I’ll never forget the drive up to Loch Ness – or rather, the comedy of errors that got me there. We’d set off from Inverness full of beans, me navigating on my phone while my partner drove our little hatchback packed to the gills with weekend gear. But oh no, the Highland roads had other ideas. About halfway, we hit a sudden downpour that turned the single-track lanes into a slippery nightmare. I was yelling directions like a deranged sat-nav – “Left! No, right! Mind that sheep!” – when we clipped a pothole the size of a crater. The car jolted, my coffee went flying, and half of it ended up in my lap. Soggy trousers and a lot of giggling later, we finally spotted the turn-off for the home farm on the Belladrum estate, right near Beauly. Heart racing a bit, but buzzing with that arrival anticipation you only get on holiday.

Pulling up to this picture-postcard cottage felt like stumbling into a fairy tale, mishaps and all. It’s this architecturally listed gem, tucked tranquilly in the estate’s heart – perfect for a cosy couples’ getaway. We dashed through the rain, kicking off our muddy wellies by the door (lesson learned: always pack spare socks), and stepped inside to high white ceilings that made the whole place feel grand yet intimate, like the original hen house roof was whispering Highland secrets. First impressions? Blown away. The striking wood kitchen gleamed with sleek appliances – I was straight on the kettle, brewing a much-needed cuppa while we peeled off damp layers, laughing about our soggy saga.

That first evening sorted us right out. We rustled up a simple meal for two at the intimate dining table – nothing fancy, just pasta and a bottle of bubbly to toast surviving the road. Then, bliss: out to the private garden for a dip in the hot tub. The rain had cleared, stars popping out over the estate like someone flicked a celestial switch. We bubbled away, gazing up, proper quality time with no distractions. Back inside, we snuggled into the breath-taking four-poster bed, fired up the TV for a movie, and just melted into the warmth. Pure magic after our chaotic arrival.

Next morning, after a rejuvenating shower in the chic bathroom – honestly, it’s the kind of spot that makes you feel ready to conquer the day – we laced up clean boots for a gentle stroll around the Belladrum Estate. The views of the River Beauly and Aigas Gorge were stunning, with glimpses of Beaufort Castle in the distance. We wandered into Beauly village, just down the road, for coffee at a wee café and a nose around Campbell’s Tweed House – high-class shopping without the London crowds. By afternoon, we were off to Loch Ness proper, mere minutes away, poking around the Loch Ness Monster Centre and Exhibition, then Urquhart Castle ruins and the dramatic Falls of Divach. Nessie didn’t show, mind, but the monster myths kept us chuckling.

Looking back, that messy arrival was the perfect icebreaker – a gentle nudge reminding me holidays aren’t about flawless plans, but rolling with the potholes and savouring the surprises. This little escape near Loch Ness? It’s got me plotting a return already.