luxury Highland lodges

Luxury self catering timber lodge with stunning views over Loch Inver and the Assynt mountains beyond - sleeps 6

High up above the pretty fishing village of Lochinver now sits a second, brand new luxury Highland lodge, looking down over the sea loch and across to the Assynt mountain range with its unusual, dramatically shaped peaks. With the house just completed, one final touch of luxury is still to come - a splendid seven person hot tub will grace the outdoor decking area from the beginning of 2014. Once this is in place, guests will be able to sit back in the warm, bubbling water and enjoy the view from this wonderfully decadent vantage point.

Inside the lodge, ceiling height windows offer a glorious panorama of the same view from the huge, open plan living area. In this bright and airy room, an enormous and comfortable sofa dominates the seating area, facing the window and woodburner. This is a great place to sit in the evening all cosy and warm, looking out at the sea and mountains as night draws in and enjoying the flicker of the fire which glows from the glass sided woodburner. The decor is simple and effective: cream walls, rich wooden floors and earthy upholstery are brightened with touches of scarlet in the rugs and cushions, a theme carried through into the adjacent kitchen space where sleek, chic wooden cabinets sit beside shiny red tiles and classy granite worktops.

I love the open plan layout - it makes for very sociable living - and no one is shut away in the kitchen slaving alone over a stove. If it's warm, the large, furnished decking area makes a very pleasant extra outdoor room in which to sit, eat or cook on the barbecue and soon, to have a good splash in the hot tub too.

Here there are three spacious bedrooms to sleep six guests, but if there are more in your party, or you're spending part or all of your holiday with another group of family or friends, don't be dismayed. Two enterprising brothers have built two equally wonderful and luxurious lodges which sit beside one another but not so close as to affect the privacy of each. The lodges are similar in layout and both enjoy the same fantastic view, but each has its own style and personal touches. If availability allows, both lodges can be booked together to cater for up to twelve guests.

Being newly finished, this lovely luxury lodge has plenty of availability at the time of writing, but to guarantee being among the first to enjoy a stay here, do please book well ahead - I am certain that the weeks will soon become booked up.