17 Amazing Remote Holiday Cottages in Scotland
1st February 2017
When you really want to get away from it all - far, far away, a remote holiday cottage in Scotland is a great choice. You can detox from day-to-day urban living and really get back to nature in the peace and quiet of the countryside.
We’ve found 17 stunning holiday cottages in remote parts of Scotland - some are perfect for a romantic break for two, and others will suit a larger family gathering or group of friends.
We hope you enjoy our selection:
Kidcleugh Hide
Duns, Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is a great place to get away to: It has beautiful scenery, it’s not too far to travel to - yet most visitors pass through on their way to Edinburgh and further north - so it’s not over-run with tourists.
Kidcleuch Hide near Duns is well off the beaten track - and offers stylish open-plan accommodation, with exposed beams and a wood-burning stove to keep you warm.
Nearby there’s great walks along the Southern Upland Way, or you can explore the local town of Duns and visit Duns Castle and lovely Manderston House. You’re also within striking distance of the seaside at Coldingham.
Kidcleugh Hide sleeps 2, one well-behaved pet is welcome, and there is no mobile signal - so you’ll have to chill out and enjoy your holiday instead!
Click here for more information and photos
The Bothy
Glenesk near Edzell, Perthshire, Angus & Fife
Glen Esk is a magical part of Scotland, renowned for its beautiful scenery. It’s also the location of our next remote holiday cottage - The Bothy, which is 7 miles from Edzell.
The Bothy sleeps 2 people - there is another next door which sleeps 6 and can be booked at the same time.
This is a great area for outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling or fishing. Hike to the Queen’s Well monument and enjoy the views, or explore nearby Edzell, or take a trip to romantic Glamis Castle - the childhood home of the Queen Mother.
With no mobile phone reception or WiFi, this is a great place to escape from the modern world for a few days.
Click here for more information and photos about The Bothy
Bothan Aonghais
Uig, Fort William, Isle of Skye & The Western Isles
If you don’t mind a long journey to your remote holiday cottage - Bothan Aonghais in Uig at the northernmost tip of Skye won’t disappoint, and is about as remote as you can get!
The village has two pubs, two shops, a filling station, a cafe and fantastic views over Loch Snizort.
This beautifully refurbished cottage has fantastic sea views, and there’s a raised deck outside which offers a wonderful vantage point.
Sleeping two people, this cottage is a great base to explore the romantic Isle of Skye. Climb the Old Man of Storr and enjoy breathtaking views, or visit Portree and discover the shops and the harbour.
To find out more, and to see more photos, please click here.
Lodge
Auchtermuchty near Falkland, Perthshire, Angus & Fife
Only half a mile from Auchtermuchty you’ll find this stone-built lodge in the grounds of the owner’s castle.
Ideal for a romantic getaway for two - you can stroll through the grounds and enjoy wonderful woodland walks. There’s even an all-weather tennis court you can use.
Then back to the lodge for a soak in the roll-top bath, (you’ll be lovely and warm because the bathroom has underfloor heating).
This cottage is green too - it has biomass central heating, and a wood-burning stove.
If you want to explore further afield, there’s plenty to enjoy, with the beach at St Andrews, the coastal paths of Fife to explore, as well as some great roads for cycling and fantastic golf courses.
Find out more, and see more photos by clicking here.
1A Kylerhea
Kylerhea near Broadford, Fort William, Isle of Skye & The Western Isles
Back to the Isle of Skye for our next cottage - 1A Kylerhea is everyone’s dream Scottish holiday cottage with amazing sea views across the Kylerhea Straits to the mainland.
Ideal for a couple who want to enjoy the wildlife in this remote area - you’ll be able to spot otters, seals, and lots more.
The cottage is certainly remote - although it’s only one minute from the shore, it’s a full 10 miles to the nearest shops or the pub!
As well as exploring the beautiful Isle of Skye itself, you can cross the Skye Bridge and visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle on the mainland.
Click here to find out more about this wonderful secluded cottage.
Cosy Cottage
Cannich near Drumnadrochit, Northern Highlands
Situated on a working livestock farm, Cosy Cottage sleeps 3 people in two bedrooms and has a comfortable sitting room with an open fire.
Within driving distance of Loch Ness, this is an excellent base for touring this scenic area. Drive around Loch Ness, and see if you can spot its famous monster.
Or visit dramatic Urquhart Castle, or the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre.
Although the cottage is remote and secluded, it’s not too isolated, being only 1.5 miles from the villages of Cannich (with the Slaters Arms Country Pub and Restaurant providing good food) in one direction and Tomich in the other.
Find out more about Cosy Cottage by clicking here.
