SAEDNEWS: Airbnb has recently recreated Shrek’s famous swamp as a real-life stay, complete with a grass- and mud-covered cottage tucked beneath a tree in the Scottish Highlands.
According to Saednews, The famous green ogre from DreamWorks Animation may not welcome visitors to his home, but fans have been given a rare opportunity to spend a night in Shrek’s iconic swamp cabin. The property has been carefully designed to recreate the setting from the beloved Shrek movies, with remarkable attention paid to even the smallest details.
Since Shrek premiered in 2001, its characters have become major icons of pop culture. The original film made history by becoming the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002.
Three more films followed over the years, eventually turning the franchise into one of the most popular animated series worldwide. One of the most memorable characters is Puss in Boots, voiced by Hollywood star Antonio Banderas. The character was inspired by the legendary fictional swordsman Zorro.
The Shrek franchise also inspired a Broadway musical, which was performed in cities including Seattle, New York and Chicago.
Ardourie, a historic estate in the Scottish Highlands, has been transformed into a moss-covered recreation of Shrek’s famous swamp home. The property has offered fans the chance to experience a two-night stay through Airbnb beginning October 27.
Up to three guests can stay at Shrek’s swamp in the Scottish Highlands during Halloween. The accommodation is offered free of charge, meaning guests do not have to pay for the stay.
Airbnb describes the experience as an invitation to enter Shrek’s secluded swamp retreat, where visitors can ignore the warning signs scattered around the property because they are simply part of the decoration.
The swamp is a remarkably detailed recreation of the rustic home seen throughout the film franchise. Inside, guests will find a double bed, a wooden table and a fireplace. A separate bathroom is located about 20 meters from the main building, reflecting the simple and unconventional lifestyle of Shrek’s home.
The accommodation features many details inspired directly by the movies, including Shrek’s distinctive weathered door, his wooden bed and table, and a fireplace designed to resemble tree roots. Even candles made from earwax are included as a playful reference to the character.
The unusual cabin sits within the enormous 38,000-hectare Ardourie estate on the shores of Loch Laggan in the central Scottish Highlands. The estate is also home to the historic 19th-century Ardourie House, which has undergone several changes throughout its history.
Among its notable visitors was Queen Victoria, who stayed at the estate for three weeks during the summer of 1847. James Hamilton, Marquess of Abercorn, was also among its distinguished guests.
Shrek is not the estate’s first connection to Hollywood. The surrounding landscapes have appeared in numerous television and film productions, including a James Bond movie, Starz’s Outlander and Netflix’s The Crown.
The unusual Shrek cabin is another example of Airbnb using unique properties and fictional worlds to promote tourism and support local economies.
Earlier in the year, as part of an effort to promote European heritage tourism, Airbnb offered guests the opportunity to spend a night at the Palais Garnier, the famous Paris opera house that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. During the summer, ahead of the release of Barbie, the company also made Barbie’s Dreamhouse available for overnight stays.
Airbnb also pledged a donation to the children's charity HopScotch, which supports some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children through educational trips and holidays.
To book the experience, guests need an Airbnb account and must provide identification from the country where they live. All guests must also be at least five years old.
The four Shrek films released since the original movie in 2001 have collectively earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide.
Thanks to Airbnb, a small number of lucky guests can temporarily escape everyday life and experience what it might be like to live as an ogre.
Located in the Scottish Highlands, the property recreates Shrek’s home with impressive attention to detail. Warning signs are scattered throughout the grounds, just as they are in the movies, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
During the two-night stay, guests can relax in the peaceful surroundings and enjoy the hospitality of Donkey, Shrek’s famously loyal best friend. The beloved character even makes an appearance through the experience, with guests being treated to a breakfast of freshly prepared waffles.
Shrek has become a lasting cultural phenomenon, and this unusual Airbnb experience gives devoted fans a chance to step inside the world of the iconic green ogre.
Hosted by Donkey and supported by the Highland Council, the experience offers fans a rare opportunity to travel to the Scottish Highlands and spend time inside a carefully recreated version of Shrek’s humble swamp home.
