The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
STYLISH SELFCATERING
NORTH LODGE AND
RIVER CABIN Strachan, Aberdeenshire
If you go down to the woods, you’re sure to find a pretty semi-detached Georgian house on the banks of the River Dye, full of stylish comforts and decorative detail. But follow the path along the river and you’ll find the big surprise: River Cabin. Swim in the river and dry off in front of the log burner, or try the hot tub under floodlit trees.
Sleeps six; from £1,055, Monday-Friday or Friday-Monday (01330 850689; glendyecabinsandcottages.com)
THE BIRDHOUSE Culduie, Applecross, Ross-shire
You can literally take the High Road across Bealach na Bà to the Applecross, and be rewarded by hidden beaches and abundant wildlife, as well as this blissful cottage for two. Never has an old stone byre been so glamorous, nor corrugated tin used so stylishly, in the case of the jam pan bathroom basin. High-end comfort with added imagination and buckets of charm.
Sleeps two; from £465 Friday-Monday, weekly rate £705 (01520 744353; birdhouseapplecross.co.uk)
THE BLUE CABIN BY THE SEA
Cove, East Lothian
It’s pure Robert Louis Stevenson, arriving by stone smuggler’s tunnel and emerging into a tiny, historical stone harbour to find this cleverly designed, delightful cabin tucked into the hill. Children will love the beach just beyond the garden gate, fascinating rock pools and cabin bunks; for adults there’s the sea-green box bed, Orkney chairs by the wood burner and lobster straight from the boats to enjoy with a drink on the terrace.
Sleeps four; from £850 per week (07849 058493; bluecabinbythesea.co.uk)
EILEAN SIONNACH LIGHTHOUSE COTTAGE
Isleornsay, Isle of Skye
What could be more appealing than a cottage on your own private island complete with lighthouse? A 10-minute boat ride across the Sound of Sleat is a life of subtle luxuries: one wonders what the former lighthouse-men would have made of memory foam mattresses, super-fast broadband and a masseuse or private chef on call. If the peace becomes too much there’s the whole of Skye to explore with great places to eat and drink nearby – tides permitting. Sleeps eight; from £550 per night, minimum three-night stay (eileansionnach.com)
ARDVERIKIE GATELODGE Kinloch Laggan, Inverness-shire
You might recognise this turreted little beauty from Monarch of the Glen and more recently The Crown. A miniature of the high-Victorian baronial estate house, it guards the bridge at the entrance to the estate. Inside the look is fresh and gently contemporary, with a wood burner in the living room. The estate offers good walking and wildlife spotting while the sandy beach at the end of the loch is perfect for stargazing. Sleeps three; from £785 per week, minimum two-night stay (01528 544300; ardverikie.com/holidaycottages)
EAGLE BAY COTTAGES
Keose, Isle of Lewis
Two striking architect-designed cottages of stone and turf, built into a cliff and with panoramic views that will make you want to linger in front of the fire with a pair of binoculars, safe and warm in the wildest storms. But the beaches will call you and there’s always the sauna to warm up in after. Pack the picnic hamper and get on your bike (both provided).
Sleeps two; from £1,350 for five nights (01851 830491; eaglebaycottages.co.uk)
TOWER O’ESS Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
The Glen Tanar Estate in Royal Deeside is a little-known trove of architectural treasures, including this striking gate lodge, meticulously restored with a design-led interior featuring local artists. From the panoramic rooftop ter
Checkmate: relax over tea and chess at Scarista House race to the outdoor hot tub (with double-ended slipper bath in between), you’ll find plenty to please all the senses in this wildly romantic retreat.
Sleeps two; from £850 for three nights (013398 86451; glentanar.co.uk)
THE HOPE SCOTT WING Abbotsford House,
Scottish Borders
This year marks 250 years since the birth of the author Sir Walter Scott, who lived at the extraordinary Abbotsford House on the banks of the Tweed. You’ll get your own private wing (and walled garden) of this mansion, meticulously restored and refurbished using original furniture, books and art. With a formal dining room, drawing room with grand piano, billiard room and library, this is the perfect place for a special celebration.
Sleeps up to 16; from £2,487 for three nights (01896 752043; scottsabbotsford.com/stay)
THE PAVILION AT LAMB’S HOUSE
Leith, Edinburgh
Hidden away just off the shore in Leith surrounded by Michelin-starred restaurants, architects Nick GrovesRaines and Kristin Hannesdottir created this delight – a charming pavilion in a romantic walled garden (perfect for morning coffee even on a cold day). Using Scandinavian colours, superb craftsmanship and antique furniture, it is an aesthetically pleasing and very private retreat.
Sleeps six; from £310 per night
(0131 467 7777; lambspavilion.com)
ROSSLYN CASTLE Lasswade, Midlothian
Here’s proof that even castles can be cosy, although the spectacular setting – at the edge of a gorge, the River Esk flowing round its feet – is all drama. A short walk from Rosslyn Chapel (famous from The Da Vinci Code), the wooded glen is particularly beautiful in autumn and spring. The three-bedroom castle, which has belonged to the St Clair family since 1070, is an intimate, elegant time capsule, filled with ornate plasterwork, panelled walls, tapestries and family portraits.
Sleeps six; from £950 for four nights (01628 825925; landmarktrust.org.uk)