It all started with the conversion of an ancient stone barn on Ian and Heather Keir’s farm in 2001. Then, having created ‘the Muckle Howf’ – a five-star holiday cottage snuggled beneath mighty beams – they pondered what they could do next? The exciting architecture of the barn had only whet their appetites. Outside lay the burn, lochan and rolling greenery of their sprawling Perthshire garden… today this is where the real fun of Craighead Farm can be found.
It’s no exaggeration to say the couple have gone high and low to craft the perfect glamping enterprise. The farm, home to five different accommodation options (as well as the original barn), has a pair of hobbit dwellings – burrowed into a grassy bank with characterful circular doors, stone-walled interiors, carved wooden furnishings and a wood-burning stove – as well as an enormous treehouse, built into the branches of a giant ash tree with panoramic views over the Ochil hills. Falling more squarely on terra firma is the white wooden summerhouse, with the bed built deep into a window bay, and the ‘Wee Howf’, a cabin on stilts overlooking the waters of the farm’s private lochan.
Each of the howfs is in its own private space and comes kitted out with everything you could possibly need; from bedding and towels to well-equipped kitchens. It’s the more bespoke touches, however, that show real attention to detail. The hobbit howfs, for example, have beautiful wooden sinks carved out of a single piece of oak, while the Wee Howf has a pulley system that lets you keep your beer cold by lowering it into the water below. The tree howf, meanwhile, features a stained-glass window that matches the shape of the king-sized headboard, while the outside deck has a special raised platform for enjoying a sunset drink. Wherever you turn the design of the site has been carefully thought out, making the most of the natural shape of the garden and the views of each location.
Privacy, tranquillity and serenity may be the buzzwords here but a mile down the burn and across the river the A9 zips drivers across the country. To the south, the city of Stirling is overlooked by a mighty castle and preceded by the National Wallace Monument. While further afield Loch Lommond and the Trossachs National Park and the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh offer interesting day trips. If you can put down the book and get away from the wood burner there’s certainly plenty to keep you busy.
Craighead Farm is well placed for exploring central Scotland with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (01389 722600) not far away merging into The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park at its closest edge. The local town of Dunblane lays along the route to Stirling the home of a prominent castle (01786 450000), The National Wallace Monument (01786 472140) and The Bannockburn Heritage Centre (01786 812664). Further afield Edinburgh and Glasgow are both less than an hours drive from the campsite. Cromlix House (01786 822125), is less than a mile away, a grand establishment, newly renovated by Wimbleldon champion Andy Murray and somewhere to go for real fine dining. Golfers, meanwhile, should head to the famous Gleneagles (08003 893737), host of The Ryder Cup and one of several golf courses in the area.
The site always has a supply of free range eggs and the wee honesty shop is a point of call for the things you may have forgotten. The nearest village shop is 2 miles away in Braco but Dunblane at 4 miles has more stores plus a Tesco and M&S food. Closest to camp newly refurbished Cromlix House (01786 822125) offers lunches and evening meals while Gleneagles Hotel (08003 893737) is 7 miles away for afternoon tea or dinner in one of their restaurants. Dunblane has a variety of cafes and pubs. Bridge of Allan with its very attractive High Street also has a wide range of places to eat suiting all tastes and purses. It is also possible to get carry out food delivered to the campsite from Dunblane.
