SU CASA

INNER HEBRIDES HAVEN

You’ll find Ardfin sculpted into the southern shores of the Isle of Jura; a 12,000 acre estate, restored with sympathy for the environs, but also pure class. It combines 5-star luxury with a Bob Harrison-designed golf course, already as one of the best in the world, despite the resort’s youth.

Whether you’re there ‘to golf’ on the links or not, there are two ways to experience Ardfin as a guest, each special in their own way. The Quads operates as a luxury hotel. Originally one of Ardfin’s agricultural buildings, the Quadrangle has been transformed into 13 luxury bedrooms with spacious public spaces that include The Atrium, the main bar and dining area, with its glass ceiling and abundant natural light, and the Ceilidh Barn, which offers more space to relax, play billiards and taste whiskies.

But what we’re interested in here is Jura House – available on an exclusive-use basis, for minimum three-night stays for up to a positively bacchanalian party of twenty guests.

Ardfin was originally the seat of Scotland’s noble clans, the McDonalds and then the Campbells for hundreds of years. But it has taken longer to restore and rejuvenate Jura House to beyond its original splendour than it took to build the original house. With 10 beautiful bedrooms, grand reception and dining rooms, a billiard room and large indoor pool, Jura House is the perfect venue for extra-special re-unions and festivities.

ardfin.com

ESCAPE TO THE HIGHLANDS

Still within arm’s reach of civilisation should you run out of milk (it’s the house in the middle of the pic, perched on a hill) Dun Aluinn is an exclusive-use home-from-home situated in rolling, wild and heart-rending Perthshire. The main house at Dun Aluinn sleeps up to 18 guests in 9 sumptuous individually designed bedrooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom. But in addition, the separate ‘Lodge’ on the other side of its 5.5 acres of grounds sleeps an additional 8 guests (4 bedrooms, all en-suite).

Situated on an elevated site overlooking the town of Aberfeldy and the River Tay that winds through it, Dun Aluinn boasts an extensive terrace with stunning views down the Tay Valley to Schiehallion. Views that can be breathed in from a wood-fired natural cedar hot tub, nestled in the woods beside the house, large enough for 10-12 guests (should they be close-enough friends in the first place). Or wrapped-up, cosied-up around a fire pit with a hot toddy to hand.

Aforementioned milk shortages are actually unlikely, since catering is provided by nearby Ballintaggart Farm, with full housekeeping, butler and concierge services. But if you’d rather self-cater one evening, there’s always salmon fishing on the Tay.

dunaluinn.com

COSY IN THE COTSWOLDS

Well, perched on the Cotswolds’ doorstep, if we’re honest. But Oxfordshire nonetheless and no less gorgeous a setting, for this hosted home and countryside companion to private members’ club Maison Estelle in Mayfair, London.

Billing itself as “a new school club with old school values”, this sprawling community, hotel, hangout, whatever you need, follows in the footsteps of hipster boltholes like Birch in Hertfordshire. Ultimately, somewhere you and your friends can come for personalised service and discretion, but ensconced by a similarly minded, unstuffy and fun community.

A Grade-II listed landmark manor house sits at the heart of Estelle’s 60-acre estate, surrounded by over 3,000 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. There are four restaurants (a lively Brasserie, a traditional Chinese restaurant, the billiards room and a sun-drenched lush Glasshouse) and coming soon are the quite frankly, ridiculously extravagant ‘Eynsham Baths’: 3,000 square metres of Roman-inspired spa, encompassing a vast ‘tepidarium’ (the Latin scholars among you will know), five pools, a lounge, ten treatment rooms…

And then, the private houses.

At the time of writing, Hollyhock Cottage, The Farriers and Bluebell House were still to open their books, for six, ten and twelve guests respectively. But if you get in there fast, Woodland Cottage is the perfect intimate escape for you and another couple, or the kids.

An eclectically, bohemian-styled haven with two bedrooms each furnished with super king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. A vaulted living room space is complete with a wood-burning fireplace and dining room table. Cosy but cool, Woodland’s décor is an Anglo nod to Scandi cabins, with wood-slat ceilings, shearing throws and fabric lanterns – all rendered in cosy Cotswold pastels.

If you cherish memories of reading Brambley Hedge as a kid, this is where you live them out.

estellemanor.com