Room at the Crask Inn for USA students
A Sutherland hostelry which doubles as a church, is playing host to students from the USA this summer.
Four undergraduate students studying for a BA degree in Business from Columbia International University, South Carolina, are volunteering at the Crask Inn, situated on the A836 between Lairg and Altnaharra.
The four-bedroom inn was gifted to the Scottish Episcopal Church in 2017 by its previous owners Michael and Kai Geldard. It continues to be run as a pub and B&B but is also used for worship.
There are daily morning and evening prayers for interested guests and a monthly Eucharist service at 12pm on the third Thursday of the month, followed by a fellowship lunch.
Currently serving as wardens at Crask are Shane and Mack Sieweke who were installed at a service in March conducted by Bishop Mark Strange, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Bishop Strange also baptised the Sieweke’s children, Sammy and Rosie.
The family moved from the USA in June last year to take on the role of innkeepers and to help continue the Crask Inn’s mission by offering hospitality to all people who pass through the door.
Mr Sieweke said he was delighted to host the students.
“As part of their education programme, they are required to shadow a business,” he said. “The students at the Crask were eager to understand the hospitality industry from a global perspective and were keen to learn from a business that is owned by the Scottish Episcopal Church. They are learning practical skills.”
