Escape to Arran

Tom and Emma Jessop left professional careers on the Scottish mainland to open a glamping and alpaca trekking business at Balmichael on the Isle of Arran. But the couple have “absolutely no regrets”, writes Liz Mason, Alpaca editor.

Owning alpacas is often described as life changing and this is certainly true for Tom, Emma and their three boys who moved to Arran at the end of 2019.

Tom was a chartered accountant and Emma, a primary school teacher when they decided to leave their professional careers and start their own business. The couple wanted an alternative to the nine to five routine and they wanted an outdoor lifestyle. After considering several options they decided to open a glamping site.

Alpaca trekking wasn’t part of their original business plan. But after a visit to an established site and seeing that trekking could offer glampers, as well as day visitors, something extra the couple established Arran Alpacas alongside Balmichael Glamping. Since then the popularity of their alpaca treks has taken them by surprise.

Tom said: “When we started with the alpacas we didn’t really anticipate how hugely popular they would be. We trek mainly in the summer season for an hour and we have massive cancellation lists. Everyone is really taken with them which is really good.”

Having an alpaca herd also works well with glamping. Children staying on the site can help to feed the animals in the evening and are excited to wake up and see them in the morning. They also appeal to adults who may never have met alpacas before.

But as Tom explains the alpacas arrived almost by accident: “We came here and saw this site which had planning permission for glamping and that’s what attracted us, and we kind of stumbled into the alpacas.”

Before visiting the derelict former outdoor centre at Balmichael the couple saw an established site for sale on the mainland which offered llama trekking. Impressed by what they saw Tom and Emma decided to include trekking as part of their business but they decided to add alpacas rather than llamas.

“Alpacas are less intimidating and a wee bit smaller,” Tom said. “The alpacas were also something we could all be involved with, including the boys.”

The couple visited the Glamping Show in Birmingham where they met alpaca breeder Harvey Brown, from Blackberry Alpacas. He helped them to contact other owners in Scotland including Caledonian Alpacas who have an established trekking centre in Falkirk.

‘Meeting the right people at the right time was certainly helpful because you wouldn’t want to do this without the help of someone who is more experienced. It's a huge benefit,” Tom said.

Renovating the farm

With little or no facilities on site before the alpacas arrived the couple worked extremely hard to get their farm ready for their first alpacas and their first guests. They moved tonnes of rubbish from the old visitor centre, renovated old stone barns and put up new fencing for paddocks. Field shelters were also built for the alpacas and more have been added as the herd has grown.

Their first six alpacas arrived at the end of March 2020, the week before the first Covid-19 lockdown. This delayed their plans for glamping but they were still able to offer treks to visitors which gave them some income.

“We had a difficult start due to Covid-19 as we were unable to fully open the glamping side of the business. But we had the alpaca treks as an outdoor activity and it was easier to keep this open and the alpacas did save us that year by providing a bit of an income buffer,” Tom said.

With the alpacas proving hugely popular Tom and Emma added five more alpacas and a llama. “The alpacas are something that sets us apart a bit in terms of what we offer and the two sides of the business really work well together. We have people that come here for glamping and want to do something with the alpacas, and we have people that come on walks see the glamping site and come back for glamping.”

Balmichael Glamping offers something a little different on an island with stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, spectacular sunsets and plenty of wildlife. Guests can stay in one of three barrel pods overlooking the alpaca paddocks or two spacious safari tents with panoramic views.

The couple have put their heart and soul into renovating the farm. Managing the site and the alpacas is also hard work but Tom said they have “absolutely no regrets’” about their move to Arran. “You work a lot more because you are on site and there is a lot to do but it is not the same as working behind a desk. It is enjoyable.

“You meet the public and you appreciate everyone who comes to walk the alpacas as they all have big smiles on their faces. They are all very happy and it is good to see that. Today for instance has been very busy with treks but everyone has loved it. It has been great weather for it and you can’t beat it.”