Sitting with a wee dram in hand in the aptly named ‘whisky lounge’, I had molded myself so far into the massive armchair I thought it might just swallow me up. With floor to ceiling windows offering a widescreen view of the countryside cloaked in frost, I had no incentive to move.
Thinking I was already at the peak of contentment, huge, fluffy snowflakes began to drift in their masses from the sky. There was me in my pyjamas, with five pals snuggled on the sofas which circled the lounge, ornaments inside our very own snow-scene. Cosy, content, and with no intention of venturing outside for long until our departure the next morning. Happy. Days.
The smell of bacon from the kitchen downstairs had slowly dissipated, following a cooked breakfast that was so late it couldn’t even qualify as ‘brunch’. I blame the super-soft, luxurious beds, and the hot tub which forced us to stay submerged beneath bubbles until the wee hours. It was an ideal situation, in a perfect Scottish setting.
We were on Craighead Farm in the Muckle Howf, a three bedroom, five star converted farm building surrounded by rural loveliness. I had fallen in love with the location during my stay in the Summer Howf the previous year, just a short walk through enchanting gardens from the house. You can read about my experience in my post The Summer Howf: The Perfect Rural Retreat near Edinburgh.
I’d admired the house and the inviting hot tub during my first visit, and I knew I’d return to stay.
I’m awfae glad I did.
Reasons to Stay
If you’re not already sold on five star luxury, beds you can’t get out of, an outdoor hot tub and a whisky lounge, perhaps the indoor sauna, underfloor heating and wood-burning stove will do it for you? The house has been designed with ultimate relaxation and comfort in mind, and is gorgeous down to every last fabric and fixture.
Location-wise, the surrounding views and tranquil lack of noise pollution, have ‘middle of nowhere’ written all over it, when in fact, the farm is just a scenic drive away from a number of amenities and historic attractions.
History buffs can salivate over the Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle and Doune Castle; known popularly as the filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Outlander series and Game of Thrones. The tourist town of Callender is within short driving distance; bakeries and pottering about are the key themes here. #KayAteAllThePies
What we got up to
Myself and my friends relished the opportunity to indulge in some cosy relaxation, and multiple beverages on the first night. The kitchen is a dream; spacious and fully equipped, with a large dining table made for socialising over a scran. We home-cooked a curry on the first night, and had haggis, neeps & tatties on the second (I do love a Scottish stereotype).
The extent of our exploration was contained within the grounds of the farm, featuring glorious gardens, lots of animal friends, and a picturesque lake with a snow covered jetty. There are as many reasons not to leave the farm, as there are reasons to venture out.
Getting There
If you’re driving, it takes just over one hour from Edinburgh (traffic dependent) – ideal for a weekend break from the city.
Myself and my other half, proud parents to a ‘Two Together Railcard’ and equally unable to drive, caught the train to Dunblane, then phoned a local taxi to drive us to the farm.
Top Tips
Pack slippers or comfy socks for wearing indoors – light coloured carpets and outdoor shoes don’t mix.
Bring flip flops in winter months for walking out to hot tub – my toes nearly fell off!
Grab everything you need from Tesco or M&S Simply Food in Dunblane, but don’t worry if you’ve left anything essential behind, the farm has its own wee honesty shop stocked with supplies.
Bring tea and coffee as there are only limited sachets provided in the house.
Cost
Prices from £880 per week. For more information, visit the website here.
looks right guid – I might check it oot