Bee Happy Breaks Scotland Ltd– a Perthshire self-catering accommodation business – has secured a £48,000 funding boost from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland to increase its capacity and cater for more overnight guests.

Run by Joyce and Alan Jamieson, with support from their daughter and son, the holiday homes in the village of Stanley, Perthshire are helping to plug a gap in the market for high-quality places to stay in the area.

As one of only a few affordable options on the edge of the A9, heading towards Inverness and the start of the NC500, Bee Happy Breaks is already proving popular with tourists and exceeding the couple’s expectations for bookings.

The business started in May 2023 with a studio apartment, created from their double garage and named The Hive. It has since expanded to include two new shepherd’s huts, with plans in place to add another chalet-style wooden cabin in the future. Last year, The Hive achieved above-average occupancy rates and was fully booked throughout July and August.

The new shepherd’s huts were handmade in Ireland and sleep two people, with a shower room, kitchenette, living space and terrace with outdoor bath. Access to a fire pit, barbeque¸ Freesat smart TVs, and satellite Wi-Fi is also included.

Since opening, Bee Happy Breaks has connected with a range of other small businesses offering activities for guests such as fishing, whitewater canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking.

While the couple both still have day jobs, they have reduced their hours to support Bee Happy Breaks’ growth. Alan is a self-employed driving instructor, and Joyce works in a local secondary school for children with autism and additional needs.

Joyce Jamieson said: “We moved to Stanley nine years ago and had always thought that it would be an ideal site for a holiday business. We are right on the edge of Highland Perthshire and completely surrounded by farmland, so it’s very peaceful.

But we are also only a few miles away from Perth and Blairgowrie, and an hour or so drive from the central belt. The area is relatively underserved in terms of accommodation – there are a couple of hotels and one other person we know who rents their home out locally, but that’s about all.

I was in a lucky position when we decided to launch the business. I had already done all the research and business plans, but we were sitting on them, thinking that it would be something we did in the future. That quickly changed when the gentleman building the shepherds’ huts announced his retirement, and suddenly those ideas became reality. I’m amazed by how quickly things are taking off and, on the back of the success of The Hive, we grasped the opportunity to expand.”

She added: “Bee Happy Breaks is very much a family business. If we can’t do the changeovers, our daughter steps in to help and our son has been very involved in all the building work. As Alan and I approach retirement, and the business grows, we only hope to get the family more involved.”

The loan provided to Bee Happy Breaks through DSL Business Finance and the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland represents the tenth deal from the smaller loans portion of the £150 million fund since it was launched in October 2023.

The Investment Fund for Scotland offers loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million. The fund is part of the Bank’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth by supporting smaller businesses across Scotland.

Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager, Nations and Regions Investment Funds, at the British Business Bank, said: “Scotland’s tourism sector continues to thrive, with smaller businesses at the heart of its success. We are pleased to be supporting the growth of Bee Happy Breaks Scotland.

The Investment Fund for Scotland is designed to support founders from all over the country in a range of sectors by providing flexible finance options to help them achieve their ambitions.”

Murray Marshall, loan officer at DSL Business Finance, added: “Bee Happy Breaks Scotland is a great example of a family business making a contribution to the local economy. Joyce and Alan approached DSL Business Finance with a clear plan and a real passion for what they do.

They had a clear vision and good knowledge of the sector locally. Having already operated ‘The Hive’ for a season, they proved the demand was there and were keen to fill the gap in the marketplace for quality accommodation.”

He added: “After reviewing their business plan and discussing their goals, I was confident in their vision and approved the loan to help their business growth. It’s been fantastic to see their hard work paying off and I look forward to seeing the business continue to grow and contribute to Scotland’s thriving tourism sector.”