Sustainability
Homelands is committed to providing a sustainable operation and as such have joined the "Green Tourism" scheme. We were proud to be awarded a Green Tourism Gold award in March 2018. Our buildings have already achieved very high energy performance ratings as per the certification below and in Autumn 2018 we installed two 22kw electric vehicle type 2 fast charge points for use by the public and our visitors. These points are available on the Chargeplace Scotland network and you must be registered with them to use the points.
Download our Sustainability Policy.
Download our green visitors charter.
Leave the car behind
Where feasible why not think about leaving the car behind. Homelands is very accessible by public transport with the nearest bus stops being 200m away. The X58 bus will take you directly to St Andrews or Edinburgh without changing bus. There are many things to do and see in both these locations; please see our local interest page for some suggestions of accessible and Green Tourism accredited attractions. The X58 bus is usually wheelchair accessible but please call the local Stagecoach disability helpline on 01383 660880 prior to starting your journey to ensure there have been no isues with lifts or ramps etc. for your particular journey.
For full details on local bus services and live service updates please visit the Stagecoach website.
Energy Efficiency
Click the links below to download the EPC Energy Ratings certificates for each of our properties:
Drummochy EPC
Massney EPC
Cardy EPC
Keil EPC
Emsdorf EPC
Lundin EPC
Largo EPC
Selkirk EPC
Durham EPC
The History of Homelands
Mr Robert Carswell Paxton was a well-known figure in Lundin Links in the first quarter of the 20th century. Born in Kilmarnock in 1853, he was the fourth of brewer George Paxton’s eight children. His father George owned Richardland Brewery on the River Irvine at Riccarton, Kilmarnock but had died when Robert was still a child.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Robert Paxton became one of the early settlers of Terrell County, Texas. Paxton was a sheep farmer/rancher in this area, which was to become one of the biggest sheep and wool producers in the US.
In 1908, the Paxton family bought the Homelands estate in Lundin Links. The Homelands estate is set in matured woodlands in the village of Lundin Links, which now benefits from panoramic views overlook the Lundin golf course and Largo Bay to the Lothians.
Miss Isobel Paxton, Mr Paxton’s daughter continued to stay at Homelands and became a pillar of the local community where her activities spanned across various village organisations. During the 1950s Isabel Paxton would visit disabled people in Fife and offer them assistance. On her passing at aged 88 in 1993 Isobel Paxton bequeathed the Homelands estate to charity. The ethos of her request, was to establish and maintain a facility to enable individuals affected by a range of disabling conditions (including their family, friends and carers) facilities to enjoy a holiday from normal daily living. The Trust was set up in 1998 to carry out the wishes of a Miss Paxton: and the rest is history.
An Award Winning Organisation
Since opening our doors in September 2014 Homelands has achieved a number of awards a few of which are listed below.