Lochhouses farm, Tyninghame, Near Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland.

The farm and surroundings
Lochhouses farm adjoins the magnificent sand dunes and beach of the John Muir Country Park. John Muir was born in neighbouring Dunbar in 1838 and became famous for his love of wild places and helping to start the National Park scheme in America.

Lochhouses farm and its surroundings are steeped in history as well as beauty. It was once part of the Earl of Haddington’s majestic Tyninghame Estate, when in 1892, Robert’s (the current farmer on Lochhouses) great grandfather was given a donkey for his daughter as a little “persuasion” to take on the tenancy of the farm which, at that time, was a poorly farmed rabbit warren – Watership Down could certainly have been filmed here. In fact, Lochhouses has often been requested as a location for filming – most recently for Rebus and David Copperfield - so take your cameras!

The coastline near Lochhouses has also been famous in centuries past for shipwrecks as ships missed the entrance to the Firth of Forth on their way to Edinburgh. One wreck carried a cargo of brandy and some men died from drinking too much of the combined mixture of brandy and seawater from the leaking casks. There were of course, also those ships which did prefer to land near Lochhouses in order to offload their smuggled whisky! Lochhouses’ own “shipwrecked” boat is the honesty shop! Here you can "distill your own brew" using our elderberries, brambles, plums and apples which grow wild everywhere and 'smuggle' it home!

As well as wild rabbits in abundance, Lochhouses has now introduced our own Lop-eared bunnies for Feather Down guests to look after together with a multitude of chickens, ducks, lambs, goats and ponies. You can reserve your own chicken to look after in your own coop next to the tent.

As well as the beautiful beaches, Lochhouses has extensive lakes and woodland with deer and pheasant - wonderful and serene for walking, cycling and riding. Robert’s wife Michele's passion is to ride through the woods and then go for a gallop along the deserted beach at low tide! Feather Down guests can also ride Michele's mini Shetland ponies or go 'big pony trekking' at the next door farm.

The farming at Lochhouses
Although mainly an arable farm growing potatoes (some becoming Highlander crisps), wheat and barley (used for Dewars whisky), cabbages and turnips (packed for the local supermarkets) we also have a flock of Jacobs Sheep and fattening cattle on the grassland slopes near the sea, part of which is also managed as a wetland for wading birds such as ducks, oyster catchers, swans, geese and moorhens. Wild birdseed mixtures and grass margins bordering fields throughout the farm attract a multitude of birds all year round. Lochhouses also supports the wild grey partridge replenishment scheme, which involves re-creating habitat (Lochhouses won the Trophy for the best habitat in 2007) and counting the chicks every year – so that will be one of the activities on your bird-spotting list!

The Dale family at Lochhouses
Lochhouses has been in the Dale family since 1892. Robert now owns and runs the farm with his wife Michele, sons Alex and Bobby and daughter Melanie. Like all children of that age, they are currently exploring other activities; Alex (23) graduated in law at Newcastle University, had a gap year in USA and Australia, has received his legal practice certificate and is now looking for a job! Bobby (22) had a place to study motorsport engineering but preferred to drive the rally cars rather than build them! Now he is running his own computer recycling business; and Melanie (20) is in her 3rd year at Newcastle University studying history and politics.

Pets, horses and ponies are welcome
All pets are welcome, but please keep them under close control.
You can also bring your horse or pony with you to Lochhouses farm. There is terrific off-road, woodland and beach riding all around and grazing in the field opposite the site at £ 12.00 per night. Stabling also available. Please indicate at reservation.

The location of the Feather Down tents
The Feather Down site is perfectly located in a field on the dunes next to the sea with a 200 yard easy walk to the beach. Each tent snuggles cosily under the trees and the tent highest up on the dunes has sea views on 2 sides. The farmland behind, wetland and woodland are a two minute walk along the animal grazing fields.

There is just unlimited pleasure and diversity for all the family’s tastes, even right outside your tent; including children's animal mini-farm and water pump. Try your outdoor cooking skills with the bread oven, camp fire and new Feather Down outside stove or hire a soup kettle or mini distillery/ brewing kit and become an adventurous chef!

Trips in the area of Lochhouses:

• We abound with footpaths, trails, beaches, dunes and bridleways – why else would John Muir want to be here too !
• Bikes for hire to explore the vast trails and woods.
• Pony trekking and carriage driving at the farm next door.
• East Links Family Park with train safaris and Llamas.
• Fishing at East Linton (trout, bait/ course).
• Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, with telescopes to view thousands of nesting seabirds on the Bass Rock.
• Scottish Archery Centre; teaching archery at all levels.
• Whitekirk Golf, Country Club and Spa; with warm pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam rooms and beauty parlor.
• John Muir Centre, Dunbar, with wonderful old photos of his life and US National Parks.
• Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery.
• Championship golf courses at Whitekirk, North Berwick and Dunbar.
• Concorde at the Museum of Flight
• And of course, Edinburgh is only 28 minutes away by train from Drem – so an excellent location for the Edinburgh Festival in August !
  
  

>> Click here to make a reservation at Lochhouses farm.