I’ll never forget the drive up to that gorgeous holiday spot near Inverness – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the A9 turned into a proper comedy of errors. We’d set off full of beans, me navigating on my phone while my other half drove, both buzzing with that pre-holiday anticipation of cosying up in some Highland hideaway. But no, about 20 minutes from Beauly, the sat-nav decided to throw a wobbly and sent us down a narrow farm track that was more mud than road. Cue the car fishtailing like a startled deer, splattering our windscreen with muck, and me yelping as we bottomed out on a hidden pothole. “This is it, isn’t it?” I joked through gritted teeth, secretly wondering if we’d end up pushing the blooming thing out. By the time we finally spotted the estate entrance, we were late, a bit frazzled, and covered in what felt like half of the Highlands.

Pulling up to the property, though, all that chaos melted away like snow in spring sunshine. Tucked in a peaceful nook at the heart of this stunning Highland estate, it was a proper picture-postcard cottage – the sort that makes you grin like a fool just looking at it. We left our wellies caked in mud by the door and stepped inside, and blimey, the first impressions were spot on. High white ceilings with that original hen house roof gave it this magical fairy-tale vibe, and the wood kitchen was a belter – sleek appliances begging for a kettle boil-up. We cracked open a bottle of fizz at the intimate dining table for two, toasting our muddy arrival and vowing to make memories despite the sat-nav sabotage. Laughter bubbled up as we reminisced about the drive; honestly, it was the perfect ice-breaker for our getaway.

That evening, we spilled out into the private garden, slipping into the hot tub under a blanket of stars. The warmth seeped into our bones, washing away the day’s daft mishaps, and we just sat there, gazing up and chatting nonsense. Back inside, we snuggled into the massive four-poster bed, flicking on the telly for a film, feeling like we’d stumbled into our own little dream. Morning brought a refreshing shower in the chic bathroom – simple luxury that set us up perfectly for the day.

We wandered the Belladrum Estate paths, breathing in the fresh air, then strolled along the River Beauly with glimpses of Beaufort Castle and Aigas Gorge. Popped into Beauly village for a flat white at the café and a nose around Campbell’s Tweed House – posh shopping without the London crowds. The arrival kerfuffle had us reflecting gently over coffee: sometimes those little disasters make the good bits shine brighter, don’t they? It was just us, this enchanting spot, and pure Highland magic. Couldn’t have asked for a better reset.