Craighead Howfs

Ian and Heather Keir’s Perthshire farm at Craighead contains a unique selection of self-catering properties set in natural gardens and woodland, sharing wonderful views and sunsets. Made up of stone and wood 'howfs' – the word for a favourite haunt or shelter – the innovative enterprise started with the conversion of an ancient stone barn into Muckle Howf, a five-star holiday cottage snuggled beneath mighty beams.

Muckle really is a special place, sleeping six in three en-suite double bedrooms. Both the master and upstairs 'whisky lounge' feature a glazed gable end – perfect for admiring the magnificent countryside vistas from, whether you're just waking up or watching the sun go down. There's a library and a wood-burning stove in the downstairs sitting area – a lovely, handsome space for settling down with a book and a drink. Everything else is right on the money too, from the modern, fully equipped kitchen-diner to the stylish sauna room with a large shower and an infra-red sauna. Outside, you've got a private hot tub and a patio with a fire pit, and beautiful grounds and gardens beyond, where you'll doubtless come across the farm's miniature donkeys, pygmy goats and friendly Highland cows.

For a bit more quirk, with the same bespoke style, couples will love Whisky Howf, a wood, stone and slate-built cruck-framed cottage down by the farm's loch. It's beautifully sited for wildlife- and bird-spotting and cosy nights, with a fire pit and barbecue outside and a wood-burner inside. The wooden, king-sized bed is a handcrafted thing of beauty, and there's also a roll-top slipper bath in a bedside 'nook' and a kitchen area with bespoke worktops, plus an en-suite shower and a compost toilet. It's 'off-grid' compared to Muckle, with only enough power for low lighting and to charge phones.

Five other two-person self-catering 'howfs' complete the picture. The off-grid 'Round Door Howfs' – the Red Burrow and the Green Burrows – are a pair of characterful hobbit dwellings that burrow into a grassy bank. Both have a colourful circular door that gives way to stone-walled interiors, and each is decked out with a carved wooden sink, a wood-burning stove, and a handmade bed (super-comfy and ideal for admiring the night skies as you gaze through the window above).

And then there's 'Ash Tree Howf', an enormous treehouse with far-reaching 360-degree Ochil Hills panoramas. This impressive masterpiece was built with attention to detail and features a wood burner, a huge stargazing window above the king-size bed, cooking facilities, a hot shower, and an eco-friendly compost toilet downstairs. There's also private outside space with a fire pit and a BBQ, plus more of those fabulous vistas. Let's not forget 'Wee Tree Howf', a split-level Swiss Family Robinson-style hideaway complete with an Ofuru wood-fired hot tub overlooking the water. Bathroom-wise? A private compost toilet and a spacious shower in the adjacent cabin. And finally, there's 'Summer Howf': immersed in the gardens and with a wood-fired hot tub under the trees, this secluded option is close to the duck pond and has electricity. Each is special in its own way and equipped with everything you could possibly need, from bedding and towels to kitchen equipment. Whichever location you choose, the design of the site has been carefully thought out, making the most of the natural shape of the garden and the fantastic views at each point. After one visit, you're guaranteed to have a favourite howf in this most stunning of Scottish locations.