Briar Cottage

The scent of peat smoke drifts across the garden at dusk, and beyond the cottage lights, the Highland sky deepens to indigo.

This is a spot for couples after a proper base in Inverness-shire — a guest house with a camping pod option, so you can choose between a cosy room or something a bit more adventurous under canvas (well, timber). The area's classic Highland territory: mountains within reach, lochs for exploring, and that particular stillness you only find this far north. Dog owners should ask ahead to see what's possible.

It's a small, personal setup — no long list of bells and whistles, just the essentials done well. Campfires need checking when you arrive, so have a word with your hosts. Open all year, which matters up here when seasons shift fast and winter camping takes on a whole different character. Expect a quiet, thoughtful stay rather than a bustling campsite vibe — the kind of place where you wake to birdsong and plan the day over proper coffee.