Down on the Farm

• Sleeps: 2-4 per unit
• Minimum stay: 1 night

Set atop the hilly coastline of North East Aberdeenshire, Down on the Farm is one of those rare spots that allows you to be both enviably removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but also completely self-contained and fully self-sufficient in your off-grid home. The private cliff top farm itself is run by Carole & Matthew over a 200-acre plot of natural beauty and their passion for sustainability is evident in the home-made features and personal touches that make this retreat so perfect for a family holiday or romantic break.

Coastal Carriage is their gorgeous converted vintage rail carriage overlooking the Moray Firth in rural Aberdeenshire. It is a welcoming retreat with views to die for and is off-grid: no phones or laptops to spoil the loveliness! The wooden carriage has been lovingly converted to provide everything you’ll need for a cosy stay. The weather outside is sometimes wild, and when it is, the carriage is the perfect place to be. The wood-burning stove is designed to keep the carriage toasty at all times. It can also be used for cooking: imagine coming home from a day out in the fresh air, lighting up the stove and putting on a stew to bubble away on top while the logs crackle underneath…

If you just want to make a quick cup of tea, there’s a gas burner too, along with all the crockery and pans you’ll need. In the winter, eat inside at the fold-down table. In summer, head out to the private outdoor dining area and enjoy lazy lunches and sunset drinks gazing over the Moray Firth. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a dolphin. The carriage has its own spacious indoor shower room, with an authentic bush shower, heated by the wood-burner. The compost toilet is just outside, but you’ll find a vintage chamber potty indoors to save you going out in bad weather.

The High Seas Hideaways are a pair of cosy wooden glamping pods with the same stunning views over sea and farmland. These barrel shaped wooden structures sit in their own field. One hideaway sleeps up to four, with a double bed and two singles. The other is perfect for two, with space for a little person if needed. There is also a cosy kennel for your four-legged friend. The hideaways are ideal for anyone who loves camping and creature comforts. Inside, you’ll get the camping experience, without the hassle; you’ll find beds, crockery, cutlery, a kettle, fridge and microwave, and there’s even a TV. They have everything you need for a luxury camping holiday.

Outside, each hideaway has its own private dining and cooking area, with a fire pit, table and chairs. You can spend happy evenings here toasting marshmallows over the fire, keeping warm as night falls over the Moray Firth and the stars light up the sky. There are pots and pans that you can use to cook a hearty dinner over the flames. Nearby is the award-winning toilet, housed in a disused whisky barrel. It was awarded the ‘Home Throne Award’ in 2012: there are no uncomfortable toilet blocks to navigate. There is also a lovely shower room.  Open countryside, deserted beaches, campfires and dinner under the stars await!

Harvest Hut was once used by farm workers but now enjoys a new lease of life as a quirky and fun living space sleeping up to 3 people. There are hints to its past use throughout, however the wood burning stove, vibrant furnishings and cooking facilities give you the modern touch to make it a comfortable place to holiday in style. The Hut uses solar power lighting but is otherwise also off-grid, so you can really detach from technology and feel the elements at work in this rural idyll.

Venturing outside, head off for a long walk along the cliffs and explore the empty sandy beaches. You’ll find some very attractive fishing villages dotted along this coast, with their houses strung out under the cliffs. If you’re a photographer or an artist, bring your camera or sketchbook – you’ll love this area. The villages of Pennan and Crovie are both nearby and are particularly gorgeous.

At a glance

• Choose from the Coastal Carriage, two High Seas Hideaways (pet-friendly) or the Harvest Hut
• Situated on a 200-acre private cliff top farm
• Features a quirky award-winning toilet in a disused whisky barrel!
• Incredible countryside and coastal views
• Some of Scotland’s best countryside to explore

Features

• Family Friendly
• Off-Grid
• Seaside Breaks

Accommodation Options

More information

If you’d like to get out on the water, take a boat or fishing trip out onto the Moray Firth. While you’re there, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch sight of some of the 130 dolphins that live in the Firth. They are one of only two pods in the UK.

Further inland, take a trip on the castle trail and visit the area’s dramatic castles. The Slains is an especially striking example, perched high on a cliff and said to be Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula. After that, recover on a whisky tour of some of Scotland’s best-loved distilleries.

Things to note

2 night minimum booking period for the Coastal Carriage/Harvest Hut.

Due to the location of the Coastal Carriage, please bring appropriate clothing as although very cosy inside, there can sometimes be significant winds and chilly temperatures outside. Prices start from £65 per night for up to 2 people sharing a High Seas Hideaway. No smoking. No WiFi.The Coastal Carriage and Harvest Hut are off-grid retreats so have no electricity. No pets are permitted to stay.