Quirky Places to Stay in Scotland

Highland Cows, Hobbit Houses and a Warm Scottish Welcome If you’re searching for quirky places to stay in Scotland, sometimes it’s the unexpected little details that make a break truly memorable. At Craighead Howfs, those moments might include waking to birdsong, spotting a Highland cow in the neighbouring field, relaxing beneath the stars or staying inside a handcrafted Hobbit-inspired hideaway. Set in the peaceful Perthshire countryside, close to Dunblane and within easy reach of Stirling, Craighead Howfs offers much more than somewhere to sleep. Instead, it brings together unusual accommodation, friendly animals, beautiful surroundings and the warm welcome of a family-run Scottish smallholding. As a result, a stay here feels personal, relaxed and wonderfully different. More Than Just Somewhere to Stay Craighead Howfs has never been about creating ordinary accommodation. Over the years, Ian and Heather have created a collection of handcrafted howfs with help from their family. Each one has its own personality and has been designed to sit naturally within the surrounding countryside. Therefore, guests looking for unique places to stay in Scotland, quirky accommodation in Scotland or an unusual countryside escape can enjoy something very different from a conventional hotel or holiday park. Our adult-only glamping accommodation offers peaceful escapes for two. Meanwhile, Muckle Howf provides a spacious holiday cottage for families and friends wanting to explore Perthshire and central Scotland together. However, the accommodation is only one part of the Craighead experience. A Warm Scottish Welcome One of the things we love most about Craighead is the personal side of staying here. As a family-run smallholding, we want guests to feel relaxed from the moment they arrive. There are no hotel corridors, crowded reception areas or rows of identical accommodation. Instead, you can enjoy the countryside at your own pace and experience a quieter side of Scotland. Our animals, gardens, lochan and handcrafted howfs all form part of daily life here. Consequently, no two visits feel exactly the same. Above all, we hope guests leave with happy memories of their stay, whether that comes from a peaceful evening by the fire, a Highland cow photo, a soak in a wood-fired hot tub or simply taking time to slow down. Meet Our Highland Cows Perhaps some of our best-known residents are our Highland cattle. With their long coats, distinctive horns and unmistakably Scottish appearance, they are always popular with guests. In addition, seeing Highland cows surrounded by the Perthshire countryside makes for a particularly memorable Scottish experience. They share Craighead with alpacas, pygmy goats, Valais Blacknose sheep, a Shetland pony, emus, rheas, peafowl, guinea fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, cats and more. So, even a gentle walk around Craighead can lead to plenty of unexpected encounters. You can discover more about all our residents on our Meet the Animals page. Can You Visit the Highland Cows Without Staying? Yes. Although our animals are part of everyday life for guests staying at Craighead Howfs, visits to see our Highland cattle may also be arranged for people who are not staying with us. These visits are by prior appointment only. Craighead is a working smallholding, so visits need to fit around the animals and our day-to-day routines. Therefore, please contact us in advance rather than arriving without an appointment. There will be a charge for arranged Highland cow visits. However, pricing and availability are still being developed, so please contact us for current information. If you would like to arrange a visit, simply get in touch and we can let you know what is currently available. Stay in a Hobbit-Inspired Hideaway Our Highland cows are not the only reason Craighead attracts people looking for unusual places to stay in Scotland. Two of our most distinctive accommodations are The Burrow and Bag End, our handcrafted Hobbit-inspired retreats. Built into the landscape, with round doors, grass-covered roofs, natural materials and carefully crafted interiors, they offer a completely different alternative to a traditional hotel or lodge. For anyone searching for a Hobbit house in Scotland, a quirky romantic break or simply somewhere memorable to spend a few nights, these adult-only hideaways offer a peaceful escape from everyday life. Better still, you can step outside into the countryside and find yourself surrounded by wildlife, gardens and some rather unusual neighbours. Treehouses, Hot Tubs and Handcrafted Howfs Elsewhere at Craighead, there are even more unusual ways to stay. You can sleep amongst the trees, enjoy peaceful views across the grounds or simply settle into your own handcrafted hideaway. For an extra touch of relaxation, a private wood-fired hot tub can be added as an optional extra with selected accommodation. Therefore, guests searching for lodges with hot tubs in Scotland can enjoy something a little more individual than a standard lodge park. Each howf has been created with its own character. As a result, choosing where to stay is part of the experience itself. Whether you prefer a Hobbit-inspired retreat, treehouse accommodation or another of our quirky howfs, there is no one-size-fits-all approach at Craighead. Animals Are Part of the Craighead Experience For many guests, meeting the animals becomes one of the unexpected highlights of their stay. Highland cows may be the stars of many photographs, but they are certainly not alone. You may spot alpacas relaxing in their paddock, emus wandering nearby or peafowl adding a splash of colour to the grounds. Meanwhile, pygmy goats, sheep, poultry and our resident cats all add to the everyday character of the smallholding. Importantly, these are not staged attractions brought in for visitors. They are part of life at Craighead. Therefore, simply slowing down and watching the animals can become one of the most relaxing parts of your stay. Discover a Different Side of Scotland Craighead Howfs enjoys a peaceful countryside setting while still being well placed for exploring central Scotland. Dunblane is close by, while Stirling and its historic castle are within easy reach. Perthshire also offers beautiful scenery, walking routes, local food, history and plenty of places to explore. However, you do not always need