By a stroke of luck, a woman found herself housesitting for nearly a month at a luxurious estate in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. What made it even better was that she had minimal responsibilities during her stay.
Nicole Miller, aged 56 and from Newbury, Berkshire, enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, including rolling hills and tranquil lochs, in February this year. She embarked on a cost-free holiday, tasked with overseeing a grand manor estate for almost four weeks.
“I was left speechless. I truly felt like the luckiest person alive,” Nicole, a native of Scotland, shared with the Mirror. “It felt as if I had been gifted a £3,000 vacation.”
The estate in the heart of the Scottish Highlands boasted a grand manor house, described by Nicole as “stunning and massive,” along with two cottages. Nicole resided in a luxurious single-story dwelling with spacious rooms and a large hall.
With the affluent owners away, Nicole’s sole duty was to ensure the security of the property. “I barely had to do anything. I didn’t even need to physically inspect the house,” she remarked.
“Initially, I thought I would need to patrol the premises, but all they required was a presence, a car parked out front, lights on, so that in case anyone wandered off the beaten path, they would know someone was there.”
While overlooking the majestic Glen from the grand dining room, which she transformed into an office, Nicole spent her days working before unwinding in the evenings with a good book at the secluded location in Kinlochmoidart. “I didn’t set an alarm; I took everything in stride,” she said.
“Each morning, I would wake up, observe the wildlife, including squirrels, beautiful birds, and a large herd of deer one day. I would enjoy a short afternoon nap, read my book while lying down, and leisurely explore. It was the peace, natural serenity, and detachment from the fast pace of life that I cherished.”
Quickly settling in, Nicole made herself at home, even unpacking a juice maker, blender, toastie maker, and slow cooker to prepare soup, enhancing her comfort. However, a trip to the supermarket from this tranquil location proved challenging, as it was an hour’s drive away. Fortunately, a small shop was just a 20-minute drive down the road.
During weekends, Nicole ventured out to explore the local area, making the most of the stunning rugged landscapes and mountainous terrain of the Scottish Highlands. She also visited nearby historic castles and Sanna Beach, known for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Despite being in an extremely remote setting, with a long 2.5-mile driveway and no visible signs of life, Nicole felt entirely at ease. “I adored it; I didn’t want to leave. It felt like I was the only person on Earth,” she expressed.
“Of course, I did encounter the individuals responsible for the estate occasionally; they came and went. However, overall, there was hardly anyone around. The house didn’t even make a sound; there was complete silence, absolutely peaceful. It was quite peculiar, but I loved it.
“I settled in swiftly and felt incredibly safe staying there – it’s truly secluded.”
House-sitting for affluent individuals was not on Nicole’s agenda. Serendipitously, she stumbled upon the opportunity through an advertisement on LinkedIn. “The post mentioned ‘house sit Scottish estate,’ and I knew instantly it was meant for me. I strongly believe in visualization and the universe’s laws,” shared Nicole, the owner of Fast Response PFA Ltd.
She added, “Given my extensive traveling for work, I always relish being in the countryside and often visualize these charming cottages. So when this opportunity arose, it was perfect; I had to seize it.”
Although Nicole was thrilled about the chance to housesit in the Scottish hills, she had never considered it as an option. Facilitated through HouseSit Match, she admitted, “I thought it was primarily for pet owners; I never realized that people might simply want you to safeguard their house.”
Nevertheless, the experience arranged via House Sit Match was highly rewarding for Nicole. “We live in a fast-paced world. I