Log cabins Scotland - a guide to holiday lodges in Scotland

Looking for log cabins Scotland? From log cabin holidays, to lodges in Scotland, remote mountain bothies, traditional ‘but an’ bens’, tiny houses, glamping pods, eco treehouses, luxurious wood sheds and rustic huts – the lure of getting off-grid and remote is a simple one.

Read by candlelight, explore the great outdoors, enjoy the peace and quiet, or just put your feet up… here are seven log cabins in Scotland which make a perfect retreat from the world. Here are my favourite log cabins and lodges in Scotland.

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The best log cabins and lodges in Scotland

Here’s how to stay in a log cabin in Scotland.

For the ultimate in off-grid luxury – Inverlonan Bothies, Oban

On the banks of Loch Nell, 15 minutes from the bustling hub of Oban with its ferries to the isles and langoustine devouring hoards, are Uisge (Oosh-ka), Beatha (Bay-ah), and Sitheil (She-Eel) three handcrafted modern Scottish bothies.

Together meaning ‘the water of life’ in Scottish gaelic, and surrounded by ancient oak trees, at Inverlonan you can be truly remote from the world. The delights of Argyll are all around you, but you really don’t need or won’t want to leave. There are deckchairs under your hut and the views are incredible. Fire on, feet up, brew on, settle in.

For lunch, dinner and snacks in between, go rustic with a skillet tea on your Kadai Fire Pit, make sourdough & venison pizza in the outdoor Stadler wood Pizza oven, or go the whole hog and have Inverlonan’s manager and Michelin-trained Chef Michael Thompson pick you up by boat and whisk you away for your own private dining experience, all cooked off-grid on a live fire.

Find out more about Inverlonan

For a foodie getaway – Corr Cabin at Monachyle Mhor

At the head of spectacular Loch Voil is one of Scotland’s best boutique hotels, Monachyle Mhor. With stunning rooms and great food, check into Corr Cabin for a foodie weekend in the Perthshire countryside.

From the outside, Corr Cabin is a black box that stands out against the landscape rather than blending in. But the inside is all about the outside – dominated by an amazing picture window, from which you can watch deer strolling past on their way to the forest as you lie in the perfectly positioned bed.

At it heart, Monachyle Mhor* is a hotel on a working farm – they have Scottish blackface, Simmental cows, and Tamworth Pigs, along with chickens providing your eggs for breakfast – so you can probably guess the food is rather good.

With a kitchen garden providing the veg, venison from the surrounding hills and seasonal approach, this is sustainable Scottish dining at its best. Look out for Blackface lamb, with wild garlic and nettle salsa verde, or go for one of Monachyle’s specialities, oysters and champagne!

If you are staying for a couple of nights, it is worth also checking out the restaurant at Mhor 84*, which serves a more informal menu – venison ragout, steaks, and fish and chips along with fabulous platters. You won’t go hungry… although you will need a designated driver for the winding road back!

Read more about Monachyle Mhor and book the Corr Cabin here.

The River Cabin – Glen Dye

At the heart of a beautiful 15,000 acre Aberdeenshire estate which rises up from the River Dye to the peak of local icon Clachnaben, are Glen Dye cabins and cottage.

Offering up rural Highland adventures with a large dollop of luxury, at Glen Dye you can book into one of eight luxury holiday cottages alongside more adventurous glamping options including a 1950s airstream, a converted sawmill and a ‘garden camp‘.

My favourite is the North Lodge and River Cabin, a pretty three-bed self catering cottage which comes with its own fabulous cabin in the woods, an off grid hot tub and even its own stretch of the River Dye for wild swimming.

Book: North Lodge and River Cabin

For getting off grid in a pioneer style cabin – Mount Freedom

Over looking Ailsa Craig and the Firth of Clyde on the Ayrshire coast are Baron, Brae and Bennan, three beautiful, pioneer-style log cabins.

Dog friendly and perfectly designed for outdoor living and cosying up by the fire, the cabins at Mount Freedom have been designed as replicas of American ‘Adirondack’ pioneer homesteads from the 1830s, mimicking their traditional hewn grey shingles exteriors and interiors lined with pine.

Outside, there is a huge deck under a saddlebag-style porch which gives access to an external fireplace for marshmallow toasting in your rocking chair, then there is the outdoor bath big enough for two and of course, a couple of laidback Adirondack chairs with blankets for watching the ever changing weather over Ailsa Craig.

Book Mount Freedom Cabins

For a log cabin on a loch – The Queen’s Hut, Aboyne

Hidden in the heart of Royal Deeside, near the pretty town of Aboyne is The Queen’s Hut. Surrounded by woodlands, and on a rambling path which leads to you a rather nice country pub – the Queen’s Hut is perfectly positioned to explore Aberdeenshire, Deeside and Speyside.

