As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, many people are looking at ways to tighten their belts.
But one Scot has felt very little impact from the current turmoil – following her decision to live off-grid.
Robyn Swan sold all her belongings and moved out of her home to live rent-free in a shipping container in rural Scotland.
The 33-year-old bought a seven-acre piece of land near Stirling for £185,000 and then added a £4,200, 40ft x 8ft container to live in.
Ms Swan went without electricity for eight months, and in the process managed to save up £4,500 to have solar panels installed so she could generate her own power.
She also began growing her own food, rearing her own animals – including chickens, rabbits and pigs – and harvesting her own rainwater too.
More than a year later, she says she’s around 40 per cent self-sufficient.
The full-time dog walker, who lives with electrician partner Luke, 29, said: ‘The container is a full house now. I chose what insulation and double glazing I wanted, so it’s a lot cosier than a caravan.
Robyn Swan sold all her belongings and moved out of her home to live rent-free in a shipping container in rural Scotland (pictured with her animals)
She sold all of her belongings and even remortgaged her home so she could purchase under seven acres of land as well as a container (pictured)
The dog-walking business owner sold absolutely everything including her furniture, TV and even her car
‘My monthly bills come to £259.43. I only need to pay for council tax minus water, some food, and my phone bill.
‘I was spending over £1,000 a month living in a house, so I save around £750 a month, which goes back into the land.’
Ms Swan added: ‘It’s amazing to see my ideas coming together.’
In order to make those ideas real, she sold all her possessions, including her car, furniture and TV, and remortgaged her house so she could rent it out to cover the costs.
With the cash she generated she bought her land for £185,000, then started modifying the container.
For the first two months, Ms Swan slept on a mattress on the floor as the container slowly transformed into a home.
She bought a second-hand kitchen for £1,000 and set up a bed before installing a fridge, freezer and a full bathroom.
The couple used battery electricity for eight months until their solar panel system was installed, with Ms Swan saying: ‘I just had to adapt – you definitely get better at seeing in the dark.’
Robyn slept on a mattress on the floor for two months as the container was being built (pictured)
Pictured left to right: the container during construction and after
Robyn has big hopes for the future
Robyn’s cast iron bathtub, which she bought on Facebook Marketplace being heated using an outdoor fire
Robyn has chickens (pictured) on her land
As well as a log burner, a water harvesting and filtration system was installed, and she now grows ‘anything that can survive in Scotland’ – including carrots, potatoes, turnips, tomatoes, strawberries, kale and berries. In addition, she has started raising chickens for meat and eggs, and rabbits and pigs for meat.
There are sheep too – for keeping the grass trimmed.
Ms Swan said: ‘I hope by the end of summer, we’ll be producing all our own meat and vegetables. I’m hoping we’ll be able to create a market garden and sell our food back to the public.’
So, is it the good life after all? Ms Swan said: ‘It’s quite tolling on your body, but I’d like to keep living off-grid as long as I can.
‘It provides a peace of mind. If anything happened in the world, I know there would be no food shortages for me or my family.
‘I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and produce my own food. This way, I know exactly what goes into it.’
