5 Beautiful Scottish Cottages You Can Buy Right Now

As technology changes the world, new twists on ancient ways of life are beginning to be realised in rural Scotland. Stonechats Croft, in the far north-west of Scotland, offers such a possibility. Having provided bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation over the last few years, planning permission is also in place to turn an old ruin into a fishing/hunting lodge. In addition to this, the sale includes croftland, with its own shoreline and mooring point. With the increasing popularity of this corner of Scotland and the ability to share and promote online, crofting is attracting people who might never have thought of this way of life before.

Stonechats Croft has three bedrooms — each with an en-suite — a living room, dining room, conservatory, study area and a large kitchen. As well as a detached garage, there are also a pair of mobile homes included in the sale, and five acres of land. This corner of the world is also, in short, stunning. With empty beaches, wild mountains and moors, salmon and trout fishing, superb sea kayaking and so much more, Stonechats Croft is ideal for those wanting to live in one of the most beautiful regions in Europe. Just look at the views:

This wee croft is certainly the place for anyone seeking to get away from it all. With no roads to the property, it is only accessible by walking or a boat ride across Little Loch Broom, making it perfect for those who want peace and quiet. The property itself is decrofted, along with a 3/4 acre garden, and there is a further 1 1/4 acres of croftland behind the house. A traditional stone-built cottage, with wood burning stoves, a rayburn in the kitchen, two bedrooms and an attached studio, Ali Shornets has been renovated, but not completely, providing the ideal place for someone to add their own touch.

This delightful stone cottage is situated in Argyll and Bute, a short distance from the famous Loch Fyne, among rolling hills and beautiful woodlands. One of only four houses in this small hamlet, Glensluain Farm is a bright and attractive building, both inside and out, solidly built and with wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. With mature gardens, three bedrooms and a large attached steading, this is a peaceful place to live, yet is only 50 miles to Glasgow airport. The sleeper train to London also stops at Arrochar, only half an hour’s drive away. The area has renowned fishing and sailing opportunities, with many excellent walks right on your doorstep.

Knoydart is a peninsula on the west coast of Scotland which requires either a boat ride or a very long walk to reach. It is home to mainland Britain’s most remote pub, The Old Forge, and is a haven for walkers, lovers of the outdoors and wildlife watchers. Knoydart Cottage, known locally as Gardeners Cottage, was built in the 1880s but has been sympathetically modernised, with central heating, double glazing and a wood fired stove in the living room. There are three bedrooms and the cottage is just a short 10 or 15 minute walk from the ferry (and the pub!).

This area of Scotland is remarkably beautiful, wild, and features exactly the kinds of views people travel to Scotland to see. Often called ‘Europe’s last wilderness,’ Knoydart is connected to the world via a boat ride to Mallaig, which is both where the road to the Isles ends, and the ‘Harry Potter train‘ terminates.

On the same side of Little Loch Broom as Ali Shornets, but situated just before the road ends, Annie’s Croft is ideal for those people who want similarly stunning views, but not the walk or boat journey. 30 miles by car from Ullapool, but only five as the crow flies, this property is surrounded by incredible places to walk and explore, with deep sea lochs, tall mountains, and empty beaches. Inside, the property offers two bedrooms, a large kitchen, a sun room soaked in light, store, bathroom, loft room, and a living room. However, there is also an attached one bedroom flat, or ‘Nan’s Nook’, with a living room, shower room, and kitchenette, perfect for self-catering or guests.

Outside Annie’s Croft are several outbuildings, including a stone barn with hay loft, freezer shed, potting shed, a large garden shed and two lean-to greenhouses. The beautiful garden is well laid out, with shelter for flowers, shrubs, herbs and extensive vegetable gardens. If that weren’t enough, there is also an orchard and field.

Finally, for those of you who may be tired of a nose-to-tail commute, here is the road to the property — you are far more likely to share it with wildlife with real tails than you are to be stuck behind another vehicle.