The Old Laundry, Dunalastair Estate

Close the shutters, light the stove, settle in for the night. There’s a plinth-mounted tub with long views of hills and mountains. The conversion from laundry to love nest has been kind: original wood floors and sizeable windows, with generous proportions for longer stays. It’s all on one level, with a big four-poster in the studio room, a kitchen stocked with stuff and plenty of space to entertain.

Bring waterproofs to tramp the trails around Dunalastair Water, rods to catch elusive yellow-bellied trout, binoculars for spotting red squirrels, pine martens and ospreys. The big ‘hoose’ now lies in ruins and has an eerie beauty to inspire writers, photographers, painters.

There’s a raft of things to do for active types: wild swimming on the loch, dog walks in all directions – up Munros, down dells – tennis on the estate. Pitlochry is close for culture, the ‘Harrods of the North’ at Bruar 20 minutes’ drive away. Or sit in the garden, relax, and read a book with a view.