Glamping at Macbeth's Hillock, Moray

Beware of fortune-telling witches at this otherwise peaceful glamping site in Forres

*I WAS HOSTED AT MACBETH'S HILLOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS REVIEW *

Could this unassuming, tranquil corner of Moray really be the 'blasted heath' where Shakespeare's Macbeth famously met the three witches declaring enigmatic prophecies about his future?

It is certainly in the right part of the country and is frequented by visitors on the trail of Macbeth.  Research has shown that it was known as Macbeth's Hillock on a map dating back to 1770 but the truth is we can only surmise about the connection.

However, witches do form a very real part of local history, with records of witchcraft trials and subsequent executions of those found guilty.  We now know that these 'witches' were in fact mainly innocent women, and occasionally men, who were persecuted and tortured for crimes often based on superstitious beliefs and fear, rather than real evidence.

With so much history on the doorstep, Macbeth's Hillock makes for an interesting place to stay in an often overlooked part of Scotland.  I can also confirm that it ticks all the boxes for a very comfortable accommodation option which is also dog friendly.  So what exactly does your glamping pod come with?

There are 5 identical pods on the site and the excellent news is that they are all self-contained which means you have a proper wee kitchen with a fridge, toaster, kettle and an integrated hob for cooking.  An en-suite shower room means there is no need to leave your pod for a quick dash to the loo or a freshen up in a shower block.

I was really impressed at just how much was fitted into a relatively small space and all the fixtures and fitting were high quality.  We had dinner at the folding dining table, served on proper crockery, with real wine glasses while watching TV.  It felt properly homely. 

I've stayed in quite a few wooden pods that call themselves glamping huts but they can sometimes feel a bit basic and bijou.  The accommodation at Macbeth's Hillock is proper glamping in my book.

The double bed was nice and comfy, with 2 more single beds meaning each pod can sleep up to 4.  We brought our own bedding, however bedding can be provided.  

I quite enjoyed sitting on the bed with the door open and watching energetic lambs playfully bounding up and down the hillock.

After a day of hail stones and chilly weather as we travelled along the coast from Aberdeenshire, I was over the moon to see clear blue skies as we arrived at the site.  There was even enough warmth to sit outside with coffee and cake at the pod's picnic table.

Unfortunately the wintry weather caught up with us later as I had hoped to cook our steaks on our fire pit and eat dinner al fresco but it wasn't to be this time. 

I only stayed for 1 night but I would happily use this as a base for a longer stay in the area as it felt like a cosy wee home from home.

If you're inspired to take a break here, I've included some of my favourite nearby things to do in the box below.

FIND OUT MORE OR BOOK YOUR STAY HERE

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

• Take a tour of Brodie or Cawdor Castle
• Stroll across the sands at one of the nearby beaches - try Nairn, Roseisle and Findhorn
• Explore some of the fascinating historic sites in the area
• Go for a walk through Culbin Forest
• Visit the impressive Fort George
• Look out for dolphins in the Moray Firth
• Spend a day in Inverness, here is my guide to the city
• Sample some local drams on The Malt Whisky Trail​

Disclaimer - As stated, I was invited to stay at Macbeth's Hillock for the purposes of a review and my opinions are based on my own experience.  However, I always carry out additional independent research to ensure my own experience matches up with that of other guests.  This way I feel I can confidently recommend featured accommodation to my readers.

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