Originally built for Queen Mary, the wife of King George V, The Queen’s Hut dates from the early 1900s and has recently been refurbished as a luxury hideaway by owners, The Dunnect Estate.

Inside there are two bedrooms – a luxury master ensuite with a king size bed, a jaw dropping free-standing copper tub, and a twin room perfect for the kids (if you can bear to bring them). There is also a luxury master bath, fully equipped self-catering kitchen and a stylish cosy lounge with a comfy sofas, antique highland furniture and a gorgeous window seat overlooking the loch.

For those who like their pup by their side, the Queen’s Hut Aboyne is dog friendly.

Book the Queen’s Hut, Aboyne

For romantic log cabin breaks – The Birdwatcher’s Cabin, Loch Fleet, Golspie

At The Birdwatcher’s Cabin* in Balblair Woods near Golspie, the North Coast 500 might be right outside your door, but hidden on its own beach, the silence at Birdwatcher’s Cabin is only interrupted by the whistling cry of an osprey taking flight over Loch Fleet’s endless stretch of sand dunes, mudflats, and 100-year-old Scots pinewoods.

You won’t find Loch Fleet or Balblair Woods on any list of things to do on the North Coast 500, but this National Nature Reserve is home to some of Scotland’s rarest residents – the aforementioned ospreys, along with clouds of crossbills, greedy pine martens – and on the very rare occasion red squirrels and Scottish wildcats.

For those lucky to live out here amongst all the wildlife, it is a tiny piece of paradise – and you can check-in for your own private getaway at one of the best lodges in Scotland.

Nearby: visit the fairy tale Dunrobin Castle to explore the gardens and watch the daily falconry displays. You can walk to the castle along the beach. Visit the waterfalls at the Big Burn, and if you are feeling energetic there are mountain bike trails on Ben Bhraggie – or you could climb to the top for a view!

Book the Birdwatchers Cabin

The eco lodge with a hot tub – Culbin Edge Moray

On the edge of Culbin Forest between Nairn and Forres in Moray Speyside is Culbin Edge, an eco-friendly cabin with a fabulous wood fired hot tub. Sleeping up to four, and two dogs, the cabin is perfect for exploring the Moray Firth coastline and delights of the Speyside distilleries.

Coming complete with full kitchen, shower room complete with all those things you forget, gorgeous hand wash, body wash and body lotion from Laura Thomas Co, plenty of logs for the wood burner, and an eco-friendly design – even in the depths of the Scottish winter the cabin is toasty warm.

Nearby: Explore the NTS Brodie Castle with its playful garden, stroll along the river Findhorn to Randolps leap, visit the beautiful beaches at Findhorn, Hopeman, Roseisle and Lossiemouth, dine at The Kale Yard, or just sit in that hot tub and stare at the stars above!

Book: Culbin Edge

Dog (and family) friendly Whitekirk Hill Lodges with hot tubs, East Lothian

Travel just one hour east of Edinburgh and you will find yourself on the beautiful coastline of East Lothian.

Leave the A1 as it thunders its way south and turn north into golden fields, beside huge sandy beaches, along tree lined roads, and past towering castles to reach Whitekirk Hill’s stylish eco-lodges, leisure club, luxury spa, children’s Play Barn and the Orangery & Walled Terrace cafe.

Sitting within a 140 acre estate with views to Bass Rock and the sea, the Whitekirk Hill lodges are gorgeous. Clad in steel, with wooden decks and sawtooth roofs, the lodges are reminiscent of traditional agricultural buildings or ‘longhouses’, designed for minimal impact and to settle into the farming landscapes in which they sit.

With lodges suitable for couples (Weir) which come complete with their own wood-fired hot tubs, or for small families (Telpher), groups (Irvine) or a multi family occasion (Laidlaw) the lodges at Whitekirk Hill sleep from 2 to 10.

For a scandi-style eco stay – The Schenbothies at Brucefield Estate, Clackmannanshire

Underneath The Ochils mountains with pretty Dollar to the north and historic Culross to the south sits the 1000-acre Brucefield Estate, home to three gorgeous luxury Scandi-style eco cabins – Tod, Merwick and Brock.

Outside, the bothies look like raised traditional-style Nordic huts – there is one in a lovey rust, a sleek black and a gorgeous airforce blue. All three cabins fit beautifully with the surrounding estate. Dogs are welcome in the Mertrick cabin on request.

