unique holiday cottages

Two stunning stone lodges with incredible views, cut into the hillside above the vibrant wee town of Ullapool in the north west Highlands

A rich, copper glow warms the greys, blues and gold of the dry stone walls as the sun makes its leisurely descent; from inside we watch the changing colours of the sky and loch and the gradual twinkling of lights coming on in the town below. We are on top of the world up here, sipping our glasses of champagne and luxuriating in our lovely hillside retreat. Here is the proof that good things are worth waiting for: five years of planning, persevering and perfecting have resulted in a truly wonderful and unique holiday home that guarantees a very special holiday, no matter what the weather may bring.

The Stonehouses are the realisation of Rachel and Gavin Anderson's vision to create two unique and unusual holiday homes in harmony with nature and the landscape. They have been ingenious in making the most of the elevated location and employed local, natural materials and local craftsmen, some of whom journeyed daily across the loch and up the hill to the site. We stayed in Curved Stone, the larger of the two abodes, but we have been privileged to have a sneak preview of Treetop, which is to open for bookngs in 2014 and promises to be just as fantastic as its forerunner.

One of the many striking things about the lodges is their shape: there is something especially relaxing and aesthetically pleasing about curves. The lovely golden wood, pale blue, grey and white Scandinavian-style decor and stunning views of the loch and islets all add to the general air of quiet calm which extends throughout the house, from the bedroom to the beautiful bathroom and sensational sauna. The sauna here bears no relation to the often claustrophobic wooden boxes I have been in before: like the rest of the house, it's curved, spacious and has a great view.

Curved Stone is the larger house, with plenty of room for four both inside and out - the lovely stone terrace is a perfect place to enjoy drinks, al fresco meals and the fantastic view. Treetop sits high above a rocky gorge whose stream turns to a cascading waterfall after rain and will be ideal for an intimate romantic holiday for two. Panoramic windows look out over the tops of birch, rowan and ash to the mountain, sea and islands. I have a plan in mind already for a special anniversary visit - I want to be one of the first to stay here!

As well as our unique holiday cottage, we became quite fond of our nearest town - Ullapool is a wee shining gem of a town, a vibrant hub of Highland culture where there is always a pipe or a fiddle playing and a song to be sung; after only a few days we felt as though we belonged. It really is a shame to go home.