Tour a romantic retreat in rural Knoydart which boasts the 'best hot tub view' in Scotland

A Knoydart getaway prides itself on bringing a little drama and self-indulgence to its beautiful environment.

When Jackie and Ian Robertson built Knoydart House in 2011, they wanted to create a property that complemented their family and business life. Seven years later, it’s done exactly that.

The first incarnation of the house was supposed to be a luxury self-catering holiday home for two. The project immediately grew arms and legs and ended up as a holiday home for ten.

“We were running The Old Forge at Inverie, also known as the remotest pub in mainland Britain,” Jackie recalls.

Picture: Knoydart House

“We had taken the pub from being a small village pub and put it on the map. After 15 years, we were doing a hundred meals a night and had been awarded The Best Pub in Scotland.

"People’s expectations were getting higher and higher and that was what prompted building the house. I wanted to offer accommodation that matched these expectations.”

While Jackie’s vision was clear, the couple weren’t sure what the uptake would be. After all, Knoydart isn’t the easiest place to access.

Picture: Knoydart House

With no roads in or out, to get there requires an 18-mile hike over two Munros or a seven-mile sea crossing; it’s certainly a location like no other.

“As we didn’t know what to expect we designed the house to sleep eight with a self-contained studio apartment which slept two, so in the end we had accommodation for 10.

"From the outset, demand was high, and the house was used most of the time as a group booking.

"The studio apartment was used as a nanny flat for a chef or often a couple with a baby who were coming on a family trip but needed a bit more private space.”

Picture: Knoydart House

As Knoydart House became more and more successful, another self-build, Knoydart Hide joined the portfolio four years ago.

This time the couple stuck to their original plan and created a luxury couple’s retreat.

However, the plan had always been for the family to eventually move into Knoydart House, and earlier this year they did so.

“We’ve reclaimed the house, but as the Hide has been so popular we thought we could create something similar with the studio apartment. It’s already self-contained, it’s a great space and it wouldn’t impact on our family life.

Picture: Knoydart House

“As the kitchen and bathroom were already fitted, it was mainly adding the bells and whistles to create more of a romantic space.

"The open plan design incorporates a bedroom/living/dining/kitchen area with a separate shower room and access to the deck and hot tub is through patio doors at the rear of the space.

"Essentially it’s a combination of the standard that guests have come to expect from Knoydart House with the romantic elements of Knoydart Hide.

“As clichéd as it is, we wanted to bring the outside in, as most people coming to Knoydart are coming to immerse themselves in nature.

Picture: Knoydart House

"They want to wake up, open the doors and hear the birds sing, and they can do that here. The studio has its own private deck and exclusive use of the hot tub.

"The house and studio are also carbon neutral as Knoydart is completely off-grid and run off micro hydro schemes, so there’s no guilt trip either.”

As with the Hide, Jackie had great fun sourcing the finishing touches, indulging her passion for antique silver.

“Many of the antiques, we picked up on our travels, and as I love antique silver and especially silver on mahogany, I’ve added things like beautiful, antique silver, hand-backed mirrors in the bathroom that you can pick up and use. That was important to me.

"Everything in the studio is to be used, it’s not there for show. I want to see guests using the silver coffee pot when they’re having breakfast on the deck.”

Jackie readily admits that she sees the accommodation as “a bit like a stage setting”.

Hence the luxurious drapes and soft furnishings, the mahogany crown (sourced from India), the ciel de lit, and the lighting, which came from Andalucia and also appeared in the windows of Harrods (part of the Giorgio Armani collection).

“It’s a stage for people to reconnect with each other. The studio is about creating the space and building the ambience to give people the platform to be, enjoy, and immerse themselves in their stay.

Picture: Knoydart House

"Even for one night, it’s one night they won’t forget. We’re creating memories. People make such an effort to get here I want to make sure they think the journey was worth it.

“I’m a great believer that if you can get what you want where you least expect it, then that’s what makes your stay.

"For us to be able to offer a high-end experience rather than just a stay is what I’m aiming for.

Picture: Knoydart House

"Also, we’ve quickly realised that many couples only have one or two nights to have that experience, so you can book the studio for one night if you can’t commit to longer.

"It’s a real sanctuary but in a small footprint, and it’s one that we’re really happy to share.”

Knoydart Studio is available to let through Best Scottish Cottages.

Words: Nichola Hunter