What Have We Dunoon?
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Support
  • Contact

Hi! We're Cal and Claire.

12/11/2018

34 Comments

 





​​I’m Cal, a 26 year old Brit, carpenter, and “site manager” of our Dunoon project. 
Picture
Picture



​​And I’m Claire, a 24 year old Canadian, and “apprentice” to Cal (not just a labourer as he would say!) 
We’re a couple who are determined to make life an adventure. We met in the French Alps while on ski season, and over the past two years, we’ve road tripped and camped across Europe, found the freshest powder on breathtaking mountains during a second season together, and spent a summer living, camping and canoeing in Canada.
Now we’re ready for our next adventure…taking on Jameswood Villa!
When Claire decided not to accept her offer to Glasgow’s Medical School this fall, we decided we wanted a project.

We went to Auction and, quite accidentally, ended up buying Jameswood Villa, a stone building from 1900, located in Sandbank, Dunoon. This small loch-side village is about an hour and a half west of Glasgow, nestled adjacent to the gorgeous Trossachs National Park.

To say we’ve taken on an enormous task is not an understatement. Jameswood Villa has been left empty for 20 years. Our roof has gaping holes that have left our timbers exposed and rotten after years of West-Scotland rain, and drainage issues left our land waterlogged, leading to serious structural problems caused by subsidence. The councillors and locals have advised us to knock it down and start over. What Have We Dunoon?
The good news is, we’ve landed up in an absolutely beautiful location, Cal is a skilled carpenter with experience restoring period properties, and with our positive attitudes, and a lot of time and hard work, we’re excited to take on this project!


We would like to welcome you to join us on our adventure, as we take on Jameswood Villa. 
Creative Commons License
What Have We Dunoon Blog by Claire Segeren is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at whathavewedunoon.weebly.com.
34 Comments
Ross
12/15/2018 02:40:14 am

Well done. I can imagine my daughter and their partners taking something like this!! (Similar ages).
We moved to Sandbank from Devon nearly 2 years ago, no regrets 😁
We know some decent trades people if you need recommends.
All the best Ross and Max MT.

Reply
Carol
1/5/2021 01:48:05 pm

Hi Roz and Max.
I see you have moved from Devon to Sandbank Dunoon.
I am thinking of moving to Dunoon. Also to Sandbank.
Should I worry. I am retired and taking on a small renovation. But is Dunoon too quiet. I live in Scarborough. Which is also a lovely place . Any advice would be helpful. Thank you

Reply
Claire
12/17/2018 07:30:28 am

Thanks Ross!
We will definitely be looking for some recommendations for trades people as the project progresses.

Reply
Andy and Julie link
3/17/2019 02:11:10 pm

That looks like a spledid old house, but it's obviously in need of a lot of work, you both look so "up for it" and enthusiastic. We have both spent most of our married life doing up old houses. It's hard at times but sheer effort will win out in the end. Sincerest best wishes to you both. Keep us posted ok..

Reply
Tracey from Australia
3/18/2019 05:14:39 am

How thrilled I am after reading your challenge.. My beautiful husband and I have rebuilt/renovated our home so much so that our daughter has decided she would only purchase a turnkey home. My amazing mum would always recite someone to love, something to do and something to hope for which I believe fits your situation. Go for it Kids and enjoy and lean from every moment.

Reply
Dave link
3/18/2019 12:45:57 pm

Great story.
Try to have a production company make a television show out of this.
Maybe it’ll get you some money and maybe some help. You are gonna need it.

Reply
Paul DiNardo
3/18/2019 05:57:52 pm

Great attitude. This is the first blog I will have ever followed - if I can figure out how to follow a blog.

Reply
Paul DiNardo
3/18/2019 06:01:44 pm

Forgot to mention we are from the US but our daughter's boyfriend is studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and she just spent a week in Glasgow visiting him.

Reply
Mara
3/20/2019 09:59:56 am

Hello, I have seen an article on yahoo.com.mx where he relates his adventure, and I have followed every link that takes me to know more about his project. I risk using the google translator to congratulate them, move on! Cheer up! I will continue to pay attention to your project.
MARA CABALLERO

Reply
Cesar
3/20/2019 06:50:14 pm

Hi !! I was happily shocked by your story. I desire the best for you both. I Hope everything goes well and personally i will follow your progress througth this blog. Receive all my love and mentally help. Remember that the big challenge is for big people.
Regards from Argentina ( dont cry, please ! :-) )

Reply
Jesus
3/21/2019 06:14:45 pm

Excelente proyecto. cosas del primer mundo. Saludos y exito en su proyecto.

Reply
JC
3/28/2019 02:11:53 am

Love Dunoon, spent my 18th birthday there in 1987 at the famous cowal highlight games which is an amazing gathering, enjoy JC from Sydney Australia

Reply
Tracy-Lynn Jutras
4/17/2019 06:22:08 am

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

What an amazing story. I will be watching from Ontario, Canada.

