The Infield, Guardswell Farm
I know I’m not the only one in need of a digital detox. Removing WiFi and TVs, and replacing them with extraordinarily beautiful views of the River Tay, the Tay Bridge, and on to St Andrews, staying at Guardswell forced me to totally switch off – and I could have stayed forever.
Just a ten-minute drive off the A90, between Kinnaird and Abernyte, the 150-acre farm is unbelievably peaceful. After a short walk to The Infield (bags were whisked to the door on a buggy by Anna Lamotte, my incredibly gracious host), my jaw quite literally dropped on seeing the floor to ceiling glass framing uninterrupted views of the Carse of Gowrie and Glencarse. One of Guardswell’s six immaculate, eco selfcatering cabins, it is supremely comfortable, yet allows you to go back to basics – there’s a foot pump for water straight from the hill, a flushing loo, a couple of gas rings, and a wood burner, while the superking bed sits on a mezzanine. Rainfall showers are by the main steading (as per Covid guidelines, there is one per household which is even better in my eyes).
I woke to a sunrise from the skylight window, watched the day unfold from the south-facing gable, and caught the sunset from the coffee table. There is 4G and plugs
can be found in the farm’s Cosy Room if you really need a fully-charged phone, but this is all about finding headspace. Listen to the sheep bleating, toast a firepit marshmallow, and visit ‘Chief Happiness Providers’, donkeys Ollie and Hugo. I’ll be back for their cooking and yoga classes too.