A SUMMER OUTDOORS AT GUARDSWELL

We would like to welcome Ritichie to the team, as Head Groundskeeper. He has been with us for over four months now, we now can’t imagine not having him in the team. Blown in from Shetland, Ritchie has vast knowledge of gardening, groundskeeping, making and creating. A multifaceted human with depths of kindness.

Here are a few words from his first season here at the farm.

“I don’t think I can truly articulate how welcome everyone has made not only myself but my family feel since arriving here. The team at the farm are such a beautiful bunch of souls. We uprooted our whole lives and moved here so that I could work at Guardswell. What a dream it has been so far. 

Shetland is a rugged archipelago more or less devoid of trees so the immediate contrast in nature has been a joy for me. I’ve spent many years longing to be on mainland Scotland and more immersed in nature, so I’m trying to savour every moment. Summer has been great and I’ve worn nothing but shorts. Already in the few months I’ve been here I’ve driven thousands of miles around Scotland to photograph and explore its diverse landscapes. Not all, but many of the flora and fauna I’ve encountered don’t grow on the islands, so familiarising myself with the plethora of delights one can forage has been thoroughly enjoyable too. 

Autumn is imminent and mushroom season in the woods and around our grassland will soon be here. Something I’m very much looking forward to. Why not take a walk somewhere locally or come up to Guardswell for our event with Monica Wilde and see what you can find!