Inside the bothies there is more space than you’d expect and all the Scandi-chic design you could want for – mid-century modern furniture and vintage crockery, a modern bathroom with organic toiletries, a perfectly tiny kitchen and a cosy king size bed up in the loft.

Regeneration of the Brucefield Estate is under way everywhere you look – working with conservationists, ecologists and a 10-year wildlife plan, decades of undergrowth and overgrowth is being carefully peeled back to create and restore the habitats for both wildlife and visitors to enjoy.

Luxury lodges Scotland – The Boathouses, Loch Tay

‘Osprey’ and ‘Oyster’ are beautiful Scandinavian-style boat houses perched on the edge of Loch Tay. Hidden down a steep road this is seclusion at its very best – you will only have curious ducks, a greedy pheasant and my favourites, a pair of cheeky red squirrels who popped out from behind the trees for company.

With your own lochside beach for a candle-lit bbq, I promise you won’t want to leave. Due to the remote location, you will need a 4×4 to get down the hill and there is no internet and who needs Instagram when you have it for real in right in front of you?

Nearby: Drive up to 3000 ft in a 4×4 with Highland Safaris and then back to feed red deer. Hike up to the falls at Acharn a series of dramatic waterfalls, located about two minutes drive from the boathouse or Bag Ben Lawers (the 10th highest mountain in Scotland) and explore the Ben Lawers Nature Reserve.

Book the Loch Tay Boathouses

The log cabin in the woods – Tree Lodge, Inverkeithing

Gimme Shelter might only be 20 minutes from Edinburgh but this campsite is a world away from the busy city.

Gimme Shelter is completely off-grid – there is no electricity or water, and everything from the fireside seats & signs, the huts housing the eco-loos, camping shacks made entirely of doors, to a new glamping hut made out of a world war II bomb shelter is homemade, Gimme Shelter offers up some of the most unique log cabins in Scotland.

Choose from one of six brilliant handmade glamping huts and log cabins quietly situated across the site – my favourites are Tree Lodge which sleeps up to six and the couples-only Shepherds Hut – with its perfect balcony for sundowners.

Nearby: Inverkeithing is just a 15-minute walk away for supplies and Edinburgh & the Fife coast are accessible by train*. Book your train tickets with trainline.com.

Aberdour has a pretty castle and a lovely beach and you can jump on the Fife Coastal Path. If you have a car, head out to the pretty villages of the East Neuk and sample Fife’s foodie delights.

Remote lodges in Scotland – Batbox, Lochinver

On a hillside above Loch Kirkaig in remote Assynt sits Batbox, a luxury wooden hut with incredible views. With a comfy double bed, full kitchen and luxury bathroom, this is hutting in style. Just 10 minutes from the foodie village of Lochinver, the batbox gives you total seclusion in touching distance of an excellent meal.

Be warned up on the hillside there is no internet or phone signal – you are truly remote from the world here – and if you can’t live without it, then the owner’s other log cabin, the Lazy Bed cabin, closer to the wifi signal might be a better option.

Nearby: Lochinver is the perfect base to explore Assynt. Climb Suilven or Stac Pollaidh, two of Scotland’s most iconic mountains, or just head to Achmelvich or Clachtoll Beaches to relax on perfect white sand. Batbox is also well located for those doing the North Coast 500.

Book the Batbox

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Lodge holidays in the Outer Hebrides – Wee Haven, Benbecula

Armadillo pods are popular right across Scotland, but it is rare to see one as well kitted out as Wee Haven on the Isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.

Sleeping up to 4 (well, in a pinch) this micro lodge is perfect for lodge holidays and has a mini kitchen complete with a welcome pack, perfectly formed shower room, double bed and beautiful views across the island.

Looking to make your retreat even more relaxing? Wee Haven also offers up on site complementary therapies and yoga in a purpose-built yurt… or just relax on the terrace and watch the sun go down over the croft.

Nearby: Connected by causeways to both North and South Uist, Benbecula is a good base for exploring the Outer Hebrides Island chain. Head to Hosta beach for those incredible white sands the Western Isles are known for, jump on a horse at North Uist Riding School or ferry hop to check out beautiful Barra.

Book the Wee Haven

Unusual holiday lodges Scotland – The Woodman’s Hut, Nethy Bridge

The Lazy Duck’s owners (and Django the spaniel who takes his guest manager duties very seriously) have been welcoming guests to their smallholding just outside Nethy Bridge near Aviemore for the last 40 years.

The Woodman’s Hut is a tiny house for two made out of a 260-year-old Scots Pine, recycled from where it fell.

With a little house on the prairie interior, complete with cabin bed (at a height perfect for viewing the hills), a skylight for stargazing at night, and two old, overstuffed armchairs in front of the fire – it instantly transports you back to a much simpler time. Book into the Lazy Duck’s hot tub to truly relax.

