Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands · Scotland
Montclare Estate
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At a glance
Montclare Estate covers 10,000 acres of the Scottish Highlands near Cannich, an hour’s drive from Inverness. One family or group has it at a time, spread across three buildings with 12 bedrooms that sleep up to 24.
The Estate Lodge is a restored Victorian lodge where wood panelling, four-poster beds, and open fires set the tone. White Cottage stands at the water’s edge, and The Green House has a garden house planted with tropical plants. Each is a four-minute walk from the Lodge, so a large group can keep its own rhythm and still come together for dinner.
The estate has its own loch, with a private beach, a Beach Hut and a boat house.
Autumn brings stalking and fishing, summer fills with days on the water, and winter centres on a Highland Christmas by the fire.
A resident chef cooks with Highland produce and Atlantic seafood, with menus built around the group. Meals and drinks are included, and an enhanced wine list is available at a supplement.
Highlights
- Exclusive use of a 10,000-acre Highland estate, centered on a restored Victorian lodge.
- A private beach on the loch, with a turf-roofed beach hut and a barbecue space.
- The Rock Spa, with a sauna and hot tub, plus a glass-fronted fitness studio.
Accommodation
White Cottage
Two bedrooms · Up to 4 people
White Cottage is a quiet lochside cottage, a four-minute walk from the Estate Lodge. It is a house for reading, resting, and doing very little, with the Lodge close enough for dinner. Its two double bedrooms sit on separate floors, so two couples each have a level to themselves.
The Birch is an intimate double in a secluded corner of the lower floor, facing east so sunrise comes down the length of the loch, with a modern en-suite shower. The Willow takes the top floor as a self-contained suite, with a super king bed, a private sitting room, and an en-suite bathroom built around a bespoke double vanity.
The Green House
Three en-suite bedrooms · Up to 6 people
The Green House is a self-contained cottage with a modern design, a four-minute walk from the Estate Lodge. A garden house filled with tropical plants opens off the sitting room, so the living space has a greenhouse at one end. It has two doubles and one twin.
The Caledonian is a bright, contemporary room on the ground floor with large windows. The Rowan is an upstairs double with a plush bed and a bath in its en-suite. The Holly is a cheerful twin room designed for younger travelers, which makes the cottage a natural fit for families.
The Estate Lodge
Seven double bedrooms · Up to 14 people
The Estate Lodge is the heart of the estate, a restored Victorian lodge that pairs modern comforts with Highland character. Wood panelling, period furnishings, and four-poster beds run through its seven double bedrooms, each named for a flower. Several sitting rooms and open fires give the house places to gather at any hour.
The Heather Suite is built around a traditional Highlands canopy bed, with a palette drawn from Scottish heather, two window seats, and an en-suite bathroom. The Rose centers on a four-poster double bed with a sofa, and The Magnolia has a dressing table set into a turret and a south-facing window seat.
The Lily of the Valley is a spacious double with a muted color scheme, an armchair, and a dressing room with ample storage. The Bluebell is fresh and bright with a modern design and is popular with younger travelers. The Daffodil keeps to a simple, well-appointed style with an en-suite shower, and The Primrose has a comfortable double bed and subtle decorative details chosen to keep the room calm.
Lodge Living Spaces
The Sir Edwin Landseer Room has hand-painted sporting scenes by the artist covering its walls and suits backgammon or a film. The Whisky Room holds a selection of whiskies, with tastings led by the Highland team.
The Games Room combines a billiards lounge with a private cinema and a large, state-of-the-art screen. The dance hall hosts cèilidhs.
Gallery
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Further information
Dining
A resident chef cooks with Highland meats and cheeses and seafood from the Atlantic, with menus built around each group.
Tiles in the Lodge Dining Room depict Ishbel, daughter of the 1st Baron Tweedmouth, in scenes from her country pursuits, and meals here run from breakfast to candlelit dinner. The Steading Grill Room sits on the north side of the loch, with a bar stocked with whiskies and gins, a West Terrace facing the mountains and a sound system for parties.
At the water, BBQ on the Beach sets up a barbecue on the sandy shore of the loch in any season. The candlelit Cellar beneath the Lodge is kept for wine and whisky tastings.
Wellness and Spa
The Rock Spa has a treatment room for massage, facials, and other beauty therapies, booked ahead with local therapists, with a sauna and hot tub alongside.
A glass-fronted fitness studio is set up for yoga and guided meditation as well as workouts.
Experiences
Stalking runs in season, led by the estate’s resident stalkers, for up to four people at a time, and partridge shooting is offered. Clay pigeon shooting and rifle target shooting are on the estate, and archery is available as well, all led by resident experts.
Wild brown trout can be fished from the loch, and anglers may keep their catch. Salmon fishing on the River Glass is catch and release only. Canadian canoes and paddleboards are available on the loch, and sailing can be arranged, with the Beach Hut’s log fire and barbecue for afterward.
On land, trails among pine and heather suit hiking and mountain biking, and Highland ponies are available for riding. The estate’s wildlife includes red deer, golden eagles and ospreys, and the estate describes the area as a Dark Sky location. Championship golf at Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch is within reach for a day away.
Scotland
Scotland’s climate and light shift dramatically by season, and that shapes a trip more than in most destinations. Summer brings close to eighteen hours of daylight in the Highlands, while winter days can be as short as seven, which changes not just what is comfortable to do but what is possible in a single day.
Our Experts
I'm Scottish so am very fond of this country. Windswept Highlands landscapes, stunning lochs, mountains and glens... it's a paradise for those who love dramatic scenery.
The cities of Scotland have an energy that isn't seen anywhere else on earth. Welcoming, vibrant, and with that famous Scottish sense of humor. Edinburgh is a must-see for those visiting this beautiful country.
Wolf helped us craft our Oxford and Scotland trip, from castles and lochs to an Edinburgh walking tour.
Bulbul G.
Millicent planned our trip to Scotland and Ireland so well, we knew she'd be our go-to agent again.
Diane
We enjoyed working with him so much, we used him again for Scotland and Ireland with my parents.
AJ S.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
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Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
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