Studio House

Studio House sits right on Front Road in St Margaret's Hope, looking out across the water of the Hope. It's a stylish, characterful little house arranged over two levels, with a striking spiral staircase at its heart and a real sense of having been thoughtfully done up.

Inside

The living space is open and inviting, with a comfortable tan leather sofa dressed in green and burgundy cushions, a wood-burning stove set into a charcoal recess, and built-in shelving filled with books and ornaments either side. A round mirror, framed coastal prints and warm wood-effect flooring tie it together. The dining area shares the room, with a glass-topped table and chairs laid up with plates, mugs and a teapot — a copy of The Orcadian left out for a leisurely breakfast. The kitchen is sleek and contemporary in pale gloss units with a built-in oven and microwave, subway-tiled splashbacks and a black tap over the sink.

Where you'll sleep

This one-bedroom house sleeps two. The shower room is a smart, modern space with a wall-hung WC, a white vanity, a backlit round mirror and a glazed shower, finished in marble-effect tiling and wood-look flooring — there's a second WC area with a circular illuminated mirror as well.

Step outside

The big draw here is the outlook — an upstairs window frames a clear view straight out over the sea, the kind of view you'll want to sit with a coffee in front of.

The setting

St Margaret's Hope is the main village on South Ronaldsay, a pretty waterfront settlement of stone houses with a couple of places to eat and the Pentland Ferries terminal for the mainland. From St Margaret's Hope the Tomb of the Eagles and the Churchill Barriers up to Kirkwall are all an easy drive.

Perfect for

A couple after a stylish, romantic bolt-hole with a sea view, a wood-burning stove, parking, wifi and a proper kitchen — ideal for a quiet, slow break on South Ronaldsay.