Well, what a summer it has been!
As I sit here thinking about the last few months at Lowwood Lodges, the three words that probably sum it up best are busy, memorable and, if I’m being completely honest, a little stressful at times! But every bit of it has been worth it when we see our guests enjoying the lodges and making the most of the space.
Summer is always our busiest time of year, but this year has felt particularly special.
From Weddings to Family Celebrations
We have welcomed such a wonderful mix of guests over the summer.
We have had lots of families coming together for holidays and get-togethers, hen parties celebrating before the big day, and special birthdays with friends and family all under one roof.
We have also had lots of wedding guests staying with us while attending weddings nearby, which has been lovely. It is always nice knowing that our lodges are helping people celebrate such an important occasion, even if the wedding itself isn’t taking place here.
And then there have been the guests who have travelled much, much further to stay with us.
Guests From Around the World
One of the things I still find absolutely crazy is just how far some of our guests have travelled to visit Scotland — and then chosen our little corner of Scotland as their base.
This summer we have welcomed guests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India and America, as well as visitors from all over the UK.
Honestly, it blows my mind.
The fact that someone sitting on the other side of the world decides they want to come to Scotland for their holiday and then chooses to stay at Lowwood Lodges is something I don’t think I will ever take for granted.
Our location is a big part of why international guests choose us. Many fly into Edinburgh, which is only around an hour away, and from Lowwood they can use the lodges as a base to explore so much of central Scotland.
They can head off for the day, explore somewhere new and then come back to their own lodge, their own garden and their own hot tub in the evening.
We are incredibly lucky to be in such a convenient location — close enough to explore, but far enough away to feel like you have escaped to the countryside.
I think I will save the full story of why Lowwood Lodges works so well for international visitors for another blog because there is plenty more I could say about that!
Letting Guests Enjoy Lowwood Their Own Way
One thing we have always wanted at Lowwood is for guests to feel like they have their own space.
We are very hands-off when it comes to check-in. Guests can arrive, settle themselves in and start enjoying their stay without someone hovering around them.
But we are always at the end of the phone if they need us.
And I think one of the nicest things about this summer has been seeing how differently each group uses the lodges.
Some have spent their days exploring Scotland, while others have barely left the garden!
We have loved seeing the hot tubs being enjoyed, families making use of the gardens, groups sitting around together and everyone simply making the lodges their own for a few days.
Getting to Know Our Guests
As Lowwood has become busier, we have also learned that every group is different.
You start to get a feel for what different guests value and the little things that can make their stay more comfortable.
For some of our international guests, privacy is particularly important, so we have added extra blinds to make the lodges feel even more secluded.
Our hen parties, or as I affectionately call them, our hen girlies, usually appreciate having plenty of glasses for champagne and cocktails!
Families might need extra beds for little ones, highchairs, toys or other things to make travelling with children that bit easier.
These might seem like small things, but they can make a big difference.
And that is something we are constantly learning — listening to our guests, seeing how they use the space and making little changes where we can.
A Few New Things at Lowwood
This summer has also seen a few changes behind the scenes.
One of the biggest has been our new car parking area.
We had always known that, as Lowwood became busier, we would eventually need more parking. We decided to see how things developed and listen to what our guests were telling us.
As bookings increased and we got to know our clientele better, it became obvious that the time had come.
So, after guest feedback asking for additional parking, we went ahead and built it.
It is one of those improvements that perhaps isn’t the most glamorous thing in the world, but it makes a real difference — and it is another example of us listening to the people who stay with us.
And then there is something else…
We are currently in the middle of building something very exciting at Lowwood.
I’m not quite ready to reveal everything yet, but let’s just say that relaxation and a little bit of luxury are involved!
You’ll have to keep an eye on our social media for the full reveal…
A Little Help From Our Friends
We have also loved seeing some of the experiences our guests have enjoyed during their stays.
Joe from Kilted Caterer has been incredibly busy this summer, sometimes catering for two lodges on the same night.
The great thing about Joe is that everything is bespoke. He creates menus around each group, which means guests can have something that really suits their occasion.
I have to admit, my personal favourite isn’t even on his standard menu — his beef Wellington is absolutely amazing!
We’ve also had Ashley coming along to host yoga sessions in the garden, which has been another lovely addition for guests looking to make their stay a little more relaxing.
It has been fantastic seeing how people are using the space and bringing their own experiences into their Lowwood stay.
And What About the Weather?
Well, Scotland certainly treated us this summer!
The weather has been exceptional, particularly in July, when guests were enjoying temperatures in the mid-20s.
For anyone who has ever booked a Scottish holiday, you’ll know that good weather is always a bonus!
Seeing guests able to sit outside, enjoy the gardens and make full use of the outdoor space in the sunshine has been fantastic.
And, of course, there is nothing quite like a Scottish summer evening followed by a soak in the hot tub.
Behind the Scenes
While guests are enjoying themselves, there is always plenty happening behind the scenes.
The farm is doing well, all of our lambs have now been sold and we are getting ready for tupping season.
And as summer starts to wind down, I have to admit that I am looking forward to getting my weekends back!
The quieter months give us a chance to catch up on all those jobs that are simply impossible to get done when you have guests coming and going.
There is painting to do, pressure washing, deep cleaning and plenty of little improvements around the lodges that we have been putting on the list.
It is funny because guests probably don’t notice half of these things, but we do!
We are always looking at what could be improved, what could be refreshed and what little changes could make the lodges even better.
Most Importantly — Thank You
One of the best parts of this summer has been reading the reviews.
I genuinely read every single one.
I still get excited when a new review comes through, and it means so much to read what guests thought about their stay.
We also take on board the suggestions and comments. It is amazing to see what other people notice about the space and to get ideas for little improvements we might not have thought about ourselves.
But I think what has blown me away most this summer is the international guests.
The idea that someone from another country wants to visit Scotland and considers our home a holiday destination is still wild to me.
We are incredibly grateful.
So, as another busy summer comes to an end, we are looking forward to a slightly quieter few months, catching up on the jobs that have been waiting patiently for us and, hopefully, getting a few weekends back!
Thank you to every single guest who has stayed with us this summer, celebrated with us, recommended us, left us a review or simply enjoyed the space we have created.
From all of us at Lowwood Lodges, thank you for making this summer so special.
— Megan & Chris
