Killiehuntly Farmhouse
To understand how wonderful Killiehuntly Farmhouse is, you’ll first have to understand how wonderful Scotland is. It’s not a destination that sings and shouts to grab your attention. The clumps of heather and lochs filled with turquoise water exist quietly; the snow topped mountains and dark forests need no fanfare. The people are kind, the landscape is generous, and every adventure spent in Scotland is an honest and uncomplicated one. The Highlands, in particular, hold a special kind of magic. Caught on the wrong day, the weather is unforgiving and the icy winds can be cruel but when in a good mood, you’re rewarded with sunsets that stretch into the night and scenery like no other.
Killiehuntly is the gateway to this magic, hidden in the Cairngorms National Park and surrounded by 4,000 acres of farm. The farmhouse dates back to the 1850’s, and acts as a private retreat. Just like the surroundings, it’s quiet and calm, and effortlessly beautiful. Owned by Wildland Scot duo, Anne and Anders Storm, the farmhouse has been restored to its former glory, but given a new lease of life thanks to the Scandi-Scot interiors. There’s a clever blend of Danish design and Scottish charm throughout - white linens, bare wooden floors, roaring fireplaces and a feel-good factor that you can’t quite put your finger on. Never fussy nor overdone, the entire farmhouse feels like home. Well, the home that you’ve always wanted.
There are four bedrooms (sweetly named after local trees), a kitchen and dining space, two sitting rooms, a cottage, bothy, sauna yurt (with accompanying wooden tub to cool off in) and the prettiest greenhouse I’ve seen in a while. The bedrooms are simple but dreamy, with fluffy pillows and soft washed linen sheets, and the views are postcard perfect. Killiehuntly is still a house, so floorboards creak and you can occasionally hear the grumble of fellow guests talking, but the trade off - the smell of bacon gently wafting up the stairs and under the door in the morning - is worth it. When nightfall comes, the entire farm is covered in a cloak of twinkly stars and silence, making for a good night’s sleep.
For breakfast and dinner, you’ll join fellow guests for family style dining. This might worry some of the more introverted among us but the wine flows freely, the impressive menu sparks chat and you’ll quickly realise you’re staying with like-minded people. The offering is very much field to fork, with everything served made on the working farm so flavours are fresh, ingredients are seasonal and dishes are created with lots of care.
Adventures during the day are encouraged at Killiehuntly and the team are schooled on the local area so can point out secret spots and vistas for those wanting to stretch their legs. For lunch, you’ll get a traditional Scottish ‘piece’ - beautifully wrapped sandwiches and sweet treats to keep bellies content whilst on the go. If you’ve decided to hide from elements next to the fireplace (well played), there’s afternoon tea and a supply of freshly brewed coffee to keep any reading marathons fuelled.
When you stomp around the fields and hills surrounding the farmhouse, you know that they’re here to stay. Wildland Scot, the people behind Killiehuntly, have fast become nature’s bodyguard, with a 200 year vision of sustainable conservation in the Scottish Highlands. They understand that the magic of Scotland is hidden in the bracken and behind the waterfalls, so have made sure that will be the case for a long time to come.
On the final morning, we swapped tips and shared stories as we passed the cafetiere around the breakfast table. We learnt about the best scallops and chips on the Isle of Mull. We scribbled down directions to a hidden castle nearby. We let them in on our Skye hideaway. Long after the plates had been cleared away, we were still gossiping about the Highlands, about Edinburgh during Christmas and figuring out the best route to the Shetland Islands. You see, the thing about Scotland is that no one really wants to leave. You’ll wish that your holiday had no return flight and that your road trip was strictly an A to B affair. Luckily, places like Killiehuntly make it a little easier to leave Scotland, because you know that when you return (which you will), the landscape you fell in love with will remain unchanged, and just as magical.
Killiehuntly Farmhouse hotel, from £240 full board.
*It’s worth mentioning that Killiehuntly is available as a private hire, as the layout is already set up to host the ultimate Highland sleepover (just imagine Hogmanay), and with the surrounding cottages and bothy, there’s a room for everyone.
