I spent the spring equinox off-grid in a Scottish treehouse - it was bliss
Going off-grid and getting back to nature was an ideal way to welcome the new season, finds Rosalind Erskine.
It’s only in the past few days that it feels like spring has truly sprung. Warm sunshine and longer nights, plus the shoots of green leaves and nodding, bright daffodils remind us that winter is, finally, over. While it feels and looks like spring now, the start of astronomical spring, or the spring equinox, was on 20 March and where better to experience the new season but in a treehouse in the middle of woodlands in Stirlingshire?
The Treehouses at Leckie is where I spent the weekend of the spring equinox, in wonderful sunshine and peace and quiet. These four dog-friendly treehouses are a sister site to The Treehouses at Lanrick and are available on a two night minimum stay. They’re wifi and TV free, which at first seems disconcerting but resulted in one of the most relaxing and enjoyable staycations I’ve had in a while, plus I slept better than I have in years thanks to being screen-free.
Budget or boutique
These are boutique offerings, which allow you to really reconnect with nature and switch off. The Treehouses at Leckie are available from £265 per night (min 2-night stay) on a self catering basis.
Room service
Our one-bedroom Goldfinch treehouse had a spacious, king-sized bedroom, large living room and kitchen, bathroom with shower and outdoor (but very secluded) bath and a huge decking area in which to enjoy the surroundings and bird watch. The treehouse was decorated in a palette of green and white with nature-focused feature wallpaper and painted furniture. The mustard yellow kitchen was practical and stylish and although compact, had everything needed to cook meals and dine.
Wining and dining
The treehouses are self catering but you can arrange for a picnic and dishes from the local farm shop to be in the fridge on arrival. These include a build your own burger kit, steak pie, luxury BBQ packs and full breakfast packs. Our picnic order included salami, chicken liver pate, Orkney water biscuits, Paisley Drinks Co, cans of fizzy juice, Arran red onion chutney, Delphi houmous, Kintyre cheddar, Highland brie, grapes and a sweet treat of a chocolate traybake. Ideal for an al fresco, picky bits lunch.
We made the most of the easy to use electric BBQ on the deck and cooked breakfast and burgers there during our stay. We could mostly eat outside at the dining area on the deck, enjoying the sunshine, bird watching and peace and quiet.
Worth getting out of bed for
We walked with the dog into nearby Gargunnock via a well signposted Beeches path on the estate. This small town has a charming Inn where we stopped for a drink before heading back.
For those looking to explore beyond the estate, The Treehouses are located about a 20 minute drive from theTrossachs National Park, which offers mountain climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, wild swimming and boat trips on Loch Lomond. Doune Castle, Stirling Castle and Blair Drummond Safari Park are all within about 10 to 20 minutes drive.
Little extras
A welcome hamper of bread, butter, jam, half a dozen eggs and tea bags is a nice touch as are the branded robes and specially made Siabann toiletries.
There’s also extra logs and bird feed available at each treehouse meaning you can keep the wood burning stove going for as long as needed. I rediscovered my love of bird watching and spent time trying to identify all the visitors that came to the deck to enjoy the food from the feeder. Look out for red squirrels too.
If you want to start your stay as you mean to go on, as I did, book a Swedish massage with Erica. You can book hour long treatments including a back, neck and shoulder massage, couples massage and pregnancy massage. I went for the full body massage, which left me totally relaxed and ready for a weekend of enjoying our surroundings.
Guestbook comments
Just an hour from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, The Treehouses at Leckie offer an accessible and authentic Scottish wilderness experience. Wi-fi free, this is the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature; whether star gazing in alfresco copper baths or indulging in Swedish massages under the open sky.
Property info
The Treehouses at Leckie
Gargunnock, Stirling FK8 3BN
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