Scotland's most dreamy woodland escapes - from cabins to treehouses

The Herald Scotland

5 days ago

The Treehouses at Lanrick, near Doune, Perthshire
There is something gloriously whimsical about staying in treehouse-style accommodation, a joyous juncture where Famous Five-esque adventures meet lashings (in the purest sense) of grown-up luxury.
The Treehouses at Lanrick are beautifully crafted timber lodges on lofty stilts, named after woodland birds: willow warbler, flycatcher, pipit, treecreeper and nuthatch.
They boast an impressive list of amenities, including an outdoor copper bath and electric barbecue, as well as treetop terraces that provide a perfect perch to sit back and soak up the surrounding scenery.
There are picturesque walking routes and picnic spots in the vicinity, with the area also excellent – as the treehouse names suggest – for birdwatching.
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Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, near Banchory, Aberdeenshire
A river cabin, bothy, hay loft, coach house and several steading cottages are among the cluster of accommodation at this gorgeously rugged location, with a raft of wholesome, woodland-themed activities, such as forest bathing, tree-hugging and hiking, available to try.
Part of the 15,000-acre Glen Dye Estate, it has the air of a retro campsite, where guests can access analogue entertainment from board games and books to record players.
Shared facilities include BYOB pub The Glen Dye Arms and Garden Camp, a recreation area perfect for rainy day activities. Other delights are the pick your own vegetable garden and eggs laid by the resident hens. The site also runs bushcraft courses.
Dreamcatcher Cabins, Gartmore, Stirlingshire
This quintet of eco cabins – Hedgehog's Hideaway, Squirrel's Drey, Fox's Lair, Jay's Nest and Badger's Sett – sit nestled within the trees, offering a private retreat surrounded by nature.
Designed to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible, there is solar lighting, fairy lights and candles, but no electrical sockets, with the idea to 'unplug' from the outside world and relax in tranquil surroundings.
Hedgehog's Hideaway (Image: Dreamcatcher)
The cabins come with outdoor baths where, depending on the time of day, you may hear the chirp of blackbird song or hooting owls as you take a dip.
Woodlands Glencoe, Ballachulish, Lochaber
A series of swish pods – billed as 'magical micro cabins' – are dotted along an idyllic, tree-lined riverside, each with a deck and hot tub.
They may look diminutive from the outside, but these stylish digs pack a lot into a tiny space. According to the owners, the goal with their RiverBeds Luxury Wee Lodges, which sleep two, was 'to create a castle inside a cabin.'
All contain a bedroom, kitchenette and en-suite shower room. The myriad creature comforts include Egyptian cotton sheets, a coffee machine, TV, designer toaster and mini fridge. Breakfast is brought to your door: warm croissants, bread and home-made granola.
Depending on which part of the leafy and verdant site you stay, there is a different feel. Does your vibe fall under 'fairytale fanatics, riverside romancers and daydreamers' or 'solitude, stargazers and sun worshippers'?
Punch Tree Cabins, near Rosebank, Lanarkshire
A hideaway in the heart of the Clyde Valley, there are two abodes to choose from – Copper Beech Cabin and Punch Tree Lodge – with amenities such as a firepit, barbecue and either a hot tub or outdoor bath.
We're talking twinkly lights and cosy nooks to blissfully curl up in. Oh, and with Mauldslie Wood right on your doorstep, there are big trees galore ranging from the majesty of giant sequoias, aka redwoods, to towering hemlock firs, an enormous copper beech and English yews.
Copper Beech Cabin (Image: Punch Tree)
The land here is steeped in history, formerly belonging to the estate of the now-demolished Mauldslie Castle. Over the centuries, the nearby woods were variously used as a royal hunting forest and orchard. They are now part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve.
Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @susanswarbrick.bsky.social