See You Soon, Minimoon! Scotland’s Best Love Shacks

Here at Fuze HQ, we’ve noticed a new wedding trend, or more specifically, a post-wedding trend emerging; it seems that more and more newlyweds are saying “I don’t” to the traditional honeymoon, opting to minimoon instead.  In fact, in 2018, 43% of British couples opted to head on a minimoon right after they got married and 76% would then proceed to take a longer holiday, which would double up as a traditional honeymoon, any time up to two years after their wedding.

Picture the familiar scene – a beaming couple are waved off from their wedding reception, tin cans a’clattering behind a ‘just married’ getaway car.  The happy twosome are on their way to the airport to jet off on a once-in-a-lifetime exotic honeymoon where they’ll spend a fortnight (and most probably a fortune) celebrating and embracing their newlywed status.  Sounds pretty idyllic, right?  Well the majority of newlyweds would disagree.

Practically:  With the average wedding costing upwards of £25,000, many couples are just too financially stretched after their wedding to afford a far flung luxury fortnight.  Add to that, lots of couples have maxed out their holiday entitlement on the run up to their wedding day.  

Mentally:  After planning, organising and delivering the biggest day of your life, the prospect of organising a once-in-a-lifetime holiday can be too much. 

Socially:  With the advent of social media, millennials are changing the face of traditional weddings. Couples are shunning church weddings, brides are wearing all the colours of the rainbow (often at the same time), bridesmaids are wearing suits, bouquets are being created out of antique jewellery and couples are eloping with only pets for guests.  Weddings are changing, and so are honeymoons.  

So enter, the MINIMOON!

The magical minimoon is the perfect alternative to the traditional honeymoon.  Put simply, a minimoon is a local, luxury, long weekend where couples can head to a love shack of their choosing to relax and enjoy their ‘just married’ status.  Minimoons don’t break the bank, they involve minimal stress, PLUS couples can take all the decorative and edible leftovers from their reception.  Bring on the wedding cake leftovers for breakfast in bed!

So without further ado, we’ve listed our top ten Scottish Love Shacks where you can recharge and connect after your big day:

The Blackhouse Suite, Waternish, Skye

This gorgeous Hebridean Blackhouse is utterly romantic.  Escape beneath its turf roof between one metre thick stone walls, this super stylish and cosy cottage is the perfect minimoon getaway.  Floor to ceiling windows let in lots of light and look out to Loch Snizort and onwards to the islands of Harris and Lewis.  The Suite has a comfortable super kingsize bed and Fired Earth bathroom with a huge, freestanding stone bath with a separate walk-in, rain drench shower.  A stylish sitting area is decorated with Harris Tweed and beautiful linens inspired by the colours of the flowers and plants on the surrounding land.

The Owl House, Glen Lyon, Perthshire

The Owl House is a super cosy retreat, just five minutes from historic Fortingall, with its famous 5,000 year old Yew Tree. Perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway with Glen Lyon, Ben Lawers, Schiehallion, The River Tay, Aberfeldy, Drummond Hill and Loch Tay just a stone’s throw away. A stylish open-plan kitchen and living room with roaring log burner awaits and upstairs in the eaves you’ll find a king-size bed and en-suite shower room.  Listen out to hear all the owls hooting at night.  Bliss. 

Knoydart Hide, Inverie, Lochaber

For the ultimate escape into the wilderness, couples will be hard pressed to find anywhere this romantic in the whole of Scotland.  Arriving by boat from Mallaig, Knoydart Hide is situated in a beautiful and secluded woodland setting overlooking Loch Nevis.  The lodge comes with its own hot tub and sauna and from the bedroom couples are treated to a 180 degree view from the super-sized antique canopy bed! 

Roulotte Retreat, Melrose, Scottish Borders

Roulotte Retreat is situated in a beautiful three acre meadow nested below the Eildon Hills and includes several stunningly romantic French roulottes.  Each roulotte is gloriously unique with hand carved wood, sumptuous rich fabrics and contain double beds, power showers, wood burning stoves and cooking facilities.  When booking, ask for one of the roulottes with a wood-fired eco hot-tub.  You won’t be disappointed!

Driftwood House, Camusdarach, Arisaig

Driftwood House is a stunning property and although it’s bigger than our other featured love shacks, it has a wonderfully intimate vibe, so we thought Driftwood House deserved to be included in our top-ten.  Contemporary, with lots of glass and wood and perched directly above Camusdarach beach, this romantic and super-cool beach retreat is the perfect place to recharge after your big day.  Take walks along the beach by day and watch one of Arisaig’s world-famous sunsets by the wood burning stove at night.  

Curved Stone House, Ullapool, Wester Ross 

This fabulous curved stone house with turf roof is the ultimate luxury, romantic getaway!  Relax by taking a soak in the freestanding bath or embrace the sauna.  Every room has epic views out over Loch Broom and the Summer Isles from the floor to ceiling windows.  The property is just a ten minute walk from Ullapool where you can experience some excellent restaurants before heading back to light the wood burning stove and stargaze.

Tree Howf, Braco, Perthshire

The Tree Howf is a beautifully designed and crafted masterpiece!  Built high up within the branches of a huge tree, the property has amazing 360 degree views over the Ochil hills and beyond.  Immerse yourself in peace and quiet in this totally self-sufficient tree house, which has internal cooking facilities, shower and wood burning stove/oven.  In the evening sit outside on the balcony overlooking the lochan and test your cookery skills on the wood burning oven.

 

Croft 103, Laid, Sutherland

Situated right up on the north coast of Scotland, Croft 103 is the ultimate escape-from-it-all love shack.  Constructed from honey-coloured stone and benefiting from a south-facing aspect, this gorgeous cottage strikes the perfect balance between spaciousness and intimacy.  A substantial 7ft feather-topped bed made of lacquered steel and leather is the centre piece of the bedroom.  There are two baths – both designed to accommodate two people – one of which is outdoors on the secluded patio area overlooking the sea!  

The Garden Rooms, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire 

Situated in the grounds of beautiful Fasque Castle, this gorgeous one-bedroom serviced cottage boasts seriously romantic charm – cosy nights in front of an open fire; long lies in a carved king-size bed; quiet seclusion in the midst of nature.  Everything you need is readily to hand, from your first coffee to your bedtime bath.  If required, staff can even arrange for delivery of meals from the renowned Arch Bistro.

Castle Snug, Old Town, Edinburgh

If the wilderness isn’t your thing, then check out this romantic, historic and ridiculously unique apartment in the centre of Edinburgh.  Situated in the heart of the Old Town and only 200m from Edinburgh Castle, the Castle Snug was once the home of writer, James Boswell.  The property is seriously bijou and you’ll be amazed at the pull-down bookcase, which turns into a very comfortable double ded.  Whilst staying at the Castle Snug couples will be perfectly placed to experience everything that Edinburgh has to offer.