The Gate Lodge at Mayen Estate

• Sleeps: 2
• Bedroom: 1
• Bathroom: 1
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

If you could imagine the perfect setting for a romantic escape in nature, The Gate Lodge is it. Built in 1788, the exquisite cottage is deeply secluded in ancient woodland on the captivating, 1,100-acre Mayen Estate.

Here in the wildlife-steeped Deveron Valley, close to the Moray coastline in north-east Scotland, time slows down and life feels blissfully calm again.

Better still, while The Gate Lodge has been gloriously reimagined for modern opulence, a gentle sense of history radiates throughout. You’ll find it in the pink limestone walls, heritage features and antique furnishings, while warm décor and soft textures create a comforting sense of home.

Every room boasts features designed to warm hearts and souls, from the cosy sofas and wood-burning stove in the lounge to the double-ended rolltop bathtub in the kingsize bedroom. There’s a well-equipped kitchen and a full bathroom, too, furnished with a walk-in shower, Scottish fine soaps, fluffy towels and cotton robes to wrap up in.

Outside awaits a whole new world of wonder, with a private garden to unwind in together against a soundtrack of birdsong. Fire up the Ooni pizza oven or Kamado barbecue for a mouth-watering al fresco supper, devoured by glorious sunset.

(To make holiday life even easier, you can order locally-produced foodie essentials and tasty delights – from pizza-making kits and local apple juice, to gooey S’mores treats for the firepit – from Mayen Estate’s on-site Shoppe, which is exclusive to guests and accessed at any time).

You’ll also have the chance to relax in your very own Scandi-style woodland spa, with a nature-view sauna and a wood-fired bath (enjoyed hot or cold!), for the most magical evening.

At a glance

• A romantic Georgian cottage retreat-for-two in the Deveron Valley, with full self-contained facilities and a private sauna in the woods.
• The cottage is privately secluded on the 1,100-acre Mayen Estate, close to the Banffshire coast in north-east Scotland.
• Cook indoors or out, with an Ooni pizza oven and Kamado barbecue ready and waiting on the patio – order kits and supplies from the exclusive, on-site Shoppe!
• Relax in the woodland-view sauna, before a refreshing dip in the Scandi-style wood-fired bath… bliss.
• The kingsize bedroom also features a double-ended rolltop bathtub to unwind in.
• On site, order a handmade picnic, explore the Walled Gardens, exclusive to guests, go fishing, or say hello to the resident Highland Coos.
• Close by are castles, whisky distilleries, and endless natural landscapes to discover.
• The Moray coastline, with its beautiful beaches and coastal villages, is a short drive away.

Features

• Adults Only
• Hot Tubs
• Seaside Breaks

More information

When it’s finally time for sleep, you’ll find your kingsize bed decked in luxury British linens, with extra pillows and blankets for dreamy nights of slumber and long, lazy lie-ins alike. The folding patio doors open right out to welcome the outside in, and there’s a bistro table waiting on the patio to ease you into the day… perhaps with a little help from the Ninja Pro coffee machine, which brews hot and cold drinks using locally roasted beans.

While you could feel extremely tempted to hole yourselves up at The Gate Lodge all holiday long, there’s plenty to see and do on the estate alone. Take a stroll around the heady, flower-filled Walled Gardens – available to guests only – go fishing, or say hello to the resident Highland Coos.

For a special treat, you could even order a delicious hand-made picnic to be delivered directly to you, or ready and waiting in a favourite picnic spot (such as the Summer House or Bridge Lodge).

In the mood to explore further afield? Head to the Moray coastline, just a short drive away, to visit paradise-like beaches and coastal villages. You’ll also find this glorious part of Scotland awash with fairytale castles, whisky distilleries, and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes you’ll ever set eyes upon, in a break that’s bound to live long in your memory.

Things to note

This is an adults-only, pet-free retreat. The wood-burning stove comes with unlimited logs.