Un-tethered Living
ISSN 2631-326X
MARCH 2021
SPRING PRINT SPRING 2021
ISSN 2631-3251
On Sale March 21st
Un-tethered Living
Our Spring 32-page issue is available across the UK, mainland Europe and North America at:
www.newsstand.co.uk 01
MARCH 2021
Send Us Your Photos!! Are you living in a tiny house, a narrowboat, a studio or other small space? Your story can help inspire others to follow their dreams!
Email us at: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk
On the cover: Hobbit House
photographed by Lucas Gruwez.
Contents 03 12 13 The Sound of Silence … Page
The Magnificent Clydesdales … Page Did You Know That... … Page
Published by: Tiny Living Productions Ltd Editor: Pamela Palongue Design by: Gilmour Graphics Email: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk
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The Sound of Silence
When Belgian natives Linda and Mike, visited the Scottish Highlands over 20 years ago, they fell in love with the natural landscape. They also loved the silence and peacefulness of the area. They found themselves returning two or three times each year. Despite the development of Brexit, in 2018 the couple decided to give up their business in Belgium and move to Scotland permanently. Nothing could stop them from pursuing their vision of living in Scotland. After a long search for the ideal property, they found the perfect location in Northwest Scotland on Little
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Loch Broom. They moved into the small, former crofter cottage, and officially became residents in the summer of 2019. They needed a sustainable way to support themselves in their new country, so they purchased a tiny house at a glamping festival in September 2019, with hopes of opening it for guests. The tiny house they purchased is somewhat famous, as it has been featured in the UK and also across Europe. “We thought it was a unique concept and a beautiful house on wheels!” says Mike.
Interior of Western Wagon
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Their tiny house built by Tiny Eco Homes UK Next, they wanted to add a second type of dwelling for guests, so they approached a local builder who built a custom show wagon for them. “We didn’t want to be glamping with identical houses as you often see. We wanted to be more unique,” explains Mike.
They named their glamping business, ‘The Sound of Durnamuck’ for the area in which it’s located. But instead of “The Sound,” they might have named it ‘The Silence,’ as the tranquility of the area is a world away from any urban landscape.
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They’ve used several Scottish Gaelic words around their property. Though Linda and Mike considered trying to learn the Scots language, it proved too difficult for them. But they respect the native language and find it “quite characterful and fitting.”
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Besides setting up the lodges and their own crofter cottage, there was also much work to be done on the land itself, which had fallen into deep neglect. With the land restored, finally, they were ready to open to visitors in April of 2020, and had lots of bookings, but Covid had other plans…
Besides a once in a generation pandemic, there have been other difficulties to face in the past year. The uncertainty of changing visa requirements moving forward, and the possibility that visitors from the European mainland may be wary of travelling outside their borders have both been a source of concern. “We have come here in full-on Brexit…we absolutely wanted to come here and make our dream come true,” says Mike.
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It looks as though they may finally be able to accept guests in April 2021 – one year after their original planned opening date. During the past year, they’ve added the Pancake Barn, which will serve guests breakfast, lunch and dinner, if they don’t want to cook while on holiday. And they have many other exciting plans for the future, including the installation of solar panels, a wind turbine and a water wheel this summer.
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Only time will tell what the future holds. But we wish them much success in their dream to live in the Scottish Highlands and sharing that dream with others. For more information on The Sound of Durnamuck, visit their website at www.soundofdurnamuck.com
Interior of the Pancake Barn
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A Tiny Living Promotion
Home - /hōm/
1. A permanent place of residence. As anyone who’s ever moved their place of residence can tell you, moving house is a time of uncertainty and major stress. Wouldn’t it be great to never have to move again, unless it was your choice? -To never have to face that time of confusion, trying to figure out where you will go next? -And that uneasy feeling after signing the lease when you wonder if you picked the right flat or chose the right neighbourhood? These major upheavals when you change your place of residence are a huge source of stress, and inevitably lead to at least a short period of feeling a little lost. It’s part of what makes home ownership so attractive. You never have to worry about someone raising your rent or keeping your expensive deposit. If you own your home or have a really low mortgage payment, you can sail through rough financial times feeling more secure with a bit more control over your destiny.
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A house truly becomes a ‘home’ when all the walls are painted your favourite shade, the plug-ins are in just the right spot, your familiar pictures are on the wall, and your favourite jeans are in the cupboard you designed. A customised home is truly yours in every way. Tiny Eco Homes UK is not just building affordable houses, they’re creating homes – homes that are specially designed for the way that you want to live. You can choose to incorporate solar and wind power options for an economical source of energy, and a greener future for our planet. And if you need financing, they can help you to get the affordable loan you need. With prices starting at just £26,000, your mortgage may actually be less than the rent you’re paying now. Visit their website and see what home is all about: www.tinyecohomesuk.com
The
Magnificent Clydesdales Lanarkshire is home to one of the world’s most majestic horses ever bred; the Clydesdale, named for the River Clyde Valley from which it came. Their bloodline dates to the 1700s, and is an integral part of the history of Scotland itself. They are veterans of war, having served admirably in World War I in the British Army. Between 1884 to 1945, the silken-haired horses were widely exported across Europe, North America, and even as far as Australia and New Zealand. After the outbreak of World War II, mechanised farm machinery replaced the horses for production, in order to keep up with the rising demands and the noble Clydesdale began to dwindle in number in the UK. According to the Rare Breed Survival Trust, there are now less than 10,000 horses. This iconic horse is a great ambassador and known the world over with its highly recognisable feathering around the lower leg, its large muscular frame, strong work ethic and gentle nature. The beloved Clydesdale should not disappear.
Please take a moment to learn more about this fascinating horse, and perhaps even share some information about them. A documentary was recently made, “Clydesdale: Saving the Greatest Horse.” It follows the story of Janice Kirkpatrick and her fight to save the rare breed. Visit the Facebook page for the latest information on where to watch the documentary. www.facebook.com/SaveClydesdales The Clydesdale Horse Society was established in 1877, and has a wealth of information! www.clydesdalehorsesociety.com Finally, the Rare Breed Survival Trust has up to date information on the Clydesdales and how people can help ensure their survival. www.rbst.org.uk/clydesdale-horse
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- a ccording to the Canal & River Trust, 26% of the UK’s 33,000 boats are used as primary residences? - thousands of people in the UK are already embracing small-space living in studio flats, student accommodations, and small terraced houses? - there are over 80 shepherd hut building companies in the UK? - prices for a well-designed tiny house fitted with kitchen and bath starts at £26,000? - according to Popular Science, human beings are hard-wired to like tiny things? www.popsci.com/why-do-we-think-tiny-things-are-cute
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Well-read dogs agree: Tiny Living UK is fun and inspirational! DISCLAIMER: The above survey was conducted by dachshunds
with questionable math skills and skewed scientific methods.
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