Issue 50

FUNCTION VENUES
CASE STUDY
The Dell of Abernethy
Events, workshops and holidays in a multi-functional tipi
space right on the edge of a Cairngorm forest
We talk to owner Polly
Cameron about the
importance of looking after
your team and providing a
“relaxed, natural, authentic
experience”.
When did you start your venue
business and what is its history?
My husband Ross and I came to
the Dell 11 years ago and took over
from my Uncle John. The Dell had
been bought and restored by my
grandparents in the 1960s. They
converted the building into separate
cottages and started one of the
first self-catering businesses in the
Cairngorms.
Tell us about your location
and site
The Dell sits on four acres right on
the edge of the Abernethy Forest,
a mile from the centre of Nethy
Bridge. We have endless woodland
trails on the doorstep and a thriving,
friendly community around us.
“THE SITE IS
SURROUNDED
BY DECIDU-
OUS TREES AS
OLD AS THE
HOUSE AS
THEY WERE
PLANTED BY
THE HEAD
FORESTER
FOR WHOM
THE DELL
WAS BUILT”
The site is surrounded by
deciduous trees as old as the house
as they were planted by the head
forester for whom the Dell was built.
The gardens are wild and abundant
with flowers, fruit trees and our
organic vegetable garden with hens.
On the edge as we move towards
the forest we have an area of tall
granny pines which is our more
public event space.
What facilities for outdoor
functions do you offer?
In our event space we have our own
Tentipi Stratus structure which sits
permanently on a larch deck and
is winterised with oak doors and
a heating system along with the
trademark central open fireplace.
14 WWW.OPENAIRBUSINESS.COM