Jessica Willgerod’s journey with Drum Farm Hideaway in Stirlingshire, Scotland, is a testament to the power of diversification and resilience. Her story isn’t just about converting a family farm; it’s about transforming a legacy into a thriving, high-tech glamping destination.

First steps

Drum Farm’s story began as a traditional farming operation.  Jessica’s father managed the livestock across the 17-acre property, while her mother ran a modest two-room bed and breakfast. In 2007, Jessica’s parents retired, passing the B&B reins to her.  Balancing this new responsibility with a full-time architecture career and a newborn presented its own set of challenges.

Over the next few years, Jessica, with her father’s help, converted the farm’s stables, adding four more guest rooms by August 2019. Just four months later, with six guest rooms in operation, she made the courageous decision to leave her architecture job and dedicate herself fully to expanding the B&B.

Then, in 2020, the unexpected happened: the COVID-19 pandemic brought the leisure industry to a standstill.  Faced with uncertainty, Jessica took a retail position to support her family while continuing to nurture her vision for Drum Farm.

Leveraging her architectural background and a personal aversion to traditional camping, Jessica began to envision luxurious accommodations that would offer the perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities.

Her search for the ideal glamping solution led her to TruDomes at The Glamping Show UK.  These sophisticated, technologically advanced geodomes offered the «wow» factor she was looking for, providing the inspiration she needed. The next step was navigating the often-complex process of securing planning permission.

Despite the farm’s prior operation as a B&B, obtaining planning approval for the glamping site proved to be a significant hurdle. Jessica persevered, meticulously addressing each requirement from the planning department.

Dreams become a reality. Finally!

With planning permission finally secured, Jessica ordered her domes: two 6-meter domes and one 7-meter dome. However, even with approval in hand, the challenges continued.  It was still the height of the pandemic, and finding skilled labor was either difficult or prohibitively expensive. Undeterred, Jessica took matters into her own hands, quite literally. She donned her work clothes and began the process of assembling the domes herself.

Faced with the prohibitive cost of hiring electricians, Jessica didn’t back down. Instead, she enrolled in a six-week evening course to become a qualified electrician.  All of this while managing the existing B&B and raising two teenagers as a single mother.

Jessica’s vision for a high-end, tech-savvy nature retreat is now nearing completion.  The first dome is scheduled to welcome guests in February, with the remaining two expected to open by summer.

What’s inside?

Each dome will feature premium amenities, including dedicated Wi-Fi, smart TVs, sensor-activated lighting, and smart chargers. Outside, guests can unwind in a hot tub, enjoy the outdoor heating, or simply take in the breathtaking views from a glass-balustraded seating area.

Designed to comfortably accommodate a family of four, the domes are also ideal for couples or solo travelers seeking a peaceful escape surrounded by nature without sacrificing modern conveniences. Guests can explore the area with long walks, observe Highland cattle grazing in the nearby fields, and discover the local wildlife around the reservoir, all knowing they have the luxurious comfort of their dome to return to.

In the future..

Jessica’s vision for Drum Farm extends beyond the initial glamping accommodations. Future plans include converting a shipping container into an on-site shop, offering guests convenient access to essential items. She also envisions transforming the farm’s outbuildings into a restaurant, creating a full-service experience that will further enhance the site’s appeal.

Jessica’s journey is a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, innovation, and unwavering determination. From overcoming personal obstacles to navigating the challenges of a global pandemic, she has created a haven where guests can experience the best of both worlds: the tranquility of nature and the comfort of modern technology. Her story demonstrates that with vision and grit, even the most ambitious dreams can become a reality, one dome at a time.