Burnhead Bothies

• Sleeps: 4
• Bedroom: 1
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

Praised by The Guardian as “a thoroughly modern affair”, Burnhead Bothy is a calming, off-grid retreat that makes the most of its spectacular location in the rolling Kilsyth Hills.

Set on a working 1600-acre farm that’s teeming with pedigree Scottish Blackface sheep and grazing Highland cattle, you’ll feel worlds away from life’s everyday cares. Yet with the twinkling evening lights of Glasgow visible over the hills, you’re gently reminded that bustling city life is still within reach, should you feel in need of it!

Sleeping up to four guests, the cosy bothy itself is crafted from sustainable timber and sheep’s wool, with huge, well-placed windows to showcase that magnificent rural scenery to perfection.  Cheerfully flooded with daylight, the sociable, open plan design feels instantly relaxing.

Better still, everything you’ll need for a calming holiday has been gainfully provided. The generous living, dining and kitchen space features a comfy sofa bed and a wood-burning stove to warm your evenings. And when mealtimes call, there’s a gas hob, oven, and electric fridge on hand.

(Who said going off-grid meant compromising on convenience?)

When it’s time to turn in, simply wander across to the peaceful double bedroom, with its downy bed dressed in a toasty sheep’s wool duvet.

See in the sunrise with a tranquil coffee out on the deck, before whipping up a hearty home-cooked breakfast. Morning freshen-ups are taken care of in the indulgent bathroom, with its spring water-fed rainfall shower and fluffy towels. Oh, and there’s also a ‘proper’ flushing loo.  Finally the newest addition is an inviting outdoor freestanding bath tub, so you can completely relax and immerse yourself in the night skies – bliss!

At a glance

• Sustainable, off-grid bothy for up to 4 guests, peacefully secluded on a 1600 acre working sheep and cattle farm in the Kilsyth Hills, with distant views of Glasgow.
• The bothy is self-contained, with full kitchen and bathroom facilities. Electricity and lighting are provided by solar panels, with USB charging points.
• The generous decking area spans two sides of the bothy – ideal for catching sunrises and sunsets! There is also an outdoor bath tub.
• The farm is situated on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with plenty of potential for hiking, kayaking, and sightseeing close by (don’t forget your wellies and walking boots!)

Features

• Family Friendly
• Off-Grid

More information

So, all ready and raring to face a new day, it’s time to explore!

The local area is a scenic playground of natural adventure, characterised by tumbling waterfalls, heather-strewn valleys, and soaring crags. You could pack a picnic and take an energising hike for starters, or try your hand at kayaking on the nearby canals.

Situated on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and filled with diverse wildlife, the farm is also a fantastic setting to root out some fossils, or simply observe nature at play. Friendly owners Duncan and Ashley are also more than happy to share their tales of the land’s rich history, and point you in the right direction for enthralling day trips.

(Duncan is the 3rd generation of the farming family here, so what he doesn’t know about the area isn’t worth knowing!)

Further afield lie historic artefacts, including the fascinating Roman fort on the Antonine Wall, and the Colzium Estate and Museum, which is just five minutes away, and boasts a charming garden café to while away some time in.

Though however you spend your time, the best part of every day will surely involve heading back to the sanctuary of your bothy… just in time to open a bottle of wine, fire up the wood burner, and catch that golden sun sinking over the hills.

Things to note

Check in at 3pm, check out by 10am. As the bothy is set on a working farm, pets are regrettably not permitted. Please note that the farm track to access the bothy is steep. There is a mobile phone signal, but no Wi-Fi at the bothy. One baby can be accommodated at no extra charge, please bring your own travel cot and equipment.