Plans to develop a small-scale glamping site on farmland in Easter Ross have been approved by the Highland Council, paving the way for a new form of rural tourism enterprise in the region.
Applicant Duncan Scott submitted proposals in May for eight glamping pods on Cadbollmount Farm, located northeast of Hilton of Cadboll and roughly a mile from Loch Eye.
Each pod will accommodate between four and six guests, and the site will also feature a communal sauna, EV charging points, footpaths, bicycle storage, and refuse facilities.
The development was designed in partnership with Glampitect, a company that provides design and planning services for outdoor accommodation businesses.
In a supporting statement submitted with the application, Glampitect told The Northern Times:
“The small-scale, sustainable development will provide subtle and discreet countryside holiday accommodation for tourists visiting the area on short breaks and weekend stays. The site is proposed to be in operation year-round, making it an excellent option for visitors to retreat and access everything the area has to offer in all seasons.”
Glampitect added that the proposal would serve as a form of farm diversification for Cadbollmount Farm and was designed to minimize disruption to agricultural land.
“The development has been located in an area, which does not sacrifice prime agricultural land and can be easily maintained and managed by the farm owners. Glamping installations require minimal groundwork and non-harmful construction practices,” the company said.
Highland Council approved the plans under delegated powers, with case officer Aidan Brennan confirming that no objections had been lodged by third parties or the local community council.
He noted that initial concerns from council departments, including forestry, flood management, and transport planning, were resolved after additional information was provided.
The forestry team withdrew its objection once tree protection and landscaping conditions were added, while transport and flood concerns were addressed through drainage and visibility plans.
Minor landscaping is also included in the approved plans, with proposals to plant native trees, shrubs, and meadow grass to help integrate the site into its surroundings. An existing line of trees will help partially screen the site from the nearby road.
In his final report, Brennan said:
“The design of the site has been carefully considered to ensure the proposal would not be intrusive to the area. Additional boundary treatments of native planting have been proposed to help conceal the development and integrate the units into the existing landscape.”
He added that the pods would be used solely for tourism purposes, a condition included in the council’s approval.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, this project reflects the ongoing trend of rural diversification through glamping ventures, demonstrating how small-scale developments can complement existing agricultural operations while meeting growing demand for nature-based, year-round accommodation in regional Scotland.