We’re back in Aberdeen again after a lovely week’s break in Falkland staying at the Pillars of Hercules bothy. We’ve stayed here once before, back in 2019 and ever since I’ve been wanting to go back because we all enjoyed it so much.
It’s a simple, rustic building on the edge of the forest and just 5 minutes’ walk to the Pillars of Hercules farm shop and café. It’s these three things that make it so special. The simplicity helps you unwind, the forest out the window has a calming influence, and the farm shop and café provides all the supplies you need meaning you don’t have to get in the car and drive to a supermarket.
The building has one double bedroom with a mezzanine level that has another double bed. Everything is made from timber or natural materials. There’s no plastic curtain rails or window frames or even coat hangers and looking out the window makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness. Here is the view from our bed.
There is no dishwasher, microwave or washing machine and all the hot water comes from the stove so if you want a hot shower you need to start the fire.
Victoria liked the ladder up to the mezzanine.
The kids were understandably not keen to share a double bed so we took an inflatable mattress with us for Elizabeth and it fit easily on the floor in the mezzanine next to the existing mattress.
The farm shop is wonderful and has absolutely everything. It reminds me of the grocery store at Newton Dee which has a terrific selection of vegan goods. There’s also an excellent assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, many of which are grown on the farm and picked the same day.
We spent most of the week walking. I don’t think we’ve ever walked so much on a holiday but there were walking paths everywhere and all excellent walks with wonderful scenery. Falkland village is gorgeous with a lot to offer including Falkland Palace and several cute and unique stores. One of my favourite shops is Vintage Quine which sells vintage and vintage-inspired clothing and accessories. Ben and I both made successful purchases at Vintage Quine.
It got this lovely velvet dress that fits me perfectly. There’s no label so I think it was handmade by someone but it’s a lovely thick silk velvet not the thin and flimsy stuff you get today.
Ben got a waistcoat.
Falkland was a film location in the TV series Outlander and fans might recognise this hotel from the show.
And here are some other random photos from the village and surrounding area.
We ran into a Sirrius Black lookalike from Harry Potter on one of our walks. His owner told us the dog in the film was a Scottish deerhound which is what this dog is, hence the resemblance.
On our last night Shakespeare’s The Tempest was on at Falkland Palace so we got to enjoy some outdoor theatre in the grounds of a magnificent building.
We also had lunch at the Pillars of Hercules vegetarian café one day and it was delicious. I took some photos of our meals.
We’ll definitely go back.
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