The Woodman's Hut - Nethybridge
Standing alone on the fringes of a seventy acre pinewood the intimately designed Woodman's Hut with verandah makes a rare hideaway for a couple. It looks south across the neighbouring one hundred acre moor to Bynack Mor and Cairngorm Mountain. The larch, pine and oak built hut is a throw back to the heady days when timber was extracted from these woods and sent to the River Spey for floating to the coast.
This hut is smaller than those lived in by the Canadians, Newfoundlanders ( Newfies) and Finns, the last of a long line of hardy men who worked the woods as far back as the 17th Century. Today, all is peaceful with red squirrels, otter, curlew, capercaillie, crossbills, crested tit, roe deer and high flying osprey as the hut's near neighbours. Eighty yards away through the wood are the 4 Star graded 8 bed Lazy Duck Hostel and Badanfhuarain Forest Cottage. Further away still is the tiny 4 pitch lightweight camping ground.
In these six acres you will find grazing Soay sheep, a flock of white Aylesbury ducks and many attractive small waterfowl frisking or idling on the pond. 'The Welcoming Seat' overlooking the water invites you to linger here; you may muse at the 'Poet's Seat' a few minutes walk higher up on the moor with a panoramic view and then, if you wish, explore the further 'Lettoch' moor, this one topped by a rare juniper forest and a near 360 degree vista.
Hear the silence. Sense the forest. Drink deeply of the air from the high tops.
Special Features:
This is a unique single hut, not part of a scheme of huts, a creation long in the planning and standing alone well away from the hostel, cottage, camping ground and main house. The two person sauna and chill room with or without a choice of music is close by. We saw the Hut's first guests arriving in the autumn of 2011.
Much of the building relies on timber felled and milled here at Badanfhuarain in 2010 when a two hundred and sixty year old Scots pine was damaged by snow and the hard decision made that it had to come down. Larch slabs from Castle Leod, Strathpeffer, windows fashioned in France and storm damaged oak, the auld alliance still works, all have a place in the hut. Craftsmen, Rob and Dave, and other helpers too many to mention have grafted to make this creation come about.
Two kettles, one of them in ancient copper, heat water on the closed woodstove. The warm water bush shower clings to the east wall and the state of the art, sweet smelling composting toilet hides among the nearby trees.
Cooking is by a double ring gas stove with oven and grill. Lighting is by T light candle lanterns and background 12 volt warm white electric. By design,there is no mains electric or TV. There are books and a game or two though and a simple radio.
Guests are advised to bring their own reading, a good head torch both to reach the hut in the dark and for reading in bed and their favourite music making or playing equipment. Warm Knockando Woolmill rugs are available to make early morning or evening sitting on the storm lantern lit veranda a cosy experience. A good malt helps.
A small safe peat burning pot stove is provided for minimalist outdoor cooking. Protection of the forest means we are unable to permit other BBQ equipment to be used.
Washing water gathered from the roof into a re deployed whisky barrel supplies the hut via an unbelievable brass tap over the stone sink. Drinking water may be brought from the house where there is an alternative flush toilet shared with summer campers - 3 minutes walk. Night potty.
The traditional double box bed with windows to the forest, the mountain and to the canopy of stars above - says it all.
towels, bed linen, all kitchen and dining requirements provided. WiFi and phone top up - 3 minutes walk
A single baby under a year old may be accommodated by negotiation and with parents bringing their own cot.
PS Don't forget the sauna; 2 person with music and chill out room - 3 minutes walk.........
Contact Details:
Badanfhuarain
Nethy Bridge
Cairngorms National Park
PH25 3ED
tel: 01479 821642
web: http://lazyduck.co.uk
Approximate Location:
At A Glance
Green Tourism Business Scheme:
Silver
Opening Times:
all year except possibly in the deepest of winter conditions when it might just be too difficult to reach and look after - check with us first although adventurers prepared to wield a snow shovel should be fine.
Arrivals between 4.00pm and 9.00pm. Departures by 10.00 am. Sunday departures up to 12.noon. 2 night minimum stay.
Apologies but dogs cannot be accommodated alongside the waterfowl.
Self Catering Prices:
£60 per night for weekdays -2 night minimum stay November to March; 3 night minimum April to October. £150.00 for an all year round Friday and Saturday weekend with the option of creating your own a dreamy Sunday breakfast/brunch followed by a 12 noon departure instead of the usual 10.00 am
1 double rooms
1 SC units
