Off-grid Pods plan takes Perthshire Estate investment to £31m

Credit to Sinclair Watt Architects

New eco-Pods part of overall £43m blueprint

A Perthshire estate has tabled planning for 6 off-grid holiday pods which will add to the £30m economic benefit already felt by the local community since new owners took over.

Logiealmond Estate Ltd, which offers visitors a range of 5-star accommodation options, wants to diversify its short-stay offering with six 3m high arc-style pods on raised decks which will offer unbroken views across Perthshire moorland.

The 1-bedroom units, at an elevation of 500m, will contain heather and turf roofs to blend in with the environment and will be powered by mini vertical wind turbines and mini flex solar roof panels.

The pods, with dining area, kitchenette and shower room are targeted at hikers, bikers and short stay visitors with a 4x4 to access the accommodation from the existing estate track.

Should planners back the proposal, it will take the investment by owners Rod and Sheila Flavell to over £31m since they purchased the run-down estate from the Mansfield family in 2019.

View from the Pods by Sinclair Watt Architects

Lodge work to get underway

As well as providing luxury accommodation for 96 guests at any one time, the owners have planning consents for a 10-bedroom Castle and wedding venue, inspired by Skibo Castle, on the 5500-acre estate.

Planners also granted permission for a farm shop, microbrewery and Spa with pool, gym and treatment rooms back in 2023.

When all projects are complete, the investment in the award-winning Estate will swell to around £43m, with Perthshire Chamber of Commerce awarding the enterprise 2 Star Awards in recent years.

In support of the new off-grid pods, Estate Manager Philip Blount said: “The idea was to have these pods available to a mixture of hikers, mountain bikers and those with Land Rover type 4x4 vehicles who wish to experience an ‘off grid’ remote location in the ‘wild’.

“Going forward, the Estate’s significant investment will continue with construction due to start shortly on the approved castle for conferences, weddings and large group gatherings. The approved spa, brewery and farm shop facility on the edge of Harrietfield will also commence this financial year.”

Estate Manager Philip Blount

Local economic impacts

Upon taking over the Estate, the new owners made a pledge to use local firms and to employ people within a 15-mile radius for all projects.

Visual representation of the Castle to be built on the Estate

Currently, there are 6 full-time and 20 part-time staff, with seasonal staffing rising during the country sports seasons.

The Estate also farms 3000 sheep, 140 Highland Cattle and has planted half a million native trees.