Nearby: The Cairngorms National Park is literally on your doorstep. Climb the mighty Bynack More and hike up to the beautiful An Lochan Uaine. Visit the Highland Wildlife Park to see the UK’s only baby polar bear, red pandas and wildcats.

The family log cabins in Scotland – Loch Lomond Waterfront, Balmaha

On the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond sits Loch Lomond Waterfront – eight five-star luxury lodges and three wooden chalets. Flanked on one side by the looming Conic Hill and on the other the endless waters of Loch Lomond, you can’t get many more iconic locations for log cabin holidays in Scotland.

Whether you are looking for a romantic break or a family group trip to Loch Lomond, each lodge sleeps between two and six people, most are dog-friendly, and all have stunning views over the loch.

Nearby – the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is right on your doorstep so you have no excuse to get out and explore. A 10-minute walk from your Loch Lomond lodge is Conic Hill. Sitting on the Highland Fault line, Conic Hill’s slopes offer up one of Scotland’s best views and you don’t have to climb up far to see it.

After your walk, pop into the Oak Tree Inn for a pint of real ale and haggis rolls!

Weather not so great? drive the Scenic Route to discover more of the National Park’s best views – discover Woven Sound at Falls of Falloch, The Lookout at Loch Voil, Faerie Hollow at Loch Lubnaig and An Ceann Mor at Inveruglas.

Book Loch Lomond Waterfront

The Homestead at Lazy Duck

Sitting in its own acre of land, and surrounded by woodland, the Lambing Bothy at Lazy Duck comes complete with its own small herd of goat-like Soay sheep from Shetland and a group of nosy, bustling, chickens.

Best described as ‘off-grid plus’, inside, the Lambing Bothy it is all farmhouse rustic chic – there is a comfy high box bed with stargazer skylight and even wifi if you really need it.

Time spent at the Lazy Duck is all about lighting the fire, pulling on the cosy socks, popping on the vintage radio rather than the TV, pouring a glass of wine and settling in for the night under a thick woollen blanket.

You check into the Lazy Duck to check out – and settling into your wee log cabin you really do feel like you are embarking on a homesteading adventure.

Nearby – Hike up to the beautiful green An Lochan Uaine, spot the Cairngorms reindeer in their mountain wilderness, or go on a sled dog safari, learn to drive a sled, or go on a night sledding experience at the Dog Sled Centre.

Just need to relax? Book into Lazy Duck’s infrared sauna or the fabulous wood-fired hot tub (£10 per couple) and swim by candlelight in 32-degree pine-scented water with a view of the mountains….

Read more about the Homestead at Lazy Duck

The hideway holiday lodge in Scotland – Westside Woodshed, Edinburgh

In the hills just to the south of Edinburgh is the Westside Woodshed, an incredibly stylish Scandi-inspired log cabin for two hidden amongst the trees.

The cottage sits in 3000 acres of the beautiful, rolling hills and valleys of the Pentland Hills Regional Park on a working free-range blackface sheep farm which has been in the Cowan family since 1850.

With sleek retro style all that’s left to do is swing open the patio doors, pour yourself a gin & tonic and slip into the outdoor hot tub – bliss.

Nearby: the bright lights of Edinburgh are only 20 minutes away, and history buffs will love Rosslyn Chapel and the walk around Roslin Glen.

From your doorstep, you can walk up into the Pentland – hike the Kips to Scald Law, or the Capital View Walk for incredible views across to the Forth Bridges – look out for pheasants, deer, highland coos and rare black grouse on the way.

Read more about Westside Woodshed, Edinburgh

The 5-star log cabin holidays – Eagle Brae, Beauly

Eagle Brae is a small and exclusive village of seven utterly beautiful self-catering cedar log cabins in Scotland surrounded by the business of Highland life; grouse moors, wandering red deer, wheeling birds of prey.

Part of an 8000 acres estate, for those looking for unique Scottish Highland log cabin holidays, Eagle Brae offers true luxury – an incredible sense of place in the landscape, wonderful peace and quiet, and genuine warmth in welcome. Read more: Eagle Brae

Nearby – Eagle Brae offers all the sporting estate activities a budding Highland laird could wish for – from camera stalking to husky racing and fly fishing.

Visit Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar and Loch Ness where you can explore Urquhart Castle. Further afield is the Highland capital of Inverness – don’t miss the organic pizza & beer at the Black Isle Bar.

Love, from Scotland x

All my recommended places to stay in Scotland

Kate Hopper

The travel blogger and photographer behind Love from Scotland