About Wildwood Croft
How it began
Wildwood Croft began as a dream over 20 years ago.
While travelling around Europe with our dog in a little VW campervan, Duncan and I found ourselves imagining a place where people could reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. We didn't know where it would be or exactly what it would look like, but the idea never left us.
Years later, we found this neglected 40-acre croft on the Isle of Arran.
Drawing on years spent working in hospitality and ecology, we saw this special place and the opportunity to bring that dream to life by combining both worlds: caring for people and caring for nature.
From the very beginning, our vision was to restore habitats, improve biodiversity, demonstrate that sustainable living can be both practical and comfortable, and offer people a moment of nourishment through nature.
The first years weren't about cabins. They were about the land.
Before we could welcome guests, we needed to care for the croft itself. We built an access road, created two wildlife ponds, sowed native wildflowers along disturbed verges, and began the slow process of restoring habitats. Armed with little more than a sickle and a scythe, countless hours have been spent clearing bracken by hand.
One of our favourite early projects was building a deadwood hedge from fallen branches and timber already on the croft. Today it's teeming with fungi, insects, birds and other wildlife—a reminder that even what appears lifeless can provide a home.
Where we are today
Wildwood Croft is still very much a work in progress—and we rather like it that way.
The Treehouse Cabin is the first chapter in a much bigger story. Built with reclaimed and natural materials wherever possible, and designed to work with the landscape rather than against it, it reflects everything we've learned so far about living more lightly on the land.
Beyond the cabin, our days are still spent caring for the croft. We continue clearing invasive bracken, planting native species, improving habitats and looking after the wildlife that already calls this place home. Every season teaches us something new, and every project helps shape what Wildwood Croft will become.
Looking ahead
Our dream has always reached beyond creating somewhere beautiful to stay.
We hope Wildwood Croft will continue to grow into a place where people can discover that sustainable living doesn't have to mean compromising on comfort. In time, we'd love to create demonstration areas showcasing practical ways to live more lightly on the land; from habitat restoration and renewable energy to water, biodiversity and traditional rural skills.
We also hope to work alongside local charities to offer restorative stays for people who could benefit from time immersed in nature. We know first-hand how restorative quiet time outdoors can be, and one of our long-term ambitions is to dedicate some stays each year to a local respite charity. At the same time, every stay will continue to help fund habitat restoration, biodiversity projects and the ongoing care of the land.
Every stay helps us move a little closer to that vision. By choosing Wildwood Croft, you're not only supporting a small family business, but you're also helping us restore habitats, create opportunities for wildlife,and continue developing the croft in ways that benefit both people and nature.
Wildwood Croft has never simply been about building a cabin. It's about creating a place where nature, sustainability, and hospitality come together, one thoughtful step at a time. If that resonates with you, we'd love to welcome you, whether you stay with us or simply keep in touch.