Wessell Hartman from Holland and Rachel Tilling from Edinburgh both made their journeys to the property on Tuesday of last week - one of the worst days of snowfall for 30 years.

"The weather was absolutely atrocious and it is an amazing endorsement of Wessell and Rachel's commitment to the trust that they would have set out on their journey in those conditions," said property manager
John McKenna.

Wessel and Rachel a will be working on a 15-week project to restore the woodland garden in The Den of Dun.

The project will involve clearing footpaths, conserving a historic stone bridge and planting of new tress and shrubbery.

Wessel, who is studying landscape management at college in Den Bosch, said: "I have been offered the placement at House of Dun as part of my course and have been delighted to accept.

"The journey from Holland took 15 hours but nothing would have stopped me getting here. I'm really excited about the projects I will be working on during my stay."

And Rachel, who has a diploma in historic building conservation, is also delighted to have made it through the storm.

"I have just returned from Australia so travelling to the House of Dun in such adverse conditions was a bit of a shock. However, I'm very much looking forward to starting work as soon as I have thawed out!"