Need advice/help

[Sleepygirl]

Hi, I don't if I'm posting this in the right place or not
I'm looking for a friendly farmer/landowner in fort william that would be willing to let us stay on thier land in a tent in exchange for our labour,
Myself my husband 2 kids ages 11 and 13 two dogs and a cat
We have work in fort william but cannot afford accommodation from Oct to Feb
We will be spending the winter in tents and wild camping if we cannot find someone willing to let us stay, we are quiet people, the dogs r trained and would be kept on leash,we will follow all rules and help you out with whatever we are able to, we are not afraid to get our hands dirty. we currently live in England and my husband has got a transfer for his work up to fort william to get us back up to scotland
we are originally from dumbarton and Helensburgh.
with his work we have accommodation untill October but there's no way after that that we can afford to pay rent anywhere, we are giving up everything we have and only taking wat we can carry with us
Any reply, advice or hint and tips will be greatly appreciated

 

[Chae1]

You must be hardy! I wouldn't outwinter cattle in Fort William.

 

[Sleepygirl]

We don't have a choice tbh, I'd take any shelter we can get, we will essentially be homeless untill February

 

[Chae1]

What type of work do you do that you can't afford accommodation.

With children that age would social housing not provide accommodation?

It's not fair on them in my opinion for kids that age to spend winter in a tent in fort William.

 

[Sleepygirl]

My husband works for a supermarket and we are struggling as it is to pay rent down here - rent in fort william is more expensive
Fort william was the only place to transfer to
We need to be back up in Scotland
We will be working and saving every penny we can over winter
Getting social housing is not all that easy
Not finding it fair is your opinion and I respect that
I'd rather not put my kids through any hardships just like any other parent
We are researching and studying and planning as much as we can
That includes coming on forums like here to find people who have knowledge to lend
Any help and advice is much appreciated

 

[Mc115reed]

My husband works for a supermarket and we are struggling as it is to pay rent down here - rent in fort william is more expensive
Fort william was the only place to transfer to
We need to be back up in Scotland
We will be working and saving every penny we can over winter
Getting social housing is not all that easy
Not finding it fair is your opinion and I respect that
I'd rather not put my kids through any hardships just like any other parent
We are researching and studying and planning as much as we can
That includes coming on forums like here to find people who have knowledge to lend
Any help and advice is much appreciated

I mean I know it’s not the reply you wanted but… I’d strongly discourage camping there in summer never mind winter there is liteally jobs for man and dog at the minute, why not just find a better job in Scotland? … probably a farmer on her with a vacancy for a general farm worker somewhere in Scotland with a house included I bet

 

[Sleepygirl]

I actually quite like camping in fort william it's such a beautiful place, if there is a farmer on here with a vacancy for a general farm worker that comes with accommodation I'd jump at the chance! Like I said we need help and advice and I appreciate your reply

 

[egbert]

Camping in a tent through a fort William winter sounds pretty hardcore.

Is there no chance of finding summat for the winter with a roof?

 

[Sleepygirl]

Camping in a tent through a fort William winter sounds pretty hardcore.

Is there no chance of finding summat for the winter with a roof?

Everything I've looked at is just to expensive, we wouldn't be able to save the money we need and we would be in a worse financial state than we are down here, but staying down here is not an option either

 

[Still Farming]

Surly the Council should house you if 2 young children also?

 

[marshbarn]

My husband works for a supermarket and we are struggling as it is to pay rent down here - rent in fort william is more expensive
Fort william was the only place to transfer to
We need to be back up in Scotland
We will be working and saving every penny we can over winter
Getting social housing is not all that easy
Not finding it fair is your opinion and I respect that
I'd rather not put my kids through any hardships just like any other parent
We are researching and studying and planning as much as we can
That includes coming on forums like here to find people who have knowledge to lend
Any help and advice is much appreciated

Someone must be able to help , come on guys.

 

[Sleepygirl]

Someone must be able to help , come on guys.

Thank you

 

[Kevtherev]

Can you find a farm that’s got a place for accommodation something like a large mobile home?
Camping in winter doesn’t sound very appealing.

 

[Sleepygirl]

We would all happily hold up in an old caravan

 

[onesiedale]

pm sent

 

[egbert]

Everything I've looked at is just to expensive, we wouldn't be able to save the money we need and we would be in a worse financial state than we are down here, but staying down here is not an option either

'down here' suggests South?
So going back to Scotland for one or both of you?
Are there familial ties/connections that might help?
Better move jobs to somewhere where connections ease accommodation?

'Saving for what you need'..... you already seem to have immediate needs. I'd focus on them just the now.
Your pets are a serious impediment to finding lodgings, and I'm concerned that anticipating 'wild camping' through winter with them-ne'er mind kids- is wholly unrealistic.

I can see you're really wanting to find solutions, and I'm not wanting to criticise, but rather think out loud.
I'm sure this has all already occurred to you.

From the info given I'd be seeking 'out of season' holiday lodge/bothy or somesuch.
If the job transfer is worth chasing, it would surely pay for that?
If it doesn't, seek other employment. the world is chock full of work needing doing, esp if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

There must be hundreds of holiday lets on farms doing nothing for most of the winter. On top of which, farms are struggling to find workers. Should be a match made in heaven.

 

[Agrijas]

Husband works for a supermarket and yet doesn’t earn enough to pay rent???, I wouldn’t let them anywhere near me, they’re probably on the run

 

[Sleepygirl]

Actually we could pay rent, but then not feed and clothe ourselves ,no I'm not on the run, we r a family that is struggling! and all I'm doing is asking for advice so we can help ourselves, why only reply just to be rude? He is the sole earner at the minute which is why money is as tight as hell! I lost my job due to covid closing down the business I worked for! I'm not asking for freebies or handouts! We are a good, hard working, loving, caring family! And I fully take offence to your reply.

 

[egbert]

Actually we could pay rent, but then not feed and clothe ourselves ,no I'm not on the run, we r a family that is struggling! and all I'm doing is asking for advice so we can help ourselves, why only reply just to be rude? He is the sole earner at the minute which is why money is as tight as hell! I lost my job due to covid closing down the business I worked for! I'm not asking for freebies or handouts! We are a good, hard working, loving, caring family! And I fully take offence to your reply.

Steady @Sleepygirl ..... you're bound to get some off-colour/ less civil replies.
Ignore them, and take what's constructive.

I'm still thinking of more questions .....where are kids going to be schooled?
Have you been in contact with district authorities in FW?