The
Homestead

Overview

Logistics

Essentials

FAQs

How off-grid? 3/5

Wi-fi & electricity. Main heating from wood-burner.

Icon of a bed, representing a bedroom or sleeping area.

Sleeps 2

Stay in the Homestead

The Homestead - An almost off-grid cabin with a crofting heartbeat at the centre of the Lazy Duck.

Come and stay in your hut away from home in the Cairngorms National Park. This place is all about slowing down, switching off and finding a gentler pace.

Take in the long meadow view from the cabin’s veranda. Rest in your hammock and listen to the sounds of the forest as deer move quietly through the trees and red squirrels dart to and fro.

The hut sits on land once worked by crofters, where the fields tell the story of a simpler, more connected way of life. That spirit continues today, with the smallholding beside the hut providing flowers, berries and seasonal produce – you are welcome to wander over and see what’s growing.

When the sun goes down, cook, eat and share a drink by the fire. Let conversation flow until the stars appear and the calm of the night settles in.

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We loved every minute from poetry and the forest view in the loo, to feeding the chickens, outdoor showers, stargazing, board games and the comfiest bed ever. It was the best way to celebrate a birthday and the end of a PHD. We will be back soon.”

Amber & Mike

March 2024

A whimsical illustrated map of a farm called 'the lazy duck' featuring various farm structures and areas, including duck's nest, breathing space, lookout bunkhouse, base camp reception, travelers cottage, homestead, pond tunnel, toast sauna, head spa
Small wooden cabin with a fenced front yard, surrounded by tall trees in a forest setting.
A small wooden cabin with a fenced porch, two hanging plants, and outdoor seating, set in a grassy yard surrounded by tall pine trees.
The image depicts a rustic wooden porch with a fence in the foreground that has a small wooden sign saying "The Homestead". Behind the fence, there are two wicker chairs, a window with a wooden frame, and a hanging plant composed of dried herbs or fl
Interior view of a cozy cabin with a sliding wood partition separating a sleeping area with a bed, wood paneling, a window, a plaid chair with a sheepskin throw, and a wooden table.
Cozy living room with a large window revealing a snowy outdoor scene. A couch with colorful patchwork fabric and two gold pillows sits by the window, covered with a white furry throw. To the right, a wooden kitchen counter with a barstool, plates, an
Cozy kitchen with wooden dining table and open shelving displaying vintage dishes, set against windows showing a snowy outdoor landscape.
Cozy sitting area in a cabin with a wooden framed sofa covered by a colorful quilt, decorated with yellow and white pillows, beside a small bookshelf with books, under a window showing a snowy forest outside, with plaid curtains and a small radio on
Cozy corner with a wooden armchair draped with a plaid blanket and sheepskin, next to a basket of firewood, with a wood stove and kettle, and a framed picture on the wall.
A cozy bedroom with white wooden panel walls, a window showing a view of a snowy forest, a bed with a plaid blanket, and a couple of pillows. There is a wall corner shelf on the left side of the window.
A cozy kitchen with wooden countertops, a white farmhouse sink, a window with a blind, a stove with a kettle, shelves with dishes, and warm lighting.
A cozy kitchen viewed through a doorway with wooden framing, featuring wooden chairs, a wood counter, white wall cabinets, and open shelving displaying plates, mugs, and decorative items, with string lights adding warm ambiance.

The Logistics

Check-in
4pm-10pm

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Door with an open latch

Check-out
10am

Key Information

  • Quiet hours from 10pm-8am

  • No smoking

  • No pets, sorry

  • Self-catering; groceries from our Base Camp Store, the Dell Grocer across the river, Nethy Store, Balliefurth Farm Shop and the Co-Op.

  • Now that the Scottish grid is overwhelmingly renewable, background heat comes from green and smoke-free storage heaters. There’s nothing quite like a wood stove though, so we provide firewood too.

  • We recommend packing a head torch, sturdy footwear and easily carried luggage is advised.

FIND YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Find your feet—and your hut—at your own pace. We use a self-check-in system so you can start your stay the moment you arrive, whether we’re around the forest or out for the day. You’ll receive a digital guide filled with helpful videos to make your arrival all part of the adventure.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION

A 30% deposit secures your stay, with the balance due six weeks before your arrival.

