Our enchanting and multiple award-winning hideaway is set in rural Moray at the foothills of Ben Rinnes with spectacular views from every window. It is truly unique, magical and architecturally designed to provide a fun and nurturing escape from the pressures of daily life. Likened to a giant hug. it's a place that once you enter, you can't help but smile!
The space
Our pet and family-friendly Hideaway was created as a unique holiday home with a very close connection to the natural world. Multi-award-winning for its environmental credentials, it was built to invoke total relaxation with its round shape, use of natural materials, and open-plan design to bring families and friends effortlessly together under a spectacular roof dome.
It's deceptively spacious and can accommodate up to six people in two quirky bunk beds, a quaint double bedroom, and two futons that can be converted into single beds.
It has a spacious shower room with additional storage, instant hot water, and a flushing toilet.
You are welcomed with a healthy treat, and we supply firewood, towels, cruelty-free soaps & cleaning products, cooking basics and a variety of fairtrade beverages. For dogs, we provide a treat, 2 bowls, and a towel.
We are family-friendly and keep our prices the same all year round as we think high prices during school holidays are tough and unfair for those of us with children.
We pay particular attention to details and have added special touches throughout for your comfort and pride ourselves on being inclusive and accessible. Should you have any special needs or requirements we will do our best to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate them.
For inside entertainment, we have provided free unlimited wifi, a Bluetooth speaker, and a large selection of books, games, jigsaw puzzles, and soft and wooden toys, including a train set and giant Jenga. If you want a technology-free break, simply switch the wifi off or ask us to remove it.
Set in 3 acres of lush greenery, at the foothills of Ben Rinnes, Moray's highest mountain, there are stunning views from every window. You have your own private garden with BBQ, picnic tables and outdoor games, and full access to the wider garden, which includes wide-open spaces to run and play including a sensory play den, swings and quirky seesaw, a fire pit, and our Garden of Eat’n where you can pick your own organic, fresh and seasonal produce for dinner.
You can experience the total lack of air, noise, and light pollution and even enjoy a spot of stargazing with our Dobsonian telescope. You are surrounded by wildlife and may spot a few passing deer, a multitude of birds, or even an otter swimming down the stream. Be prepared to be amazed!
Venture down to the bottom of the garden where you will discover a totally private and enchanting Fairy Glen with a bubbling brook, mini waterfalls, hidden fairies, and magical fairy pools for those brave enough to take a refreshing dip!
Discover the wildlife pond, a mud kitchen, the tyre swing over the stream, and our willow wigwam (currently being converted into a Temazcal, an ancient type of Mexican sauna), or simply enjoy the freedom to run, play, and explore the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Spending time in nature is proven to be good for you and it's easy to do when you are immersed in and surrounded by so much natural beauty and wildlife.
Enjoy the peace and tranquility under our vast dark skies, toast marshmallows by the fire pit with a cup of hot chocolate or a wee dram of Speyside whisky. Feed your soul and nourish your body, we all need it!
We have always cleaned to a very high standard and are totally committed to continuing to do so to ensure your safety and wellbeing. We do our very best to keep our place spotless for you to relax and enjoy time-out from the pressures of daily life.
We are also a highly ethical business, investing our profits back into creating a very special place for our guest's comfort and enjoyment, donating nights for auctions to raise cash for local charities, and running an extremely environmentally kind and multiple award-winning business.
At Hideaway Under the Stars, you can feel confident that you are taking a Green Tourism Gold standard holiday and are doing your bit to support sustainable tourism.
Guest access
There is a large parking area with your own private parking space.
Aberlour is the closest village, a 5-minute drive or a 45-minute walk away. It has a great selection of cafes, restaurants and shops, including a co-op supermarket, a delicatessen, and an award-winning butcher. There's a newsagent, an art gallery, and craft, whisky and hardware shops with almost everything you can think of, or may need on a relaxing holiday!
Elgin is the closest city, around 40 mins drive and from there it's only a short hop to the stunning Moray coast line with miles of rugged beaches, crystal clear water and hidden caves to explore.
Our neighbours the Highlands and Aberdeenshire are within an hour's drive. There's so much to see and do, including the spectacular Cairngorm mountains, you will never get bored!
Other things to note
The house is a natural home and you will find a manual with information about its build as well as instructions on how to use the facilities provided when you arrive as well as things to do in the local area. We recommend that you bring slippers or thick socks to wear inside in the winter months (Oct-May) as the earthen floor can be cool underfoot for some people.
*Please note that the Hideaway has private sleeping spaces for four people. However, we understand the value of holidays with larger families and small groups so added two comfy fold-down futon beds in the communal living area. There are two bamboo screens to provide extra privacy whilst sleeping. The place is comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate six.
