angus luxury cottages with pool

Sustainable luxury self catering with gym, spa and pool, all with wonderful views of the Angus Glens and eastern Cairngorms.

In the heart of a hidden corner of the Scottish countryside, in the wilderness of the Angus Glens, three new luxury holiday cottages look out across a glorious view in perfect peace and quiet. Built from the reclaimed stone of an old steading and with corrugated roofs, these eco-friendly cottages fit beautifully in the landscape, a combination of traditional and modern, rustic and chic.

A terrace of three similar cottages faces the wonderful long view across the river South Esk to the Angus hills and distant eastern Cairngorms; downstairs, the bedrooms have full height glass doors leading onto private garden areas while upstairs, glass-fronted heated balconies invite guests to step out from the living room and enjoy the scenery at any time of year.

The decor is subtle and relaxing - pale walls, blond wood and smart, modern furniture are accented with muted natural tones that blend with the colours of the countryside; a smart, bright kitchen gleams with stainless steel and granite and a stylish oak and glass staircase links the two floors.

Just along from the cottages is the jewel in the crown, the wonderful leisure facility in which guests may exercise or luxuriate: a glass fronted heated pool, large six person jacuzzi, gym and massage area. I can honestly say I have never swum in a pool with such a view and in warm weather the glass doors through to the decking area can be opened wide for sunbathing.

It would be very easy to while away a week or so just in the cottages and leisure facility, exploring the network of footpaths that lead from here to Aberlemno, along the burn and past the carved Pictish stones or playing tennis on the outdoor court. It would be a shame, though, not to head out into these beautiful Angus hills and glens and do some serious walking, or while away an afternoon strolling along one of the lovely sandy beaches, St Cyrus perhaps, or Lunan Bay.

There are some stunning castles to visit, too. The pink sandstone ruins of Edzell Castle sit in pleasant parkland; the formal walled garden designed by the Lindsay family in 1604 was recreated in the 1930s and still features the original carvings depicting the Seven Cardinal Virtues, the Seven Liberal Arts and the Seven Planetary Deities. On the picturesque east coast stands majestic Dunottar Castle, featured in Mel Gibson's Hamlet and more recently in the film of Frankenstein starring Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy, to be released in Oct 2015.