Embrace winter's hottest trend with these Scots hygge hideouts

THE latest trend to hit our shores is a Danish import that focuses on cosiness and contentment, here are five of the best places to achieve a sense of hygge over the festive season.

Enjoy staying in a luxury cabin in a highland forest. Picture: www.forestholidays.co.uk

A Collins’ top ten contender for word of the year, hygge is this season’s hottest trend sweeping the nation. For those of you who are unfamiliar with hygge, it is a Danish lifestyle concept that has become somewhat of a craze in recent months. Although the Danes insist that hygge is a feeling and therefore should not be translated, the concept essentially alludes to an air of cosiness and contentment. We’ve searched all over Scotland to bring you our top places to achieve a sense of hygge this winter.

A luxury cabin in the forest with Forest Holidays, Strathyre and Ardgartan Argyll

Largely focusing on the idea of making the ordinary things in life extra special and meaningful, we’ve found some peaceful cabins in the forest to share those special moments with your loved ones.

Enjoy a delicious coffee in Dumfries. Picture: The Picture Pantry / Alamy Stock Photo

“Just viewing a forest scene has been documented to have a very positive effect on psychological healing and recovering from stress”, says Psychologist Dr Latif.

With wellbeing and spending time with friends and family at the very heart of hygge, we suggest sipping hot cocoa and playing board games by a freshly lit log fire.

Cabin prices start from £355 (3 bedrooms, sleeps 6) for 3 nights over the weekend.

Kings Coffee & Books, Dumfries

Picture: Creative Control / Alamy Stock Photo

Whilst the Italians are renowned for their aromatic and delicious coffee, you may not know that Denmark also boasts a huge coffee culture. Their cafés are blissful hideaways, cosy indoors to refuge from harsh winter weather with scents of coffee and freshly baked pastries.

There’s not much yo-yo dieting in Denmark and the Danes believe in being kind to themselves, that means indulgence – think cakes, scones and pastries. Good food and warm drinks play an important role in hygge, head to Kings Coffee to transform your morning coffee into a relaxing experience to savour.

The Cock and Bull, Aberdeen

As well as eating and drinking, lighting also plays a vital role in hygge with Danes opting for lamps and candles over large ceiling lights. As such, fireplaces are key to embracing hygge and Scotland boasts a wealth of cosy pubs with open fireplaces which you can enjoy with friends, discussing the big and small things in life – very hygge.

Glamping near Loch Tay. Picture: www.lochtay-vacations.co.uk

Glamping near Loch Tay

Spending quality time with your nearest and dearest is essential to hygge. With the increasing presence of technology in our everyday lives, why not leave your phones at home and make memories that will last a lifetime.

With the days getting shorter as we slowly welcome winter’s darkness, transform a staycation into a moment to remember by spending the evening in a cosy cabin drinking good wine and eating tasty food. The interior of these glamping domes ooze hygge with their wood burning stoves, bean bag seating and fluffy rugs.

Dome prices start from £130 for 2 people staying over 2 nights

The beautiful scenery around Loch Druim in Sutherland. Picture: eye35.pix / Alamy Stock Photo

Walking Holidays, Scottish Highlands

Many Danes say that hygge is a feeling that comes from taking pleasure in the simple things; making the ordinary, extraordinary, meaningful and special. With the routine of everyday life it can be easy to forget the beauty of the Scottish landscape. Reconnect with nature and embrace the fresh, crisp winter air with a walking holiday in the stunning Highlands.

Take a private group trip for 6 people from £775 per person.