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FAMILY THERAPYThe Georgian GP who put Strathpeffer on the map has done us all a favour, as

the spa town is still a great getaway for kids and grown-ups alike Words Catherine Coyle Photography Neale Smith

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Back in the early 1800s, when Dr Thomas Morison was searching for a cure for his arthritis, he visited many of Scotland’s spa towns, eager to see if the waters’ special qualities would ease his suffering. The best results, he found, were in Strathpeffer, so he

promptly decided to settle there, taking up residence at Elsick Cottage and putting the Ross-shire town firmly on the map. And while Dr Morison would no doubt recognise much of the beautifully preserved Victorian village around his former home, it’s likely he’d also be pretty impressed with some of the contemporary additions that have been made to the estate.

Elsick House has been through many incarnations, both before and after Dr Morison’s tenure, but possibly the biggest change came in 2002, when the Scottish Youth Hostel Associ-ation, to whom it belonged at the time, decided to sell up. Glasgow-based architects Anderson Bell Christie under took a private housing development there, converting the hostel into flats. Within the grounds, they also devised a scheme to

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[Clockwise from top left] The first-floor landing acts as a maple viewing gallery that maximises light with postcard windows and open treads on the

staircase; the HWAM stove is a cosy focal point; the kitchen is open – ideal for entertaining; a sense of flow is created through the ground floor

refurbish and extend the stables and to construct a new house. The latter was designed to sit harmoniously in the landscape, between the stables and the converted house, but to also showcase the advantages of modern living.

“The intention,” says Stephen Lamb, partner at Anderson Bell Christie, “was to complete the development and sell the new houses. But as the project progressed, I and the rest of the practice developed a strong connection with the area.”

He and fellow partner Adam Bell decided to keep the lodge, while Bruce Brebner and Karen Anderson retained the stables. When their respective families aren’t using the place, Peffer Lodge operates as a holiday let.

Peffer Lodge has an entirely well-equipped and comfortable interior, but the architects have deliberately drawn guests outside. Their methods are subtle but effective: the configura-tion of the rooms sees the open-plan ground-floor living area looking out onto the courtyard and across to Elsick House. Flowing from the living room, the dining/kitchen area has sliding doors that allow for maximum natural light and provide easy access to the vast gardens beyond. Floors are light-coloured hardwood maple, the timber chosen for its durability but also because it creates a naturally light ambience and links beautifully with the surrounding landscape. In the kitchen,

IN THE AREARoss and Cromarty feels like quite a distance to go if you are a Central Belter, but it’s worth the drive. This was a trip geared towards children so activities were family-focused: Whin Park, in Inverness, is a well-known haunt for local families. The Ness Islands Miniature Railway is the UK’s most northerly mini-railway and is found in the park. There’s also a boating pond and adventure playground to tire out active kids. Rosemarkie Beach, on the Black Isle peninsula, is said to be the best place on mainland UK to spot dolphins. It’s clean, unspoilt and has a great wee café that’s run by the local community. If the dolphins are keeping their heads down, take in views of Fort George and the Moray Firth coastline. Leaping salmon took us to Rogie Falls; the viewing gallery lets you enjoy the imposing Black Water river, while the suspension bridge has more than a hint of Indiana Jones about it.Strathpeffer village is beautifully maintained: drop in to the restored Pavillion – it’s a real community hub with regular exhibitions and craft fairs. Check out the village’s Highland Museum of Childhood in the charming original Victorian train station.

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sociable entertaining is the order of the day: the kitchen, in understated wood tones, is open to the dining area where the table can happily accommodate ten. It, in turn, faces out to the barbecue area beyond the sliding Norwegian doors, where, on our stay, it was difficult not to be lured outside for some al fresco bangers and burgers.

Although the garden is almost entirely enclosed, it is vast enough for adventurous kids to feel as if they have plenty of freedom, yet it is still private enough to allow parents peace of mind. This is where much of our stay was spent. The weather in this part of the country seems to peak in the evenings, with warm, clear skies encouraging post-dinner football matches and treasure hunts lasting long after bed-time.

Inside, the five bedrooms (across three levels) are both spacious and cosy. All have large windows framing the views beyond. On the top floor, a TV room proved a popular hang-out on damp days: here, DVD marathons and loom band production reached fever pitch, leaving the kids feeling they were at a cool youth club rather than rained-in on holiday. Downstairs, the living room takes on a whole new atmosphere when the sun goes down. Curtains drawn and woodburning stove lit, the outside world feels like a distant memory. It’s a large enough space that families can settle down to a board game together, but with the attic lounge, adults and children have the space to relax independently, too, which, in this spa town, is therapy in itself. �Peffer Lodge is available for weekly rentals during high season, priced

at £1104 per week. www.pefferlodge.com

[Top, and below]

Interior decoration is

subtle and understated,

allowing guests to enjoy

the impressive build

quality and lush green

surroundings; the top-floor

twin room is the perfect

hideway for excited siblings