On the market: Three of the best rural self-build homes with beautiful views

Contemporary rural self-build homes offer comfortable and stylish homes without the hassle, and these also come with beautiful views.

There are distinct advantages to buying a self-built home. You can you move into a completed house, with none of the hassles of a development project, and – unless the former owner was building for profit – there are likely to be many added extras giving a much higher specification than most available from a commercial developer.

People building for themselves tend to be more indulgent with top-end fixtures and fittings rather than keeping an eye on profits.

In terms of price, properties perform like cars, so there will be a premium paid for a brand-new place, whereas a nearly-new one can offer a lot more value for money.

If the property is a relatively recent build, it is also likely to have modern design features far in excess of that of an older home.

Add an already landscaped and maturing garden and a modern designed home becomes the ultimate luxury.

A contemporary home in a rural setting, unlike its more traditional neighbours without the benefits of modern insulation and glazing, will be likely to have been designed specifically to make the best of the views and the orientation.

Loch Riddon House, near Colintraive on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, is a case in point.

Picture: Robb Residential

Built a little more than ten years ago, the house faces due south and from its raised vantage point, there are views south across Loch Riddon towards Tighnabruaich in one direction and up the loch to Glendaruel in the other.

Picture: Robb Residential

The house has large windows which frame the views, engineered oak flooring throughout the ground-floor level, Nordic double glazing and custom joinery.

Picture: Robb Residential

Three of the four bedrooms have dual aspects and the house has income-producing solar panels.

Outside, there is an acre of pretty garden, with a timber shed and machinery store, dog kennel and enclosure, and a hen house, overlooked by a viewpoint dining area at the front of the house.

Picture: Robb Residential

Cowal is a beautiful area, within an hour and a half of Glasgow. The settlement of Glendaruel, two miles away, has a tiny but well-regarded primary school, while state-school pupils can weekly board free of charge at the secondary in Dunoon.

Picture: Galbraith

Fearna Lodge Estate lies near the attractive fishing village of Lochinver and is about two hours from Inverness.

Picture: Galbraith

The property is a superb modern five-bedroomed lodge with 735 acres of land providing red deer stalking, rough shooting, duck flighting, and salmon and trout fishing.

Picture: Galbraith

It is close to one of the most spectacular and unspoilt stretches of coastline in Scotland with some of the UK’s finest beaches.

Picture: Galbraith

Sitting in an elevated, private position, the lodge was built in 2012 and benefits from 360-degree views from floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

It has solar panels, underfloor heating on the ground floor and a large wood-burning stove.

Picture: Galbraith

The Ice House at Crinan Ferry, Kilmartin, Argyll, is a totally different proposition, but has the advantage of being at least partially converted.

Designed to make the most of the spectacular views to Loch Crinan, it is a stone and glass structure built to preserve locally-caught salmon in ice in Victorian times.

Picture: Galbraith

The project was featured on George Clarke’s TV programme The Restoration Man. Featuring a vaulted ceiling under a turf roof, most of the the hard work has been done and planning permission is in place to create a two-bedroomed home by finishing the interior.

Picture: Galbraith

An outdoor hot tub is also ready to go and the property comes with private loch frontage.

At a glance

Picture: Galbraith

Where is it: The Ice House, Crinan Ferry, Kilmartin, Argyll.What is it: A partially converted Victorian building with garden and private loch frontage.Good points: Designed with a glass sun room and decking on the front where the beautiful views can be enjoyed to the full. It features a characterful vaulted ceiling inside and is topped with a turf roof.Bad points: There is still a lot of work to be done to convert it to a two-bedroomed home, but once completed it would rent well on the holiday market.Price: Offers over £250,000.Contact: Galbraith on 01463 224 343.

Picture: Robb Residential

Where is it: Loch Riddon House, by Colintraive, Argyll and Bute.What is it: A contemporary family home with an acre of garden. Four bedrooms, sitting room with box bay window, family room, study, dining room and kitchen.Good points: The views from the house’s elevated position are breathtaking and the design of the house makes the most of this lofty perspective, with free flowing public rooms and dual-aspect bedrooms all looking out over the loch. The garden is already established and well set up for country life.Bad points: Nearest shop is four miles away.Price: Offers over £359,000.Contact: Robb Residential on 0141-225 3880.

Picture: Galbraith

Where is it: Fearna Lodge Estate, Lochinver, Sutherland.What is it: A modern five-bedroomed house completed in 2012 at the centre of a well-established sporting estate, offering stalking, shooting and salmon and trout fishing.Good points: Spectacular location, and an excellent contemporary house whichstands proudly in a wonderful Highlandwilderness.Bad points: This much land will be a huge undertaking, particularly if field sports aren’t your passion, but offers will be considered for just the house and the garden.Price: Offers over £900,000.Contact: Goldsmith & Co on 0131-476 6500 or Galbraith on 01463 224 343.