THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Getting back to nature with glorious glamping breaks
REVIEWED BY BOB MITCHELL FROM HADDINGTON
This was very definitely a holiday set deep in the countryside (car essential) on a sheep rearing, barley cultivating, strawberry producing, working farm – and we were living in the Sheep Shed. Made from corrugated iron, insulated with wool from their very own sheep and timber lined throughout, the Sheep Shed combines a welcome degree of wackiness with many of the practicalities required by the discerning camper. The full-sized and comfy bath appears to be a modified animal drinking trough and the watering can is a totally functional and fun-filled alternative to a shower.
Heating and cooking is by a wood burning range and whisky barrels of logs are supplied. There is no mains electricity but a solar panel provides lighting and two USB charging points. Sleeping quarters are on the mezzanine where a huge window offers a panoramic view of the countryside and the chance to see a stunning sunset from the comfort of your bed.
Jane was a brilliant but unobtrusive host who provided a warm welcome and a small taster pack of some local goodies. The area provides much to see and we climbed the iconic Bennachie that overlooks much of the neighbouring district of Garioch and had an excellent lunch at Dean’s shortbread visitor centre in Huntly. But perhaps I have left the best to last – the log burning hot tub which sits under a huge expanse of North East skies. Relaxing up to the neck in hot water, drink in hand, gazing at the sunset is a memory that will stay with us for a long time.
REVIEWED BY THE BOOTLANDS FROM ROSLIN
For seasoned campers, a few nights in the relative luxury of a safari tent holds little fear. And the tents at Harvest Moon are a real treat when you’ve become accustomed to weekends of soggy socks and mud management.
The Italian wood burning stove gives warmth and a place to cook or dry clothes and a huge kettle provides bottomless cups of tea to warm up after a visit to glorious Tyninghame Beach to sledge down sand dunes, build castles and body board in the sea. The beach is literally a minute’s walk from the tents.
Each tent can sleep up to eight people with a double room, bunk room, double bed cupboard and a sofa bed. There’s a small but well-equipped kitchen and a large dining table. There’s no electricity, but rechargeable lanterns are provided and candles add to the ambience. A toilet and a gas-powered shower sit at the back of the tent.
As well as safari tents there is a toy store (where kids can borrow books, games and sledges), a well-stocked honesty shop in an old boat, a BBQ shelter, hammocks and outdoor seating aplenty, plus chickens and ducks to watch as you recline.
The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and tolerated my kids who followed them around as if they were pied pipers while collecting eggs and feeding animals.
Harvest Moon is also home to awesome treehouse accommodation and a cottage if glamping really ain’t your bag. This is a real gem of a place with acres of space in which to let your imagination and kids run wild.
REVIEWED BY PHILIPPA LUMSDEN
The Potting Sheds are a row of nine lovely but starkly utilitarian twin-bed en-suite rooms on the beautiful Fingask Castle estate in Perthshire. Surrounded by woodland to one side, they are a convenient ten-minute walk to the nearby village of Rait, where you can have lunch at the excellent Tufted Duck café.
The estate itself is pleasant to roam, with large wooded areas and a lovely, well-kept castle ground. Each area of the castle is mapped out for you to enjoy at your leisure, making for a delightful, explorative walk during the day.
Although the Potting Sheds, which are made from wood sourced from the estate, were comfortable and heated, they are quite Spartan. There are no cooking facilities or television, although there is a kettle and wifi. I’d characterise this as ‘glamping lite’. We never felt that we were truly in the wild as the nearby village, which was convenient for a quick bite to eat during the day, also served as a permanent reminder that we could just abandon the experience at any moment.
The sheds were also built right by a large, walled garden, which has been in disrepair for years with the exception of a lovely Victorian greenhouse that the owners still use.
The Potting Sheds are perfect for wedding guests and those who just need a bed for the night while they explore the surrounding countryside. We thoroughly enjoyed our time zt Fingask and I could see myself enjoying a further weekend there in the future. However, the Potting Sheds are only suitable for adults, while pets are not allowed.
REVIEWED BY CRYSTAL CHESTERS
After a quick drive down the motorway from Edinburgh to Moffat, I travelled another ten minutes outside of the town to Wigwam Holidays Moffat, which overlooks the surrounding lush fells. I was shown into my Running Water Deluxe Wigwam Cabin by Laura and John Hume, the site owners, who have lots of knowledge about the area.
I was impressed by how well-appointed the cabin was, with a comfy double bed, a dining table for four and an ensuite bathroom with electric shower, toilet and sink. Outside there’s a decking area with a picnic table overlooking the hills and a fireplace which doubles as a barbeque. In addition, two hot plates, a toaster and microwave provide plenty of options for cooking, and the supermarket in Moffat is just a short drive from the site.
A nearby attraction is the Grey Mare’s Tail nature reserve, which you can drive to or, if you’re feeling more energetic, you can hike the five-mile route. The site is also close to the Southern Upland Way, which starts in Portpatrick and crosses Southern Scotland to finish at Cockburnspath.
I’d thoroughly recommend Wigwam Holidays Moffat for an idyllic glamping holiday. It’s easy to access from the M6 and M74, and provides the perfect balance of peace and quiet with easy access to the facilities of a small town.