Beauly Lodge

Beauly Lodge sits on a small, peaceful Highland park of just three lodges, spread across rolling meadowland near the Kessock Bridge. Where other properties around Inverness tuck you into woodland or plant you on a loch shore, this one gives you space and sky. The views from the decking stretch out wide and open, shifting with the light throughout the day, and at night, the lack of light pollution makes for properly dark, starry skies.

Inside, the styling is contemporary and clean-lined, but warm enough to feel like a proper retreat rather than a show home. The living area feels generous for a couples' lodge, with the open-plan layout giving the whole place an airy, spacious feel. A 50-inch smart TV anchors the lounge area, but the built-in surround sound system tends to steal the show. It fills the whole lodge properly, not just a tinny speaker in one corner, and once you have had a film night or a lazy morning with music filling the room, a standard lodge setup will feel like a downgrade.

The kitchen is well thought through, set up for proper cooking rather than just microwaving your way through the week. The bedroom is big, centred around a king-size bed with a TV of its own, and the bathroom goes beyond functional. A Jacuzzi bath sits alongside a large walk-in shower with a waterfall head, so you have options depending on whether you want a long soak or a quick wake-up.

Out on the deck, the hot tub faces those open meadowland views. It is a good spot at any time of day, but the evening sessions, with the Highland sky darkening overhead and no light pollution to speak of, are something else entirely. The Moray Firth is close by, and a boat trip along the coast could reward you with dolphin sightings.

The location works well for couples who want to explore without spending half their holiday driving. Inverness is ten minutes away with its restaurants, bars, and shops. Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle make an easy day trip, Culloden Battlefield is nearby for a dose of Scottish history, and the Great Glen and Cairngorms are within comfortable reach for walking days.

Hosts Richard and Janice live on site but give you your space entirely. They will greet you on arrival, point you towards the best local restaurants and walks, and stay out of your way unless you need something.