Glamping in a Shepherd’s Hut in the Cairngorms

Is there anything more lovely than sitting by a fireside?  For me, being surrounded by nature, offline, with the sound of birdsong and a fire crackling is one of the best ways to spend some time.  Sitting outdoors with a steaming cup of tea and listening to the river rushing by.  Walks under towering trees, boiling water on a Kelly Kettle, cooking food on a fire… this is how we spent a couple of days this month in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.  We stayed in the Shepherd’s Hut at Inshriach Estate; a cosy hut full of charm.  No electricity, a wood-burning stove and a compost toilet… it was a back-to-basics, getaway-from-it-all trip. With a horsebox sauna thrown in for good measure.  I loved our time there.

Of simple things

In a hut cocoon

Fire cracking

Snaps and spits and sings.

Candles lit,

Light flickering.

Boil water on the stove

And wait for tea.

River rushing by

Dark skies

Tall trees

Nature’s remedy

Flap and squawk of pheasant flight.

Chopping logs

(Him not I).

Back to basics

Books and pens

Card games.

Horsebox sauna on the Spey.

Watching flames tucked up in bed.

Slow lived.

Soul fed.