Diversification Story: Creeside Escape’s Shepherd Hut

 

Want to hear a fantastic diversification story from some landowners who have diversified successfully? Take inspiration, right here...

 

Diversifying your land can be daunting, but the Farm Business Innovation Show is here to take you every step of the way! With your FREE ticket to the exhibition, you’ll get the chance to meet the companies who can take you from the very beginning to the very end of a diversification project.

 

For a small taste of the inspiration you’ll receive at the show, we have a number of diversification stories up our sleeves. Starting with Creeside farmland, they’ve recently diversified to help boost the income from their land. If you’re interested in doing the same, read on for their fantastic story...

The Creeside Cabin sits on their beautiful green grassland, as a fantastic diversification project

Hear From the Creeside Farm Owner...


“We moved to SW Scotland in 2012 after selling our commercial dairy farm in north Cornwall. We were looking for a better work/life balance for our young family.

 

“We bought Creeside Farm, a traditional hill farm of 200 acres. We stocked it with native breeds of beef and sheep. Since then we have managed to secure further grazing, and now farm just under 1000 acres.

 

“Farming is constantly going through ups and downs, and we wanted to diversify to add an extra income and, most importantly, future proof our business for the next generation. We looked at our strengths and weaknesses, both personally and what we had or did not have available to us on the farm. We decided upon a shepherds hut, as it would not impact on our vital ‘green grass’, and we could make the most of our location, which has uninterrupted views and peace and quiet.

 

“We needed a USP; we would offer one night stays (most accommodation providers have a minimum of 2 nights) and decided to site our shepherd’s hut at the back of the farm so that our guests had to leave their car and walk to it. This makes it off grid, but as comfortable and welcoming as possible, still maintaining its eco credentials.

 

“Our shepherds hut arrived on site in March 2019, and we welcomed our first guests via Airbnb on May 1st 2019, just after the annual madness of lambing season on the farm! Our goal was to provide our guests with a place to relax, unwind and recharge; away from the everyday digital expectations of the world we all live in today.

 

“Guest feedback has been amazing and, in the past 6 months, we have been extremely busy, welcoming guests from South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, France and Italy, as well as lots of urban guests from Glasgow and Edinburgh looking for a 24 hour digital detox.

 

“We would love to be able to offer more accommodation, but need to find exactly the right style which is in keeping with the location, and just a little bit quirky, so watch this space! We are also considering working with other local businesses to offer guests experience weekends such as star gazing, outdoor adventure, and food and drink.

 

“The most important aspect of our journey so far has been social media and networking. It may seem odd when we are offering our guests an off grid experience, but keeping up a regular and consistent social media presence on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook has been vital in telling our story and creating a brand identity.”

This Creeside Farm cabin has

Inspired by This Diversification Story?


Thanks to the Creeside story, we hope you’ll be inspired to diversify your land, so you can boost your income and profits. To get all the information you’ll need, whether it be advice or a helping hand, the Farm Business Innovation Show is here to help. Get your FREE ticket, and discover the hidden potential of your land.

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