Sleepover: Oak Lodge, Scotland

A forest retreat in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire, Oak Lodge is the perfect getaway if you want to switch off and escape from the world for a bit. Nestled in the woods, this converted shepherd’s hut is surprisingly well-equipped – we even managed to rustle up a full Scottish breakfast using the wee grill combo oven. There’s no wifi at the hut, so no mindless scrolling in the evenings! Instead, we played Monopoly Deal and feasted on mac’n’cheese, haggis and broccoli (I know you won’t believe me, but an excellent combination!).

Location

Oak Lodge is located near Quilquox, about 30 mins drive from Aberdeen (which has an airport by the way). The nearest town is Ellon, which is a vibrant wee place on the river Ythan. There are numerous cafes, bakeries and fish & chip shops to choose from. My favourite cafe is The Coffee Lab, as they encourage you to bring a dog along, so it’s always full of cute puppers.

Facilities

The hut has a cosy double bed and it’s so quiet at night you’re guaranteed a deep sleep, although it’s easy to end up staying up quite late as it doesn’t really get dark in Scotland during the summer months! (At the time of writing – June – sunset is at 10pm and sunrise is at 4am). The kitchen is simple but well-equipped with everything you need to cook your own meals. There’s a sofa and fold-out table + chairs, as well as a picnic table outside.

Explore the area

BrewDog DogTap is a 10 minute drive away, and well-worth a visit to see the brewery – all powered by wind energy which is pretty awesome! The onsite taproom not only serves beer but also has a great menu and a whole load of board games and shuffle-board to play.

Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven is a 50 minute drive away. This Scottish castle has been burned to the ground numberous times yet remains one of the most stunning and dramatic castles in the country.

Drive north and enjoy the Aberdeenshire and then Moray north coast, full of white sand beaches and small fishing villages. Sample authentic cullen skink in Cullen, and stop by the stunning Bow Fiddle Rock in Portknockie.