Scottish eco-lodge and campsite collective to grow offering

The Herald Scotland

27-05-2025

The site from above. (Image: Comrie Croft)
Here, Andrew Donaldson of Comrie Croft tells how the collective "had a strong vision, a business plan rooted in social and environmental purpose, and an amazing community behind us" and they "crowd-funded part of the purchase, invested what we had, and borrowed the rest ... "
Read more in our Q&A.
Name: Andrew Donaldson
What is your business called?
Comrie Croft – and our latest venture, Journeys.
Where is it based?
We're based on an old farm just outside the picturesque village of Comrie in Perthshire. It's a stunning part of Scotland, nestled between the Highlands and Lowlands, and the land itself plays a huge part in what we do.
What does it produce/do?
Comrie Croft is a nature-based destination focused on regeneration – of the land, the community, and the local economy. We operate as a collective of collaborating enterprises, so there is a lot going on under one shared roof, or rather, across the farm – we run an eco-lodge, a camping and a glamping site. We have a community-supported market garden, a flower farm, a forest school, a wedding venue in the old barn, a farm shop, and a café that serves up seasonal food grown just metres away. Our sauna and trail network also make it a bit of a wellbeing retreat.
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On top of all that, we're also home to Comrie Croft Journeys – a new initiative to make the joy of bikepacking – a form of cycling adventure that combines multi-day cycling with lightweight backpacking – more accessible. By organising the whole trip for our customers – ebikes, lightweight equipment, route gps/ guides, accommodation – we make it easy to try bikepacking with a minimal outlay. Ebikes and comfy accommodation open up this incredible Scottish outdoor experience to folk who might have considered it beyond their comfort zone.
At the heart of everything is collaboration. We work with independent, values-aligned micro-enterprises to create a place where nature and people thrive together.
To whom does it sell?
A real mix. Families, mission-aligned businesses, schools, couples in love, solo travellers, people from all over the world, and of course, our local community. The diversity of people coming through Comrie Croft is one of its joys – it's become a community in its own right.
What is its turnover?
Combined turnover across all elements is now over £2 million – and growing steadily.
How many employees?
We've got a core team of around 70 people. That includes staff across hospitality, farming, trail building, guiding, education, admin – you name it. It takes a village, and we're lucky to have one.
Why did you take the plunge?
I've always believed rural Scotland has enormous untapped potential – as a place to visit, and as a place to live well, build livelihoods, and restore nature. Back in 2008, my wife, my brother, and I were already running the backpacker hostel that the previous owners had established in the old farm buildings. They gave us the chance to buy the whole farm.
We had a strong vision, a business plan rooted in social and environmental purpose, and an amazing community behind us. We crowd-funded part of the purchase, invested what we had, and borrowed the rest from Triodos, a brilliant sustainable bank that really understood what we were trying to do.
What were you doing before?
I was working in East Africa with a good friend and entrepreneur, helping to set up the Conservation Development Centre. We managed wildlife conservation and community development projects around national parks. That experience gave me a real insight into how land, livelihoods and conservation can – and should – work together.
What do you least enjoy?
Repetition. I'm energised by people, variety and by bringing new ideas to life. I'm definitely more of a 'start-up mode' person – I love getting things off the ground. Once things are ticking over, I'd rather hand over to someone who thrives on consistency and systems.
What are your ambitions for the firm?
To distil everything we've learned here into something that can inspire and support others. I'd love to see more land-based, community-rooted enterprises that want to make the world a better place flourish across rural Scotland. There's so much possibility out there – if we can help others unlock that, that's a win.
What single thing would most help?
A real shift in mindset from local authority planners. We need planning policies that genuinely support locally led rural enterprise, sustainable housing, and community development. Right now, the system can be a real blocker to progress – it's not navigable by the rural communities and local entrepreneurs with limited budgets we see on the ground.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
Build the right team. With the right people – positive, motivated, aligned with your values – almost anything is possible. It's about skills, culture, collaboration, and shared purpose.
What was your best moment?
It's hard to top this one – walking out of the maternity unit at Perth Royal Infirmary with my wife and our first son, while taking a phone call from the bank telling me that our loan to buy the farm had been approved. New life in every sense.
What was your worst moment?
The death from lung cancer of two of our team. That was really tough – they were more than colleagues, they were part of the Comrie Croft community. It was a painful reminder of what's important when times get tough.
How do you relax?
Anything outdoors with family or friends – hill-walking, river swimming, biking, skiing, travel. The mountains are my happy place. I find peace and energy in wild places. Even connection with God – which helps put everything in perspective.