Owlswood Lodge

Owlswood Lodge sits out at Orphir on the south Mainland, looking across open grazing land to the water beyond. It's a country house with room to breathe, and the view from the garden runs clear across the bay to the hills on the far shore, the kind of outlook you settle into and don't tire of.

Inside

The heart of the house is a warm open-plan kitchen and dining area in soft sage and cream. A long wooden table, laid here with floral cloth and blue crockery, seats the whole party, and it flows straight into a sitting area with tartan-cushioned sofas and a couple of wall lights for cosy evenings. The kitchen is a proper cream shaker design with a double oven, induction hob, butler sink and solid timber worktops over a slate floor, well set up for cooking for the household.

Where you'll sleep

There are four bedrooms across two bathrooms, sleeping up to six. The double I've seen is a restful room with a cream-framed bed, matching bedside lamps, a framed sunset print and fresh towels rolled out ready. Windows look out over the fields toward the sea, so you wake to that view.

Step outside

The garden runs to a neat hedge, beyond which the land drops away to the firth. There's space on the grass to sit out, and a hot tub for soaking under Orkney's big skies. On a clear day the cliffs and water stretch right across the horizon.

The setting

Orphir is well placed for exploring Orkney, handy for the Scapa Flow shoreline, the ferry at Houton and an easy run into Kirkwall or Stromness for shops and sights. It's rural and peaceful without feeling cut off.

Perfect for

Families and groups of up to six who want a comfortable country base with a hot tub, sea views and a kitchen built for shared meals. The garden, parking and family-friendly layout make it a relaxed choice for an Orkney week.