Kilsyth farm to offer off-grid eco holidays

Kelvin Valley and Falkirk (KVF) LEADER tell us about a project that has benefited from their farm diversification fund.

Based on a 1600-acre farm rearing beef and sheep in the Kilsyth Hills, Ashley and Duncan MacGregor plan to create high quality bespoke eco-friendly boutique style holiday accommodation. The accommodation is made in Scotland by an award-winning designer and built in pods which are then joined together on site.

The project received 50 percent funding from KVF LEADER’s farm diversification fund, allowing Burnhead farm to materialise an innovative project for the area.

The bothy is one bedroom but can sleep four comfortably with a sofa bed in the lounge area. It is made from sustainable materials and includes renewable electricity from solar panels and heat from a wood burning stove providing an off-grid living experience. The cabin is warm and inviting with a decked area and large windows to take in views across the farm and towards the Kelvin Valley.

The MacGregors said:

"Our accommodation will provide visitor’s access to rural Scotland and an authentic experience suited to both couples looking for a relaxing off-grid experience to get away from the stresses of everyday life, or young families looking to experience the countryside and quality family time without the interruptions of modern technology.

"Visitors will be able to experience the farming lifestyle seeing a working farm and the livestock and wildlife that live here. We hope by offering holiday accommodation it will provide an alternative income for the farm and also bring business to other small businesses in the area."

Business Gateway, VisitScotland and North Lanarkshire Council also support this project and have helped Ashley and Duncan in developing their business plan and marketing strategy, providing information on tourist accommodation and ensuring the project is successful.

Burnhead bothy is now open for business. For info or booking contact: burnheadbothies@gmail.com

You can also visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/BurnheadBothies/ and follow them @BurnheadBothies on Twitter.

Visit the KVF LEADER website to find out more about support available.

More about LEADER across Scotland

You can find out about LEADER across Scotland in the LEADER section of our website, where you can also submit an Expression of Interest form if you have an idea for a project.

And watch our short film below to find out more about six inspiring projects that received funding in the LEADER 2007-2013 programme.

Scottish LEADER programme from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.