Words Suzy Walker
WHY STAY HERE?
This is the sort of place that makes you slow down without trying. Hidden so deftly within the Cambo Estate on Scotland’s east coast, it feels like a secret you’re slightly surprised to be let in on. Off Grid Travel’s eco-cabin for two, The HideAway, offers astonishing, uninterrupted views over the coastline and a level of privacy that feels genuinely restorative. No neighbours. No noise. Just sea, sky and the occasional dog snoring deeply after a very good walk.
We happened to be staying on a full Wolf Moon weekend and watched it rise slowly over the sea, turning the cabin windows into a private cinema. With no light pollution to speak of, the dark skies here are a quiet joy.
On a clear night, once darkness has fallen, stars appear in numbers you forget still exist, with constellations sharp enough to trace with a finger and moonlight so bright you can see shadows cast across the land. Evenings drift by under blankets, fire crackling, eyes lifted skywards.
If you have children in tow, The Bothy sleeps four and sits a short walk away, tucked into the edge of ancient woodland. It offers the same off-grid calm and sense of retreat, just with more space for muddy boots, bedtime stories and the kind of deep, star-heavy sleep that only comes from a day spent outdoors.
DOG-FRIENDLY COASTAL TOWN?
Cambo sits on the edge of the East Neuk of Fife, quietly beautiful, full of fishing villages, harbours and that particular Scottish light that artists lose their minds over. Kingsbarns and Crail are nearby for leisurely exploring, while St Andrews is just 20 minutes away for beaches, cafés and culture. It’s calm, civilised and refreshingly dog-friendly.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES?
You can walk straight from the estate down to the beach – wild, open and blissfully uncrowded. Kingsbarns Beach is ideal for off-lead runs and sandy sniffs, while the wider Fife coastline offers mile after mile of space to roam, plenty of sea air, open horizons and very happy paws.
WALKIES?
Step outside and you’re immediately on woodland trails, estate paths and coastal walks. The Cambo Estate is vast and varied, with enough routes to keep even the most energetic dogs beautifully worn out. A highlight is the coastal walk to the Wild Scottish Sauna, where humans can sweat, dip and repeat while dogs supervise from the sidelines, clearly judging your life choices!
AND FOR THE HUMANS?
Inside, the cabins strike a rare balance between minimalist calm and deep comfort. Huge picture windows frame those views like living artworks, while woollen blinds and blankets, plus warm timber finishes, create a cocooning feel once night falls.
The wood-burning stove is the heart of the space and gloriously practical. There’s a small stove plate on top, perfect for slow, simple cooking. Jacket potatoes wrapped in foil and baked gently while the fire crackles feel like peak off-grid joy.
And then there’s the sustainability you don’t immediately see but will love once you know it’s there. The cabins are solar-powered and stocked with low-waste, durable essentials, sourced from Scottish and local suppliers wherever possible.
Food lovers are also in luck. Cambo is home to the much-loved Cambo Gardens Café, run by chef and author Gillian Veal, whose award-winning Parlour Café Cookbook has become a cult classic. Her cooking is inspired by the Georgian walled garden, with fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown just steps away, and perfectly mirrors the spirit of this stay: seasonal, thoughtful and deeply nourishing. Long brunches, gentle wandering and cake stops are practically compulsory.
When you fancy a dram, the Kingsbarns Distillery is an easy walk on the estate, proof that pleasure and sustainability are not, in fact, sworn enemies. For those who golf, the internationally renowned Kingsbarns Golf Links is close by, a spectacular seaside course consistently ranked among the world’s finest.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
In May, a two-night minimum stay costs from £700 for The Hide Away and £550 for The Bothy.
HOW DO I BOOK?
Make your online booking at towanderuk.co.uk/listings/off-grid-travel-at-cambo-estate.
