Unusual single-storey detached cottage with superb views over Loch Insh and the Cairngorms. Open fire, hot tub, spacious accommodation, superb rural location. Aviemore 6 miles.

Enjoying a peaceful setting within the small hamlet of Duthil, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Strathspey Lodge commands stunning views across open countryside and on towards the Cairngorm mountain range. This beautifully presented detached house has been tastefully finished with bespoke furniture and local artwork. The property offers a stylish and cosy luxury retreat, while also providing all the benefits of modern open plan family living. This is the perfect choice for families or couples looking to enjoy a luxury holiday in an area renowned for its scenic beauty. This part of the National Park boasts a superb range of shops, restaurants and bars, along with a variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, golf, horse riding, fishing, mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking, and an array of watersports on Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey. Try zip lining, zorbing and perhaps a Segway trip, all really good fun for the family. Take a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway or enjoy panoramic views from the top of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, the Highland Wildlife Park and Scotland’s National Outdoor Centre at Glenmore Lodge are all within easy reach. Aviemore, the year round outdoor hub of the Cairngorms, is only 15 minutes away at the head of the Speyside Way.
Only 2 miles away is the village of Carrbridge with its historic packhorse bridge. Here you can enjoy a fun-filled day out for all ages at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park, or soak up the Highland atmosphere at the local pub or cafe. Pick up essentials or find an array of locally made gifts and crafts at one of Carrbridge’s various shops and galleries. Just a mile up the road from Strathspey Lodge is the well regarded MacDonald Country Club, which welcomes visitors to use both its leisure and dining facilities.
The area is blessed with numerous stunning golf courses including Spey Valley, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey and Carrbridge. Further afield, world famous courses such as Nairn, Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart Golf Course are all accessible for a day trip. From Strathspey Lodge, visit Loch Ness, the beautiful west coast, the Isle of Skye or the Orkney Islands. The Moray Firth coastline is peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches, where you may catch sight of their famous bottlenose dolphins - this area was voted in the ‘top 20 best coastline destinations in the world’. Also in Moray, you can visit whisky distilleries on the malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind! Strathspey Lodge is a place where wonderful memories will be made, and really does provide a superb base from which to explore the many delights this area has to offer. For the less energetic, sit back and relax in front of the wood burner and soak in the ever changing vistas. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

The Roundel is set in a most fantastic rural location with uninterrupted views over the open rolling countryside of Fife. It is the perfect location for weekend celebrations or getaways for your whole family who can revel in the space, ambience and warmth of this remarkable holiday home. On the ground floor, the focal point of this semi-detached house is the living/dining room, which has three sets of patio doors leading to the garden. Its floor-to-ceiling windows take full advantage of the views. For younger members of the group, there is a special toy corner. Outside, there is ample space for everyone to enjoy, and the patio with garden furniture is great for al fresco dining.
There is much to do in the area, and guests are in an ideal location for exploring coastal Fife. In a small quiet hamlet, The Roundel provides a rural location with miles of sandy beach and dunes less than 6 miles away, and the bustling city of Dundee and historic St Andrews are both only 15 minutes away (6 miles) with activities for all ages and tastes. Just 10 minutes away lies the picturesque market town of Cupar, which is ideal for picking up supplies. For families there is the Scottish Deer Centre, St Andrews Aquarium, sandy beaches at Tentsmuir Forest and beach, as well as riding stables.
The historic city of St Andrews can be reached within a 15-minute drive, making The Roundel ideal for guests visiting friends and family who are based at St Andrews University or attending one of the graduation ceremonies. As a popular tourist location, St Andrews offers a great selection of quality cafés, bars and restaurants, excellent shopping as well as a sandy beach, harbour and many historic buildings. Renowned worldwide as the ‘Home of Golf’ and regularly playing host to the Open Championship, this is a golfers’ paradise with eight courses to suit all abilities, as well as the British Golf Museum.
Dundee has lots to offer for a day out, the Olympia Sports Centre has a swimming pool, great for keeping your childen entertained on wet days. A visit to RRS Discovery at the multi award-winning Discovery Point makes for a good day to see how Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton made their epic journeys. Falkland Palace and its garden are well worth a visit - this is one of Scotland’s finest Renaissance palaces and is steeped in history. Fans of the TV series ‘Outlander’ will recognise the location which was used as 1940s Inverness, and there are many more locations in the area that were used in the series. Beach 6 miles. Shop and restaurant 2 miles, pub ½ mile.

Tressady Coach House stands detached in the grounds of an exclusive Highland estate, originally owned by the Duke of Sutherland. Built in 1871 of local stone, the coach house has been imaginatively converted in recent years to provide a very good standard of accommodation whilst retaining its unique original features. Access onto the estate is through an electric gate with a personal key code, offering complete seclusion and exclusivity. The road winds up through mature woodland and fields to the coach house.

