The saleswoman Bettina Fischer (53) and the bus driver Roland Hächler (55) from Volketswil ZH have long dreamed of self-employment. On their vacation trips with the camper, they often looked to see where a new existence might be possible.
«I could well have imagined running a campsite in the Engadine. In Switzerland, however, all of this is far too expensive, ”says Fischer in an interview with Blick.
Land directly by the sea and with its own land
In the summer of 2018, the two Blick readers traveled to Scotland for a month and found the country and its people interesting. Back home, they looked for real estate on the Internet and shortly thereafter visited some properties on site.
“We wanted something remote, right by the sea,” says Roland Hächler. The couple struck gold on the Knoydart peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. 42 hectares of land by the sea, their own forest and three furnished houses that are suitable for your own small bed and breakfast made the hearts of the Swiss couple beat faster.
The couple acquired the property, including properties, for around CHF 950,000. Since the end of August 2019 they have been living their dream with their two dogs Freddy and Yara in the Scottish Highlands.
A lot of personal work and creative ideas
To finance this dream, the Swiss sold their house in Volketswil. The couple has invested around 15,000 francs as well as a lot of time and passion to make their new home cozy and pretty for themselves and their guests.
«The property and the furniture were in pretty good condition. We only painted the walls ourselves, laid new floors and renewed a few other little things, ”says Roland Hächler.
The couple was helped with the renovation by Roland’s parents, who traveled to Scotland for three weeks in early 2020.
Many disused items from the houses were freshened up and reused. For example, original toilet roll holders were made from deer antlers. Even on the beach there were objects, rubbish that could still be used.
“We have always recycled a lot in Switzerland and have often been to flea markets,” explains the former VBZ chauffeur Hächler. Bettina Fischer sewed pillow suits, table linen and armchair covers herself.
Eat from your own garden
The Swiss have put a lot of effort into the surrounding work and even created their own hiking trails with bridges, seats by the house and a vegetable garden.
The couple uses as much as possible from their own cultivation to prepare meals. Fischer and Hächler also stock up on supplies such as confiture or chutney. “Last year we even found asparagus,” says the man from Zurich with a laugh.
A chapel also belongs to the property, which extends to the sea. There are two smaller and one larger double rooms with their own bathrooms and an open, large communal living room with pool table and library for the holiday guests. A small, separate holiday home with two rooms is also rented out to guests. The couple lives in the third house with their two dogs.
Big shopping by boat
Due to the corona, the Swiss have only had a few guests so far. “We hardly had any income in 2020, but it was quite good so that we could gain some experience to start as hosts,” says Fischer.
The people of Zurich have settled in well in Sandaig and have good contacts with the 130 or so villagers of Inveri. “If you need craftsmen, it also helps if you speak the language and maintain friendly contact with the locals,” says Hächler.
The walk to the village with a pub, post office, a few shops and a coffee takes around an hour and a half. A single road leads to the village on the car-free peninsula and is only accessible to locals with a permit. The Swiss have to plan larger purchases well and take the boat to Mallaig, where larger shops can also be found. “Living remote and self-sufficient is a challenge, but also an opportunity to learn and discover new things.”
“As long as we are working, we want to live here”
The couple loves the bays and beaches and also the harsh climate in their new home. In winter you can see wonderful sunsets over the sea and deer, weasels or seals can be seen again and again.
Bettina Fischer and Roland Hächler like to go on long hikes with their dogs. They had plenty of time for this without guests. “I now know every stone here and we have already discovered a lot that I would like to show our holiday guests as well,” says Hächler happily. And slowly bookings are coming in again with the Swiss.
You are optimistic about the future. With their simple life in seclusion, the couple have fulfilled their dream of independence with their own little bed and breakfast. «As long as we are working, we want to live here. Perhaps we will then be drawn back to Switzerland or some other country in Europe. ”