A Postcard from Scotland
Inspired by our Wispy Viewfield illustrated map design, we’re taking you on a trip around Scotland with a list of some of our favourite staycation spots in the UK. From an off-grid eco-lodge in the Scottish Borders, to a wilderness retreat complete with home comforts, these are the spots we go to rest and recharge.
1. Into the Wild in the Cairngorms
Escape it all at Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, a private estate of around 30,000 acres surrounded by wilderness forest and moorland on the banks of the River Dye. The location is fabled; watched over by the massive granite tor of Clachnaben and at the northern end of the Cairn o Mount mountain pass. This is where the Howe of the Mearns finally gives in to the Highland boundary fault; wild, beautiful and very, very quiet.
Combining a jaw dropping location with comfort and style, each of their properties have private access to their a wood-fired Swedish hot tub, Big Green Egg barbecue, record player and records, games, wood fires and unlimited firewood. There’s even a tiny BYOB pub, The Glen Dye Arms.
Pack: Go exploring – be prepared for all weathers with our Lightweight Scarves, a pair of wellies and our cashmere Yacht Cardigan.
2. Go Off-Grid in the Scottish Borders
Secluded and serene, Fiddle Hill Cottage is an eco-lodge nestled into the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. Much thought (and hard graft) has gone into creating this small house from local post and beam Douglas Fir with larch cladding. Clever insulation, underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove mean it’s snug all year round. Spy birds through double height windows and as evening falls, light the fire pit on the decking and watch the stars come out.
The kitchen is equipped for serious cooks and owner Sukie leaves you scones, bread, homemade jam and marmalade, and a bottle of wine. You can also buy meat and eggs from the owners and fresh seasonal produce from their polytunnel and croft. If you’d like a casserole waiting in the oven when you arrive, just ask.
Pack: Keep a keen eye out for local wildlife with a set of binoculars and Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to British Birds, and watch the stars underneath our Tawny Abstract Lambswool Throw.
3. An Artist’s Retreat near Inverness
One for art lovers, The Artists Cottage in Farr was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Scottish architect and artist died before he had a chance to live in the adobe-like white cottage but it is thought he probably designed the house and nearby studio as a future home for him and his wife. The cottage, a few miles from Inverness, with craggy mountain views, features Mackintosh’s iconic floral stained-glass windows, numerous balconies and a central courtyard.
This family and dog-friendly holiday home is an ideal choice for guests looking for something a bit different in a central but tranquil location. Set in its own grounds of 1.5 acres, it’s perfectly situated for exploring.
Pack: Capture Mackintosh’s inspiration with painting supplies, and enjoy a tipple or two after dark on one of the balconies wrapped up in our cosy Balsas Lambswool Cashmere Blanket.
4. All Aboard - an Edinburgh glamping experience
Truly unique, go glamping at the Bus Stop, a collection of refurbished city buses located in a working Gifford farm just 30 minutes outside of Edinburgh. With panoramic views of the Lammermuir Hills, each bus has a hot tub and BBQ or fire pit. Inside there’s comfy sofas, wood-burning stoves, and beds (no tents needed). The driver’s seat is still there, which is sure to thrill kids.
The buses are power-free and are instead lit with the gentle glow of lantern lighting. Choose from rustic or luxury, where the handcrafted interior will be fitted with a king size bed and bunk beds for the kids, plus your own kitchen, complete with a hob, oven, kettle, toaster and fridge freezer. Free WiFi is provided in the luxury buses too.
Pack: Bring games for the kids and a board game or two for the adults, plus one of our Luxury Picnic Blankets for BBQs and campfire cookouts.
5. Well fed and rested in the Scottish Highlands
A gourmet delight, lochside Monachyle Mhor is a relaxed boutique bolthole at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. The award-winning Scottish restaurant and rooms are beautifully set overlooking Lochs Doine and Voil, a few miles along the glen from Balqhuidder, where Scottish folk hero Rob Roy is buried. The farmhouse-turned-hotel was painted pink to show that its occupants were, like Roy, Jacobite sympathizers.
The perfect pitch for exploring the great outdoors, you can walk, swim, horse ride, fish, stalk, cycle, wander or drive the grounds to your heart’s content. They even have their own festival. Sleep in a restored 1950s Pilot Panther showman’s wagon, ferry cabin or luxurious courtyard and farmhouse rooms.
Pack: A comfy pair of shoes and our chunky cashmere knit Clyde Sweater for outdoor adventures, and a colourful Fiji Plain scarf for dinner.
The Begg x Co Wispy Viewfield features a hand-drawn map of the Ayrshire coast, woven in 100% cashmere - a celebration of our corner of Scotland. We hope our guide to a Staycation in Scotland inspires you to discover a new favourite UK holiday destination for some rest and relaxation.
Discover the Wispy Viewfield, a modern postcard from Scotland.