The Gate Lodge Forse

The Gate Lodge is in Forse, on the north coast up past Lybster. It's a detached old cottage, built in the 19th century. It used to be the gatehouse for the big estate.

It sleeps five, in three bedrooms. There's one proper bathroom with a shower. It's a 3 Star place, so it's comfortable and clean but not at all fancy. The front doors are a bit low, so watch your head going in and out. It's just how old buildings are.

You're down a three-quarter mile private track from the main road, so it's very quiet. The track goes through trees with a little burn and some waterfalls. You'll see deer. The family who own the estate run a small café and craft shop from the big house. You're welcome to walk in their 24 acres of grounds.

Lybster village is about three miles away. It's got a shop, a pub, and a good restaurant. The harbour is nice. The coast here is all cliffs and big empty beaches. For a proper sandy beach, you'd drive a bit further, maybe to Dunbeath or Sinclair's Bay. There are old brochs and standing stones all over the place if you like that sort of thing.

Inside, the rooms are decent sized. The kitchen leads through to the living room. There's a dining room and a small utility room off the hall. The stairs are the original ones, so they're a bit steep and turn a corner. All the bedrooms look out over the fields or towards the sea.

Facilities: it's got a dishwasher, washing machine, WiFi, and TV. Bedding and towels are included. There's a cot and a highchair if you need them. The garden is enclosed. You can park right outside. We take up to three dogs.

If you're planning trips, the North Coast 500 route goes nearby. For local history and archaeology, Historic Environment Scotland has details on the sites.