Scottish eco-lodge and campsite collective to grow offering
The site from above. (Image: Comrie Croft)
Here, Andrew Donaldson of Comrie Croft tells how the collective "had a strong vision, a business plan rooted in social and environmental purpose, and an amazing community behind us" and they "crowd-funded part of the purchase, invested what we had, and borrowed the rest ... "
Read more in our Q&A.
Name: Andrew Donaldson
What is your business called?
Comrie Croft – and our latest venture, Journeys.
Where is it based?
We're based on an old farm just outside the picturesque village of Comrie in Perthshire. It's a stunning part of Scotland, nestled between the Highlands and Lowlands, and the land itself plays a huge part in what we do.
What does it produce/do?
Comrie Croft is a nature-based destination focused on regeneration – of the land, the community, and the local economy. We operate as a collective of collaborating enterprises, so there is a lot going on under one shared roof, or rather, across the farm – we run an eco-lodge, a camping and a glamping site. We have a community-supported market garden, a flower farm, a forest school, a wedding venue in the old barn, a farm shop, and a café that serves up seasonal food grown just metres away. Our sauna and trail network also make it a bit of a wellbeing retreat.
READ MORE:
On top of all that, we're also home to Comrie Croft Journeys – a new initiative to make the joy of bikepacking – a form of cycling adventure that combines multi-day cycling with lightweight backpacking – more accessible. By organising the whole trip for our customers – ebikes, lightweight equipment, route gps/ guides, accommodation – we make it easy to try bikepacking with a minimal outlay. Ebikes and comfy accommodation open up this incredible Scottish outdoor experience to folk who might have considered it beyond their comfort zone.
At the heart of everything is collaboration. We work with independent, values-aligned micro-enterprises to create a place where nature and people thrive together.
To whom does it sell?
A real mix. Families, mission-aligned businesses, schools, couples in love, solo travellers, people from all over the world, and of course, our local community. The diversity of people coming through Comrie Croft is one of its joys – it's become a community in its own right.
What is its turnover?
Combined turnover across all elements is now over £2 million – and growing steadily.
How many employees?
We've got a core team of around 70 people. That includes staff across hospitality, farming, trail building, guiding, education, admin – you name it. It takes a village, and we're lucky to have one.
Why did you take the plunge?
I've always believed rural Scotland has enormous untapped potential – as a place to visit, and as a place to live well, build livelihoods, and restore nature. Back in 2008, my wife, my brother, and I were already running the backpacker hostel that the previous owners had established in the old farm buildings. They gave us the chance to buy the whole farm.
We had a strong vision, a business plan rooted in social and environmental purpose, and an amazing community behind us. We crowd-funded part of the purchase, invested what we had, and borrowed the rest from Triodos, a brilliant sustainable bank that really understood what we were trying to do.
What were you doing before?
I was working in East Africa with a good friend and entrepreneur, helping to set up the Conservation Development Centre. We managed wildlife conservation and community development projects around national parks. That experience gave me a real insight into how land, livelihoods and conservation can – and should – work together.
What do you least enjoy?
Repetition. I'm energised by people, variety and by bringing new ideas to life. I'm definitely more of a 'start-up mode' person – I love getting things off the ground. Once things are ticking over, I'd rather hand over to someone who thrives on consistency and systems.
What are your ambitions for the firm?
To distil everything we've learned here into something that can inspire and support others. I'd love to see more land-based, community-rooted enterprises that want to make the world a better place flourish across rural Scotland. There's so much possibility out there – if we can help others unlock that, that's a win.
What single thing would most help?
A real shift in mindset from local authority planners. We need planning policies that genuinely support locally led rural enterprise, sustainable housing, and community development. Right now, the system can be a real blocker to progress – it's not navigable by the rural communities and local entrepreneurs with limited budgets we see on the ground.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Build the right team. With the right people – positive, motivated, aligned with your values – almost anything is possible. It's about skills, culture, collaboration, and shared purpose.
What was your best moment?
It's hard to top this one – walking out of the maternity unit at Perth Royal Infirmary with my wife and our first son, while taking a phone call from the bank telling me that our loan to buy the farm had been approved. New life in every sense.
What was your worst moment?
The death from lung cancer of two of our team. That was really tough – they were more than colleagues, they were part of the Comrie Croft community. It was a painful reminder of what's important when times get tough.
How do you relax?
