Fife treehouse hailed as ‘one of UK’s best’

A LUXURY “fairytale” treehouse in Fife, which costs nearly £500 a night to stay in, has been named among the best leafy high rise stays in the country.

Fernie Castle's magical tree house, near Cupar, Fife. Picture: TSPL

The home that has literally branched out at Fernie Castle at Letham near Cupar is built in a cluster of sycamore trees.

It was named second on the list compiled by Wanderlust travel magazine.

“A stay at Fernie Castle’s treehouse is like stepping into a fairytale. That’s not just because of its turreted roof and its high position among the foliage, but also because of the décor – fairies and mythical creatures are painted on the walls,” said the top travel guide.

Stairs leading up to the 'fairytale' tree house. Picture: TSPL

“With a large bedroom - with king size bed - and three balconies, you’ll have plenty of space, and the grounds of Fernie Castle below are yours to explore.”

The treehouse costs between £445 and £495-a-night per stay.

The price includes: a bottle of champagne, beers, soft drinks, chocolates, fresh fruit basket, cheeseboard, biscuits, continental breakfast, breakfast tea and coffee, and a course dinner in the 480-year-old part of the castle.

On its wesbite, Fernie Castle says of the treehouse: “It appears to grow out of the trees with the sycamores bursting right through the floor and up out of the roof. Entry is via a flight of stairs to a fairy light-festooned balcony where double doors with striking stained glass lead you into the bedroom.

“The bedroom has a huge elm king-sized bed and other specially designed furniture all hand made with total comfort in mind including electricity, plumbing, heating, an alarm, telephone, flat screen TV, DVD, CD player and coffee maker, plus a fridge

“Climbing up what appears to be the inside of a hollow tree, one emerges into an octagonal bathroom with walls painted twilight blue and a frieze of fairies who flit among trees overhanging pools of water.

“The ceiling is awash with stars and a pale moon shines onto grazing unicorns, in the centre sits a huge slipper bath under a chandelier of leaves and flowers. There are three balconies all with amazing views of the surrounding countryside and one even has a swing!

“Set in a quiet glade 500 yards from the 14th century Fernie Castle, its isolation from the hotel is almost complete thanks to the thick surrounding woodland and its own private garden grounds which lead to Fernie burn running through Fernie grounds. So if you do go down to the woods today you will have all the luxuries of a five star hotel suite but the feeling of something magical straight out of Robin Hood perhaps... ”

In first place on Wanderlust’s list was The Treehouse at Harptree Court, Somerset, which sleeps two people and is near the Mendip Hills.

The Treetops Treehouse, overlooking Eggesford Forest - and in between Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks - in Devon was third on the list of eight selected by Wanderlust.