Moving over 550 miles away from my home in Wales to live and work in the Scottish Highlands for a year was no small feat, but everything was made smooth by the welcoming environment created by the Lister-Kaye family for everyone at Aigas. Whether you are here as a guest, as a Seasonal Ranger or an Academic Placement Student (like me), everyone wants to make you feel like Aigas is your home.
Arriving at Aigas for the first time is a wonderful memory. I was excited. Eager to explore the wonderful nature surrounding Aigas and have so many wildlife firsts living in the Highlands. The love for nature and wildlife at Aigas is infectious – guests and staff alike always have an exciting fact or anecdote to share. We support each other every day and can be learning something from someone one moment and teaching them something the next. The environment at Aigas is one of encouragement, enthusiasm, and care; I would not want Aigas to be any other way.
Sir John and Lady Lucy open their family home to us all, and it is a great privilege to live on the estate. I am always surrounded by nature. The Aigas Loch is a short walk away from my home, Sequoia Lodge. It would be a shame to not make use of it while I am here. I usually try to go on a walk around the loch at least once a week by myself – I can take all the time I need to immerse myself in nature. I have spent hours sat on a bench by the loch reading a book or simply listening to the birds. Recently I have started going for runs around the loch too. Every run is different… I don’t know what I might spot – a crested tit one day or a buzzard mobbing an osprey, newly returned from their migration north for summer.
Every night Aigas guests will receive a three-course home cooked meal. The food is top tier, but it is made extra special because you know it is made with love by our cook, Marek, with the support of the rest of the household team. At dinner, a ranger will serve pre-dinner drinks and eat with the guests; they will be there to answer any questions about the week ahead. Our household team make sure everyone has everything they need in their lodges for it to feel like home. Their main aim is to ensure that everyone goes to bed with a belly full of good food. As we always say at Aigas “nothing is too much trouble”.
Once in a while the rangers will get an extra taste of luxury – which comes in the form of an invite to the “West Wing” Sir John and Lady Lucy’s private flat in the main House of Aigas. Whatever the invitation entails whether it be for a cooked breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner we know we are going to be fed well and are always excited for what may be in store. I always find it an exciting treat! Whether we are out in the field or exploring the wildlife closer to home there will always be hot drinks and cake on standby!
From the moment I arrived at Aigas I knew I was in the right place; my academic placement year was going to be one to remember for all the right reasons. We keep ourselves busy and every day is different, you never know what wildlife you will get to see or what jobs on site will need to be done. You can never be bored at Aigas. From the abundance of nature, to the family atmosphere, to the people who you work and live with – nothing could be more perfect. Despite being the opposite end of the country to where I grew up, and where my family are – Aigas feels like home.
