Hideaway Holidays

RODDY MARTINE INTRODUCES SOME TRULY UNUSUAL AND STUNNING LOCATIONS FOR THE PERFECT HIDEAWAY SCOTTISH HOLIDAYS

How many of us long to escape from the pressures of our every day lives? To find refuge in the hills, on the loch or seashore, or even hole up in a romantic city where nobody would ever think of looking for us? Scotland is full of wonders and steeped in a rich history. While there are a large number of great hotels and there is excellent bed and breakfast accommodation, some people prefer a certain anonymity and independence, and for them we have made a selection of the more unusual opportunities available.

NORTHERN WILDERNESS
The 60,000 acres of Balnagown Estates in Ross-shire are close to the Dornoch Firth, on Scotland's east coast, and comprise one of Europe's last great wilderness areas. There are, in fact, three estates – Balnagown in Easter Ross, Inveroykel in the central Sutherland Highlands, and Duchally, further to the north beyond Glen Cassley. Inveroykel Shooting Lodge and Duchallyare available for sporting lets – salmon and trout fishing and red deer and sika stalking – but lesser known are the four luxurious estate houses on Balnagown accommodating from two to 12 guests.

Swiss Cottage has an Alpine look and is set in the parkland of Balnagown Castle, ancient seat of the Pictish kings of Scotland. The Gardener's Cottage is also set within the grounds of Balnagown Castle,by the old walled gardens.

Then there are Marybank Lodge and Marybank Cottage, located within their own grounds and commanding southerly views over the Cromarty Firth to the Black Isle bey...

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• By : Roddy Martine
• In : Holidays
• Issue : 6
• Page : 66
• Words : 1,189