Getting away from it all is neigh bother in East Ayrshire with tranquil hot tub lodges and Clydesdale Horse riding experiences offering a natural high 

IF you live in and around the city, it can be hugely appealing to pack up and escape to the country for a staycation. Yet, for many of us, a four-hour drive to a far-flung corner of the Highlands can somewhat negate the relaxing element of a weekend away. 

But what if you could enjoy true tranquillity by travelling just 45 minutes from Glasgow? That’s exactly what’s on offer in East Ayrshire. 

Just 25 miles outside of the Glasgow city boundary lies the small East Ayrshire village of Sorn, where you will find the three luxury shepherd huts that comprise Lintmill Lodges. 

Opened just a few weeks ago, everything is brand-new at Lintmill, from the high-end kitchenette to the wood-fired hot tub, the king-sized bed to the underfloor heating.

Owned by local couple Nicola Young and Alan Stewart, Lintmill Lodges was born out of a lockdown idea that took several years to come to fruition. 

Nicola and Alan hail from the local area and, aware of the untapped potential of East Ayrshire, wanted to make it more of a destination for holidaymakers. 

Thistle Lodge is pet friendly, and being Adults only, makes Lintmill Lodges the ideal getaway for busy parents looking for a bit of a break.

You can watch films or TV via a projector, or unplug entirely and watch the sun setting over the adjacent fields from the comfort of the hot tub.  A welcome pack greets guests on arrival, with Scottish snacks and refreshments to help you settle in. 

And in the morning, you’ll find fresh orange juice as well as milk from Mossgiel Organic Farm (located just five miles up the road). It’s a nice touch that brings a sense of the local area into your stay.

Guests at Lintmill Lodges can enjoy the plentiful walking and cycling routes in the area before rewarding themselves with a relaxing dip in their private hot tub. 

More committed walkers could even tackle segments of the River Ayr Way, a 44-mile source to sea long distance path that passes through Sorn. 

It follows the river Ayr from its source at Glenbuck Loch to the sea at Ayr, through areas with links to famous Scottish figures including Robert Burns, William Wallace and John Loudoun Macadam.

But possibly the best activity to enjoy in the local area can be found just 10 minutes away from the lodges. 

Blackstone Farm is a former dairy farm in Cumnock that is now home to 34 of Scotland’s most iconic horse breed, the Clydesdale. 

Owner John and his wife Margaret had a passion for conserving this iconic – but endangered – breed and offer a range of visitor experiences with these majestic creatures.

Experienced riders can book a Clydesdale canter down Ayr beach, or around Dumfries House, while less confident guests can simply meet (and cuddle) the horses or take them for a gentle trek around the scenic nearby fields. 

Having not ridden a horse since childhood, I was initially quite nervous to climb on such a substantial animal. But I needn’t have feared.

Not only did my horse have a wonderfully gentle temperament, but the staff from Blackstone Clydesdales made me feel completely at ease. 

I soon got into a kind of rhythm with my horse and found it surprisingly soothing to take in the local countryside in such a unique way. This was truly an ‘escape to the country’ – yet I was less than an hour from Glasgow city centre.

I left my trip to East Ayrshire feeling utterly relaxed and recharged, feeling like I had completely disconnected from city life despite spending less than £20 on the return trip in petrol.  Who needs the Highlands?
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