Reply
Lisa Tucker-Clemens
4/20/2019 01:03:36 am

Saw your story on FB and had to find your blog! I think it's brilliant and brave of you both! Wish you both all the luck in the world. I'll be following your story.

Reply
Kelly ann Mcmullen
4/21/2019 02:40:05 am

This is such a great story!! I'm excited to see how you guys progress and will definitely share your blog. I live in Scotland and orginally come from Glasgow. Dunoon is a beautiful place. I wish you both all the luck in the world. Xx

Reply
Stephie
6/9/2019 12:37:32 pm

Stumbled across an article on FB. I have always dreamed of rebuilding an old place. I have never followed a blog before but I am so excited for you two and can’t wait to see your reward when it’s done. Good luck to you.

Reply
guillermo
6/21/2019 08:54:34 am

I bought an old house in 2017 with the same troubles. I am 32 years old. I am still working in my house. It´s been a real adventure.
Enjoy yourselves, make friends and gain experience.
Regards from Mexico

Reply
Magali Castro Gyr
6/22/2019 12:39:40 am

How extraordinary to stumble across your story in kiwireport.... I also went immediately to your blog to see the latest updates! It is great to see that young people as yourselves, with your wonderful "just do it" attitude, are so willing to face this challenge. Another Canadian following your progress from France as my husband and I have been renovating a 60 year old house..... So much less daunting then your that's for sure! . Love how this has brought people together! ' There are excellent groups out there you could tap into for construction help, support, extra hands if ever....kind of like Woofers. Wishing you the best!

Reply
Judith Chirch
6/24/2019 10:42:16 am

I am impressed at what you are doing and excited to see the progress as the villa comes together. I live in Arizona outside of Phoenix..Lots of prayers headed your way. Have fun and good luck.

Reply
Katie
6/24/2019 11:15:22 am

Is there a 2019 update? Super interested in seeing this project through to the end!

Reply
Carole Novak-Lewis
6/27/2019 03:43:10 am

Excited for your project, hope that you are still enjoying the adventure.

Reply
camille august
6/29/2019 08:35:33 am

attracted to your story on Facebook,,,,,my first time visiting a blog,,,,love your story and the magnetic bonding of strangers coming to help you. I truly hope you can tap into some of the "big companies" that could certainly help you out,,,,maybe a t.v. series???? Bless you both.

Reply
Donna M Farren link
7/24/2019 08:08:07 am

Please send me info when you add to your blog. I really don't know how I will get to see your progress and see you guys again. You two are amazing and want to see how you are doing..

Reply
doug
8/2/2019 10:13:05 am

Would love to see how this is coming along are there any updates

Reply
Elizabeth Gray
8/11/2019 04:18:23 am

would love to see how you are doing with the renovations

Reply
Gloribel Roura
9/27/2019 01:40:16 pm

Both are an example of what a goal warrior is. Congratulations from Puerto Rico island. Step by step you will made it! Rome wasn't made in one day.

Reply
Donna Farren
10/1/2019 02:44:26 pm

I would like some more photos of your progress.

Reply
Georgianna Lund
10/9/2019 09:29:18 am

I read your story in the Kiwi report. Your story is comparable to that of a much older English couple who bought a chateau in France. Their chateau was not nearly as shabby. They had a roof & could live inside. Their story is being told on PBS.

I can understand why you would want to restore the house. It could be lovely. Seeing what you two have done to date is quite remarkable. Each success, no matter how small it may seem, must feel huge.

May only good things happen for you.

Reply
Smart Choice Roof Restorations link
9/2/2020 12:22:49 am

Hi [ whathavewedunoon ] lovely post i would like to shsre this becouse its very helpful for me keep it up & please
don,t stop posting.thanks for share such kind of nice information with us!

Reply
Kimberley Brown
2/14/2021 06:40:53 pm

Hey Everybody, May I draw your attention to their Go Fund Me page? Right here: https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=homepage_norma/search&term=Jameswood%20Villa Send them love in a tangible form!

Reply
Travel Edinburgh Uk link
6/21/2021 03:39:01 am

I’m visiting Scotland in less than 2 months and this made me even more excited if that were even possible

Reply
Accessatlast link
9/4/2021 03:52:09 am

Hi, good luck with the restoration project. We bought a run down property in France and it took us 5 years before we could live in it but it was worth the wait.

Reply
Riley Dry link
9/21/2021 01:08:29 pm

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.

Reply
Diana Carroll
3/31/2022 07:52:25 pm

An amazing project. I just found this post and is now 2022. How have things went? So excited for you. A lot of work but something you will always cherish.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Support
  • Contact