Duck's Nest (sleeps 2)
Homestead (sleeps 2)
Woodman's Hut (sleeps 2)
Lookout (sleeps 4)
“My parents arrived at Badanfhuarain as newlyweds in April 1974, making their first home in Travellers Cottage. They were the pioneers of The Lazy Duck, which they opened in 1999. Guided by guest needs and a wish to live gently on the land, they planted trees, adopted sustainable practices, and honoured those who came before us. I’ve recently taken it over from them, and am super excited to evolve the property with a little stylish uplift but the ethos as it’s always been. Visitors come for romance, adventure, and reflection. Artists, birdwatchers, and environmentalists alike find peace here. Ultimately, that’s what we’re all trying to do. Slàinte.” Owner, Roger
He loves
“The silence and the dark skies, the moorland and the forest; sitting by the pond and listening to the water slipping by.”
We love
The outdoor showers for the huts. Warm, and exhilarating all year round.
You may not love
A 3/4-night min stay, check in on Fri/Mon only. Huts have compost toilets in little outbuildings and bush showers (no indoor bathrooms). Phone reception is weak, but excellent WiFi across the site. Sorry, no pets.
Sustainability.
A ‘treading lightly’ ethos. Natural composting loos. Recycling. EV charging. Rewilding meadow and local land recovery programmes.
Surrounds.
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Cairngorms National Park via Unsplash -
Strathspey Railway -
Lochindorb Castle via Hidden Scotland -
Cairngorms National Park via Unsplash -
The Lecht Ski Centre via Steven Mckenna -
Cairngorms National Park via Unsplash -
Highland Folk Museum via Visit Cairngorms / James Stevens -
Cawdor Castle via CawdorCastle.com
- Explore the peaceful forest or book a session in the wellness studio: a Toast sauna and range of massages.
- There’s endless outdoor adventures in Cairngorms National Park: go hiking, biking, horse riding and climbing — or hit the slopes at the ski resort in The Lecht.
- Want or need to do some work while you’re here? There’s a lovely co working space, where you can hot desk alongside local creatives
- Have afternoon tea aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway and watch stunning Scottish countryside roll by from your carriage window. The steam train takes you on a 20-mile round-trip from Aviemore, through Boat of Garten and on to Broomhill Station (10 mins’ drive).
- Learn the Scottish art of spey fishing on a private stretch of the River Spey (permits, instruction & equipment at Craggan Outdoors – 15 mins’ drive).
- For something a little more alpine, there’s ice climbing in the Northern Corries and husky safaris at the Cairngorm Sled Dog Adventure Centre (35 mins’ drive)
- Admire the romantic 14thC castle ruins in Lochindorb; rumour has it there’s an underwater causeway known only to the castle’s keepers (30 mins’ drive).
- Step back in time to the 1700s at The Highland Folk Museum, an open air ‘living history’ village at Newtonmore (40 mins’ drive).
- Loch Morlich (30 mins) and Loch Insh (40 mins) both offer sailing, windsurfing and kayaking lessons for beginners and equipment rental for seasoned water people – a great day out for family and groups.
Details.
- Four off-grid cabins amongst 6 acres of woodland
- Woodman’s Nut, Duck’s Nest & Homestead (sleeping 2 apiece):
- Double bed
- Outdoor shower plus compost toilet in a little outbuilding
- Small kitchen with fridge (Woodman’s has a fridge in the running stream!), small oven, gas hob and grill; basic supplies provided
- Woodburner
- Lookout Bunkhouse (sleeps 4):
- Double bed + bunk bed
- Outdoor shower plus compost toilet in a little outbuilding
- Basic kitchen with fridge, gas hob and grill (no oven); basic supplies provided
- Woodburner
- All units have bathrobes
- Woodland wellness studio (sauna and massages)
- Patchy phone signal (except on O2) but strong WiFi
- Co-working space next door
- No on-site caretaker; the booking manager is available via WhatsApp
- Walk 15-20 mins to farm shop, village grocers, café and pub
- Bike hire available locally
- Private parking with free EV charging (bring your own 3-pin charger)
- Booking conditions: a 3-, 4- or 7-night minimum stay, checking in on Mon or Fri only
- Remember to pack: torch, sturdy footwear
30% deposit, with the balance due 4 weeks prior to stay.
All payments are non-refundable.
See our full booking Ts & Cs
FAQs.
In 4pm / out 10am. It is self check in and you’ll be emailed instructions for a lock box 48 hours before your stay.
Totally reliable, business strength. It is also used for the co working space.
Unfortunately not.
The huts are each in their nook of the forest, with the owner’s own home in the middle. You’ll likely see local folk coming to walk through to the moor, coming to the co-working space, and running their flower-growing business in the polytunnel. Space is shared here in a really wholesome way.
The whole ethos of this place is disconnecting from everyday life, and that takes at least 48 hours!
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