Anything outdoors with family or friends – hill-walking, river swimming, biking, skiing, travel. The mountains are my happy place. I find peace and energy in wild places. Even connection with God – which helps put everything in perspective.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
40 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Bob MacIntyre ends Travelers in stunning style to make more key Ryder Cup moves as he sets immediate goal
Scottish star delivers final flourish at TPC River Highlands to end seven-week US run in style Buoyant Bob MacIntyre delivered a searing sign-off from his seven-week sequence in the States as he finished with a fabulous flourish at the Travelers Championship. The Scottish star completed his latest impressive spell on the PGA Tour with a brilliant late-Sunday burst to boost his finale at TPC River Highlands. MacIntyre played his last four holes of his tournament in four-under par to card a Sunday 66 and surge up the final standings in Connecticut with his best round of the week. Understandably, after such an epic performance, he was unable to recreate the scintillating magic of Oakmont the previous week and get into title contention as he had done when coming within a whisker of winning the US Open before being dramatically pipped at the death by winner JJ Spaun. But the Oban star still delivered mostly-strong work before the thrilling finale which has secured another positive step forward in the race for the FedEx Cup play-offs and, more crucially, the The Ryder Cup team. MacIntyre's Oakmont display rocketed him to fourth place in the European List and he cemented that excellent effort by banking more valuable points in Cromwell. Staring the week, the Tartan ace was one place behind Shane Lowry and one ahead of Sepp Straka in the List heading into the tournament and finished well ahead of both the Irishman and the Austrian in the closing positions at the Travelers to make more key ground. The 28-year-old went into the 28th and final competitive round of his gruelling seven-successive week spell on the two-under par mark and exchanged shots with the course to stay on that number through 14 holes of his final effort before the flying late flurry. MacIntyre first jumped forward with a chip-in eagle three on his 15th, the par-five sixth on the course as he started from 10th tee due to weather delays and restructured tee-times, to lift his position and backed it up immediately with a long-birdie putt at the next to stretch to five-under par. Following a par on his penultimate hole, MacIntyre concluded with another birdie at his last hole to cap the week and the lengthy spell of events in perfect fashion. The Scot's work has seen him take in the Truist Championship, PGA Championship, Charles Schwab Challenge, Memorial, RBC Canadian Open and US Open before this Travalers and MacIntyre will now return home for a short break before the defence of his Genesis Scottish Open title and The Open Championship at Royal Portrush the following week. Former Ryder Cup star David Howell is convinced the Scot can have a strong run in Northern Ireland having come sixth at the course in 2019 in his debut Open. He said: 'Yes [Scottie] Scheffler is going to be the favourite for that Championship, of course. But he is made for links golf, Bob MacIntyre. And he has proved to himself last week that he can win a Major because, when he had the chance, he did everything right. So he'll have his own expectations to deal with, but surely we'll have a good performance from him.' MacIntyre made it clear in the immediate aftermath of Oakmont that he isn't shying away from the Major challenge and admitted it has handed additional belief as he said: 'There's no reason why I can't win a major championship in my career and that's my goal now. I said I wanted to win the Scottish Open and I got that. I just want to win Majors now.'
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scottish lochside Airbnb cottage with its own beach you can stay in this summer
One visitor described the beachfront cottage as "magical". A Scottish cottage with its own beach can currently be rented out. Previous guests have described the cottage as "magical" and "amazing". The Point Cottage is a holiday cottage nestled along the banks of Loch Striven in Argyll. It can be rented out through Airbnb at a cost of £280 per night, in addition to cleaning and service fees. The accommodation is described in the Airbnb listing as "perfect for people who want to get away from it all". Situated on the Glenstriven Estate, it is in a remote and secluded setting. Inside, there is a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, two full bathrooms, and two bedrooms. The master features its own sitting area and balcony, while the second bedroom includes a double bed, a robe, and a chest of drawers. Outside, guests have access to two private beaches and pathways that wind their way around approximately 1,000 acres of forest and shoreline. The cottage also includes two kayaks in its garage. The Point Cottage is listed as a 'guest favourite' property on Airbnb, which means it is among the "most loved homes" on the website according to guests. The accommodation has an average rating of 4.99 out of five based on 299 reviews. One guest shared: "Stunning location for a peaceful getaway. Had the pleasure to spend five nights at the cottage for a mini-break. "The house has everything you need for your stay and the beauty of the location speaks for itself. The icing on the cake is the private beach, great for the doggies and getting out on the water." Another wrote: "Amazing place and a week here. Well off the beaten track so nice and quiet. "Some of the most beautiful views to wake up and go to sleep with. The cottage is fully equipped with everything you could possibly need or want. "Far above our expectations. Loved the use of the private beach and messing about in the water. "Magical place that will forever give us some amazing memories. Can't recommend here highly enough." While there are no reviews of The Point Cottage below four stars, some may not enjoy the cottage's remote setting. Certain holidaymakers might prefer a hotel getaway in a town or village. For those looking for a more traditional stay, there are many popular nearby hotels. Dunoon is home to both the four-star Dunoon Hotel and the Royal Marine Hotel.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Celtic see Matt O'Riley windfall put in major jeopardy as 'preferred' suitor performs £30m Brighton transfer trick
A host of Italian clubs are on alert despite the Premier League side remaining keen to keep the playmaker at the AMEX In-demand Matt O'Riley has reportedly told Brighton he would prefer to join Roma this summer if he leaves the club. But that could leave Celtic's sell-on windfall at risk with the Serie A giants looking to avoid a major Financial Fair Play pitfall. The Hoops have already seen the Parkhead coffers boosted this summer by a sell-on windfall after Jeremie Frimpong 's move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen. And the Scottish champions powerbrokers are on alert again amid reports that Napoli made a £25.6million (€30million) offer for the Danish international just 12 months on from his £25million Parkhead exit. Celtic hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that took the 24-year-old to the AMEX Stadium last season - but the Seagulls are said to be in no rush to sell with talks "ongoing" over a deal. La Gazzetta dello Sport now claim Roma have already made contact with the midfielder's entourage with O'Riley "eager" to join the club. However, I Giallorossi are said to be 'formulating" a loan offer with obligation to buy next summer - with Brighton demanding £30million for the playmaker. It is noted that Roma are currently focussed on selling players to balance the books before the June 30 FFP deadline. O'Riley is said to be willing to wait for a move to link up with Gian Piero Gasperini - who is a big fan of the player having previously attempted to bring him to Atalanta from Celtic. O'Riley endured an injury-hampered debut campaign at the AMEX Stadium but showed flashes of his best form in the final weeks of the season. But the man himself has bemoaned the fact he's been unable to play in his favoured position under head coach Fabian Hurzeler - with Georginio Rutter deployed in the playmaker role. Speaking in his homeland, the Denmark international said: "I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion. 'It makes it difficult to show off when you play a position you are not completely happy with. I can play better for the team if I play the number eight position, but I can play well in other positions. "You can say it in a way that is not aggressive. If you are honest with another person, you don't lose anything. The coach can always say he doesn't agree." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
