In August 2026, a family enjoyed one of our first Spectrum Experience Breaks at Hedgehogs Cottage in Fife.

With thoughtful safety measures already in place, the family could spend less time worrying and more time relaxing, exploring and making memories together. Here, Ailidh shares their experience in her own words.

A Safe and Welcoming Space

We had a lovely time at Hedgehogs Cottage, and Guri made us feel very welcome.

Being able to go somewhere that already had safety measures in place was a game changer for a family like ours. Because of the layout and the additional locks on the internal doors, it felt like a genuinely safe space.

I was even able to have a bubble bath in peace while my husband took over—a rare luxury and a little bit of real respite!

Exploring the Cottage and Grounds

The children loved helping with the goats and exploring the grounds. My daughter enjoyed cycling around and excitedly searching for frogs and insects.

My son was happy pottering between the indoor space, the decking area and the enclosed back garden. He could also explore the wider grounds with supervision.

There were boxes of toys at the cottage, as well as the Spectrum sensory kit. These kept the children happily playing in the hallway and bedroom and gave them an opportunity to enjoy some different toys together.

Family Days Out

We enjoyed two day trips during our stay, visiting the Scottish Deer Centre and St Andrews.

The weather wasn’t on our side, but we still had two great days. The Deer Centre was very quiet because we visited during term time on a rainy day, which worked really well for our family and gave the children plenty of freedom to explore.

At St Andrews, we visited the aquarium. Both children love otters, so that was a real highlight, followed by some time at the beach.

A Chance to Switch Off

The cottage even gave us some ideas for safety measures we could use in our own home, including the fridge alarm, cupboard locks and high internal door locks.

Most importantly, the break allowed us to switch off. We didn’t need to feel the constant hypervigilance that we usually experience while away from home.

I would definitely return and would recommend Hedgehogs Cottage to other families like ours.

Thank you again for the funded break. It was massively appreciated—the location, accommodation and owner were all wonderful.