If you want to try and spot the ever-elusive Loch Ness Monster, this old stone clergy house that has sat on the banks of the famed body of water for over a century-and-a-half lets you do so in the utmost comfort. Inside, the rooms are filled with varnished wood furnishings, boldly printed rugs and roaring fireplaces — so you can look out the windows at the loch without feeling cold in the slightest. Other noble flourishes come in the shape of the four-poster beds and the two deep claw-footed bathtubs. There's even a small garden out the back, but you're hardly short of beautiful outdoor attractions around these parts. Urquhart Castle is a fifteen-minute drive away, while Dores Beach can be reached in twenty minutes in case you're in the mood for a bracing wild swim. Although the address feels both rural and secluded, the town centre of Inverness only takes seventeen minutes to reach in the car, too.

Home truths:
*It's possible to hire a private chef with this property, as well as other bespoke Highland experiences, from whisky tasting to fishing trips
*There's an adjoining church that can be booked for weddings, blessings and civil ceremonies, accommodating up to 120 people
*There's plenty of space to park on the premises
*Kiln-dried firewood is provided for the fireplaces
*The property is split over two storeys, so it might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*Children under the age of twelve are not allowed to stay here