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Pitmiddle Hut, green and corrugated, on the grassy hilltop with pines behind
Perthshire

Pitmiddle Hut

For six. Two nights at least. From £220 a night. Arrive from 4pm, leave by 11am.

Book on their website
Welcome

Pitmiddle Hut stands high on the hill at Guardswell Farm, with ash, oak and Scots pine behind it and the farm, the Carse of Gowrie and the River Tay below.

It takes its name from the abandoned village of Pitmiddle next door, and it is off-grid: no mains electricity, water or drains, only solar power for the lights, the USB sockets and the induction hob.

It is two rooms joined by an open space that big sliding doors can close. One holds a bunk bed and a double; the other a small kitchen and living room with an Esse Bakeheart wood stove for cooking and heat, and a king-size bed on a mezzanine reached by a ladder. It sleeps two adults and up to four children, or four adults, and the hilltop swings are a stone's throw away.

Good to know: the hut is reached on foot, about 500 metres uphill, the last 75 across a field, and the farm brings your bags up and back down; arrive in daylight; there is a flushing loo and a sink in the hut, and the shower is in the Steading, ten to fifteen minutes' walk; towels and linen are provided.

Visited and photographed by Jack Cairney

The Infield at dusk on the hillside, its deck and two chairs facing the view
Sometimes we just need to be given permission to leave our phone in the car and read a book instead.
Anna Lamotte
Our interviewMeet Anna: A Focus on Guardswell FarmRead our interview

Stayed here? Tell Anna and Digby how it was. Your words go to them, and with your yes they can put a line of them on this page.

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Good to know
Sleeps
Two adults and up to four children, or four adults: a king on the mezzanine, a double and a bunk bed.
Arriving
Mondays and Wednesdays for two nights, Fridays for three, from 4pm to 8pm. Later by arrangement.
Dogs
Welcome, on a lead at all times, as this is a working farm, and off the furniture. Ask first to bring more than one.
No Wi-Fi
There is no Wi-Fi or television anywhere on the farm, though much of it has 4G.
Included
Beds made up in linen, cosy blankets and a bath towel each. High chairs and travel cots to borrow (bring cot linen).
Breakfast
A Guardswell breakfast basket can be added when you book: sourdough, their granola, eggs from the hens, coffee, juice and yoghurt.
Five nights
Use the code 5PLUSNIGHTS for 20% off a stay of five nights or more.
At Guardswell Farm
The stone farmhouse and its glass conservatory behind a field gate, the hill falling away beyondGuardswell FarmhouseSleeps 10
  • Five bedrooms, one a bunk room
  • A red Aga in the farmhouse kitchen
Check datesThe Cotterhouse's living room, a wood-burning stove against the stone wall and the table laid beyondThe CotterhouseSleeps 8
  • Four bedrooms and two bathrooms
  • At the foot of the farm track
Check datesThe cottage's sitting room, green armchairs by the stove and a long window over the carseGuardswell CottageSleeps 4
  • A king and a twin
  • A panoramic window over the carse
Check datesThe Pendicle on its timber legs at the edge of the field, the farm wood behindThe PendicleSleeps 2
  • A king-size bed facing the view
  • A wood-fired hot tub under an apple tree
Check datesThe Infield at dusk on the hillside, its deck and two chairs facing the viewThe InfieldSleeps 2
  • A glass gable over the carse
  • A stargazing window above the bed
Check datesThe Kailyard, a small black hut on its deck at the edge of the wood, fields beyondThe KailyardSleeps 2
  • A shepherd's-hut-style cabin
  • A wood stove and a little kitchen
Check datesThe whole placeGuardswell FarmEvery house, the group calendar and what there is to do there.See Guardswell Farm
On the farm

Beyond the houses, the farm has its shared places, open to everyone staying.

