Slackbrae

• Sleeps: 4 (+1)
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Minimum stay: 3 nights

Brucefield Estate, owned and run by descendants of Robert the Bruce himself, is a ‘secret’ 1,000-acre slice of natureful Clackmannanshire paradise that dates back over 700 years.

Boasting a deep, rich heritage filled with fascinating tales, there’s also a ten-year wildlife plan in place to help protect the estate’s abundant wildlife, which thrives across a glorious ‘patchwork quilt’ of habitats.

The heather heathland has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Nature Scot, while in the woodlands whisper scores of ancient Scots pine, oak, and beech trees. And though it will feel like ‘normal’ civilisation is far away, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore wider Scotland, with Edinburgh and Glasgow both under an hour away, and Stirling just 20 minutes.

Perfect for small families and their pets, Slackbrae is a magical 18th century forester’s cottage set deep within these fairytale surroundings, beautifully renovated into a soothing and sustainable retreat for up to four guests.

So beautifully renovated, in fact, that an article in The Herald recently commented that “Slackbrae is the sort of place you come to and then don’t want to step outside”… which is some achievement, when you have scenery as amazing as Brucefield’s all around!

Part of this could be down to the cottage’s vaulted ceilings, south-facing skylights, and sweeping, triple-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows, all of which gleefully beckon the outside in. Or perhaps it’s the bespoke, intricate birch plywood, elm and beech joinery that’s a genuine delight to the senses.

Looking for all the world like a traditional cottage on the outside, inside awaits a mesmerising selection of modern delights, from a breakfast hamper packed with fresh, locally-sourced goodies, to kitchen and bathroom tiles especially commissioned to tell the story of the cottage and estate. There’s a chic ceramic woodburner and underfloor heating to keep everybody lovely and toasty, too.

At a glance

• An 18th century forester’s cottage, exquisitely renovated into a sustainable sanctuary on a vast, historic Clackmannanshire estate.
• The estate is conveniently and centrally located for exploring wider Scotland, with Edinburgh and Glasgow both under an hour away, and Stirling just 20 minutes. If you want to leave the car at home, you’re welcome to arrive by train.
• Sleeping up to four adults and one child, there are two bedrooms: a superkingsize master with en-suite facilities, and a superkingsize or twin room.
• The renovation has been designed and developed to create a truly energy-efficient retreat, with breathable wall insulation, underfloor heating and a modern ceramic woodburner to keep you perfectly toasty.
• Locally-sourced accessories include a delicious breakfast hamper, butter-soft furnishings, unique art, and bathroom and skincare organic products.
• Dine inside, or out on the patio, surrounded by gardens full of herbs and flowers. Two or three-course menus, hot or cold picnics, as well as home baking can be ordered in advance – please see Things to Note below.
• Learn about the estate’s ancient roots by taking a history tour, or hire an all-terrain TREK bike on site and take one of many scenic cycling paths available on Strava. The estate is on the traffic-free NCN764 Sustrans cycle route.
• The villages of Dollar and Culross are 6 miles away, and you can reach St. Andrews in an hour.  Sample itineraries are provided for your stay, with a wealth of ideas that mean you’ll never be bored!

Features

• Disability Accessible
• Dog Friendly
• Family Friendly

More information

Meanwhile, local accessories include butter-soft sheepskin rugs and tartan blankets, bathroom and skincare organic products, unique art, and woollen tweed window seats bespoke-crafted by the renowned Scottish designer, Amy Britton.

Savour meals cooked in the well-equipped kitchen, whether at the generous dining table, or out on the patio… where you’ll also find a firepit to cosy up next to. And if you don’t feel like cooking at all, no problem – two or three course dinners, afternoon tea and other delicacies available to order in advance.  Celebrating something special?  Book a table at The Forager in nearby Dollar, and savour a fine-dining feast created by a Michelin-starred chef.

Otherwise, linger outside awhile as you admire the colourful, sweet-scented gardens, designed especially to provide kitchen herbs, flowers, and berries all year round.

When it’s finally time to turn in, you’ll find two elegant bedrooms waiting: a superking master room with a dressing room and an en-suite bathroom, and a twin or superking room with access to a modern bathroom.

If you do decide to step outside, there’s a wealth of things to see and do. For starters, you could take a historical tour of the estate, or hire a bike and set out on a scenic cycle path.  To mark a special occasion, how about booking a tree-planting session for your very own Scots Pine?

Slightly further afield, you can head into the pretty village of Dollar, with its hillside Glen and Castle Campbell, or Culross, a National Trust for Scotland conservation village complete with a vivid yellow 16th century palace. Meanwhile, if you enjoy a good walk spoiled, the ‘Home of Golf’, otherwise known as St. Andrews Links, is a mere hour away.

Things to note

Well-behaved pets are permitted to stay. The cottage is fully accessible, with no steps and grab rails in the wet-room shower.  Brucefield Estate has partnered with Polly’s Pantry to create a selection of cakes, platters, meals and snacks especially for guests, to be ordered in advance of your stay.  Please visit their website for information and ideas.  If you’re celebrating something special, all manner of surprises can be pre-ordered and arranged, including a decorated mystery woodland trail with a picnic, firepit, and Scottish sparkling wine – just ask!