Craigduckie Shepherd’s Huts, near Dunfermline, Fife
What better place to stay in a shepherd’s hut than on a working sheep farm, with Easter Craigduckie, which has been in the hands of the Roberts family since 1968, home to around 1,500 breeding ewes each year.
The aptly monikered Ewe View and Lamb Lookout offer panoramas across Loch Fitty and a tapestry of rolling fields. A hen house sits close to the huts, with the website stating that guests are “welcome to collect the fresh eggs for breakfast and feed the hens.”
It is a getaway encapsulating a perfect mix of rural adventure and cosy retreat. There are wheelbarrows to transport luggage, with each hut containing a shower room, a kitchen including hob, oven and fridge, a wood-burning stove, bedding and towels.
The outdoor firepits, meanwhile, are ideal for al fresco dining, barbecues or toasting marshmallows, while dreamily stargazing.
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Mangersta Croft Holidays, Uig, Lewis
This spellbinding corner of Lewis is heaven for anyone who craves time in the great outdoors. The glampsite in the croft fields at Mangersta has a pair of shepherd’s huts – one painted red and one yellow – with coastal views towards the mighty Atlantic Ocean.
Facilities include en suite shower and toilet, a well-equipped mini kitchen, TV/DVD player, bed linen and towels, outdoor seating and a shared firepit, the latter known to play host to some impromptu, lively gatherings.
The friendly hosts Elsie Mitchell and Derek Scanlan are contemporary artists who, along with their family, run the excellent Mangurstadh Gallery within the croft house. There is plenty to do in the vicinity, from beaches and birdwatching to scenic hiking routes.
Inshriach Shepherd’s Hut, near Aviemore, Strathspey
This hand-built, Swedish-inspired abode exudes the vibe of a rustic, luxurious gang hut. Located in the grounds of Inshriach House, surrounded by woodland and pasture, you have the Cairngorms National Park right on your doorstep, with a field of horses the closest neighbours.
Amenities include a small stove above a reclaimed slate hearth, which is billed as “just big enough to fry up an egg or two from the farmyard”. There is also use of a wood-fired sauna and hot tub, cleverly repurposed from an erstwhile horsebox and army trailer respectively.
Be sure to check out Inshriach Distillery. Owner Walter Micklethwait is a whizz with botanicals, his award-winning gins using ingredients such as locally foraged juniper berries and rosehip.
Roulotte Retreat near Melrose (Image: Roulotte Retreat)
Roulotte Retreat, near Melrose, Scottish Borders
As the name suggests, this is a slightly different spin on a hut stay with the accommodation coming in the form of roulottes – Romany-style wooden French caravans – situated in an idyllic spot beneath the Eildon Hills.
A circle of seven colourful and beautifully crafted roulottes are nestled within a pretty wildflower meadow, all facing towards a lochan at its centre. The impressive on-site facilities include eco saunas, hot tubs and outdoor wood-fired copper baths.
The area is a haven for myriad fauna. Owls, deer, rabbits, foxes and badgers are all regular visitors, making it a magical escape for wildlife lovers.
Harvest Hut, near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
This striking red and green wagon hut – formerly used by farm workers to grab some shut eye – has been painstakingly restored and transformed into a gorgeous, off-grid getaway.
Filled with delightful details, from patchwork bedding to a two-burner hob with singing kettle, it forms part of Down On The Farm, a cluster of quirky lodgings at the family-run Rosehearty property on the coast.
The 200-acre plot is also home to a herd of beef cows, alongside a clutch of sheep, peacocks, hens, ferrets and dogs. Among the fun-packed attractions is a rhubarb patch where you can pick your own, all while breathing in the brisk sea air from the nearby Moray Firth.
Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @susanswarbrick.bsky.social
