After leaving school and studying in Aberdeen, I travelled and met my late husband Darryn, an adventurous and inspiring kiwi. We lived and travelled extensively through North Africa, USA, SE Asia, S America for 10 years before settling in New Zealand on a small farm in Taranaki and starting our family. In 2008, we returned to Scotland and Shankend with our 3 sons, Ewan, Ben and Jack. Together we set about renovations and enjoyed turning Shankend into a wonderful home which we love. We began letting the holiday cottage to guests in 2009.
Darryn had great vision and from a boggy wetland in front of the cottage, he designed and developed the pond which, once established, he began to stock with trout. Growing up in rural New Zealand, he loved being close to the water and the great outdoors. He wanted the boys to have access to swim, kayak, fish, cycle, tramp or run from our doorstep.
We’ve kept kunekune pigs since 2012 and now produce pedigree kunekune breeding gilts. We also breed grey face and suffolk cross lambs every year. In 2018, we began wintering blue grey bullocks (Galloway crossed with Whitebred Shorthorn) and these hardy cattle do well on our hill woodland grazing.
The pond is now stocked with both brown and rainbow trout sourced from The Yarrow Fishery in Yarrow river valley.
Whatever the season, we hope you too appreciate and benefit from the surroundings.
Breathe deeply, forget about the pressure of work, the fast pace and stresses of everyday life; experience the birdlife, pond life, nature, light and reflections, the sky at night, the space, freedom and the sounds of Shankend.
Evelyn
