GO & STAY

People thought we were crazy embarking on a road trip from Sussex to Perthshire. Yes, the drive was long and flying might have been easier, but oh, how we were rewarded as we neared our destination; watching the land rise, skimming through the trees, past rivers and Lochs, until finally, we pulled into the grounds of family-run farm and hotel, Monachyle Mhor.

Our home for the next few days was Pilot Panther, a lovingly converted 1950’s showman’s wagon overlooking the dramatic lochs and mountains of Blaquhidder Glen. The views were endless, and the changing light, colours and reflections on the mirror-like loch held us captive throughout our stay.

The wagon’s main living space features a large, cosy sleigh bed, a small but well equipped kitchen and a log burner. I have to admit, I’d been a little concerned about how warm we would be at night, but the stove kept the whole place perfectly toasty.

Off the main space there’s a double bunkroom, with plenty of storage, and outside is a seating area, BBQ and fire-pit. The conveniences are just a minute’s walk away in the hotel, which is wonderful, stylish and welcoming. We felt we had the best of both worlds, being able to make use of the facilities, and then retreat to our own special space by the side of the loch.

We quickly fell in love with wagon-life. Time quiets and slows, making way for board games and reading, before an afternoon walk. We filled our bellies on sausages sizzled on sticks over the fire-pit, and snuggled to sleep listening to the crackle of the log burner.

SEE & DO

From fishing and biking to horse riding and hiking, as you’d imagine the opportunities to embrace the great outdoors are plentiful. For us though, it was an opportunity to slow down, and we spent our days taking gentle walks and drinking in the views, greeting the resident highland cattle we passed to-ing and fro-ing from the wagon.

There are plenty of walks for all levels straight from the hotel. We opted for a reasonably short one starting from the church in Balquhidder itself. The glen is the home of the MacLaren and MacGregor clans, and the most notorious MacGregor of them all, Rob Roy, is buried in the churchyard.

Starting out on our walk, we stopped at the waterfall where we were lucky enough to spot red squirrels. Continuing our climb, we passed beneath huge firs and hopped over streams, before emerging at the most incredible viewpoint looking out across the lochs, mountains and villages surrounding the glen. We kept an eye out for hawks and deer on our descent, but sadly, they were not to be seen on this occasion.

I’m rather fascinated by waterfalls, so was also excited to come across a beautiful spot tucked almost out of sight beside the entrance road. We climbed across huge boulders to watch the waters whoosh and swirl. And if you look back towards the road downstream, you’ll spot the moss covered arch of the original stone bridge – one might almost imagine fairies or water sprites meeting in that spot!

In the waning light and descending mist of the late afternoons, we returned to the comfort of the hotel and relaxed in the lounge, warming our fingers around cups of hot chocolate before dinner.

EAT & DRINK

Monachyle Mhor is something of a foodie retreat and I highly recommend treating yourself to a meal in the hotel. The ethos is on slow food, and it really is quite an experience. That said, they also cater happily to the simpler tastes of children. Breakfast was a delight with poached eggs on Mhor toast, but my favourite was the fresh, made-on-order scones, and the walnut cake we sampled in the afternoons.

The Mhor family have a range of establishments in the local area and we worked our way around them. The food was fantastic at every stop, and a real highlight of our stay.

We headed out for a morning in Callander where we found a good range of shops for stocking up on local produce. Here, you’ll also find Mhor Bread, a bakery, shop and tea-room, and a lovely stop for lunch. We also drove out to the Mhor84 Motel which was great for a more informal (but just as delicious) bite. The only Mhor venture we missed was Mhor Fish, a good enough reason to return I think.

Images by Sarah-Lou Francis

The post Slow living in a showman’s wagon in Perthshire appeared first on This Is Your Kingdom.

For a girl who spent her summers exploring the shorelines of Studland, seeing them afresh through my daughter’s eyes is one of the most wonderful joys. But seeing them again through her eyes under the enthusiastic and knowledgable guidance of adventure seekers, Dan, Jade and their beautiful brood of wildling girls, was quite something else.

On a bright, cloudy morning, we arrived at Hutquarters, Middle Beach, ready for a morning of beach school and foraged feasts with Fore/Adventure. And adventure we did; shelter building, beach foraging, damn building and dune jumping. Friendships were forged and lessons learnt; did you know crushed gorse flowers smell of coconut?

As our morning drifted into afternoon, we  rounded off our beach adventure with a campfire cookout. Between hill rolling and hide and seek, the children helped chop wood for the fire and made their own bread using flat topped rocks as their kitchen and their hands as mixing bowls. As they nibbled and played, we savoured conversation and woodsmoked local sausages sandwiched between fresh baked flatbreads, flavoured with foraged wild garlic and rosemary, before toasting marshmallows for the best s’mores on the coast.

Big and little, we loved every minute  of our experience, and there’s so much to try – from kayaking and coasteering, to wild food foraging, fire-making, bushcraft, beach school and more. Jade and Dan were gracious, engaging and entertaining hosts, who so obviously know and love what they do inside and out. We can’t wait to go back.

Images by Sarah-Lou Kimmer

The post Beach school and foraged feasts with Fore/Adventure in Studland appeared first on This Is Your Kingdom.

Hidden in the greenhouses of the rather unassuming Manor Nurseries in Angmering is the most fantastic surprise for a plant lover like myself: one of the largest private collections of cacti and succulents in West Sussex (quite possibly, in the country!) Quiet and almost reverential, it’s a place to stop and catch my breath – an urban oasis.

My favourite time to visit is spring and summer when the cacti come into bloom, but it’s really quite something to see at any time of the year. Started in 1948 by Rob and Annie Lovejoy, the collection has grown from seeds and specimens gathered from around the globe, and is now home to hundreds of different species.

The collection is open to the public during nursery opening hours, with an ever changing variety of succulents and cacti available to buy. I can’t go too often – it’s too tempting! There are even some whoppers on sale – grown right in the nursery and already a few years old.

An easy visit for locals, but if I were planning a trip from further afield, I’d certainly take the opportunity to walk the short distance and enjoy the views from up in the Downs, and I wouldn’t miss a stop for lunch or a pint at The Lamb in the heart of the village before heading home.

Images by Sarah-Louise Kimmer

The post Exploring the impressive cacti collection at Manor Nurseries in Angmering appeared first on This Is Your Kingdom.