Roddy's Cottage
Glenelg, Fort William, Isle of Skye & The Western Isles
Moving on to slightly larger holiday cottages, we have Roddy’s Cottage by the bay in Glenelg.
This cottage has 3 bedrooms and will sleep 6 people. It has an open fire in the living room, and fantastic sea views - but is not without it’s modern comforts - it’s equipped with Sky TV too.
This is an excellent area for walking and climbing, and you can also get to the Isle of Skye by car ferry. The village of Glenelg also has a pub.
You’ll have plenty of wildlife to look out for, including dolphins, whales and porpoises, and birds including cormorants, herons, and, if you’re really lucky, you might spot an eagle.
Find out more about this superb holiday cottage by clicking here.
Ridge End Cottage
Conista, Fort William, Isle of Skye & The Western Isles
Sleeping 6 people in 3 bedrooms, Ridge End Cottage is located in the secluded crofting area of Conista at the northern tip of Skye - once again, this is about as out of the way as you could hope to be.
Although traditional looking from the outside with its whitewashed walls, Ridge End Cottage is delightfully unexpected inside with a mezzanine bedroom and cathedral ceiling.
With a wood-burning stove in the open plan living room, and oil central heating, you’re sure to be warm and comfortable when you return to this cottage after a day out.
And there’s plenty of activities to choose from: Enjoy a day out hillwalking, or walk along the coast and see how many sea-birds you can spot - look out for cormorants, gannets and puffins. You might see seals and otters too.
Find out more about Ridge End Cottage by clicking here.
Bluebell Cottage
Eredine near Kilmartin, Argyll & The Isles
Our next remote cottage in Scotland is Bluebell Cottage, situated in the village of Eredine, and is just 10 minutes walk from Loch Awe.
The cottage has 3 bedrooms, and sleeps 6 people. There’s a wood-burning stove, and a large area of decking which overlooks the woodland garden, and is a fantastic place for a BBQ.
There are lots of towns and villages to explore in the area, or explore the islands by taking a boat trip.
The cottage benefits from private frontage to the loch, and fishing tackle is supplied.
Find out more about this lovely cottage and the area, by clicking here:
The Auld Kirk
Trantlebeg near Melvich, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
As its name suggests, this cottage is an old church that has been converted into a beautiful holiday cottage that sleeps up to 7.
This is probably the most remote holiday cottage in this collection, situated in the very North of the highlands, 17 miles from Thurso.
It’s well worth the journey though - the spacious open-plan living area has oak flooring, and high ceilings - and there’s a mezzanine balcony which is an ideal location for some quiet time.
Nearby Melvich beach is a fabulous golden sandy beach, popular with surfers. Or explore the area with its amazing mountain scenery, and variety of sandy bays. You could even take a ferry trip to Orkney and discover the island for yourself.
To find out more about this unique cottage, please click here.
Keeper's Cottage
Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, Angus & Fife
A bit further South this time - our next cottage is situated in rural Perthshire, on an estate in near Kinloch Ronnoch, with 5,000 acres of estate land to explore!
This former keeper’s cottage has been renovated to a very high standard, and can now sleep 8 people in 4 comfortable bedrooms, two of which have en-suite showers. The cottage benefits from modern underfloor heating, so you’ll always have somewhere warm and comfortable to return to whatever the weather.
The living area is open plan - the sitting area benefits from a wood-burning stove, and there are enormous picture windows giving a superb view of the river and the mountains - they really bring the outside indoors.
There is a decked area outside where you can relax and look at the river rushing by.
Kinloch Rannoch is a popular area with tourists, so there’s plenty to do including fabulous hill-walking (the Munro called Schiehallion is nearby), angling or sailing. The Cairngorms National Park is very close with great cycling and winter sports.
Nearby Aberfeldy has a range of shops, a restaurant and cinema so you need never feel too isolated.
To find out more about this cottage, please click here.
Craigard
Achnaha near Kilchoan, Fort William, Isle of Skye & The Western Isles
If your dream cottage is a cosy log cabin for two, then this will fit the bill nicely.
In a hamlet on the owner’s croft, this high-spec cabin is a great base for exploring the stunning scenery of this part of the Scottish Highlands. You can tell it’s remote - because even the TV signal can be intermittent!
The cottage has a wonderful outdoor seating area to make the most of the views - and if you keep an eye out you might even spot an eagle overhead.
There’s a single track road leading from this cottage to the beach, which is a wonderful stretch of golden sand and clean, pure water.
The cottage is 5 miles from Kilchoan, which is the most westerly village in mainland Britain. It’s situated on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula - an area known for its amazing coastal and mountain views, sandy beaches and wildlife.
