We ditched our £1k a month Edinburgh flat for converted ambulance – it’s got a shower, sink and gas hob
AN adventurous couple have slashed their bills by more than half after moving into a converted AMBULANCE.
Calum Rafferty and Roksana Rychlik, both 28, have travelled across Scotland and Europe in their home on wheels.
They were previously living in Edinburgh and paying around £1,000 a month for rent and council tax.
After studying photography together at Napier University they decided in 2019 to ditch city life to pursue their passions and work and live on the road.
Calum surprised Roksana by buying a three-litre Peugeot Boxer.
While working in whisky and gin shops, each weekend they travelled to Calum’s parents in Darvel, Ayrshire, to transform the vehicle.
He said: “When we left uni we decided that we’d run our own business together and tie it in with whisky. The slight problem with that was living in Edinburgh - it’s expensive.
“I was scrolling through YouTube and came across these guys who bought a van and drove to Kazakhstan. I thought they were cool.
“Roks came back from work one day and I said ‘we’re gonna buy a van, kit it out and live in it’.”
The former ambulance cost them £4,500 off Gumtree and they fitted it with solar panels, log burner, shower, sink and a gas hob.
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They also used an old whisky barrel to make a table and upcycled old curtains into cushion covers.
Roksana said: “We wanted to be off-grid and have a more sustainable life. Everything we get is pretty much from the sun.
“It was important for us to use as much upcycled things as possible. All the worktops we made from scratch.”
After completing the van Calum needed to obtain a HGV license.
And shortly after passing they moved to Islay in September 2021 to work at Bruichladdich Distillery.
Calum and Roksana lived on the island for just over a year before leaving to travel around Scotland and Europe for two-and-a-half months.
The pair visited nine countries, including Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland, and documented their travels on YouTube.
After running low on money, the couple motored back to Scotland and headed for remote Ardnamurchan, Highlands, after Calum landed another distillery job.
He said: “We were blown away with how amazing this place is. I don’t know why we never visited here before.
“There’s amazing woodlands, mountains, stunning beaches and the local people are next level nice.”
Calum and Roksana are planning on hitting the road again in the new year and travelling around more of Europe.
They have significantly cut their bills after leaving their pricey one-bedroom flat.
Food and diesel are more expensive in Ardnamurchan, but it only costs £25 to refill their gas canister.
Calum said: “If you have any inkling of doing this lifestyle then hire a van for a week or two, when the weather’s at its s****est, and see if you still enjoy it. If you enjoy it like that, then you’ll enjoy it when the weather’s stunning.
“Right now we couldn’t see living any other way. That might change, but for now it’s perfect.”
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Roksana, originally from Torun, Poland, added: “We get to live in amazing places, which is priceless. Also, it’s an amazing way to meet people.
“I had anxieties. But honestly, I’m so glad I did it."
