Couple Honors Ancestors By Moving Into 18Th Century Stone Cottage On Uninhabited Scottish Isle

Living in an ancient stone cabin on a remote Scottish isle may not be convenient, but it has its blessings. In this rustic setting, dinner requires catching fish, warmth depends on stocking enough fuel from the nearby woods, and shopping means crossing over to the mainland.

For Mrs. Petersen, a city-dweller from Edinburgh, the decision to pursue a job working as a caretaker for an estate near the Isle of Skye was a way to reconnect with her ancestral roots. “We decided that it might be good to pursue something, which I saw was in my blood, which is working for an estate again,” she said in an interview with The Epoch Times. “A lot of people don’t realize that these jobs exist anymore.”

The Petersens quickly applied for the position of caretaker in a stone cottage on a deserted island. Despite initial skepticism, they embraced the opportunity. “We made the decision to do this only a matter of hours after they wanted it,” said Scott Petersen. They soon found themselves in a stunning location, surrounded by turquoise waters and balmy breezes reminiscent of the Caribbean.

The stone cabin, believed to be as old as 1745, required extensive renovations. The couple stripped away the sooty old plasterboard to reveal the original stone walls, and replaced damp concrete with lime mortaring. They discovered that a spring from the hill behind the cabin was the source of much of the water, so they rubberized the lower stone wall and reinstalled the original flagstone floor.

During the restoration process, the Petersens felt a deep connection to the past. Scott Petersen would often stumble upon old tools while working behind the house, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there centuries ago. Mrs. Petersen, assisted by a neighbor stone mason, installed a slate window shelf, realizing that they were now part of the house’s story.

Living on the island has taught the Petersens important lessons in embracing a simpler, natural rhythm. Without alarm clocks, they have adjusted to the ebb and flow of the island’s lifestyle. Overcoming worries is as simple as looking out the front door and appreciating the beautiful highlands across the water. The couple has also developed a bond with the island’s wildlife, including deer, which now approach them without fear.

For the Petersens, the greatest reward of their island life is the absence of the pressures of city living. In this serene setting, there are no other people to consider in their daily decisions. “Here there’s only two persons,” Scott Petersen remarked.