Nomadic South African family builds off-grid glamping homes in UK
South Africans Lottie and Kevin Reeves, their two children, and Lottie’s mother have relocated to the Scottish countryside and are preparing to open an off-grid glamping site near Castle Douglas.
The family moved to Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic. After securing a £25 000 loan from a local British bank, the Reeves are currently constructing four wooden cabins on their seven-acre property at Glenlochar House, situated next to the Galloway Forest Park in the Scottish lowlands.
Galloway Forest Park was designated as one of the first International Dark Sky Parks in 2009. These parks are known for reducing light pollution and preserving starry night skies. It is now part of a global network of over 100 such parks.
Digital detox
In keeping with the off-grid ethos, the glamping site will not offer Wi-Fi, encouraging visitors to embrace nature and outdoor activities. The eco-friendly timber pods will have luxury finishes, including hot tubs and fire pits.
Located along Loch Ken, guests can enjoy water sports and wild swimming in a scenic, peaceful environment.
Before settling in Scotland, Lottie Reeves and her family spent nearly a decade travelling through South African towns and villages. There they worked on community development projects while supplementing their income with remote web development services.
The family moved to Surrey in the south of England five years ago to be closer to relatives. During the lockdown, Kevin found the perfect home in Castle Douglas, which ultimately inspired their glamping venture.
“I’ve always been interested in nature and wellness and felt that combining these with tourism would be the ideal venture for us,” Lottie told the Scotland Herald.
“My partner Kevin viewed a house in Castle Douglas during lockdown, and I took the leap to move to a new town – and a new country – without even having seen the place.”
“But, it was perfect, and the ample land that the house offered seemed the ideal fit for our glamping cabins.”
Tourism important to Scotland economy
Lottie said that rising building costs have been a challenge, but soon they will be welcoming their first guests.
Senior manager at British Business Bank said the Start Up Loans programme that assisted the Reeves has supported nearly 200 entrepreneurs in Dumfries and Galloway since 2012.
“The staycations market is booming,” he said. “Galloway Glamping will be a fantastic place for families to experience the outdoors and sleep under the stars.”
Do you know any South Africans making waves abroad?
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