If your plans have to change, please let us know as soon as you can. We can only refund payment if we are able to re-let your booking, but we will do our best to promote it on our website and on the socials.

Travel insurance is a good idea too.

Full terms & conditions

Before you book…

If you have any questions, or would like to get a better picture of what The Lazy Duck off-grid looks like, please take a moment to read through our FAQ’s below or get in touch.

The Essentials

KITCHEN

HEATING

Self-catering
Gas cooker
Small fridge
Larder essentials

Wood-burning stove
Firewood provided
Background electric heat

Wi-Fi signal icon on a white background

WAYS TO UNWIND

ELECTRICS

Stargazer window
Radio Hammock
Games Forest Walks
Books Sauna

Wi-fi
Electricity

A bath and shower.
A bed with a headboard in a room.

BATHROOM

SLEEPING

Outdoor electric shower
Compost loo
Linens, towels
Dressing gowns & crocs

Sleeps up to 2
Hebridean box-bed

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A fork and a knife placed side by side.

When Nature Calls…

It’s a great question, and we get asked it quite a bit. It’s often a part of the experience our visitors fall in love with most.

Our toilets and showers are more than just ‘facilities’—they are a core part of our ethos, reducing our impact on this beautiful planet and deepening our connection with it.

  • The Outdoor Shower

    The Homestead now has an electric outdoor shower. Enjoy a rinse surrounded by the forest canopy with the morning chorus as your soundtrack.

    (Updated photo coming soon)

  • The Toilet Hut

    A short stroll from the Homestead is your own forest loo—quite possibly the most peaceful throne in the Highlands to get your business done.

  • The Sawdust Flush

    It’s as simple as it is sustainable. Instead of a flush, a scoop of sawdust returns everything to the earth—closing the loop and keeping the forest floor happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

There’s a wide variation in what people mean by “off-grid.” To give you a clear picture of what that means at The Lazy Duck, we’ve created a simple off-grid rating system (1–5), along with this FAQ to explain exactly what to expect.

Make a booking

  • When we say “off-grid,” we mean the accommodation is not connected to mains electricity or the water supply.

    Our first hut, built in 2011, is our most off-grid option (5/5). It offers an elemental, and unique experience:

    • A small amount of electricity is provided by solar power (enough for lighting and USB charging)

    • Water is collected from rainfall, with drinking water supplied separately

    • Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove

    It’s a more hands-on, nature-connected way of staying—perfect if you’re looking to switch off and embrace a simpler pace of life.

  • All of our accommodation sits on an off-grid scale, from fully off-grid to lightly off-grid.

    At one end is the Woodman’s Hut (5/5), which is completely off-grid. At the other is the Cottage (1/5), which is closest to a conventional stay, but benefits from a wood-burning stove as it’s main source of heat.

    In between are the Duck’s Nest, Lookout Bunkhouse, and the Homestead—ideal if you’re looking for a gentler introduction to off-grid living.

    For example:

    • The Homestead has mains electricity and water, with drinking water is available from the tap. It has an outdoor electric shower and reduces water waste with a compost toilet.

    • The Duck’s Nest & Lookout Bunkhouse have mains electricity, but rely on harvested rainwater, with drinking water provided separately. Both have outdoor bucket showers.

    This range allows you to choose the level of comfort and simplicity that suits you best.

  • If it’s your first off-grid experience, we’d usually recommend starting somewhere in the middle rather than jumping straight in at the deep end.

    The Duck’s Nest or the Homestead are great options for individuals or couples trying off-grid living for the first time. You’ll still get the full experience—heating your space with a wood-burning stove, using a compost toilet, and trying an outdoor bucket shower—but with a few extra comforts like electricity and WiFi.

    For families or small groups (up to four), the Lookout Bunkhouse is a great introduction.

    Starting this way lets you ease into off-grid living while still enjoying everything that makes it such a memorable and rewarding experience.

  • Absolutely. The Lookout Bunkhouse is well suited to families of up to four people. We also welcome larger families who are happy to be a little cosy, or to bring along a few tents to extend their stay.

