I’ll never forget the drive up to our little two-bedroom cottage near Kiltarlity – it was meant to be a straightforward jaunt from Inverness, but no, I took a wrong turn somewhere around the A82 and ended up on a single-track road that seemed to lead nowhere but sheep and heather. Classic me, isn’t it? Satnav lost its marbles, and there I was, arguing with my wife about whether the map on my phone was upside down. We laughed it off, though, windows down, breathing in that crisp Highland air, hearts racing a bit with anticipation. What if we’d stumbled on Nessie’s secret lair by mistake?

Finally rolling up after that detour – about 30 minutes late, mind – we were gobsmacked by the first impressions. Tucked away just outside Kiltarlity, this cosy cottage screamed secluded bliss: comfortable, spotless inside, with a lovely seating area outside and the wood-fired hot tub option gazing out over panoramic views that stretched for miles. Loch Ness is only a 20-minute drive away, Inverness a quick 30, but honestly, we barely left the spot. It felt like our own peaceful Highland hideaway, perfect for couples or a small family unwind.

From there, the holiday turned into a glorious game of getting lost on purpose – or so it felt. We’d set off for a “quick walk” each day, no map, just following gut instinct and the odd signpost half-hidden by bracken. First hidden gem? A tiny, unmarked path off the road to Loch Ness that led us to a forgotten wee bay on the loch’s edge. No tourists, no coaches – just us, skipping stones across the glassy water, half-expecting the monster to pop up for a chat. The water was mirror-still, mountains looming like old mates, and we picnicked on cheese rolls from the village shop, feeling like proper explorers.

Next day, aiming for Drumnadrochit (or so we thought), we veered off down a farm track by accident and discovered this stunning cascade – a proper secret waterfall tumbling into a peaty pool, surrounded by ancient rowans. No one else around; it was ours for an hour of paddling and daft photos. I even tried “swimming” – more like shivering and yelping – while the wife captured it all on her phone. Pure joy, that off-the-beaten-track magic you can’t plan.

One evening, wandering from the cottage toward the River Beauly (didn’t even know it was there till we tripped over it), we found a wildflower meadow alive with bees and butterflies, right at dusk. Sat there till the stars came out, sipping tea from a thermos, chatting about nothing. It made me pause for a gentle reflect: back home, life’s a rush of deadlines and to-do lists, but here, getting lost taught me to slow down, embrace the wander. Who needs itineraries when serendipity delivers?

Those few days flew by in a haze of accidental adventures – quiet trails through birch woods, a hidden bothy with graffiti from the 1800s, even a family of otters playing in a burn we shouldn’t have been at. The cottage was the ideal base: unwind in the hot tub under those views, then venture out for more mysteries. If you’re after a relaxing Highland break, pack your sense of direction loosely and let the hidden gems find you. We’re already plotting a return.