Certainly not a traditional hotel, the Ecopod Retreat offers guests a stay in one of two pods tucked away in a birch woodland setting in Scotland. Both light-filled domes are over 750 square feet and offer views of Castle Stalker (named from the Gaelic Stalcaire, which means hunter or falconer) and Loch Linnhe. Rich in history, King James IV made frequent hunting trips to Castle Stalker around the end of the 15th Century.

Inside, the modern open-plan design blends perfectly with the quirky traditional touches of stags antlers and furniture draped in natural sheepskins. Organic cotton bed sheets, underfloor heating, and organic natural toiletries are all part of this eco-friendly experience. The 60s-inspired kitchen is cutting edge in its design, and a luxurious cedar bathroom completes the pod.

The surrounding area offers fantastic walking paths and kayaking opportunities, and various the best restaurants and shops. A scenic, tranquil village located 15 miles north of Oban, Appin is a village with a deep-rooted and bloody history, and it is said the identity of the murderer of the Red Fox (the famous "Appin Murder”) will forever be kept secret by one of the local families.