Highland Shepherds Huts

Zoe Hall has strong background and experience in her family’s long standing self-catering business in the Highlands. Her parents always had great ideas of having Shepherds huts or cabins on their land to let out. She thought it would be nice to follow in their footsteps and try herself to get planning for three Shepherds huts.  Zoe managed to get approval for the planning, which proved complex as they neighbour an RSPB Nature Reserve, their site sits within an ancient woodland, and they are set in the Cairngorms National Park.

Zoe approached DSL Business Finance for assistance in 2019 to start her business. A loan was required to part fund costs of groundworks and preparation of the site, installation of water and electricity services, landscaping the area to accommodate the first hut and an initial cash flow for the business. She presented a robust and thorough business plan and financial forecasts both of which were soundly based and well researched. As a result, her first hut proved to be very successful with demand exceeding supply and when she approached DSL for a second loan for second in 2020 to build second Shepherds Hut, we were happy to provide further support.

Zoe Hall said: “The DSL loans officer for the Inverness area, Murray Marshall, gave me fantastic advice every step of the way and helped me to achieve my business goals.”

In April 2020 they added 2 Campervan pitches with electric hook-ups and a quirky horsebox toilet. In August 2021 they added an off-grid Horsebox lorry body to give an alternative stay for guests. In October 2021 they finished their communal Cookhouse allowing guests to BBQ in all weather. Most recently they have completed their 3rd hut and are open all year round.