THE chance for a “resilient” couple to live off-grid on a remote Orcadian island looking after a flock of rare, seaweed-eating sheep is up for grabs.
It has been a labour of love for Simon Brogan and Teresa Probert for 50 years. Now, it is hoped another couple will get the chance to experience life on Auskerry.
Lamb Head in Stronsay, Orkney, looking out towards Auskerry[/caption]
The rare job has come up in Auskerry in Orkney[/caption]
“Do you have a sense of adventure and crave a different pace of life? If so, a beautiful remote island in Orkney surrounded by diverse wildlife, beautiful views and open sea could be the opportunity you’re looking for,” says the advert.
“The family who live alone on this small island are offering the chance for a couple to live in Auskerry from Spring to the end of Autumn, maintaining the buildings and infrastructure as well as looking after the sheep.
“We are looking for a couple who are resilient and self-reliant, who can cope with living off-grid and being cut off from ‘civilisation’ for long periods of time. The only company you will have will be seals and birds and the odd fishing boat in the distance.
“Boats to and from the island are expensive, and difficult to organise due to availability, weather and tides.
“Island life is hugely rewarding but when the storms set in it can be physically and emotionally demanding.
“On the other hand we have had many visitors staying over the years and nearly all of them come back time and time again.
“Our house has four bedrooms though we use one as an office currently- it has a small shower room, but the toilet is outside and separate to the house.
” Central heating and hot water are run off the solid fuel fire which can be fuelled by peat (but this needs to be cut and dried for many months before it can be used), wood, or coal.
“We have very little driftwood these days, so fuel has to be brought in by boat.
“We use bottled gas to cook on, and our electricity comes from solar and wind power, which is fed into a battery bank.
“Some days there is sun and wind and we have loads of power, others it is overcast and calm and the batteries get low so you learn to recharge when its windy or sunny!
“The batteries are able to support basic electrical equipment such as laptops, phone charging, house lights, but electric kettles, irons, heaters, hairdryers etc would be too much for the system.
“The wifi connection is excellent – we have a contract with a local company- and there is good 4G coverage.
“The house is 3/4 mile from the pier so we use the quad bike and trailer to move goods to the house. It is not easy terrain over the rest of the island and it is difficult to get petrol to the island, so we keep the use of the quad to a minimum.
“Before the quad bike we would often wheelbarrow our luggage down the island- not a method for older people but it kept us fit!”
The “minimum essential requirements” are that applicants are financially self sustaining.
“You will need enough to pay for fuel, food and boat transport. (Fuel is wood/coal for the stove, heating and hot water; gas for cooking, and petrol for the generator to run the washing machine etc.)”.
And good DIY skills, basic knowledge of electrics and needed too.
Understanding of basic plumbing if leaks occur or part of the system needs replacing is important as well as the care of the water filter system for drinking water and the other water tanks which collect rainwater.
This requires constant monitoring and pumping as required, but also forward planning to conserve stock in the dry months.
“A passion for sustaining offgrid life” and a “willingness to seek and take advice from the owners who set it all up and have probably seen the problem before” are required.
“An understanding of the need to conserve and protect all resources on the island as they are limited and fragile” and a commitment to be resident in the island from April to September are also essentials.
Sheep handling skills and enjoyment in working with them is desirable.
“The weather in Auskerry can switch several times in the day; from rain and sleet to sunshine and wind; changing the sea state from stormy with curling waves to mirrored reflections in the bay,” said Tessa.
“We have seen weeks where we have been unable to leave due to wind and swell in the sea and days when you can kayak over the 15 miles to Kirkwall.
“Somedays you can sit in the garden bathed in a golden sunset, watching the seabirds with a gin and tonic in your hand; others you will be struggling out in waterproofs tying down anything that could blow away.
“Living on an island without anyone else to rely on for help can be daunting and hard work, but you are constantly rewarded with precious sights such as a rosy pink dawn, mist rising off the low ground; a newly fledged eider duckling waddling behind its mother to the sea.
“Some days you will walk by a ewe just as a new lamb is dropped, or a bird pecks its way out of the shell, or a killer whale rises out of the water and blows.
“The island will captivate you and enrage you, heal you and challenge you, but will never disappoint.
“I am reminded daily of my own mortality by the remains of human habitation going back to neolithic; or the shards of pottery I turn up in my garden, yet the closeness to the reality of birth and death makes you feel more alive.”
The flock of seaweed-eating North Ronaldsay sheep are one of only two flocks of this endangered breed left in Orkney.
Auskerry Lighthouse and the wreck of the SS Hastings County[/caption]
