A former adventure play area in Balmalcolm, Fife, may soon be redeveloped into a small-scale glamping and motorhome site under a proposal submitted to Fife Council.
The project, led by local applicant Moira Sampson, seeks to introduce a new tourism accommodation offering by repurposing the land where Muddy Boots, a children’s outdoor play center, previously operated.
The application outlines plans for six shepherd’s huts and ten pitches, eight of which would accommodate motorhomes, with supporting amenities on-site.
If approved, the development would operate year-round and target short-stay visitors such as couples and small families. According to a submitted design statement, the site would not cater to party groups and aims to maintain a peaceful setting.
“Formerly Muddy Boots’ children’s outdoor play centre, the proposed site has been a popular place for the community for many years. Through a change in ownership, the site now aims to be an environmentally conscious glamping/camping site for locals and tourists,” the statement said.
According to a report by Fife Today, the proposal positions the site as an ecologically responsible tourism offering, noting that glamping installations require minimal groundwork and use non-harmful construction practices.
This aligns with broader trends in the outdoor hospitality industry, where sustainable development is becoming increasingly important to meet evolving guest expectations and environmental standards.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, this proposal illustrates a potential pathway for land repurposing that aligns with market demand for eco-conscious, experiential accommodations.
As the UK glamping market continues to mature, operators looking to expand or diversify offerings may find strategic value in similar redevelopment opportunities, especially when leveraging locations with preexisting tourism familiarity.
“The concept of glamping is now gaining popularity throughout the UK, with standards and guests’ expectations on the rise.
This site is intended to be amongst the best available in the area and provide an exciting new alternative, offering guests a secluded retreat in nature and high-quality, modern glamping accommodation,” the design statement added.
Pending approval, the site would be operated as a traditional holiday let with per-night bookings, serving as a model for adaptive reuse and sustainable tourism development in rural areas. Councillors are expected to review the application in due course.