Garybuie

Good morning my darling Fellowship, today we are off to Scotland to see Christine and wander about her wee farm.  She and her husband have  created a most amazing property plus a Bed and Breakfast if you are inclined to visit.  Most especially you may remember she painted a beautiful picture of Big Dog that hangs on our living room wall. Our John is deeply eternally grateful for that painting. Over to you Christine – 

Years ago, in our former life in England, if there was gloomy news on TV or if my husband, Kevin, came home with tales of woe from work, we used to have a saying, “What we need, is a croft in Scotland”. So, twelve years ago, almost to the week, when our two boys were on the verge of embarking on their own independent lives, we made the move. Although not a croft, because even though such a thing is only a small scale farm, it probably wouldn’t have been small scale enough for our non-existent agricultural abilities!

Our search finally led us to Garybuie (Yellow Garden), a traditionally built Highland home, conveniently sitting on about one third of an acre of land on the Isle of Skye, off the West coast of Scotland. It was certainly big enough for half a dozen hens and a few vegetables, which was my only ambition at the time. The garden, yellow or otherwise, was completely swamped by un-pruned trees and rampant raspberries. The house itself had been run as a Bed and Breakfast, a route which we had no intention of following. There was a modern extension however, perfect for a self-catering apartment, so our first tasks were ready and waiting; clear the garden and revamp the extension.

We opened for business at Easter, bought six laying hens plus a coop and planted two rows of carrots! That particular Easter, Skye had the best of the weather within the U.K. and everyone and his dog descended on an island with not enough beds. And that was how our B and B was established; taking in two weary, bed-less travellers with their one-year-old baby. ‘Baptism by Frying-Pan’, as our neighbour referred to it!

We soon realised that we were in an environment that could provide us with food of a very special kind; that special, un-processed kind; the no additives kind. There were sheep and cattle all around us; red deer, fish and as Garybuie sits in the bottom of the glen, the soil is deep and rich, perfect for vegetables and the soft fruit that Scotland is famous for.

So, the development of our small, small holding began. We were already enjoying our fresh eggs but our own roast chicken sounded tempting, so a cockerel was presented to the ladies. Although the earth was good, it needed some serious turning over and what better way to achieve that but pigs! A wee house was built along with some hopefully, sturdy fences, ready for the arrival of our first two, eight-week-old pigs from a neighbour; Gloucester Old Spot/Wild Boar cross.

Of course we were thoroughly charmed by their characters and antics, but even more charmed by the beautiful pork which they provided for us! After slaughter, we were determined to have a go at butchering them ourselves. Nine and a half hours later (!), the freezer was full and the following day we made our own brawn, sausages and put the legs and bellies to cure. We’d never tasted ham like it!

Of course by then we had the bug! The following year we bought three weaners from our neighbour; two gilts and one boar; the boar for meat, the gilts for breeding – Effie and Flora. We needed more land and so rented a patch from our neighbouring crofter, carefully reading suitable literature on how to construct a sturdy home for the girls. We were quite proud of Piggy Palace! We bred pigs for two years, borrowing Boris the Boar from a few miles away to do the honours. We found it too expensive though, two sows take a lot of feeding year round and we only had limited space. We’d reared pigs in some shape or form for five years and within this time we’d branched out in our poultry pursuits, investing in Aylesbury ducks and a pair of Muscovies. So we down-sized; everything was moved back within Garybuie’s footprint, including the dismantling of Piggy Palace which was recycled to become the new duck house. With open fields surrounding us, there’s no shortage of space for our birds to forage.

By then we had a good sized, productive vegetable plot, a polytunnel for growing the more tender plants, plenty of raspberry canes, blackcurrant bushes and we were incubating our hen eggs for a supply of table birds. We had also purchased a wee building next to Garybuie, an old church, which was perfect for brooding our young birds, both chicks and Aylesbury ducklings. The Muscovies managed perfectly well by themselves!

By this point the B and B was really taking off so I gave up my part-time job so that I could devote my time to all things Garybuie. Three years ago, dad came to live with us and so we gave up the self-catering apartment for his needs, concentrating on the B and B. Other fairly recent new additions to the place are Silkie bantams to help with incubation, three more Muscovies and ten guinea fowl. We are currently making preparations for the breeding of Quail, small birds for our small, small holding! We plan to sell both meat and eggs to local restaurants.

Out of necessity, we have learned many new skills and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Kevin still works to provide year-round income as the B and B is seasonal. During the season, there’s a lot of work; satisfying though, not stressful. We can feed ourselves for most of the year with the veg that we grow and eat chicken that tastes how it used to. In the past we’ve exchanged pigs/ham and latterly chicken and duck, for lamb which has grazed right here in the glen. The weather can be challenging, particularly in winter but when the sun shines, the island transforms into a breathtakingly beautiful place. We’ve shared Garybuie with hundreds of visitors from all over the world. We are very lucky.

Thank you for inviting me Cecilia.

Christine.