The Scottish forest cabin retreat that's branching out into axe-throwing, wood-fired saunas and an old sawmill restaurant

You may have already discovered Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages, which launched back in 2018.

It’s on a 15,000 acre Banchory woodland estate that’s owned by the Gladstone family, and features a range of accommodation, from cabins to stone cottages, all of which have their own wood-fired hot tubs.

However, this summer, the attraction will be expanding its offering.

Seed Store restaurant

As well as the new Discovery and Adventure Centre and Discovery Trail, which has recently opened, they’ll be launching the Seed Store ‘occasional’ restaurant to cater to food-loving holidaymakers. This 12-cover russet-roofed venue will be set on the Glen Dye estate’s old sawmill site, and will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout July, August and September.

Although tables will initially only be available for accommodation residents, who might be staying on their campsite, in the steadings or the Hay Loft or River Cabin, among other locations, the restaurant will eventually be opened to all.

The first weekend, on the 11 and 13 July, will involve a three-course dinner menu cooked by food writer and chef, Romy Gill MBE, with dishes including samosa chaat, venison gosht served with dal, cumin rice and salad, and mango tart to finish.

After Gill’s guest spot concludes, their team of inhouse chefs will take over for the remainder of the summer run. Expect a selection of locally sourced and foraged ingredients, with dishes including Isle of Mull scallops, homegrown courgette and tomato salad; Glen Dye venison with haggis terrine, and raspberry cranachan, with three courses for £69pp.

Seed Store table set

As well as the new food offering, there are new activities. Their Discovery and Adventure Centre, in the middle of the woodlands and with an archway made of 40 tons of larch logs, is the headquarters for bushcraft and wilderness courses, which are led by ex-military, Stu Wright, as well as campfire carving, cold water immersion and wood-fired saunas.

If you want the full Nordic immersion experience, they have two cold water plunge tanks beside the sauna. Afterwards, warm up again with a spot of axe throwing on their new custom built outdoor range.

While courses aren’t running, the Discovery and Adventure Centre remains open to guests, with a library of outdoor and foraging books and a small honesty gift shop, plus free coffee and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers. This space is also the starting point for the new 1.2 mile Discovery Trail, which features 11 installations and activities that are designed to introduce children to the outdoors, with cargo nets strung between pines, and artworks. The younger guests can learn how to measure the height of trees and crawl through hidden tunnels.

These new attractions will add to their existing offerings, which include their own BYOB pub, The Glen Dye Arms, the private hire cinema and bike hire, among other things. A stay at Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages starts from £49 for a camping pitch, £175 for a bed and breakfast room in The Coach House, or £275 for a holiday cottage.

For more information, see www.glendyecabinsandcottages.com