    The bunkhouse includes a compost toilet hut, an outdoor bucket shower, rainwater collection barrels, and heating is mainly from your own wood-burning stove.

    It offers a really special experience for families, gently encouraging time away from screens and towards the natural world. Children often love getting involved—whether that’s building dens in the surrounding woodland, or learning how to light and tend the fire to keep everyone warm.

  • Our accommodation is set out on an off-grid scale, from fully off-grid (5/5) to more conventional living (1/5).

    The Woodman’s Hut (5/5)
    Our most off-grid experience. Fully remote and accessed via a short walk through the forest from the car park.

    • Electricity provided by a small solar panel (enough for lighting and USB charging)

    • Water collected from rainwater, with drinking water provided separately

    • Outdoor bucket shower

    • Heating entirely from a wood-burning stove

    • Compost toilet hut

    • Surrounded by forest and mountain views

    The Duck’s Nest & Lookout Bunkhouse (4/5)
    A step down in off-grid living, with a few more comforts.

    • Mains electricity and WiFi

    • Rainwater collection, with drinking water provided

    • Compost toilet hut

    • Bucket shower

    • Main heating from a wood-burning stove (with some additional heating available)

    The Homestead (3/5)
    A gentler introduction to off-grid living.

    • Similar setup to The Duck’s Nest and Lookout

    • Connected to mains water (drinking water available from the tap)

    • Still includes a compost toilet and wood-burning stove for heating

    Travellers’ Cottage (1/5)
    Our most conventional accommodation.

    • Full cottage with mains utilities

    • Heating from a wood-burning stove in the main living area, plus storage heaters in bedrooms

    • A comfortable option for those wanting a more traditional stay

  • We provide all the essentials to make your stay comfortable, including linen, towels, bathrobes, and Crocs for getting to and from the bucket showers or sauna. We also provide wheelbarrows to help you transport luggage around the site, and all firewood is included for your stay.

    We recommend bringing a head torch for moving around after dark, as the site is set within the forest and can get very dark at night.

    As you’re in a woodland setting, comfortable footwear that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy is also useful. Personal items such as toiletries, small mirrors, make-up, or anything else you like to have with you are of course welcome.

    Most importantly, bring a sense of adventure and an openness to slow down, try something new, and enjoy a different pace of life.

  • Staying off-grid is a chance to step away from the fast pace of everyday life and slow things right down. It’s about reconnecting—with nature, with the people you’re with, and with yourself.

    At Lazy Duck, you’re surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, with space to breathe, reflect, and properly switch off. Our sauna and wellbeing hut offer a chance to take this even further—whether that’s enjoying some quiet time, receiving a massage, or connecting with others at a slower pace.

    It’s a more enriching way to travel, gently encouraging you to step out of normal routines and live more simply for a while. Small changes, like heating your own water and heading outside for a bucket shower, become part of the experience, helping you slow down and be more present.

    Our visitors often mention feeling deeply relaxed and a great sense of peace during their stay.

  • Very similar to using a normal toilet, to be honest.

    The main difference is that each accommodation has its own private compost toilet hut, just a short walk away. Inside, you’ll find a proper toilet seat and toilet paper—just as you would expect.

    Instead of flushing, you simply add a small scoop of sawdust after use. This keeps everything clean and helps the composting process.

    Compost toilets use no water, which is a key part of our low-impact approach. The waste is naturally broken down over time and becomes part of our wider environmental ethos—helping to reduce water use and contribute to healthy soil for the land around us.

    Most guests find it much easier and more straightforward than they expect.

  • We completely understand that outdoor bucket showers aren’t for everyone.

    As an alternative, there is an indoor electric shower available in the central building, which you’re very welcome to use during your stay.

    That said, we do gently encourage guests to give the bucket showers a try. It can feel a little daunting at first, but many people end up finding it surprisingly enjoyable, and often say it becomes one of the highlights of their stay. There’s something about trying something new, in nature, that can feel both refreshing and rewarding.

Where to find us

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The Lazy Duck


Nethy Bridge

Inverness-shire


PH25 3ED

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