Plans have been submitted to Highland Council for the development of glamping pods and a manager’s house on hillside croft land near Reelig Wood.
Applicants Mr. and Mrs. W. Macdonald propose constructing four wooden chalet pods, a communal bike shed and store, and a large manager’s house on land located 115 meters northeast of Willowbank, Newtonhill, Lentran.
The site, situated east of Reelig Glen, currently consists of open grazing land and forms part of a small croft.
If approved, the one-and-a-half-storey manager’s house would feature five en-suite bedrooms, a formal dining room, a family dining and kitchen area, a lounge, an office, and a workshop/garage connected by a roofed carport.
Access to the development would be provided through a new road branching from the existing public road near Willowbank’s driveway.
Each proposed glamping pod would include individual bathroom and kitchen facilities, supporting the trend of self-contained accommodations that cater to evolving guest expectations in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors.
The applicant also plans to plant new hedging along the northern side of the pods, access road, and manager’s house to provide screening from public view while maintaining scenic views of the Beauly Firth.
According to the Inverness Courier, a supporting statement submitted by Ness Planning outlined the intent behind the project.
“The proposal seeks to develop a quality tourist-based facility, offering short-term let accommodation within a rural area but with easy access to the main tourist routes to the east and A862 in particular,” the statement read.
Ness Planning further noted that the siting of the pods was carefully chosen to integrate with the natural undulations of the land.
“The proposed house will be located on land above the pods, close to the site of the original croft house, now ruinous,” they added. “There are no houses associated with the croft, with only the ruin remaining to demonstrate that the croft once included a house.”
The agents emphasized that the positioning of the manager’s house offers both privacy and operational functionality.
“The proposed location of the house is set back from the pods, providing privacy and security,” they stated.
“Its position is historically appropriate in the context of the croft, noting the siting of the original croft house, and moreover is in line with the existing houses that extend east and west along the section of hillside at Newtonhill.”
For outdoor hospitality business owners, this project reflects several notable industry practices, including strategic land use, blending structures into natural landscapes, and providing guest amenities that meet the increasing demand for private, self-contained accommodations.
Additionally, incorporating onsite management housing underscores the operational advantage of having owners or managers living near the site, a model that could enhance customer service and property maintenance.
A decision on the application is pending review by the Highland Council.