Deeside holiday park creates its own glamping dream

Two enterprising members of staff at an Aberdeenshire holiday park have won praise after they took on a challenge to dream up perfect surroundings for glamping pod guests.

It came about when the family owners of Deeside Holiday Park began a quest earlier this year for two eco-friendly camping pods to site opposite the park’s wildlife pond.

Highly insulated timber-built models from a leading UK manufacturer fitted the bill – but the Wood family was keen to puts its own stamp on the pods’ interior layouts.

That’s when Deeside’s operations manager Bruce Thomson stepped forward and offered to help.

Using his knowledge of what holiday guests wanted most from their glamping experience, Bruce created an interior design he suspected would capture customers’ imaginations.

Working in tandem with the makers, the pods were configured to his specification – and installed by Bruce with help from the park’s senior grounds supervisor Mark Connon.

The four and six berth pods provide not just cosy and attractive timber interiors, but also open out to private wooden patios for al-fresco dining and relaxing.

From here, guests can look across the spring-fed wildlife pond, bordered by high nectar-bearing flowers which attract butterflies, honey bees and other pollinators.

Deeside Holiday Park is one of five top-rated parks in northern and central Scotland owned by the Wood family who first started out in business 35 years ago.

As well as glamping pods, Deeside provides luxury holiday homes for rent and to buy, and pitches for guests with touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Bruce, who lives in Bridge of Cally, said he has been extremely pleased with the feedback received so far from holidaymakers staying in the park’s bespoke pods:

“They occupy a very special position on the park, and the seasoned timber helps to create a snug atmosphere, and is a complement to the natural environment in which they are set.

“I wanted to make the interiors as spacious as possible with plenty of light as I know our guests enjoy the notion of camping, but are happy not having to erect a tent on arrival.

“The comments so far seem to suggest that we’ve got the balance just right, and people also enjoy the idea that they are staying in a pod which has no equal in Scotland!” added Bruce.

There is more information about the Deeside pods, and other glamping opportunities available throughout the Wood Leisure group, at www.woodleisure.co.uk