A decade or so ago, it was nigh-on-impossible to find luxury self-catering Scotland accommodation. There were plenty of castles, if you wanted to live like a laird (and pay up like one too), and dozens of charming stone cottages to rent, which were warm and welcoming – if slightly spartan or old-fashioned. But now, across the Highlands and islands, stylish new contemporary Scottish country cottages, many with impeccable eco-credentials, are available for rent, with all the luxuries of a boutique hotel – and none of the ever-present staff. Here are a few of the best cottages in Scotland, in locations including Inverness, Isle of Skye and Lewis.
Together Travel at John O’Groats
Overlooking pastures, the Pentland Firth and the refurbished, brightly painted John O’Groats Hotel are 20 sedum-roofed, larch-walled lodges, each with one to four bedrooms, bathrooms and an open-plan living room fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass that lets in the views – and spectacular starry skies. Contemporary interiors are furnished entirely with British products, from woollen Anta rugs to well-equipped Dualit kitchens, the three bedrooms made up with crisp white sheets, down duvets and Tweedmill woollen throws. The spacious living room is large enough for a big group of friends or family, and opens out onto a veranda.
One night from £83; sleeps up to two
• The best UK hotels for coastal walks
Croft 103, Durness
Dug into the hillside, built with local stone, insulated with old rubber tyres and wool, and powered by solar panels and a windmill, the spacious, super-green and stylish one-bedroom eco cottages couldn’t be warmer or more comfortable. Underfloor heating and a wood-fired stove keep the spaces toasty. Views over Loch Eriboll and Ben Hope (Scotland’s most northerly Munro), and the dramatic clouds that whirl above them are spectacular. Best thing of all? The two baths. One is double-sized, overlooking the loch; the other is outside, on a secluded veranda, for soaking under the stars, or spotting the Northern Lights.
Seven nights from £1,980; sleeps up to two (croft103.com)
Credit:
Copyright 2017 Elke Frotscher. All rights reserved.
• The best restaurants in Edinburgh
Whitefalls Spa Lodges, Lewis
This pair of wooden, self-built houses are among only a handful of luxurious self-catering properties on the island of Lewis – and the only ones with spas. The spa is at the heart of each lodge: a spacious bathroom, with windows looking out over moorland, with a RiverBath whirlpool bath for two (with, wait for it, a neck waterfall and chromotherapy function), an infra-red sauna and a rainshower, as well as a separate massage room for treatments from a visiting therapist. The cottages are a favourite with honeymooners who come to walk on the white sandy beaches and unpopulated moorland.
Seven nights from £1,695; sleeps up to two (whitefalls.co.uk)
Lodges at the Mains, Inverness
Just 10 minutes’ drive from Inverness airport, this is the perfect rural getaway for a quick weekend or rural break that isn’t too remote. Set in a forest on a working farm, the two double-storey, A-frame eco-lodges (Scots pine and silver birch) are architect-designed, built from untreated larch, warmed through a heat-pump system, and well insulated with cellulose and sheep’s wool to keep them cosy. Views are pretty, looking over forest (to the rear) and farmland (to the fore), with a balcony and decking above a small lochan and a bird hide from which feathered creatures and occasionally deer can be viewed.
Seven nights from £1,545; sleeps up to two (lodgesatthemains.co.uk)
• The best pubs with rooms in Scotland
Beach Bay Cottage, Isle of Lewis
Overlooking the sands of Uig Bay, one of the most spectacular beaches in Scotland, and built into the hillside to resemble a Neolithic mound. The beach can be directly accessed as it’s less than 110 yards from the door, and the famous Ardroil Beach is a short drive away. Inside, the Scottish Highlands cottage has an open-plan living and dining area with 180-degree views of the beach, as well as a stone patio and a two-person infrared sauna. The king-sized room has an en-suite bathroom and there’s a twin/double bedroom with a family bathroom.
Seven nights from £1,095; sleeps up to four
• The best spa hotels in Scotland
The Longhouse, Isle of Skye
This four-bedroom, architect-designed home is a long white building, with clean contemporary interiors, beautiful views of Canna, Rhu m and Barra – and its own spring for drinking water. It’s surrounded by woodland on the west coast of the Sleat Peninsula, which is also known as the ‘Garden of Skye’ for its epic beauty and verdant flora and fauna. The cottage, one of the top for luxury self-catering in Scotland, comes with four double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large kitchen dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors for gazing over the views. It’s the perfect place to switch off: you’re unlikely to find phone signal here.
Seven nights from £1,000; sleeps up to eight (skyelonghouse.com)
Credit:
x-default
• The best pubs and restaurants with rooms in Scotland
Migdale Water Mill, Sutherland
This 18th-century water mill in Bonar Bridge has been renovated into a five-bedroom cottage with a big modern glass extension, and quirky mill features incorporated into the architecture. For instance, the mill wheel and fittings are displayed behind glass in the dining room kitchen. Natural materials such as Scottish oak, Douglas Fir and Caithness slate have been used in the design, and some furnishings like the staircase and bed frames have been hand-made. There’s an open fire, it’s one in a group of luxury dog-friendly cottages in Scotland, and there’s a handful of links golf courses in the area.
Three nights from £850; sleeps up to 10 (littleholidayhouses.com)
Credit:
littleholidayhouses.com
• The best remote and beautiful self-catering holidays in Scotland
Sobrachan, Argyll and Bute
In terms of remote holiday cottages in the Scottish Highlands, this modern Kilmartin house ticks all the boxes. It’s set on a private, 10-acre semi-landscaped woodland garden with its own streams, waterfalls, decorative bridges, and even a suspension bridge across its gorge. Suitable for a larger family or group, Sobrachan has five bedrooms (four en-suite), a huge open-plan seating area and underfloor heating for those cold Scottish nights. Highlights of the house include an outdoor hot tub and antique grand piano. Truly off-grid, the nearest shop is more than 16 miles away.
Two nights from £984; sleeps up to 10
• The greatest post-lockdown escapes in Wales
New Orleans Cottage, Argyll & Bute
This coastal cottage in Campbeltown is a long drive down a winding road finishing with a bumpy track up a hill, but what you get in return is total seclusion and uninterrupted sea views across to the Isle of Arran. Days can be spent walking along the rugged coastline, spotting wildlife such as peregrine falcons and seals, or daring to take a bracing dip in the sea. Back at the cottage, the sun terrace is the best place to relax and there is a barbecue.
One night from £107; sleeps up to two (sawdays.co.uk)
Contributions by Emma Beaumont & Lisa Grainger
Rates above are guide prices for minimum stays in low season, please note that packages can differ across cottages. Owing to the current coronavirus pandemic, these rates may change. Please check the properties’ websites for further information on what’s included.