Hello Woofers - my name is Jill and I, along with my Labrador dog, live in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park. Our location is remote - south west facing overlooking Loch Lomond with spectacular views to the Arrochar Alps and 15 miles to the nearest bus stop and town of Aberfoyle. It is feasible to reach us via a combination of train and boat if you want to rely on public transport, but a car would give you more independence to explore.
The property includes a former Hunting Lodge that has been undergoing a major renovation over the last four years . The land is hill ground, partially wooded which we plan to regenerate with native oak woodland. We have a ten year management agreement in place with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park for the removal of rhododendrons and invasive species.
Our objective is to migrate the immediate grounds from lapsed ornamental garden to replicate the species of the adjacent native woodland. The activities would be largely outdoors and very hands-on! There maybe some surveying to plot the location of and identify species for future management but also manual tasks, ranging from weeding, creating dead hedging , collecting and transplanting seedlings and some tree planting. There will also be some indoor chores as well to ensure the smooth running of the Lodge, -helping with general housekeeping will be expected.
During the summer months only one twin room will be available for woofers. Outwith those months more accommodation may be available and bigger groups potentially accommodated although this is likely only to be for short periods of time. The property both inside and out, is on a number of different levels. The site is steep and the majority of the tasks are very physical so woofers need to be physically fit. If you have relevant skills, or experience with forestry or horticultural work it would be an advantage, but is not essential. Experience however has shown that the best wwoofers for the project are more mature, with more life experience, with a proven interest in conservation. Most importantly wwoofers must be able to use their initiative and undertake allocated tasks without supervision . The project is not suited to school leavers/ gap year students.
All the rooms in the Lodge have their own ensuite facilities and depending on the time of your visit, the option of a private sitting room. Breakfast would probably be easiest to forage from the fridge but we would usually expect to eat lunch and dinner together.
Hobbies are largely a luxury as the property has been an all encompassing project since purchasing it four years ago. I'm incredibly fortunate however to have travelled extensively, always with an active focus be that cycling, trekking or practising yoga. I have a huge passion for the African continent having lived and worked there as a safari guide for some years. Family commitments brought me back to the UK .
Inversnaid is the perfect place to host old friends and new, of like-minded spirits. There's plenty scope for outdoor activities cycling, walking, running, climbing, swimming, but if it's a lively and active night life you're looking for, this isn't the place for you! This is a place to step back, reset and enjoy the wonders of the Scottish countryside whilst contributing to the restoration of the internationally important woodlands that surround us. So please, if you don't share this passion for wilderness and the environment then don't apply. This won't suit you and doing so would deprive those of a place who really would be inspired by and appreciate it.
If you are interested in volunteering here then please write and explain why in particular this project appeals and what skills you think you could contribute. I'm keen to hear your authentic voice, experience and learn about the person who would potentially share my home. Please note - AI-generated unpersonalised cover letters will be automatically declined.
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Learning opportunities
Forestry
Seed saving or production
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
20.2
Hectares
|
50
Acres
