Rural Renfrewshire

Domed Delights in Rural Renfrewshire

by Janice Hopper

In 2019 Chris and Sara McGlennon bought Mid Auchengowan farm, a former potato farm, as a family home. The couple retained six acres, and the land is used by local farmers for silage and sheep. The McGlennons then set about creating a rural escape that’s both quirky and remarkably comfortable.

The farm outbuildings were swiftly upgraded and refurbished to create contemporary cottage accommodation for guests, opening in the summer of 2019. These traditional properties offer relaxation and modernity, but it’s the space-age dome that turns heads. The dome initially arrived as a kit, a steel frame covered by PVC. The McGlennons had to build the platform it sits on and the structure that supports the bathroom and plant room, then erect the dome itself. They started welcoming visitors in 2021, offering a unique glamping experience with fantastic views over the surrounding Renfrewshire farmland.

Admittedly Scottish glamping can range between a mattress in a wooden pod to utter luxury, and Mid Auchengowan is definitely at the immaculate and indulgent end of the spectrum. The excitement of entering this unusual sci-fi creation is high, whatever age you are. We arrived to discover a well furnished kitchen, wood burning stove, a dining area plus a couple of armchairs in which to kick back and appreciate the view. A double ‘bedroom’ is smartly partitioned off to give a sense of privacy and space, and the shelves here contain games and toys for little ones. Guests in the ‘master bedroom’ are lucky enough to wake up to the country vistas. It’s easy to switch off here, and go off grid, but if you’d rather stay connected, then two televisions offer the usual sought after channels. A powerful shower and toilet ensures guests enjoy the luxurious end of the glamping experience!

Outside, a picnic table, two sun loungers, a fire pit and barb-q allow for traditional camping scran, from burgers to toasted marshmallows, or hampers stuffed with local produce can be preordered and delivered straight to the door.

While it’s perfectly possible to cocoon oneself in the dome, it makes a great base for exploring. Just two miles away is Castle Semple Country Park and Loch. Here, watersports classes are available, or feel free to bring your own gear such as kayaks and stand up paddle boards. Feeding the numerous ducks and admiring the swans is another past time, and the loch’s visitor centre is handy for snacks and facilities. A scenic trail links the loch to several nearby towns and villages, popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. We took our bikes and cycled along the waters edge, passing the Collegiate Church and Kenmure Hill Temple, to reach the small village of Kilbarchan.

Kilbarchan’s main attraction has strong farming links. Within the National Trust for Scotland’s Weavers Cottage visitors see the last working handloom in the village. The attraction allows guests to get a glimpse of what it may have been like, two hundred years ago, when the farms supplied wool to Kilbrachan, which housed around 800 handlooms in its heyday during

Mid Auchengowan dome

the early 1800s —Paisley shawls were one popular product in production. The cottage also houses the handloom of William Meikle, one of the village’s last remaining weavers as the industry declined in the 20th century. His work was so renowned that he created bespoke cloth for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Finish the visit by stepping into the cottage garden that grows the types of plants and flowers required to dye woven fabric.

Another attraction in close proximity to the dome is RSPB Lochwinnoch, one of the few wetlands in the west of Scotland. Watch whooper swans, wigeon and ducks during the winter months and, in spring, look out for great crested grebes. A final unexpected treasure, in close proximity to Mid Auchengowan, is Calder Mill Waterfall, again with links to the area’s historic wool and weaving industry. The cascading water is a mesmerising sight, and when we visited groups of local teenagers were cooling off in the summer sun, hanging out and swimming with their pals as the falls roared in the background.

In terms of a day trip slightly further afield, Mid Auchengowan is so central that there’s a plethora of options to explore. Consider Dumfries House and its surprising amount of agricultural output. This elegant 18th century country house sits in 2000 acres of land. The house is best known for its remarkable collection of original Thomas Chippendale furniture - we’re talking 59 Chippendale pieces saved for the nation by King Charles III and the Prince’s Foundation - but the estate’s farming scene is worth taking note of.

Dumfries House’s Home Farm accommodates a mix of native breeds such as Suffolk, Cheviot, Lleyn and Shetland sheep; and Whitebred Shorthorn, Beef Shorthorn and Vaynol cattle. The farm was declared organic in 2019 after an intense two year conversion process, and an Education Farm encourages children to understand and experience where their food comes from. An average of 3000 school pupils each year learn about rare breeds, such as Castlemilk Moorit and Boreray sheep, Shetland geese, Shetland ducks, Scots Dumpy hens, Scots Grey hens, Pied Crollwitzer turkeys chicks, and British Landrace and Tamworth pigs. The children participate in workshops relating to animal husbandry, reproduction, and the bi-products of animals.

Much of the quality meat reared on the estate makes its way to Woodlands Restaurant, and a significant quantity of fruit and veg comes from Dumfries House’s five-acre walled garden, so visitors can taste the fruit of the farmers’ and gardeners’ labours.

To be fair, with Mid Auchengowan’s central position almost any type of day trip is possible. The city of Glasgow is thirty minutes away for shopping and the high life. East Yonderton Farm is fifteen minutes away — a family run farm growing soft fruit since 1926. More animals, from the exotic to the agricultural, can be discovered at Briarlands Farm and the Blair Drummond Safari Park. If you wish to hit the beach then Ayr’s Esplanade is a fifty minute drive away and Troon beach is slightly closer at forty minutes, or even take the opportunity to island hop to Cumbrae by hopping aboard a ferry at Largs. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are within reach, plus the twelfth century Kelburn ‘grafitti’ Castle (only fifteen miles away) offers a selection of tours, play areas for children, an equestrian centre, gardens and a café.

While Mid Auchengowan dome is unique, its central position allows visitors to create a truly bespoke break that works for them. So consider combining daring design, days out and down time at the dome.

Castle Semple Loch

Mid Auchengowan Dome - Book through the Wanderlist at thewanderlist.uk/properties/ mid-auchengowan-dome

Castle Semple Country Park - clydemuirshiel.co.uk/about/ park-sites/castle-semple/

RSPB Lochwinnoch - rspb.org. uk/reserves-and-events/reservesa-z/lochwinnoch

Weaver’s Cottage - nts.org.uk/ visit/places/weavers-cottage. The cottage is open one weekend a month in high season with opening hours likely to expand next season so be sure to check the website to confirm details before your visit.

Dumfries House - dumfrieshouse.org.uk