Cunningair, Kirkwall, Orkney - OR00447F

Set high on the rising ground above Kirkwall, Cunningair makes the most of its position with views that run for miles, across green fields and out to the water beyond. Horses graze the slope below and the sky does the heavy lifting here, big and ever-changing. It's a roomy place built for a crowd.

Inside

The open-plan living and dining room is the heart of it, a generous space with cream leather sofas and a recliner gathered around the TV, a large wooden dining table with seating for the whole group, and a wall of windows framing that long view. The kitchen is a proper working space with wood units, a full-size fridge freezer, oven, washing machine and a second sink set under another window that looks out over the fields, so even the washing-up comes with a view.

Where you'll sleep

With four bedrooms, Cunningair sleeps eight. One of the doubles is a calm, cosy room with a puffin print on the wall and curtains framing the garden outlook, the kind of restful space you'll be glad of after a full day out.

Step outside

The setting is the selling point. From the windows and the grounds you look out over open farmland sloping down towards the sea, with that wide Orkney horizon stretching away. It's peaceful, rural and yet only minutes from town.

The setting

You're on the edge of Kirkwall, close enough to nip in for shops, restaurants and the cathedral, but far enough out to feel properly in the countryside. It's a handy base for striking out to the ferries and the wider isles.

Perfect for

A large family or two families travelling together, sleeping eight across four bedrooms, with a hot tub, parking and plenty of room to spread out.