Lairds Lodge

The scent of pine drifts through the Highland air, and beyond the lodges the hills roll away in waves of purple heather and ancient Scots pine — this is proper Inverness country, where the landscape does all the talking.

Lairds Lodge suits anyone after a solid roof and a bit more comfort than canvas — the chalets and pods give you that cosy base to come back to after a day exploring the Highlands, whether you're a couple chasing Loch Ness, a family heading for Cairngorms trails, or friends who want whisky distilleries and mountain views without sleeping on the ground. Dog owners should ask ahead to check the policy, and it's worth finding out about campfires when you arrive if you fancy an evening under the stars.

The facilities list is light on detail, so best to check directly what's included in your pod or chalet, but you're here for the setting as much as anything — quiet, wild-edged, and surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes you remember why you drove this far north.