I'm always looking for quirky little places to stay, so as you can imagine, I was totally delighted to come across Canopy and Stars - a cute little website that offers alternative places to stay across Britain and now much of Europe. If you've never checked it out, it's really a must - there is everything from gypsy caravans to yurts and even treehouses offering their own little adventure.
While the hotter weather abroad is most appealing, my boyfriend Stuart and I settled for something much closer to home - the Barley Bothy near Huntly in Aberdeenshire, run and built by Jane and James of Boutique Farm Bothies. The bothy is aptly named since it sits in a malting barley field on their working farm. Having previously appeared on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4, the property had all the charm and excitement I was looking for. We booked it over a long weekend - with two nights stay coming in at £180.
After a short drive from Aberdeen, we turned down the farm track to towards the remote tin bothy.
Top tip: The bothy itself is situated quite a distance from the main road to Inverness, with lots of twists and turns, so I recommend sat nav prior to departure.
We saw the fantastic tiny home after driving down a wee road through the farm itself. Situated a short distance from the couple's working farm, (where they also breed sheep and grow strawberries), our new home for the weekend was in the quietest little spot facing onto fields and some forests in the distance.
Interior:
We opened up the old train carriage doors and inside we found the most wonderful mish-mash of colours and up-cycled materials that came together perfectly to provide us with a quirky, enchanting little hideaway.
What once was an old chicken shed, the Barley Bothy is now bright, charming and colourfully decorated. The open plan kitchen / living space offers a beautifully cosy space to relax and unwind. There are two double beds tucked away in two charming cupboards just off the living room, which come with installed skylights, which are ideal for star gazing.
The wood burning stove in the living area is ideal when sitting curled up on the sofa and is the best place for keeping the kettle - always making sure your tea is toasty and warm when it's time for a top up.
In the kitchen there is everything you could ever need. The wood burning stove was a slight challenge for us to get going and keep going, so make sure to ask Jane or James for some pointers. We did and still didn't quite get it right until the very last day of our mini-break!
The bathroom features a beautiful roll-top vintage bath, which is awesome for soaking in along with a book, a glass of wine and a few candles in the evening. There's also a vintage style flushing loo, which is something I wasn't expecting to be honest - but which was a welcome surprise. If anyone is used to camping, you know that trooping to the toilet block is sometimes a hassle!
The Owners:
Once we'd unpacked and settled in, Jane came up to the bothy and introduced herself and welcomed us to her lovely little bothy. A lovely, warm lady who would do almost anything to make your stay as good as possible, she regaled us with her story of how her husband James built the bothy from scratch - pretty amazing if you ask me! She even offered us to come down to the farm and meet some new lambs while we were there - which would be a must, especially if you have kids at this time of year!
Cooking:
We opted to add on all our food for our stay, with a luxury hamper and a choice of two main meals and deserts, as well as a whole host of breakfast goodies and homemade produce included for an additional £50. The hamper is SO worth it.
These are all easily prepared using the wood burning stove within the bothy, as long as you can keep the fire going! If not, freshly baked bread and homemade lemon curd or jam will keep you going until you can seek help!
Exterior:
The bothy is also home to a lovely little veranda / decking area outdoors with an accompanying rocking chair. Wrap up warm, especially at this time of year, and sip a coffee as you take in the rolling field views.
So there you have it! The beautiful Barley Bothy! I can't wait for another stay - maybe in the summer when it gets a little warmer, but I'll definitely be back!
* Header image borrowed from Boutique Farm Bothies
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