV downstairs with Julie and David in the evenings (Strictly come dancing is a favourite) have good conversation, spend your time in the separate sitting room or retreat to your bedroom.
I stayed in one of the upstairs bedrooms, both are very big and there is a shared bathroom for the workers upstairs. The house is very clean and organised and has been renovated recently. There are plenty of places to dry washing and you can leave your dirty boots and jackets in the boot room.
There are plenty of places to go and site-see nearby (via bus or train). The nearest town with public transport links/food shops is Kintore, a 5 minute drive or ~30min walk (less if you are a fast walker). If you have a car then even better! Aberdeenshire has a lot of castles and the Cairngorms are very nearby.
I learnt a lot about eating from Julie! They eat a Keto diet and have lots of ferments and pickles on the go, don't knock them till you try them! I am definitely a convert. If you aren't open to trying new things and learning a better way to fuel your body, this probably isn't the place for you, as there isn't any sugar or bread in the house! If you are open to it, you will leave a changed person (for the better!)
Now for the good stuff, the puppies and the horses! They have seven adorable puppies (aged 3-10yrs). I know you shouldn't have favourites but the two boys are little cuddlers! Herbie can't get close enough to you, be prepared to be smothered! and Dexter is a little cutie who will curl up and sleep on your lap. The girls are all a bit too big to climb on top of you but love cuddles and belly scratches (Molly-dog!).
They have two herds, 7 in each. The bottom herd has four minis (little cuties) plus Bambi (gentle giant and leader), Squigs and Tia. The top herd are a mix with two mares and five geldings. Julie works at liberty with her horses which is very different from 'normal' horsemanship and not natural horsemanship or Monty Roberts. If you are willing to learn a new (and improved) way of communicating with horses then you will be rewarded. However if you aren't willing to try new things and get comfortable in the learning-stage then this isn't your place. Also don't come thinking you will be riding or exercising horses every day. If you aren't horsey then this would be an amazing introduction to working with horses.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and can't wait to come back to my Scottish family!
Thank you so much for my time!

(Excellent )

07/02/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Chantelle)

What can we say ?..other than Chantelle is literally the gold standard of Workawayers. She came for 3 weeks and ended up staying 3 months ...she quickly became an invaluable member of the household and turned her competent and caring hand to anything and everything asked of her ..she’s also super observant and notices how you do stuff which… read more

(Excellent )

13/01/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Laurence)

Laurence and Eloise were an amazing pair of Workawayers...they fitted in to our way of life immediately and brought with them an introduction to theirs ..by the end of their stay we were sitting down to dinner at 10pm ...Vive la France 🇫🇷!! Laurence brought enthusiasm to all of the tasks and warmth and fun to all of the two and four leggeds… read more

(Excellent )

01/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Laurence) for host

I could not dream of better hosts for my first experience with Workaway.
Julie and David were just fantastic. We shared very fun moments together, and very special ones too that I know I will never forget. I felt I got rich to have met them and all their lovely animals. Leaving them all was a tough moment, but I am sure we will soon go back to… read more

(Excellent )

01/01/2020

Left by Workawayer (Janina) for host

What a great experience! I've stayed with Julie and David for a month in June 2018. I had an amazing time and felt all welcomed and homey. I helped with some gardening, cooking, poo picking and spent a lot of time with the lovely dogs. I really miss that crowd. It didn't feel like work at all. The area they live in is beautiful and perfect for… read more

(Excellent )

30/12/2019

Left by Workawayer (Jose) for host

One of the best experiences of my life! Julie and David are the best Hosts you can stay with, I learned a lot from their culture and their way of life around animals I had never experienced anything like that, everything was amazing!
In the 4 months that I stayed with them I felt at home we shared many things, stories, knowledge to work on all… read more

(Excellent )

02/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Celia) for host

Staying with Julie and David was a wonderful experience. They were very welcoming and eager to make my time in Scotland as enjoyable and smooth as possible (thanks for those last minute bookings :P). The doggy and horsey love made the work no work at all, and the fresh air and scenery were invigorating. Most of all, Julie and David taught me so… read more

(Excellent )

09/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ann-Christin) for host

Absolutly perfect! Julie and David were the most wonderful Hosts I could ever dream of. They were so warm and welcoming and I enjoyed every moment of my time with them :) Living together wich such lovely animals and amazing people was a great pleasure to me. I was quite sad when my time in Scotland with Julie and David was up, but I am sure that I… read more

(Excellent )

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