Ballard

ISLAND LIFE IN THE BEAUTIFUL HEBRIDIES, OFF THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.
LEARN ABOUT BEEKEEPING & HAVE AN UNFORGETTABLE, TRULY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE.

The help we need centres around bee keeping from May to October. Volunteers are treated as part of the family, the work is flexible around the needs of the apiaries, approximately 5 hours per day with 2 full days off. This is a Hebridean Scottish Island, which is 2.5 hours ferry travel from the port town of Oban. It is 3 hours by train or bus to Glasgow/Edinburgh. We frequently travel to and from mainland Scotland. For anyone staying more than 3 weeks, opportunities for you to travel while staying with us can be accommodated. Volunteers also had opportunities to connect with the wider community and join in social events. This is a quiet and remote place, with a relaxed atmosphere. In summer we have a lot of tourists and regular visitors who come to enjoy the gorgeous clean beaches and quiet island life. Please note; Do not use AI to communicate with us, or if you have used AI in the creation of your profile, as we want to be able to communicate with you as a person, not a robot! we do not want or need a slick introduction! We are a married couple, Graham & Val, between us we have 4 daughters all in their 20's who visit. we have 2 rescue dogs, 2 cats and 6 hens We are surrounded by the livestock farm which is run by my sister and other family who live nearby We ourselves have apiaries and a very busy beekeeping schedule in summer with breeding and honey production. We breed rare native black bees, supplying & mentoring other similar start-ups. Graham is a Merchant Seaman and I a part-time health worker Our home is a detached new build in a rural area close to beaches for surf and swimming The island has a large Bird nature Reserve which surrounds our place There is a big community centre with a gym, many islanders play sports, swim, run and cycle There is a good hotel with bar/restaurant and a café. Lots of yachts and holiday-makers visit in summer Volunteers will be treated as part of the family but they will have their own space for privacy, rest and recreation We have a fairly relaxed schedule, eating one main meal together around 7 30 pm but volunteers can opt to cook for themselves especially on their days off. We have several tents, kayaks and loads of camping gear to loan out We have good 4g wi-fi


Reviews

5.0
(19 reviews)19

Staff & Host

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

United States

5

My time on the Isle of Coll was amazing! Val & Graham are the best hosts and love to include you in every part of their life. They introduced me to so many locals and ensured I was able to participate in all community events. After hitchhiking on a tractor, swimming in the freezing ocean, hiking over sand dunes, running in a half marathon, dancing at a Ceilidh, and learning everything there is to know about beekeeping, this island truly feels like a second home (even in just two short weeks).

7 days ago

United States

5

This has been an incredible experience. While I learned SO MUCH about bees, Val and Graham made the experience. They are some of the kindest, most generous, most welcoming people I’ve ever met. I am in a transitional period in my life, and they were understanding and kind when I felt overwhelmed at the prospect of my future. They gave me clothes to work in when what I had wasn’t quite good enough, and they opened their home to me. The cabin I stayed in was so nice and private, and I loved all the animals around the farm. Again, this was an incredible experience and I hope to visit again soon☺️

17 days ago


Valentina replied

Thanks so much Suzanne, I am sorry my departure was so rushed 💚

Canada

5

Coll is a fantastic little place and Val and Graham are so welcoming and hospitable. The bee work is interesting and Graham really knows his stuff. The island is quiet but there's no shortage of interesting characters and stories, and there are opportunities to go out and meet people often. It's a refreshing and peaceful place where you can slow down and learn to live more simply. I recommend the experience to anyone and I look forward to going back again in the future!

3 months ago


Valentina replied

Thank you so much Ethan 💓

Australia

5

Thank you so much to Val and Graham!! Despite being with them in the off season, I was still able to engage with the bees and work on the product labelling/soap making which I enjoyed! Both of them took me under their wing as family straight away showing me around Coll, hanging out with the locals at different town events and visiting family and friends in the island. I look forward to coming back in the summer to see the flip side of Coll and get more hands on with the bees! In the meantime I’ll miss our family movie nights, delicious meals, crazy weather and cat cuddles from Toto 🥰

9 months ago


Valentina replied

Awww Maddie 🥰

Colombia

5

Muchas gracias a Graham y Val por recibirnos en su casa y hacernos parte de su familia. Isla de Coll es un lugar para desconectarse de todo y disfrutar de la tranquilidad. regularmente dabamos paseos en las hermosas playas. El trabajo de apicultura fue genial, aprendimos y disfrutamos mucho. Logramos compartir con locales, sus costumbres, gastronomia y su hospitalidad.

11 months ago


Valentina replied

Hi Dago Mauricio,
Thank you so much for all your help and for being such fantastic company, we loved hosting you and Sandra, keep in touch, lots of love xxx


Perfect for you if you're looking for

Contact with nature

Rural

Contact with animals

Beach

Wilderness

Family