Behind Boath Cabin: An Interview with Andrew Cowderoy

For anyone discovering it for the first time, what is Boath Cabin?

Boath Cabin is a unique luxury Highland retreat, one designed with a single aim: to encourage our guests to stop, stop, and stop again, and to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Highlands. It was built in Estonia and designed for the deepest of winters, handmade with beautiful grey shingles and set amongst open countryside. As I write this, the views are of fields glowing green; through the seasons they turn a beautiful golden colour, with a long, wild-grass garden surrounding the cabin. It truly instills a sense of relaxation and luxury. You feel totally and utterly disconnected, and yet Nairn, The Scottish Riviera, is moments away, with lightning-fast internet should you choose to use the cabin as a working retreat.

What does this part of the Moray Firth coast mean to you personally, beyond the cabin?

During COVID, my wife and I had the opportunity to return to Scotland from London. We never wanted to bring up a child in a big city, certainly not London. So we looked right across Scotland for an area that was midge-free, that had the climate of Nairn and the surrounding area, the connectivity of a nearby airport, and yet the tranquillity and beauty of somewhere with close connections to the sea,  to a body of water. We searched for the best part of a year, and the closest we came was Bridge of Allan, but a lot of the boxes were still missing, including being rather close to the midges. This part of the Highlands is moments away from family, not too far from my alma mater, and it truly is a beautifully majestic place with so much on offer. We live in a particular part of the Moray Firth, the Moray coastline, in what's known as the Nairn Triangle. And I will kid you not: we came back from a holiday south of the equator in March, I was standing out on the slabbed area beside the house... and there was snow.

How did you approach the build with Iglucraft?

Now, this is a really good question. We wanted to create a space to host family, friends and guests, people from all around the world coming to stay. A space that we ourselves would love to visit and stay in. Somewhere we could go with friends, but much more importantly, somewhere we could bring our daughter,  and, when suitable, bring our small, white, fluffy dog. We have very high standards about where we stay, and I've learned through this process that I'm exceptionally particular about certain things. We wanted to create a space for sleeping and a space for living that had real quality, high luxury, but with simplicity, and beautiful craftsmanship. I spoke to builders throughout the UK, and nothing was quite right, until a recommendation,  a reminder of Iglucraft, came along. I'd experienced and seen their craftsmanship firsthand, so we ordered one. And a large part of the decision was the turnaround time: from planning to delivery, it took just six to eight weeks.

How do you want guests to feel when they stay here?

I want guests to feel totally at ease,  relaxed, and not stressed. I want them to be able to reconnect with nature and not be distracted by the pace of life that pings constantly from the phone. It truly is a place where I often come to work myself when we don't have guests in, to step aside from reality, from life, from the world. I want people to feel like they're connecting with nature and relaxing in luxury, while still enjoying everything we have on our doorstep,  the fabulous pubs, the restaurants, the beaches, you name it. We don't want people to stay in the cabin twenty-four-seven. We'd encourage them to get out and explore,  explore the local community, explore the local environment, eat in the local restaurants and pubs.

How would you describe a perfect, unhurried morning at Boath Cabin?

Whether it's deep winter and you've enjoyed a dram the night before, or midsummer and you've been up until sunset, the next morning is slow. It's lying in bed listening to our resident pheasants; watching the hares and the rabbits, which we've recently found playing in the garden; enjoying the birdlife with a cup of coffee, looking out over the green vista of the fields; and perhaps having a light breakfast before venturing out into the Moray Firth.

How would you suggest guests spend their time while in this part of the Highlands — between the cabin and the wider Nairn/Moray Firth area?

This really depends on who you are. If you're a fisherman, or a fishing family, head down to the River Findhorn and enjoy casting a line. If you're the adventurous type, come and do some paddleboarding on the lochs and the sea. If you enjoy cold-water dipping, swim in the North Sea from Nairn beach and enjoy a hot sauna afterwards. And if you're a whisky aficionado, or a lover of golf, we have it all,  we truly have it all. There are fabulous restaurants, castles and beaches; luxury shopping forty-five minutes away in Elgin at Johnstons of Elgin, and Campbells of Beauly over in Beauly; hill walking; access to kitesurf instructors; mountain biking, you name it, we have it here.

What's next for Boath Cabin?

To expand on our luxury offering,  to build a new outdoor sitting area with open-fire cooking facilities and a wood-fired hot tub, and to enhance the outdoor experience for year-round use. We have some epic food producers in the area, and I want people to enjoy that; we can find someone to help you prepare the meals, cook the food, or source the right meat to cook over an open fire. That's the future. We don't want to build another cabin,  the cabin is part of our little retreat in the Highlands, and in this specific location it will forever be our only cabin. We may, in due course, add a proper cold-plunge facility. There's so much we can do, but we always have to remember that we want people to enjoy the simplicity of luxury, and slow travel.

Favourite spot to visit nearby?

As a family, one of our favourite watering holes is The Bandstand in Nairn. For a light afternoon bite, it's down to the Strathnairn beside the splash pad; or Basil's for a bacon butty; or One One Two on the Brae for a fine-dining meal. That's the food. Then it's Nairn Beach, or Nairn East Beach, for a walk along. And there are a few wee walks we can point you towards — but we don't want to give too much away.