Scotland's new interior design genre of craft and heritage

It’s been a while in the making but the regeneration of Scotland’s accommodation is upon us. Previously, the classic yet dour hunting lodge was the only go-to for a retreat from the raw majestic landscapes. Now escapism in the wilderness of Scotland is more accessible than ever, with a raft of design boltholes, boutique crofters’ houses for two and everyone’s-invited country piles offering a redefinition of the luxury Highland experience.

Of course, we go to Scotland to revel in the outdoors, to lose ourselves in the wide-open spaces, the valleys clinging with mist, the inky lochs of Wester Ross and the deep black night skies of the Cairngorms National Park. But this new breed of stylish places to stay give us another way to experience the wilderness - through a design which blurs the lines with the rugged outdoors. Through this evolution, a new trend has emerged - the comforting yet stylish Scandi-Scot – a blend of Norse design and Gaels heart. 

The designer motto of Scandi-Scot can be seen clearly at Killiehuntly in the Cairngorms, pioneers of this new movement that blends Nordic design and Celtic heritage. A designer farmhouse, Killiehuntly is clad in ancient Highland stone softened with soothing Danish interiors. This private hideaway is the place to bring friends or simply join the communal vibes at long-table dinners of slow-cooked Highland game.

At Kinloch Lodge, a former hunting retreat, bring your clan for a whole-house luxe takeover. The grandeur of Highland heritage is soothed by Nordic touches creating a deeply comfortable home to hole up with your tribe - experiencing huge skies and heather-clad valleys en masse.

By contrast, tiny places like Kyle House in Sutherland are the perfect spots to hide away with a loved one and totally disconnect from life. The outdoors is brought in via vast wraparound windows where you can watch the Scottish weather sweep across the valley, from the cosiness of your bed or a sheepskin-lined armchair. It’s here that the functionality of Nordic design allows for that fusion with a classic Scottish aesthetic, with luxe additions of log fires, deep bathtubs and heated stone floors.

Even in the most remote and far-reaching corners of Scotland, you’ll find Highland hospitality. On the far tip on north-west Scotland sits Lundies House, a warm and welcoming guest house.

Stop here on a tour of the North Coast 500 and discover an interior with a seductive design canvas of Scandi aesthetics and Highland heart.

Our Scotland collection is for those who seek style and nature within traditional notions of Scotland. Browse our collection to find a fresh crafted design that celebrates a new accessibility to Highland escapism.