Highland Shepherd Huts
When you’re looking for a break from the reality of every day life, there’s nothing better than swapping the hustle and bustle for a bit of serenity in the countryside. And where could be better than a break in the Highlands?
Highland Shepherd Huts was established in the summer of 2019 by owners Zoe Hall and Nic Houldsworth and is based on the outskirts of Nethy Bridge, in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
They are based in a location that allows for de-stressing and relaxation, nestled amongst the pine trees with views of the Cairngorms across a nature reserve.
Zoe and Nic said: ‘Staying in our huts provides the guests the opportunity to step back from everyday life, relax, unwind and embrace a slower Highland pace whilst still enjoying luxury comforts.’
Currently there are three huts on-site and a quirky off-grid converted horsebox. The huts are suitable for two people but Zoe and Nic did make a hut that can sleep a family of four.
The couple added: ‘Why leave the dog at home? After all they are part of the family. All the huts are dog-friendly. There are also two electric hook-ups for campervans.
‘The facilities on-site have been added to with the addition of mountain bikes for hire, a new cookhouse with barbecues and a horse trailer converted into a compost toilet.’
With the popularity of the huts exceeding the owners expectations and building the huts themselves it was decided to not only provide accommodation for guests but to offer fully fitted huts to others wanting to provide themselves with another source of income.
The joy of having two parts to the business means that the owners have an amazing knowledge of how the huts can perform financially and the return on investment is achievable by the end of a second successful season.
The workshop was born and now the small team of carpenters handcraft huts and finding new homes across Scotland. Every hut is bespoke and built to the specific needs of the client.
Nic and Zoe added: ‘Keeping an eye on each hut build is essential and it was decided to only build one hut at a time and generally each one takes four weeks to build.
‘We work with some great suppliers and more recently we have teamed up with Fenwick & Tilbrook to supply us with their beautiful paints for the interiors.
With interest in Highland Shepherd Huts coming from the four corners of Scotland, it was decided in late 2021 to start designing and offer the option of a flat pack hut. The couple said: ‘This provides customers the option to selfbuild to the point of a watertight building with all the components to achieve this and the opportunity to fit out the interior themselves. For those looking to offer holiday accommodation we recommend our 20ft long hut and prices start from £15,000.
‘There are other ideas in the pipeline but these will come as the business grows but we are looking at the idea of supplying the complete package which will include the planning process if required.’
Zoe and Nic added: ‘The whole family are keen skiers and have a love for being outdoors. Over the winter of 2022/3 we will close down our workshop and allow for some much needed family time and we are looking to do this each winter. We are so committed to our business but we also have to have time off!’