St Conan's Escape

Wake up to incredible views during a stay in one of the glass-fronted lodges at St Conan’s Escape in Scotland’s southern Highlands. These mountainside cabins in Argyll and Bute look over the aptly-named Loch Awe, where the resident wildlife includes ospreys, pine martens and otters. Get lucky and you might see sea eagles too. Positioned on the slopes of Ben Cruachan, the cabins are a great base for wildlife watching and walking. As well as a great deal of relaxing.

The two dog-friendly lodges at St Conan’s Escape each offer self-contained, self-catering accommodation for a couple. Each has a single living space with cosy seating and a log burner, a kitchenette, bedroom area – and, of course, an en suite shower room and loo. The difference is only in finishings and fixings, giving each its individual style. Columba’s whitewashed walls give it a fresh and modern appeal, while the natural hues and darker colours give Odhrán, a slightly more rustic and cosier vibe. Both are filled with light thanks to the huge bifold doors which look out onto the view. And whichever lodge you stay in, it’s ultimately all about that view.

Step out into it and you will soon be soaking up the scenery from 360 degrees as you hike up hills and explore the loch. For the fit, there are four munroes to be bagged in the area, starting with the one you’re staying on the side of: Ben Cruachan which at 1,126 metres is the highest in Argyll and Bute. Then there’s the village of Lochawe and Saint Conan’s Kirk on the water’s edge, where you can learn about your getaway’s namesake. And, of course, there’s the water itself. Borrow, hire or bring your own kayaks to get out on the loch which, in case you need something else to be awed by, is Scotland’s longest: 25 miles end to end.