This Scottish rural retreat with hot tubs and a wild sauna is one of the best I've stayed in

Bankside Bothy at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Angus. | Contributed

placeholder image — Bankside Bothy at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Angus. | Contributed

Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort in Angus is ideal for kicking back surrounded by nature

Looking for somewhere to gather the whole clan together or unwind with a partner or pal in a rural Scottish retreat this autumn? Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort in Angus is the answer with its family-sized lodges, huts and pods, restaurant and bar, all nestling in 150 acres of countryside. There’s a nine-hole USGA specification course course, year-round fly fishing and a wild sauna beside the lochans on site, pathways through the mature woodlands to stroll along - with dogs welcome - and what’s better than a steaming hot tub on decking with views out to the Angus countryside in which to while away an evening?

The waterside restaurant and bar at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Angus. | Contributed

Budget or Boutique

This is a boutique offering, with a variety of different accommodation options, sleeping up to 10. Prices vary for each of the 20 lodges but the average price per night is around £200 - £270.

Room Service

We stayed in Bankside Bothy, a two-bedroomed modern wooden bothy with large floor to ceiling windows overlooking decking and views of the resort and golf course beyond. Tucked away behind fencing it was cosy in a palette of creams, browns and wood finishes, and comprised an open plan room with kitchenette with kettle and microwave, lounge area with log burner and double bed, with separate shower room/wc, and separate twin room. Outside on the decking a private hot tub under a canopy made for a relaxing viewpoint.

The interior of Forbes of Kingennie's Bankside Bothy, which sleeps up to four. | Contributed

Wining and Dining

If you don’t want to cook, you’ve come to the right place as The Scullery Restaurant and Cairn O Mount bar, next to the resort’s event space, serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, using produce from the owners’ family farm. In the welcoming bar with its bright log burning stove and comfortable booths the vibe is relaxed while next door in the restaurant diners enjoy waterside views of Forbes of Kingennie’s lochans. The menu includes a hearty Cullen skink, trio of Kingennie Farm pork, Alex Spinks haddock fillet, burgers, salads and steaks, and desserts include white chocolate panna cotta. If you bring your furry friends there’s Sir Woofchester’s Dog Menu which offers dog treats, roast dinner dog bowl and Bark Brew Dog ‘Beer’ to keep them happy.

There is a small shop with basics for self-catering or you can order take away food for delivery as we did, and enjoy it sitting outside watching the sun set over the lochans.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

The Wild Scottish Sauna beside a fishing lochan at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Angus. | Contributed

There were plenty of players enjoying a round of golf on the rolling green course or practising at the on-site range and fishing fans spread along the water’s edge casting for trout. But we had booked in online with Wild Scottish Sauna for an hour long ‘social’ session in the mobile sauna parked alongside the fishing pools. There is a dedicated changing hut with robes and slippers, then we sweated it out next to the coals before stepping outside to cool down in the lochan where swans glide and fish jump for flies. Sharing with another couple, and refreshments of herbal teas or hot chocolate, and sliced oranges provided by the sauna attendant provide the social element and the views of bulrush-fringed pools of water a relaxing view, with only the distant thwack of a golf ball and quack of a duck to be heard. And maybe the occasional gasp as someone dips into the water to cool down. It’s perfect peace.

Mature trees around the site make for relaxing autumn strolls and if you want evening entertainment there is regular live music, pub quizzes and live sport screened in the bar. Dundee is only five miles away with attractions including the DCA gallery, V&A and Discovery.

Little Extras

There’s a kettle in the kitchenette and a choice of tea and coffee and the Tunnock’s teacakes were very welcome. Towels and robes are also provided in the pod.

Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, Forbes of Kingennie Drive, Dundee DD5 3RD, (01382 350777, email: [email protected] www.forbesofkingennie.co.uk) Winter Offer of 30% off until the end of February 2026 - use code SAVE30 to receive the discount.

Wild Scottish Saunas: £16 social sessions: £105 private hire: £195 full day retreat 25 January: £750 weekend retreat March. Open late evenings Fridays. Changing facilities and solar lighting provided. (email: [email protected], www.wildscottishsauna.com )