A haven in the highlands

A peaceful, idyllic holiday retreat, situated on the water's edge of Loch Etive on the west coast of Scotland, is just one of the new properties on offer in 2009 from specialist cottage agency, Ecosse Unique.

'The Haven' - which joins more than 400 cottages on offer from the company - started life as a crofter's home, but has now been transformed into an amazing property sleeping eight.

The focal point is the living room - where one wall is made almost entirely of glass to take in the views - which leads to a decking area and gardens ending at the water's edge.

A seven-night holiday at 'The Haven', which is ideal for water sport enthusiasts, walkers, families and anyone looking to 'chill', costs £750 at the beginning of April, rising to £1250 in peak season.

Smaller properties making their debut include 'Kiltyrie Cottage', an elegant conversion (sleeping four) of an old farm building on the hillside high above Loch Tay in Highland Perthshire.

The luxurious interior more than matches the location and comes complete with a spacious sitting room overlooking the loch, and a 'Juliet' balcony with breathtaking views.

A week's holiday at 'Kiltyrie Cottage' in early April costs £395, increasing to £525 in July and August.

In addition to cottages - ranging from cosy crofts to grand country houses - in coastal and rural locations on both the Scottish mainland and on many of the islands off the west coast, the company also features apartments and townhouses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

For more information, log on to Unique-cottages.co.uk.