Rose Cottage, Dunalastair Estate

You feel relaxed the moment you’ve pulled off your wellies in the little rustic porch (draped with, you’ve guessed it, roses in summer) and stepped inside this neat-as-a-pin stone cottage on the sprawling Dunalastair Estate.

You’ll find a  tray of tea and Border biscuits on the table – soak up the warmth from the kitchen’s Rayburn as you check out the other welcome goodies. The light, clean, practical decor is comfortable rather than showy, ideal for children; bad weather boredom can be kept at bay with games, books and satellite TV. 

Climb Schiehallion Mountain, one of the easier Munros which stands proud within sight of the cottage; enjoy a game of tennis (rackets and balls provided); head off on estate walks right from the door – through fields of cattle and sheep and edging the Dunalastiar Loch, where you can fish for trout for free. By day keep a look out for deer and red squirrels, and eagles swooping overhead; at night the lack of light pollution means the stars are magical when skies are clear.