Britain's self-titled most sociable hermit has turned down numerous offers by online fans to visit him because he has loved the past year’s lockdowns so much.
Jake Williams has lived off grid in the Clashindarroch Forest, near Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, for more than 30 years.
The 71-year-old got a new fanbase when he featured in Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild documentary series earlier this year, after the adventurer and TV presenter came to stay.
Since then, enquiries from people wanting to stay in the tiny 60s caravan that sits 15ft up a tree have gone through the roof.
Jake, who is examining 200 friend requests on Facebook with only a limited internet connection, said: “I’ve had about 100 enquiries for the caravan for this summer. I got so many, I got a warning from Airbnb that I wasn’t answering the queries fast enough.”
While many in the hospitality trade are eager to welcome customers back, the retired science teacher said: “I’m in no hurry. I’m going to ease back into it gradually.
“I’ve been totally spoiled by this lockdown, just staying in my garden which is literally thousands and thousands of acres.
“I’ve got plenty of jobs to do, plenty of things to fix, which could take a lifetime or two. It’s just great.
“I’ve got a couple coming to stay [in the caravan] at the end of May and that’s it. They said they had been before and pleaded, and me being such a soft touch, I agreed.
“I’m turning them all down at the moment. There’s no point importing people in bulk from all over just now.”
