MAYBE it’s cold outside but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wee holiday.
I love going away at this time of year. Cold crisp days make way for dark wintry nights and cosying up with my nearest and dearest makes me feel happy and content – even if all we do is gather around the fire with a bottle of wine and some nibbles to watch Strictly!
There’s some real heart-warming short breaks around right now you to set you up nicely for the jolly season ahead. The run up to Christmas doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, after a nice relaxing few days away from the daily grind, you might find you face Christmas with renewed vigour and a more peaceful approach. It works for me.
These lovely holiday homes are all in Scotland too so you don’t have to battle with airports, restricted baggage allowances or any of that carry on. Simply load up the car, turn up the heat and throw on some nice mellow tunes and you’re good to go.
There’s something quite liberating about driving to your destination, especially, if like me, you like to have plenty of wardrobe options. It also means you’re not at the mercy of someone else’s timetable, particularly airlines. You can come and go as you please and pack what you like. This is also handy if you’re self-catering as you’ll need to do a supermarket run for all your fireside goodies. Chances are if you’re staying in a cottage or log cabin, you won’t have your own personal chef to prepare your dinner. Many of these rentals will have a full kitchen with all mod cons in situ but you will need to do your own cooking – unless there’s a bar or restaurant within walking distance.
There are some regions in the UK that just lend themselves to autumn and winter settings. Ok, they might look bonnie in the summer sunshine too but I think there’s nothing like rolling hills and misty glens covered in falling leaves or even snow, depending on the time of year. Some of my favourite pictures have been taken in my winter woollies set against a backdrop of snow covered mountains or autumn landscapes – (The puffa jacket and oversized scarf hides all the lumps and bumps, you see.)
I had a little rummage around online this week and found some lovely little places that I thought I’d share with you.
holidaycottages have a great choice of self-catering homes dotted around the country but these ones certainly caught my eye.
Romantic Escapes for Two
First up is Sea Neuk, a charming traditional detached cottage close to the sea in Moray is a short stroll from the beach – ideal if you like a walk in the fresh sea air. The cottage has one bedroom so it’s a perfect, cosy retreat if you fancy a romantic break just the two of you. There’s also a wood burner and your first basket of logs is included. It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?
Sea Neuk Cottage Break for Two from £291
Heading back into the Scottish heartland, there’s also The Bothy Behind Douglaslea.
This property is in the pretty little town of Auchterarder and a short stroll to the shops, pubs and restaurants. You can choose to cosy up in front of the Tv with a movie or head out into the town for a drink or a meal, without the need to take the car. It’s all on your doorstep. If you do decide to stay in and make the most of your surroundings, there’s a well-equipped kitchen to create a tasty romantic meal for two.
3 Night Stay in The Bothy Behind Douglaslea from £240
Staying in the Perthshire region, there is the delightful Loch Earn Lodge in St Fillans which has lovely views. This is a proper retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life but also has amenities within walking distance so not completely remote.
3 Night Stay in the Loch Earn Lodge from £276
Families & Groups of Friends
If you’re planning a getaway with family or a group of friends, there’s also some cracking accommodation with much more space than the romantic one bedroom cottages I’ve shown you. One that really got my attention was the Clachan, in Oban. This spacious house
Has magnificent mountain views and sits in a peaceful setting just perfect if you and your gang want a tranquil retreat to enjoy some quality time together. The house has four bedrooms and sleeps up to eight people and for a small fee, you can also take your dog.
3 Night Stay in Oban for up to 8 people from £499
Sykes Cottages are offering two fabulous boltholes near Inverness and I couldn’t decide which one to share with you so here’s both. The first one is a traditional log cabin situated in pretty woodland close to the spa town of Strathpeffer. This is the perfect spot for a taste of the Highlands and to get away from it all in this glorious, natural setting. The area is an ideal base if you want to explore the wider area, including Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye and the Cairngorm National park. That said, you may not be able to tear yourself away from this cosy cabin.
7 Night Break in Strathpeffer for 8 people from £301
Next up is the Atlas in Cawdor, also near Inverness. This holiday home is finished to a high spec and has been tastefully designed to offer a real home from home with a touch of class. There’s a state of the art sound system throughout so you can enjoy your favourite music as you relax and unwind in this stunning Highland hideaway.
7 Night Stay in Cawdor for up to 8 people from £974
All this talk of mountains, log cabins and pretty views is really putting me in the mood for a cheeky break before the Christmas rush. If, like me, you want to book any of these fantastic holiday homes, simply click on the links below and start planning your winter escape.
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