GLASS of wine in hand, firepit crackling away, I looked up at the stars and instantly understood why this tranquil haven was called Big Sky.
We’ve all got a holiday destination we know we should have been to but haven’t.
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And when it’s in your own country there aren’t many excuses.
For me it was the Black Isle. The enchanting Highlands peninsula had always intrigued me.
The name alone conjures images of a mystical land dreamt up for a fantasy novel. And so I finally went. And the reality was even better.
Me, my wife Lesley-Anne and our three sons Luke, Josh and Scott, not only had the pleasure of exploring this magical part of Scotland but we also got to do it while staying in the most wonderful luxury countryside lodge we found on the fabulous ToWander website.
Nestled on the edge of the Black Isle, Big Sky Lodges is a blissful retreat. Eight beautiful cabins sit on a picturesque family-run croft with unspoiled views of tree-lined fields. The only sounds are of nature — from red kites flying above to the gentle shuffling of the two Highland cows that roam the adjoining grassland.
We stayed in the Rowan Lodge, a Scandinavian three-bed and two-bathroom delight. Its stunning cathedral ceiling made the already spacious living area even more bright and airy.
The open-plan kitchen/diner and lounge with all mod cons — including impeccable WiFi and a lovely log fire — was a joy to relax in.
After a day in the outdoors it’s a perfect space to chill.
And upstairs there’s a quirky and cosy little mezzanine packed with books, board games, kids’ toys and a DVD player, a perfect little hub for a glass of wine or a cuppa.
Add in little touches like original artworks, hand-made furniture, Tunnock’s teacake pillows and an old wireless-style digital radio and it’s clear that husband and wife owners Ailsa and Jonny are devoted to offering a very personal stay — evident from our names chalked onto the little blackboard at the front door to mark our arrival.
Each day we started with breakfast outside on the veranda before a stroll through the croft’s charming woodland. The area is packed with great walks — including Spittal Wood right next to the croft.
And at night we got the firepit going for some marshmallow-toasting and an al-fresco drink underneath the stars.
The accommodation and the croft itself are so relaxing that I wouldn’t blame visitors for just staying there — and I’m sure many do.
But we had some exploring to do. The Black Isle is famous for its bottlenose dolphins and there’s no better viewing spot than Chanonry Point, nestled between the picturesque town of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, a charming little village.
Armed with binoculars provided by our kind hosts, we spent a lovely afternoon walking around the sandy shores, pointing the lenses at any shimmer in the water.
GO: BLACK ISLE
CABINS at Big Sky Lodges sleep from two to six people.
The rolling mist didn’t make dolphin-spotting easy but it did create a magical atmosphere. The stillness and the silence — broken only by soft rolling waves — was mesmerising.
In the end we did catch a glimpse of the playful creatures. Job done.
We headed into Fortrose for lunch where there are loads of pubs and restaurants to choose from. Further along at Rosemarkie it’s the same, with cracking little food spots down near the water.
The next day we ventured further afield to Loch Ness but, sadly, there were no sightings in the water on this occasion.
Undeterred, we enjoyed a great woodland walk around the world’s most famous loch, followed by coffee and cake at a lovely little cafe.
Big Sky Lodges is a great base to explore not just the Black Isle and Loch Ness, but other Highland hotspots like Beauly, Inverness and Drumnadrochit.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
We enjoyed the best of both worlds — blissful relaxation in a first class holiday home mixed with the beautiful outdoors.
Big Sky Lodges definitely had us on Cloud Nine.
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