There’s a ferry service across to the Isle of Mull and its main town of Tobermory - which was the inspiration for “Balamory” in the children’s TV series, and features the same colourful buildings so many children loved.
To find out more about Craigard and see more photos, please click here.
Gerrick Cottage
Swinton near Coldstream, Scottish Borders
Back to the seclusion of the lovely Scottish Borders for our next cottage - Gerrick Cottage near Coldstream.
Gerrick Cottage is a large property with 4 bedrooms, sleeping 8 people and is beautifully situated in rural seclusion with beautiful views over the owner’s arable farmland.
The cottage has been very well finished with attractive wooden flooring, and features a lovely conservatory, and a large patio which is ideal for a family BBQ.
The Scottish Borders has a lot to offer - walking, cycling, many historic abbeys and stately homes to visit, great fishing, or the many lovely East coast beaches (we recommend Coldingham Bay). Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is only about an hour’s drive, and makes for a great day out.
Click here for more information and photos of Gerrick Cottage.
Little Laight
Cairnryan near Stranraer, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway
Even by the standards of isolated Scottish holiday cottages, the situation of Little Laight is something very special.
Situated on a hillside overlooking Loch Ryan and the Mull of Kintyre, the views from this cottage are nothing short of spectacular, and sure to be a memorable highlight of your holiday.
This fully renovated shepherd’s cottage now has 3 bedrooms, sleeping 6 people and has electric underfloor heating, some of which comes from its own wind turbine.
There’s lots to do in this part of Scotland, including mountain biking on some of the 7 Stanes Trails, walking on the Scottish Coastal Path, visiting the Mull of Galloway - or marvelling at all the stars you can see in Galloway Forest Park which has Dark Sky status.
Find out more about Little Lait including more photos and information on availability here.
Sail Mhor View
Durnamuck near Dundonnell, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
Situated in private gardens in Wester Ross, 30 miles from Ullapool and 30 miles from Gairloch, Sail Mhor View is the perfect Scottish holiday cottage to get away from it all.
Sleeping 8 people in 4 bedrooms, it’s ideal to bring family or friends along to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the west coast.
There’s lots to do, including walking, climbing, canoeing, fishing, or just watching the wildlife - you can see many species of birds, and mammals including seals, porpoises, otters and more.
Find out more about Sail Mhor View here.
Birch Cottage
Crathie, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
Where better for a remote Scottish retreat than the same part of Scotland the Royal Family visit when they want a holiday?
Situated at the heart of Royal Deeside, only 2 miles from Crathie and close to Balmoral Castle sits Birch Cottage.
This amazing cottage has one glass wall, which makes the most of its beautiful views over the gardens to the mountains beyond.
The cottage has 4 bedrooms and sleeps 10. There’s a sitting room on a mezzanine level which looks out through the glass wall, and is a fantastic place to relax.
The cottage has been renovated to a very high specification and has slate flooring with underfloor heating, granite kitchen worktops, and even an open fire.
Royal Deeside is a fantastic area for a Scottish holiday: There are lots of castles to visit, or marvel over feats of skill and strength at the highland games. You can visit the Royal Lochnagar Distillary, or just enjoy all the Cairngorms National Park and its many opportunities for mountain biking, walking, fishing and more.
Find out more about Birch Cottage and see more photos here.
Inverallan House
Grantown-on-Spey, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
If you have a large party looking to share a trip to a remote and secluded part of Scotland, then Inverallan House near Grantown-on-Spey within the Cairngorms National Park might be just what you’re looking for:
Situated beside the River Spey within private grounds, with 7 bedrooms over 3 floors, Inverallan House can sleep 15 people, and there’s plenty of room for everyone.
This holiday cottage has large, well-proportioned rooms - the sitting room has an open fire, and wonderful views of the river. The dining room is another beautiful room, with a large dining table and oil paintings on the walls, so everyone can gather to eat together in style.
This property also includes a complimentary housekeeper, so you won’t have to worry about doing the domestic chores when you could be out enjoying the natural splendour of the National Park. With walking, golf, skiing, cycling, fishing, whisky tasting and lots more available in the area - you’ll be fully occupied enjoying yourselves!
Find out more about Inverallan House here.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our selection of the best remote holiday cottages in Scotland as much as we’ve enjoyed finding and choosing them for you.
Needless to say there are lots of other wonderfully secluded cottages and self-catering properties which we could have included - so why not conduct your own search here:
The not-so-small print:
This article was first published on 1st February 2017 - and the details mentioned were all correct at that time. But things can change over time, so if there’s any aspect of a property that’s particularly important to you, then please double-check those details with the booking agents when you click through.
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