The living room has original wooden floors, a superb open fireplace and a high vaulted ceiling which is a real feature. Deep leather sofas and original paintings add to its ambience and opulence. The kitchen/dining room is bright, modern and very well equipped. There is also a shower room with a walk-in shower. Also on the ground floor are a kingsize bedroom and twin bedroom with bathroom next to it, making the property suitable for less mobile guests in the party. On the first floor is another twin bedroom. A second staircase leads up to a mezzanine landing, and then to a large bedroom with a zip and link kingsize bed. All the bedrooms are beautifully presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and high quality linen, and a further bathroom completes the picture.

Tressady Estate is just 2 miles from the charming village of Rogart and just off the renowned North Coast 500 route, which passes through some of the most dramatic and picturesque scenery to be found anywhere in the British Isles. The village has a thriving pub and restaurant as well as a local store and post office. Further facilities can be found in the nearby villages of Dornoch and Lairg. The coach house has its own garden for visitors to use. There are wonderful walks direct from the property and numerous species of wildlife can be seen in the area including deer, pine marten, red kites and golden eagles. Along the shoreline, seals, otters and dolphins can also be spotted. There are plenty of places of interest to explore, as the area is steeped in historic and archeological sites. A visit to the nearby Dunrobin Castle, the historic seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, is a must. The area has plenty to offer those who prefer an active holiday, with mountain biking trails, golf, fishing and various watersports. The picturesque seaside town of Dornoch, with its award-winning sandy beach and championship golf course, is just 15 minutes’ drive away.

There is a large stone barn close to the cottage with full banquetting, dining and cooking facilities which may be available for visitors to use for a special occasion, by arrangement with the owner. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Set on the shores of Loch Lochy with breathtaking views across to Ben Nevis and the Aonach Mor mountains. This detached log home is furnished to a wonderful standard. Gairlochy Bay is set in a stunning location, accessed via a gravelled forest track, and guests can fish from the decking, watch the boats sail through the Caledonian Canal or wander around a network of paths and shoreline. For those wishing to get out and about it is an excellent base to explore the Highlands and the Western Isles, known for its magnificent scenery and abundance of wildlife. Fort William is the nearest town with an array of shops, bars and restaurants, whilst Inverness and Oban are also easily reached. The local scenery has been used as the backdrop for many well known films, such as Braveheart and Rob Roy. Visitors can also take the steam train to Mallaig passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct as depicted in one of the Harry Potters movies, the gondola up the Nevis mountain range, or visit the Loch Ness monster. Outdoor activities include skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, walking, climbing, horse riding, golf and a variety of watersports. There are plenty of beautiful gardens and ruined castles to be visited and the area is famous for its rich historical legacy. Shop and pub 3 miles.

Enjoying a stunning location overlooking the small beach of Fiskavaig Bay and on towards Loch Bracadale, the island of Oronsay and Macleod’s Tables, this detached house is furnished and equipped to a high standard to ensure a truly enjoyable holiday. Set on the western edge of this beautiful island, Seascape makes the perfect base for exploring the wonders of Skye as well as nearby Raasay and Wester Ross.
There is something for everyone – peace and tranquillity, superb scenery including the famous Cuillin Mountains, a large variety of wildlife and many historical sites and buildings to visit along with the famous Talisker Distillery. A trip to Dunvegan Castle and the coral beach, Neist Point Lighthouse or the beautiful Waternish Peninsula are all recommended, and all on the west side of the island. Portree, the bustling main town, is where you can take a stroll down to the harbour and watch the fishing vessels unload their catch of the day. Take a sea trip from Portree to see the varied sea and bird life and also the enjoy the beauty of the rugged coastline. To the north of Portree is the Trotternish Peninsula which boasts some of Skye’s most stunning scenery. Take a visit to Uig, where you can catch a ferry to the Outer Isles of Lewis, Harris and Uist or travel round the peninsula to see the Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls and the Old Man of Storr. To the south of the island is Broadford, with the southern tip called ‘The Garden of Skye’. Here you can visit the ruins of Armadale Castle and its lovely gardens. From nearby Ardvasar, you can take a ferry trip to the smaller Outer Isles and also the mainland.
For the energetic there is mountain biking, kayaking, sea trips and climbing to name but a few activities available. Alternatively, just take a stroll along one of the many unspoilt beaches, or sit back in the comfort of a chair and watch the ever changing views – the perfect way to relax and unwind. Shop, pub and restaurant 5 miles.

This is a lovely property set in the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands, part of a group of six. Suited to large groups. Woodburning stove. Open-plan living. Aviemore 10.1 miles; Inverness 40.7 miles.