As frost sweeps the land and the chilly air nips the end of your nose, coorie into your cosy cottage in the Scottish countryside. Ski, sightsee and settle next to the wood burner in your home away from home for the perfect winter wrapped up warm with your loved ones.  

Scenic Peaks and Fireside Drams in Dumfries and Galloway

Return down your cobbled courtyard on the Cairnsmore Estate for a holiday at Tackroom Cottage in the rolling lands of Dumfries and Galloway. Tackroom lies at the bottom of the great Cairnsmore of Fleet. Venture to the top, then return to cosy underfloor heating to warm you up after your adventure. Spend frosty mornings reading by the open fire or wrapped up with a warm cuppa under the renovated hay barn area.

Galloway Forest Park is nearby to the cottage and offers views of over 7,000 stars by night, the Milky Way and Jupiter. Head just over 15 miles to Clatteringshaws Loch, or 2 miles to Kirroughtree Forest and camp out with your telescope and flask. The forest also has 7Stanes mountain biking trails and beautiful walking routes to embark on.

Have a hearty meal at the local pub, The Lairds Inn, just a 12-minute drive from Tackroom. Grab a bottle of whisky from the Galloway Distillery and have a dram in front of the open fire. Spot for red and black grouse or the occasional golden eagle at the Cairnsmore of Fleet Nature Reserve. Walk, hike and fish at the River Cree or take a New Year’s Dook in the sea at Mossyard Beach.

For larger groups, Tackroom’s sister cottage, Stable Cottage, is also available and ideal for large families or groups of friends who want to enjoy adventures in Dumfries and Galloway together.

The Coast, Castles and the Cairngorms

Escape to the Aberdeenshire countryside at The Oat House, just 15 miles from the nearest sandy coast at Aberdeen beach. Take an evening trip to Glenlivet and Tomintoul for beautiful Cairngorms Dark Skies, bring your binoculars and telescope, though amazing stars, constellations and galaxies can also be found with the naked eye. The Cairngorms Dark Sky website provides information on the constellations you can see during the winter season.

For thrill seekers, The Lecht (42 miles) or Glenshee (50 miles) are accessible for several snow sports adventures. Relax in the Barbossauna in Aberdeen, then stroll the coastline, staying warm with a hot soup and toastie from Croque Toasties. Nature lovers can venture to Fowlsheugh Reserve (19 miles), home to over 100,000 seabirds as well as puffins, seals and dolphins to view from the coast. Watch the running River Dee from your table at the Banchory Lodge Hotel. Take a day trip up the coast to Cruden Bay, famously visited by Bram Stoker, who took inspiration from New Slains Castle and its gothic architecture. Visit the castle, then return to The Oat House and cosy up by the fire to read the novel.

Enjoy a round of golf at Nigg Bay Golf Club or visit Balmoral Castle (32 miles) and explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, book a private tour of the castle, or take a two-hour Land Rover tour across the Balmoral Estate, passing the sublime ancient woodland of the old Caledonian Pine Forest. After a day exploring, make your way back to The Oat house for a cosy evening by the fire, under the starry Aberdeenshire skies.

Snowy Mountains, Starry Skies and Settling by the Fire

Nestle into a glen in Perthshire at Dalnashee Lodge and book a getaway filled with the perfect combination of quiet country living and wonderful winter activities to enjoy. As well as sublime views of the surrounding Munroe mountains from your cottage, you’ll see red deer, red squirrels, red kites and perhaps a golden eagle. Combining sustainability and comfort, Dalnashee also has Scandinavian-inspired colours and furnishings in the three bedrooms, ensuring a cosy winter atmosphere, providing a comfortable night’s sleep.

Wake up well rested and pop to Glenshee. Ski, snowboard and climb the snow-dusted peaks, all just 20 minutes from Dalnashee. Walk from Pitlochry to Black Spout Woods and its Waterfall, or find the Stone of Destiny at Scone Palace. Finish off your active day with a hearty meal or cosy cuppa in The Base Cafe.

On your way back home to Dalnashee, choose your next read from the Blacklunans Book Exchange phone booth and cosy up by the wood burner with your new book. Take casual strolls around Drumore Loch, or challenging hikes on Mount Blair. Whatever winter activity you wish, it can be found during your stay at Dalnashee Lodge.

Scale snowy mountains, coorie in with a good book, or cook a hearty meal in front of the wood-burning stove, all can be achieved through your next winter holiday with Unique Cottages.