January, So Far

We got off to a great start this year with the arrival of our first red squirrel to the feeding platforms.

The feral cats have been feeling much friendlier and we now have 3 of them coming close enough for furry-friend attention.

We have received numerous gifts and donations of pet food, peanuts, feeding boxes and even a new fairy to add to the fairy garden. Thank you to everyone who has sent gifts and items from our Amazon list.

January has also seen the arrival of a fifth cat, which has now been spotted on the trail cameras several times. 5 cats! It's getting to be like a cat sanctuary around here. 😹

Badgers are still active almost daily despite the torpor state that they are meant to enter during winter. 

The foxes and pine martens are also visiting regularly for their share of the tasty snacks we put out for them all.

We had a bit of damage done to the roadside fence - seen here after propping it up to keep ponies off the road. The vehicle was driven off, mess cleared up from road and no notifications given to us so it was like playing detective, putting bits of evidence together to work out how, when and by whom. Powers of deduction are great when you find bits of the vehicle with the make stamped on them. Police were notified, as was the nearby wind farm and an appeal for help that we sent out over our Facebook page was successful. Temporary repairs have been done but the damaged fence needs to be renewed. That's the next job.

Ginger has now gone into his 33rd year. His Cushing's seems to be fairly stable but as any horse person will know, there is no cure. Our ginger geriatric seems happy and is brought out every day for some extra feeding. On cold, wet days, he has his rain sheet as a little added protection from our Scottish winter weather.

The river well and truly burst its banks so the lower wetland turned into what looked like a loch. That will certainly have swept away any cobweb that ventured into 2026! Now it is time to start preparing for the real winter weather. 

We hope to get solar panels swapped around about and incorporate some more off-grid power so all three huts have lights and phone charging. There's also a plan to lease out the small hut. These ones looked like a bargain so I've included our affiliate link, just in case anyone else wanted to try similar. Now that our support group members are visiting to photograph wildlife, we thought it best to provide usb charging points for phones and a portable gas stove for making a cuppa during overnight vigils. 

We are still open to new members joining the Friends of Frugaldom support group, pricesstart from £5 per month.

Overnight parking for vehicles (max. 7.5m) costs £15 for 1 night, £25 for 2 nights or discounted for longer stays. Booking is advised as we have limited parking. Campervans and motorhomes welcome all year round as we are fully certificated by The Caledonian Touring Club. Waste facilities on site but no other services.