Rural Living in the North Highlands
Cambusmore Estate and its new owners are changing the way we live in rural communities. It’s a stunning destination for tourists, but also a space for people seeking a new kind of life. The estate, which wraps itself around the stunning Loch Fleet, is about championing what already exists, thriving communities, meaningful work, and natural beauty, and combining it with new and thoughtful developments for more people to settle in this corner of the Highlands.
There’s no better example of that ethos than the story of Lydia, a Canadian horticulturist who now calls Cambusmore Estate home.
Western Canada to Sutherland: A New Home in the Highlands
For many people, the Highlands can be thought of more as a beautiful holiday destination. Tourists take in the picture postcard views and then leave again, maybe never returning again. For others, however, their stay becomes more permanent.
“I never really planned on settling in East Sutherland,” Lydia says. “I was just working to travel and ended up here. But I fell in love with the landscape. I come from a mountainous island in Western Canada, and it felt like coming home after years of wandering.”
The connection to the Highlands was felt immediately. What began as a short-term endeavor became a new life, a new home, and eventually, a young family which settled into Highland living.
Living and Working in Harmony
Today, Lydia works as the gardener for Cambusmore Estate’s cottages, a role that allows her to combine her professional skills with her appreciation for the landscape around her.
“There’s no such thing as a typical day,” she says. “The seasons change fast up here—sometimes all in one day! I’ve learned to adapt, to enjoy the unexpected. That’s what I love most.”
“We often spend our evenings as a family walking around the estate and exploring it. Being able to work and play so close to home has become a huge part of our lives.”
The unique proximity between work and play is something the Live North team hopes to spotlight through stories like this. The region is more than just amazing scenery; it’s livable, workable, and always connected to nature.
Childhood in the Highlands: Freedom, Nature, and Community
Her children are growing up in a place that many others never get to experience, where rugged mountains, lambing fields, and garden harvests shape their sense of the seasons.
“They get to experience such a diverse year. And it taught me to slow down too. There’s no rat race here. People work to live, not live to work. That balance is something I hope this place instills in our children.”
It’s a perspective that resonates with that of Live North. Choosing to live in the Highlands isn’t about giving something up, but about gaining something more meaningful.
Opportunity Grows Here in the North Highlands
Before moving to the Highlands, Lydia worked in hospitality, but it was here in Scotland that she discovered her real passion and what would then become her future profession. “I started as a gardener at a local estate. They saw my potential and put me through an apprenticeship. That support changed my life. The Highlands gave me a career I truly love.”
Rooted in Community
From the Gars tractor run to the Sutherland Show and Golspie Gala Week, the family has found joy in local traditions that capture the spirit of the region. “It’s the communal aspect that makes it special,” she explains. “If you become part of the community, it becomes part of you.”
The support is more than friendly faces at local events; it’s neighbours helping neighbours in a place which calls for generosity. “If we were ever in a pinch, there’s a list of people we could call. That means everything.”
Custodians of the Land: Cambusmore’s Role
For this family, Cambusmore Estate is a workplace and a home. It represents how traditional Highland estates are adapting in the modern world.
“Cambusmore provides jobs and partnerships across conservation, farming, and estate management. There’s a strong estate community, and we all feel like custodians of the land.”
The blend of tradition and transformation is at the heart of the estate. It’s about inviting others to experience how meaningful life can be here as a contributor to a living, breathing community.
Advice for Future Highlanders
Lydia’s advice to those considering the move? “Buy a car—even if you think you won’t need it! Immerse yourself in the community. It’s truly a privilege to be a small part of it. And learn to enjoy the wind—it keeps the midgies away.”
When the challenges come, as well as the opportunities, the community will be there to support where they can. “I moved here without my family nearby. But now I have a support system of friends, neighbours, and colleagues. The Highlands might feel remote, but you’re never really alone.”
Ready to Embrace Highland Living?
Connect with the Live North team today for relocation guidance, career pathways, and insider tips on making the North Highlands your home. Your new chapter starts here, let’s make it happen!
