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.
The Kitchen's Garden 
92 responses to “Garybuie”
[…] Seriously west in fact; all the way across the Atlantic and more! Celi, on her Farmy in Illinois, has kindly invited me to write a wee bitty about what goes on at Garybuie. If you’ve never visited The Farmy, then this is your opportunity to meet some great characters, read some wonderful stories and admire photographs of the highest quality. Step this way… […]
They just get better and better. That was indeed a wonderful tale of determination and endurance..You have truly embraced the good clean air and the adventure of Scotland…and got away from the rat race…. Great pics and a great story..Thank you so much Christine for taking the time to sit down and to write this..we are all highly honoured
We certainly have a wonderful life here; hard but very rewarding. A big decision to take but one we’re so glad that we did!
Christine
Lovely! You live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and you walk lightly on it. I know how much hard work trying to raise and grow your own food can be; like you, I found butchering to be long, hard and extremely messy work, but the resulting meat was outstanding. Sadly I’ve had to give up that life, but I still look back fondly, and now I can enjoy your vicariously!
I’m glad that there’s someone else who found butchering to be a challenge but I agree, the results were worth it.
Christine
I love these stories! I feel so inspired by all of you. The pigs are precious.
Aren’t they just! That was Effie’s first litter – twelve in all! She was a wonderful mother but a mean old sow!
Christine
Another of nature’s lessons. Being a good mother doesn’t mean your nice to everyone else, does it? I envy you all that live amongst such animals. Until I make such a leap myself I’ll soak it up vicariously. I have been wanting to plan a trip to Scotland for some time…how far are you from Edinburgh and is there good fishing nearby?
We’re about a five and a half hour drive from Edinburgh. The river in the glen is a salmon river and there are two wee lochs in the hills behind us which hold brown trout. We can also point you in the direction of some good sea fishing spots too!
Christine
Oh that sounds heavenly!! My husband is a big fisherman. What airport is closest to you?
Inverness, about a 3 hour drive. A stunningly beautiful one, right through the highlands!
Christine
This exchange almost made me cry.. this is exactly why I love it when we do the guest posts. It is all about the relationships.. c
I totally agree with you
Deary me, I don’t want to be responsible for anyone bursting into tears Cecilia!
Christine
The idea is so beautiful though..
Thank you for the marvellous history from a courageous couple. I know how hard the weather can be on Skye, so am very impressed with your achievements. In 1996 we took four French friends on a b&b tour of the West Highlands, including a stay on Skye on Skye in a small farm which sounds just like yours, and another on Mull. It gave us (and our friends) some very happy memories.
Bonne chance for the evolution of the Yellow Garden.
Love,
ViV
I hope that the weather was just a wee bit kind to you during your stay. Sometimes we feel so sorry for our guests if they have a few days of mist when none of the scenery reveals itself! (It often does on the day that they leave!) When living here however, the weather can dreadful for weeks if it likes because we’ll still be here when finally the sun shines!
Christine
It wasn’t too bad, as I remember, except for the midges!
Ah, the midge! We’ve learned how to avoid them now, either that or donning our delightfully attractive net suits when working in the garden! The suits are great with their integral hoods but can scare the bejeezus out of any unsuspecting visitors!
Christine
Donkeys years ago we used to camp all round Scotland when the children were small, all wearing nylon shopping bags on our heads!
Necessity is indeed the Mother of Invention Viv!
Christine
What is a midget ….a mosquito ?
No, a midget is a small person! But seriously a midge isn’t a mosquito; it’s much smaller but in greater numbers. They do bite, but they’re more of an annoyance, tickling your face, ears, nose and anything else which is sticking out! Their bite isn’t bad unless you’re allergic; just itchy. They can be avoided though; they don’t like bright sunshine, heavy rain or anything above a slight breeze. Dull/shaded, still conditions are their favourite – so you can see why they’re common in Scotland! They’re not around all year though.
Christine
My Mum was from Scotland a land I love so thank you for this delightful visit. I am now a Garybuie follower!
I hope to see you more often!
Christine
How do I find the link to your blog?
Just click onto my Gravatar and the address is there for you.
Christine
What a wonderful story! Did I miss it or is there a link so I can file away this B&B? We’ve always wanted to go to the Isle of Skye.
Glad you enjoyed it! Just click onto my gravatar and the link is there. Look forward to ‘seeing’ you there maybe!
Christine
Thank you for sharing your patch of Scotland with us this morning 🙂
You’re welcome!
Christine
What a wonderful story and photos. The Isle of Skye is on my bucket list. Goose and duck are high on my favorite food list. My absolute favorite is duck confit. Thank you for sharing .
Duck confit is a regular here Gerlinde. Glad that Skye is ‘in your bucket’! You’d like it in the glen I think, my neighbour who takes care of our animals whilst we’re away is also a Gerlinde!
Christine
I have been to Scotland but never to the Isle of Skye, which is still a dream. Now I have a place to stay! Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your life with us, Christine.
We’ll be ready with a warm welcome!
Christine
What a lovely story Christine, you are living the dream. Your little farm sounds wonderful and if we’re ever up that way, we’ll definitely book a night at your charming B&B.
You would be more than welcome!
Christine
Oh my, what a lovely break from deepest winter here in Ontario! Thank-you, Christine. My mother is a MacLeod. When we first visited the UK forty years ago, Skye and the ancestral castle were high on the list of places to visit. It was wonderful. I’d love to go back to your island.😄
Quite a few of our visitors are from some part of Canada, most of them looking up their Scottish ancestry. we enjoy being able to help out.
Christine
Thank you for the adventurous tale, and wonderful photos!
It was a pleasure!
Christine
Away from the rat race, it sounds so idyllic, thank you for a glimpse into your wonderful life. We are trying to get to Scotland, the furthest north we have managed to get to so far is Whitby in Yorkshire, beautiful. But Skye is on our bucket list, and your B and B hopefully x
Indeed, Whitby is a lovely place – all that coastal area in fact. Quite a bit further to Skye, but we would be happy to take care of you here at Garybuie!
Christine