The Cottage

Couples after a quiet retreat will find The Cottage on a lane at the edge of a coastal village in Aberdeenshire, a straightforward drive south of Aberdeen. Built in the 1820s, the property sits on its own ground floor, with a living room where a wood-burner takes the chill off, a kitchen equipped for proper cooking, a bedroom with a double bed, and two bathrooms. The essentials—heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi—are covered, along with logs for the stove. There is parking for two cars on site.

The surrounding landscape draws its character from being at the edge of things: gardens backing onto farmland, a pond in the front garden, and proximity to the open countryside beyond. The village has a shop, cafes and a hotel within walking distance. The beach and its cliffs lie nearby, part of a National Nature Reserve where you might spot peregrine falcons among other wildlife. The property does not permit smoking. One dog is welcome.