Nominee Summary
Shepherds Loch Glamping site was built by farmer, Jamie Menzies. The site represents a successful farm diversification project, sharing the beauty of agricultural life. Jamie’s core philosophy is centered on the beauty of nature and agriculture. His vision was to create a space for families to reconnect with nature and each other. The site features six unique, off grid pods constructed using reused and recycled materials. Jamie’s "quirky" aesthetic demonstrates that everything can be repurposed into something functional and beautiful, giving the site a distinct character that cannot be replicated by mass-produced units.
What makes your nominee stand out?
Shepherds Loch offers a distinct character that cannot be replicated by mass-produced pods or glamping sites. The off-grid infrastructure means the site operates entirely independently off the National Grid, except for mains water. Modern comforts are maintained through a triad of renewable energy sources such as a waterwheel, solar panels and a small wind turbine. By utilizing a 12V system, the site provides essential necessities while maintaining the authentic feeling of a simpler, less energy-intensive era. Set against the backdrop of rural Aberdeenshire, the site offers a raw and honest look at Scottish farming life. Starting a new (small business) comes with its challenges and whist starting the business we also had to manage lambing, calving, and harvest which was a major juggling act. Being in a rural area with less tourists, the lack of physical visibility meant we had to work twice as hard on digital marketing to prove we exist and we are worth the visit. As a busy farm, time is already split between various jobs, and we soon discovered that glamping is not "passive income", it is a second job with a relentless schedule. Working around an already busy day we tried our best to make sure guests are happy, comfortable and get the best experience when staying here.
Supporting the local community
Shepherds Loch supports the community by hiring locally. Most of our employees live within a few miles from the site. We are flexible in working hours to accommodate employees with working and family life. If we need any work done that’s beyond our expertise, we will use local workman with the knowledge and experience. We also shop locally for most supplies, from firewood, to cleaning products, thus cutting our costs in travelling as well as supporting other local businesses. Furthermore, we have sponsored local sports teams, such as the woman’s rugby team in Fraserburgh.
Maintaining high ethical/environmental standards
Our goal is to leave the land better than we found it, while providing a luxury experience that feels seamless. The accommodation is well placed, with enough space to have green or ‘wild’ areas for wildlife. By incorporating green or ‘wild’ spaces into our site we maximize biodiversity for both plants and wildlife as well as an opportunity for guests to enjoy the different wildlife we have in Aberdeenshire. By planting hundreds of trees in and around the glamping site and farm, we have transformed and shifted what once was barren farm land to a hub of activity. We have transformed the health of the land with more small, wooded areas, triggering a massive biological chain reaction. There are also seven ponds with different species of fish, birds, frogs, etc making it not just a scenic area for guests but ensure we have an ‘engine rooms’ of biodiversity. Being off grid, we generate our own electricity. The waterwheel sits within a natural water source and numerous solar panels as well as a small wind turbine. This ensures a guaranteed supply of electricity in any weather condition. We have a large allotment where we grow our own vegetables where guests are encouraged to help themselves to whatever seasonal vegetables are ready during their stay. Therefore, we not only educate guests on the growing of vegetables but also encourage healthy eating habits.
