Inspiration

Bubble up: our favourite Scottish self-catering cottages with hot tubs

Guest Expert

5 min read

A visit to Scotland means deep immersion in the great outdoors, whether the skies are glowering or sunlit. The landscape is a mesmerising checkerboard of towering mountains, glistening lochs, rugged moors and imposing cliffs, all harbouring an awe-inspiring array of wildlife. Day’s out bagging Munros, blowy walks along mesmerising coastal paths, and wild swims in icy lochs can leave your limbs feeling a wee bit weary. The best remedy is, of course, a good long soak, so we’ve rounded up a collection of gorgeous self-catering cottages with hot tubs - some wood-fired, some not. Return from your adventures to bubble your aches away, drink in hand, and gaze up at star-studded skies whilst deep in contemplation.

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Scotland

Callie Bothy

This handcrafted cabin with a hot tub, surrounded by trees and fields, is a wonderful place to stay if you love the outdoors. Circled by decking, big bi-fold doors open to tree-filled views, a wood-fired hot tub, a portable wood-fired pizza oven, a fire pit and lounge type chairs for reading. You’ll also find organic body products and lovely handmade soaps so you can have your own mini spa, and the bedroom and bathroom open onto the decking so you can nip from hot tub to shower (or roll-top bath) and back. Watch ducks on the pond and the heron who visits, spot buzzards, kestrels, roe deer, pine marten and brown hares – binoculars provided.

Guest Camille: Callie Bothy is a stunning place with so much attention to detail going into everything from the design to the luxurious touches – I’ll be thinking of that bath for years to come!

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The Woodshed

High in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, with views for miles and your own private garden with a wood-fired hot tub – fire it up and watch the stars come out after busy days out exploring. You can walk from the door into surrounding heather-clad hills yet Edinburgh is only ten miles away – regular buses leave from the nearest town, Penicuik, a ten-minute drive down the road. Your timber-clad cottage for two, tucked down a mile-long bumpy track, is packed with romance, from the roaring wood-burner, to the cloud-comfy bed and freshly baked scones waiting when you arrive.

Guest Katy: This is a wonderful house in a magical setting. Everything has been done with such care and thought. Walks from the door and all the peace and tranquillity one could want. Very hard to leave…

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Knoydart Hide

A magical bolthole for two, perfect for a blissful time away. You’re on the wild west coast, with sea and mountains all around. Inside, walls of glass open onto a decked terrace, where you can soak in a hot tub while screened from the world by pine trees. There’s indulgence at every turn: a double-ended bath, a walk-in power shower and an infrared sauna, a fancy TV and DVD player, bath robes to pad about in, a bottle of Prosecco on arrival. Further afield, the wonders of Knoydart – wild orchids, sea eagles, mountains to climb. You can kayak, cruise the sea loch or do nothing at all. Stars fill the night sky, the Northern Lights come in winter.

Owners Ian and Jackie: We can arrange: electric bike hire, in-house masseuse, water taxis for dolphin and whale watching, a boat to whisk you to a private beach with a champagne hamper.

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The Artist’s House at Jupiter Artland

A hop from Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland is an award-winning contemporary sculpture garden, set in over 100 acres of meadow, woodland and indoor gallery space. You stay in a gorgeous cottage onsite so you get the sculptures to yourselves once the visitors leave. Feel cocooned indoors under beamed ceilings and African beaded lampshades. A wood-burning stove belts out the heat and early drawings by Phyllida Barlow and hundreds of books about art and design surround you. Bedrooms are gorgeous and best of all is lolling in the outdoor, wood-fired bath, glass of wine in hand, while somebody else starts the barbecue.

Guest Chris: The Artist’s House is a unique place to stay. The interior is beautiful and comfortable with panoramic views from the deck and beautiful sunsets. Having the sculpture park to ourselves was an absolute treat.

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Captain’s Rest

A modern Skye bungalow furnished in island colours with gliding glass doors and heated floors, divine beds and walk-in showers. Bose speakers and smart TVs for entertainment and the finest kit in the kitchen when you want to entertain. Cosy up to the wood-burner on a wild night, linger in the sauna, or wallow in the hot tub as the stars begin to bristle. With the touch of a button, roll up the blinds and bring the outdoors in. What a way to wake each day! The views are amazing and ever-changing… across the loch to the Cuillin Hills, and Rum and Canna on a cloudless day. Spend your days hiking and wild swimming, visit the great fortress of Dunvegan.

Guest Hazel: Stunning views, lovely accommodation. Perfect in every way. Happy holidays! We will definitely be back to this idyllic spot.

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Explore all our special places to stay in Scotland >

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Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

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