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# Here’s Your Chance to Stay for Free at Shrek’s Swamp
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/heres-your-chance-to-stay-for-free-at-shrek-swamp-airbnb/
- Published: 2023-10-12T21:35:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:12:57.000Z
- Description: Pack your bogs, it’s time for a really iconic swamp-cation.
- Author: Sarah Rose Sharp
- Tags: News, Airbnb, Scotland, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-large, #Import 2025-11-24 09:29 (2023, 2024, part 1)

There's no need to be an antisocial green hermit in order to get away from it all — instead, book a two-night *bog*\-cation in Shrek’s Swamp. Having basically maxed out the market on every single reality-based dwelling, Airbnb has now set its sights on imaginary dwellings as well.

This might come as a surprise from the guy whose catch-phrase is “What are you doing in my swamp?” — but as a [new Airbnb listing](https://news.airbnb.com/en-uk/spend-the-night-in-shreks-swamp-now-on-airbnb/?ref=hyperallergic.com) for the getaway in the hills of Scotland explains, this is actually the work of Donkey, who has been tasked with swamp-sitting in Shrek’s absence. Classic Donkey!The listing suggests that there will be earwax candles, parfaits, and a stack of waffles in the morning, freshly made by Donkey; it also notes that those needing to answer the call of nature will have to do so 65 feet from the main living area in a standalone facility, which is a whimsical way of saying “outhouse.”

Shrek's Swamp — which *Hyperallergic* confirmed is a real place! — is owned and independently managed by [Ardverikie Estate](https://www.ardverikie.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com), a traditional Highland sporting estate that hearkens back to the [Victorian Era](https://ardverikie.com/the-estate/history?%5Fgl=1%2A7tddo2%2A%5Fga%2AMTAxMjc4NzA1Mi4xNjk3MTMyMTcx%2A%5Fga%5FDNKJR1L7F1%2AMTY5NzEzOTgyMS4yLjEuMTY5NzEzOTkxNi4wLjAuMA..&ref=hyperallergic.com). The site offers an array of [guest accommodations](https://ardverikie.com/holiday-cottages?ref=hyperallergic.com) (of the more human variety) that celebrate the long regional history in the upper reaches of Strathspey and the western part of Badenoch, as well as the beautiful landscape and [wildlife](https://ardverikie.com/the-estate/wildlife?ref=hyperallergic.com) there. And if the animated Dreamworks blockbuster is to be believed, there are some really nice boulders around the place.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2023/10/09-shrek-airbnb-angled-bedroom-credit-alix-mcintosh.jpg)

Are you an ogre in the sack? You can be!

The extremely whimsical nature of Airbnb's announcement makes it difficult to know what amenities are actually included in the stay — which costs $0 a night as “a nod to the priceless refuge Shrek’s Swamp has provided fairytale creatures of all kinds.” Though the listing emphasizes that this is “not a contest” it appears that Shrekheads — or, as literally no one outside Airbnb PR has ever called them, "brogres" — can [request to book Shrek’s Swamp](http://airbnb.com/shrek?ref=hyperallergic.com) beginning October 13 at 6pm BST. A single party of up to three members will be selected for a two-night stay from October 27–29, in a thing that seems, you know, a lot like a contest.

In tandem with the swamp-cation, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to the [HopScotch Children’s Charity](https://www.hopscotch-charity.org/?ref=hyperallergic.com), which “provides some of Scotland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children with respite breaks through nurturing and dynamic holiday trips.” Sounds like a few people are going to have a very memorable All Hallow’s this year.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2023/10/13-shrek-airbnb-dining-table-credit-alix-mcintosh.jpg)

Eat like an ogre. Onions for everyone!

This is hardly Airbnb’s only weird and wild offering; the platform has a love for odd stunts, especially around Halloween. People who want real scares this spooky season can book into one of the platform’s many “[most haunted](https://www.timeout.com/usa/travel/haunted-airbnbs-in-usa?ref=hyperallergic.com)” locations (follow-up question: Is it a sleepover if no one dares to sleep?) There is even a luxurious [16th-century Scottish castle](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6049149?irgwc=1&ircid=4273&sharedid=&af=49497874&iratid=9627&c=.pi73.pk4273%5F1297866&irparam1=&source%5Fimpression%5Fid=p3%5F1647362985%5FAObf0TXsQXf4%2BHQA&irgwc=1&irclid=0C4WTG3oBxyPWNFQ-URmVSl%3AUkFW8vxxwzer2I0&ircid=4273&sharedid=best-airbnb-castles&af=49497874&iratid=9627&c=.pi73.pk4273%5F1297866&irparam1=&ref=hyperallergic.com), for those of us who are more Princess Fiona than swamp-dwellers at heart.

Presumably, it’s easier for Dreamworks to make the dream work when it doesn’t require indoor plumbing. Between waffles made by a donkey and all-you-can-eat onions, the real ogre in the situation might be digestive in nature.

So pack your *bogs*, it’s time for a really iconic swamp-cation!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2023/10/03-shrek-airbnb-outhouse-credit-alix-mcintosh.jpg)

Okay, that is an extremely whimsical outhouse.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2023/10/07-shrek-airbnb-ogre-sign-credit-alix-mcintosh.jpg)

Don't stay out of his swamp! Come on in!