A place to rest and recover
When we moved to the Cairngorms and started looking after our little corner of it, we realised personally the extraordinary, restorative powers of nature. David had worked for 40 years in the NHS as a neurosurgeon and on retirement found himself with what he described as a form of PTSD. In response to this he started dedicating trees in our newly planted woodland – in effect planting his memories and honouring some of the remarkable people he had been privileged to care for in his professional life. This has developed naturally into a ‘memorial wood’ in which guests are free to dedicate their own trees to remember friends or family.
This process led us to consider more generally the stresses that many people in the caring world experience and to explore ways in which we might contribute to alleviating some of them. Our ‘Cabin for Carers’ became a major part of this initiative and we use renting it out to help directly support charities in different ways.
In the Highlands there are over 26,000 full time unpaid carers, that’s one in nine people who find themselves with this incredibly responsible and potentially exhausting role. For some, a few days in a calm and peaceful environment can just provide a “breather”, a moment to take time out and feel restored. For a portion of each month we are therefore working with the local highland carers support charity, Connecting Carers, to give short, respite stays for carers throughout the year.
In addition to this the cabin is used to raise funds for a number of caring charities to help their important work in supporting individuals and families. These include two which David has connections with through his work: Brain Tumour Support, who provide patients, carers, family and friends of those diagnosed with a brain tumour with free individual and specialist support ( David is Founding Patron) and The Juniper Fund, who support Himalayan mountain workers and their families.
Thank you to all our many Airbnb guests who help us to provide this support to others.
The cabin
The cabin is situated near Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorm National Park. Visitors park nearby and just walk in the last hundred yards through the wood.
Designed to sit lightly in the environment, the cabin is built on steel pins instead of concrete and with a solar panel to make use of solar energy when possible. Heated with a small wood burner, it is a simple, cosy space on one level which sleeps two in a double bed with a shower room and small kitchenette area for cooking (sink, fridge, 2 ring induction cooker). Perfect for a relaxing retreat, to sit and watch the landscape and big night skies or as a base for walking, birdwatching or exploring the mountains and Abernethy woods. There is mobile phone signal but, rather blissfully, no wifi!
Cabin interior
FURTHER INFORMATION: please contact us
DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE CHARITIES: go to Brain Tumour Support, The Juniper Fund or Connecting Carers
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