Accommodation Review: The Bus Stop, Gifford, Scotland.
Overview
Quite a different accommodation choice for ThePrivateTraveller - this was actually chosen by “Mrs” ThePrivateTraveller as a Christmas present; but as soon as I found out about it I loved the idea; and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Based on a farm, this is a collection of renovated buses, each in their own private space with a hot tub (and the most amazing open-field views). There are both rustic and luxury options, you can read all about these below. We had opted for Luxury Bus No.1; a king-size bed option for two people, though other buses can accommodate more people.
Great reception, we arrived a bit early (arranged - normal check-in time 3pm; check-out 10am) but got a great welcome from Sandy (Balfour’s son) - it’s a family run operation; Dad Balfour, Elaine and Sandy. All appropriate Covid-secure measures were in place and fully explained, so being our first stay post-lockdown we were perfectly happy and comfortable.
Hotel website: https://www.thebusstop.scot/
Would I stay here again? It’s a unique experience, but so relaxing and loved being on the farm. Was really impressed with the accommodation, facilities and location so yes would be happy to go back.
Location
The Bus Stop is located on a working (arable) farm in East Lothian - the nearest village is Gifford. The nearest airport is Edinburgh, it took about 40 minutes to get here from the airport, a distance of 27 miles. The farm also has alpacas, horses, sheep, goats and chickens; and you can see the day-to-day working of the farm and what’s entailed, depending on the season. It was a short drive to Haddington, the nearest main town but Gifford is accessible by a shorter drive or only a 20-25 minute walk.
The luxury buses are located at one end of the farm (near the main farmhouse); the rustic buses are a bit further away so not so close to the egg bus or the farm shop. The three luxury buses all have a large private lawn area each, all looking out to the wheat fields in front and to the hills at the back; just stunning and so private.
We walked around the main field in the front with our dogs so it’s a great walk and you get such incredible expansive views just across open fields.
Accommodation
There are 9 buses in total on site; 3 luxury and 6 rustic. The luxury buses, though different, all come with a fully equipped luxury en-suite “on the bus” and kitchen facilities, a log stove and outside BBQ/fire pit, wood-fired hot tub and lots of seating choices both inside and out on the private deck/lawn area. Two of the luxury buses are single deck, a third has an upper level with additional sleeping accommodation. The rustic buses have sleeping, seating and dining areas but share kitchen, toilet and shower facilities (though I think a couple of the buses have a private composting WC outside). Even the rustic buses come with an outside hot tub each. All options have a two-night minimum but with discounts for up to 7 nights; the luxury cost between £150-£250 per night; the rustic buses between £90-£145 per night. Per night prices are for the bus, not per person.
We had chosen Luxury Bus 1 because we only needed the sleeping arrangement for two; there was a large king-size bed at one end of the bus (tall people just need to watch their heads) but it was incredibly comfortable. There was also a small wardrobe and ceiling window to stare at the sky at night, albeit there was also a blind to cover this for the light mornings. The en-suite with walk-in rain shower was great, lots of piping hot water and good to have a full-flushing (porcelain) toilet - this was actually in what would have been the bus driver’s cabin!
There was everything we needed for a couple of nights, we had one meal “in” and were short of nothing, for basic essentials we could always pop to the on-site farm shop (also good for Magnum ice creams). There isn’t a TV but there was a DAB radio and the Wifi worked well for Netflix on the iPad.
On the deck with the hot tub there was lots of seating and recliners, as well as a fire pit/barbeque. All buses are dog-friendly, they even come equipped with water bowls and an extra-long lead attached to the deck so you can allow your pooch to wander on their own. We didn’t actually use the hot tub when there because it was quite warm (especially for a Scottish summer) but it looked great and we were shown on arrival how to keep it warm with the wood fire.
Food & Drink
In the kitchen area on the bus itself there was a fridge and freezer, fan-assisted oven, 2-ring hob, kettle, basic utensils, a toaster and crockery for 4 people. It was easy to make your own breakfast - you can go and collect your own fresh eggs from the chickens at the ‘chicken bus coop’ just at the entrances to the luxury buses. The dining area in the (blue) bus 1 was compact for two, but on a nice day (as it was when we were there) we could sit on the deck and look out to the expansive fields.
One evening we took a short drive to Haddington and ate at the Waterside Inn - this was a great meal, fantastic service and a good location right by the water (options to sit in and also out, along the waterside). We had also tried to book a table at the nearer Goblin Ha’ pub in Gifford for the first night (which would have been a walk from The Bus Stop) but despite filling in their form online with 48 hours’ notice they never responded. We decided instead just to stay in and prepare a meal of sausages (from the honesty farm shop) on the barbeque.
Facilities & Service
The luxury buses were very well appointed, not least with lots of useful information and of course, under current circumstances, everything you needed to know about Covid-19 and their mitigation strategy (a detailed explanation on a laminated sheet). There was hand-sanitizer on the bus and at the chicken coop and farm shop; the bus had a folder with lots of useful information about the buses, the farm and the local area.
It was good to walk around the farm, the on-site honesty shop was helpful and if you ran out of logs for either the in-bus log fire, fire pit or hot-tub fire - you could take your own wheelbarrow (each bus has one) and fill up with another batch of logs from the wood store for only £5 a load.
ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?):
There really is nothing much I would add, other than (pet hate) fabric softener in towels - it does make them soft but ruins any absorbency.
If you’re a light-sensitive sleeper, bring an eye-mask - with light Scottish mornings and the bedroom area being open to the main part of the bus (no curtains in that area) you might appreciate bringing this.
ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights:
The expansive open views from the bus were exceptional.
Great having the private hot-tub but just not for the weather when we were there - would be amazing in winter if it was snowing being in the hot tub, then returning to your bus with a roaring log fire.
We didn’t get to meet Elaine, but both Sandy and Balfour were incredibly welcoming and friendly; great hosts!
Useful website links:
The Bus Stop https://www.thebusstop.scot/
The Waterside Bistro | Haddington https://thewatersidebistro.co.uk/
The Goblin Ha’ http://goblinha.com
