Castaways wanted for stay on Chilean island
AN ARISTOCRAT who hit the headlines when she married a North Wales farmer is seeking Welsh castaways to live for six months on her family’s uninhabited island off the coast of Chile.
Lady Kristyna DrummondHay, who lives in Llandudno and Scotland with Anglesey husband Michael Lloyd, is offering the all-expenses paid trip for six conservation students, and she would love to have applicants from Wales.
She is the granddaughter of William Huntley DrummondHay, the 15th Earl of Perthshire, and is also related to Lady Grace Drummond-Hay, the first woman to circumnavigate the world in the Graf Zeppelin in August 1929.
Her family own Isla Drummond-Hay (Drummond-Hay Island). It has always been uninhabited and it’s never been available to the public at any time. The island which lies off the coast of Santiago, off Chile was bought by Lady Kristyna’s great-uncle Maurice a botanist who discovered many different types of plants and animals.
Speaking from the island the 37-year-old said: “My family and I pride ourselves on our philanthropic work and we have poured millions in the upkeep of the island due to erosion, plastic pollution and other environmental hazards.
“The island has solely been for conservation purposes with seal colonies and many varieties of exotic birds nesting there.
“We have decided that this wonderful space and accommodation could be better utilised so we are ‘opening our doors’ and inviting students of conservation (or other environmental disciplines) to stay on the island for up to six months with all expenses including flights paid and be able to see the sights and sounds of Isla DrummondHay whilst being educated by a well-known conservationist and Doctor.”
She added: “We would most definitely like a Welsh conservation student to take part.”
She is offering a private jet to the island, accommodation, three meals a day plus £3,000 monthly salary.
Candidates must be over 18 before they can apply for this opportunity of a lifetime.
Lady Kristyna married Jan Michael Lloyd, 34, from Llangwyllog, at the Welsh Church in Melbourne in February.
She described it as the most “perfect day” and said half the service was conducted in Welsh.
Since then the couple have been dividing their time between Australia, Llandudno and her farmhouse in Perthshire, Scotland.
“I had never been to Wales prior to meeting Michael, but it is certainly a beautiful place,” she said.
“I’d happily live in Conwy forever even for just the chips and curry sauce that Michael introduced me to!”
To apply, e-mail vismes@zoho.com cabo.de.