Welcome to the first edition of The Western Round-Up — a new monthly journal from Wop-Wops about slowing down, switching off, and finding a bit more space in everyday life.
Each month we’ll share:
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A Western-inspired recipe
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A simple drink pairing
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A place to escape that captures that quiet,
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open Western spirit
It’s all about bringing what’s best from the Western lifestyle — simplicity, quality, and time outdoors — into life here in the UK.
Let’s kick off November with food, fire, and a beautiful Scottish hideaway.
November’s Recipe: Cowboy Ribeye with Coffee Rub
Born on the open ranges of the American West, the cowboy ribeye was the steak of the trail — thick-cut, flame-kissed, and seasoned with grit and smoke.
Cowhands rubbed it with coffee grounds to deepen the flavour and enhance the char, turning a simple cut of beef into a campfire feast worth riding home for.
Traditionally paired with cowboy beans, skillet potatoes, and a shot of something strong, it’s a dish that celebrates hard work, flame, and flavour.
Ingredients
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2 thick-cut ribeye steaks
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1 tbsp finely ground dark roast coffee
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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Salt & cracked black pepper
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Olive oil or beef tallow
Method
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Make the rub
Mix the coffee, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. -
Prepare the steaks
Brush lightly with olive oil or melted tallow, then coat generously with the rub. -
Cook over high heat
Grill over hot coals or a cast-iron skillet for 3–4 minutes per side (medium-rare). -
Rest and serve
Allow the steaks to rest, slice thick, and serve with a pat of butter or cowboy beans on the side.
🔥 If you cook this, tag us on Instagram — we’d love to see your cowboy ribeye creations.
November’s Drink: The Old Fashioned
Simple, strong, and quietly iconic — the Old Fashioned is the perfect companion for a rich, smoky ribeye.
Ingredients
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50ml bourbon or rye whiskey
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1 tsp brown sugar or maple syrup
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2 dashes Angostura bitters
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Orange peel
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Ice
Method
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Muddle the sugar or maple with bitters in a glass.
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Add ice, pour in whiskey, and stir until chilled.
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Express an orange peel over the top and drop it in.
A small ritual for slow evenings.
Out of Town: Mount Freedom Cabins, Ayrshire
Perched high on the rolling Ayrshire hillside — where woodland meets wind-brushed coast — Mount Freedom Cabins offer a Western-style escape right here in the UK.
Hand-crafted and tucked into secluded clearings, each cabin brings together rugged timber, artistic craftsmanship, and that open, horizon-wide sense of calm.
Inside the cabins
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Exposed beams and rich timber finishes
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Leather-toned furnishings
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A wood-burning stove as the heart of the space
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Lofted king-size “hayloft” beds overlooking the living area
It’s a blend of frontier hideout and modern comfort — warm, grounding, and built to slow you down.
Outside: big skies, slow nights
Step onto your veranda and the mood shifts instantly:
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Adirondack chairs pointed at the horizon
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An outdoor bathtub for soaking under open skies
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A fire pit for late-night stargazing
Pour a drink, sink into the tub, and watch the last light fade behind the Isle of Arran. When darkness falls, spark the fire and let the stars take over.
Exploring the area
Just beyond the cabins lies the Ayrshire Coastal Path — miles of rugged shoreline, harbours, and castle ruins.
Visit Dunure for a pub meal or head north to Ayr for beaches, golf, and whisky trails.
Mount Freedom isn’t just a stay — it’s an escape with character.
A chance to disconnect, slow down, and breathe deeper.
👉 Search “Mount Freedom Cabins” to discover more or plan your own Western-style retreat.
See You Next Month
That’s November’s Round-Up:
A cowboy ribeye, a classic Old Fashioned, and a Western escape on the Scottish coast.
If you try the recipe or visit Mount Freedom, share your photos with us — we love seeing how you bring a little Western spirit into your own life.
Have a cracking November, and we’ll be back in December as we ease into winter and the slow-down of Christmas.
Cheers,
Jake — Wop-Wops