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The Cotterhouse's living room, a wood-burning stove against the stone wall and the table laid beyond
Perthshire

The Cotterhouse

For eight, with four bedrooms. Two nights at least. From £260 a night. Arrive from 4pm, leave by 11am.

Licence PK12237F

Book on their website
Welcome

The Cotterhouse sits at the bottom of the farm track at Guardswell Farm, about half a kilometre from the farmyard, with framed views over the Carse of Gowrie and north Fife.

A cottar was a farm tenant who had a cottage in return for work, and this one looks small from the outside; inside there are four bedrooms (two twins, a king and a double), two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living and dining room.

The rooms are full of old furniture with some character, with wooden tennis rackets on the walls and a wood-burning stove against the stone. Outside there is a Big Green Egg and a firepit, and the donkeys and the sheep are a walk up the hill.

Good to know: there is no Wi-Fi, and much of the farm has 4G; the house is all on one level, with a single step up to the door, and the farm can bring a ramp for a wheelchair; dogs are welcome on a lead.

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
Eight, in two twins, a king and a double.
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 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 datesPitmiddle Hut, green and corrugated, on the grassy hilltop with pines behindPitmiddle HutSleeps 6
  • Two rooms, a mezzanine king, a double and bunks
  • An Esse wood stove
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
Attic dining room with fairy lights, framed newspaper clippings and wooden tablesCafeThe Pickled Peacock2.1 miles
Painted milk churns line the path to a rustic stone shop with wooden deckingAttractionsCairn O'Mohr Fruit Wine2.1 miles
Macbeth's Bothy, a white-harled cottage with a slate roof and a green porch, behind a fence and wildflowersCollaceMacbeth's BothySleeps 2 · 3.3 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 · 3.4 miles
A stone cottage with a green door and three chimneys sits behind a lawn bordered by shrubs and flowerbeds.KinrossieFairygreen CottageSleeps 4 · 3.7 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 Shack4.2 miles
An aerial view of a golf green surrounded by bunkers and trees, rolling countryside stretching to the horizon.SconeMurrayshallPlace to stay · 5.9 miles
Glass-fronted distillery buildings beside a ruined stone wall and chimneyAttractionsLindores Abbey Distillery6.4 miles
Sandstone chimneys and rooftops below a green hillside with worn pathsAttractionsNewburgh Bear6.4 miles

Recommend to a friend

Days out from The CotterhouseAll 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 Peacock2 miles away A few hours
  3. A tour at Lindores Abbey Distillery and a sharing platterA tour at Lindores Abbey Distillery and a sharing platter6 miles away A few hours
  4. Lindores Abbey Distillery and lunch in AbernethyLindores Abbey Distillery and lunch in Abernethy6 miles away A few hours
  5. A walk to the big beech in Backmuir WoodA walk to the big beech in Backmuir Wood7 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. 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
  9. Paddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the TayPaddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the Tay8 miles away A few hours
  10. An evening at Mills Observatory in Balgay ParkAn evening at Mills Observatory in Balgay Park8 miles away A few hours
  11. A walk up Moncreiffe Hill near PerthA walk up Moncreiffe Hill near Perth8 miles away A few hours
  12. The Meikleour Beech Hedge and lunch at the Tickled TroutThe Meikleour Beech Hedge and lunch at the Tickled Trout8 miles away A few hours
  13. Scone Palace gardens and lunch in the Old Servants' HallScone Palace gardens and lunch in the Old Servants' Hall8 miles away A few hours
  14. Abernethy's Witches' Path with the dog and lunch at the NookAbernethy's Witches' Path with the dog and lunch at the Nook8 miles away A few hours
  15. The Abernethy Village WalkThe Abernethy Village Walk8 miles away A few hours
  16. The Tay at sunset and supper at the North PortThe Tay at sunset and supper at the North Port8 miles away A few hours
  17. A Historic Tour of PerthA Historic Tour of Perth8 miles away A few hours
  18. An evening at Perth TheatreAn evening at Perth Theatre8 miles away A few hours
  19. Perth on footPerth on foot9 miles away A day out
  20. A walk up Kinpurney Hill from NewtyleA walk up Kinpurney Hill from Newtyle9 miles away A few hours
  21. 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
  22. The Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie'sThe Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie's9 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. The Tay bridges from Wormit Bay and Newport-on-TayThe Tay bridges from Wormit Bay and Newport-on-Tay9 miles away A few hours
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

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

Get Issue 13Read it here