Girl Linda, the old boat turned bothy hideaway sitting in the fieldThe boat on the hillGirl LindaAn old boat on dry land on the hilltop, made a bothy with books, a log-burner and a bell. Anna's mother bought her through an advert in the local paper.
The Glasshouse at Guardswell Farm among treesBy the gardenThe GlasshouseThe timber glasshouse by the vegetable garden, one of the places the farm suggests for breakfast from the basket.
The Cosy Room, shared guest space with cowhide chair, map and stone wallsBy the SteadingThe Cosy RoomA shared room for guests close to the Steading, with a log fire, books, board games and a coffee machine.
White donkey at the feeder with the farm behindA working farmThe animalsHebridean sheep, Shetland cattle, Angora goats and free-range hens, and the two donkeys, Hugo and Ollie, who look over the fence by the Kailyard.
Weddings and gatherings
A few weekends a year are kept for weddings in the Steading, and its rooms can be hired for parties, team days and photo shoots.
Events
Workshops, pop-up dinners and markets in the Steading through the year, listed on the farm's own events page.
Close byWhere Anna sends people from the farm, in her own words to our magazine.
  1. The tiered, ribbed concrete walls of a modern museum building curve toward a domed glasshouse and a ship's mast visible along the waterfront.V&A DundeeAnna's day in Dundee is a good coffee first, then the V&A on the waterfront, the city's design museum by the Tay.
  2. The counter at EH9 Espresso on the Perth Road, Dundee, with a barista at the coffee machine and the price list on a plywood wall.EH9 EspressoOne of the two Dundee coffee stops Anna names to start a day in the city before the V&A.
  3. Dried flower display above a shopfront doorway on Atholl StreetARAN BakeryAnna heads north to Dunkeld for a breakfast pastry at ARAN, then a look round its shop, Lon, and a walk at the Hermitage.
  4. Shelves of gifts, baskets and jars fill a small shop interiorLon StoreARAN's own shop in Dunkeld, and one of the places that sells the farm's produce when it is supplying.
  5. Woman walks towards a stone hut through autumn woodlandThe HermitageThe walk Anna follows ARAN with: the woods and waterfall of the River Braan, just outside Dunkeld.
  6. Picnic tables on a lawn with a canopy, church spire and townhouses behindThe TaybankWhere Anna stops for dinner on the way back to the farm after a day in Highland Perthshire.
  7. Braised beef with mash and greens served on a white bowlThe Kinneuchar InnOver the Tay in the East Neuk of Fife, Anna's place for a late lunch after an afternoon by the sea.
Directions
Macbeth's Bothy, a white-harled cottage with a slate roof and a green porch, behind a fence and wildflowersCollaceMacbeth's BothySleeps 2 · 2.7 miles
An aerial view shows a black timber cabin with a pitched roof set on a deck in an open field, a bath and seating area visible outside.PerthshireThe Cabin at FairygreenSleeps 2 · 2.7 miles
Attic dining room with fairy lights, framed newspaper clippings and wooden tablesCafeThe Pickled Peacock2.7 miles
Painted milk churns line the path to a rustic stone shop with wooden deckingAttractionsCairn O'Mohr Fruit Wine2.7 miles
A stone cottage with a green door and three chimneys sits behind a lawn bordered by shrubs and flowerbeds.KinrossieFairygreen CottageSleeps 4 · 3.0 miles
Strawberries in Mains of Errol Fruit Shack punnets on a wooden ledge, with the fields of the Carse of Gowrie and the hills beyond.ShoppingMains of Errol Fruit Shack4.8 miles
An aerial view of a golf green surrounded by bunkers and trees, rolling countryside stretching to the horizon.SconeMurrayshallPlace to stay · 5.8 miles
Rusted metal pig silhouettes among the trees.ActivitySnoutAbout6.4 miles
Glass-fronted distillery buildings beside a ruined stone wall and chimneyAttractionsLindores Abbey Distillery7.0 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from Pitmiddle HutAll days out from here
  1. Antique hunting at Abernyte and lunch at Cafe CircaAntique hunting at Abernyte and lunch at Cafe Circa2 miles away A few hours
  2. Cairn O'Mohr winery tour and lunch at the Pickled PeacockCairn O'Mohr winery tour and lunch at the Pickled Peacock3 miles away A few hours
  3. A walk to the big beech in Backmuir WoodA walk to the big beech in Backmuir Wood7 miles away A few hours
  4. A tour at Lindores Abbey Distillery and a sharing platterA tour at Lindores Abbey Distillery and a sharing platter7 miles away A few hours
  5. Lindores Abbey Distillery and lunch in AbernethyLindores Abbey Distillery and lunch in Abernethy7 miles away A few hours
  6. Camperdown, Templeton Woods and Clatto walkCamperdown, Templeton Woods and Clatto walk7 miles away A few hours
  7. The animals at Camperdown Wildlife CentreThe animals at Camperdown Wildlife Centre7 miles away A few hours
  8. The Meikleour Beech Hedge and lunch at the Tickled TroutThe Meikleour Beech Hedge and lunch at the Tickled Trout8 miles away A few hours
  9. Kinnoull Hill on foot from Perth and lunch at Brew & ChewKinnoull Hill on foot from Perth and lunch at Brew & Chew8 miles away A few hours
  10. Paddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the TayPaddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the Tay8 miles away A few hours
  11. Scone Palace gardens and lunch in the Old Servants' HallScone Palace gardens and lunch in the Old Servants' Hall8 miles away A few hours
  12. A walk up Kinpurney Hill from NewtyleA walk up Kinpurney Hill from Newtyle8 miles away A few hours
  13. A walk up Moncreiffe Hill near PerthA walk up Moncreiffe Hill near Perth8 miles away A few hours
  14. The Tay at sunset and supper at the North PortThe Tay at sunset and supper at the North Port8 miles away A few hours
  15. A Historic Tour of PerthA Historic Tour of Perth8 miles away A few hours
  16. An evening at Mills Observatory in Balgay ParkAn evening at Mills Observatory in Balgay Park8 miles away A few hours
  17. An evening at Perth TheatreAn evening at Perth Theatre8 miles away A few hours
  18. Perth on footPerth on foot9 miles away A day out
  19. A walk round Perth's North Inch and the Tay bridgesA walk round Perth's North Inch and the Tay bridges9 miles away A few hours
  20. The Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie'sThe Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie's9 miles away A few hours
  21. Abernethy's Witches' Path with the dog and lunch at the NookAbernethy's Witches' Path with the dog and lunch at the Nook9 miles away A few hours
  22. The Abernethy Village WalkThe Abernethy Village Walk9 miles away A few hours
  23. Sunset on Magdalen Green and supper at PiccoloSunset on Magdalen Green and supper at Piccolo9 miles away A few hours
  24. A walk up Auchterhouse Hill from BalkelloA walk up Auchterhouse Hill from Balkello9 miles away A few hours
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Pitmiddle Hut is in Issue 13: The Hut on the Hill, by Karla Rose Hall.

Get Issue 13Read it here