SquakyTravels to ÖÖD Houses X Arbikie
By Squaky the Kingfisher (Official Travel Correspondent)
Hello everyone! Squaky here, your favorite (stuffed) feathered travel blogger and proud Scottish birdy-citizen.
I’m excited to share a special trip to experience the amazing ÖÖD Mirrored Houses in the Scottish countryside, with delightful features including a Sauna!
Read on & see my ÖÖD experiences videos on Instagram too!
Triumph: A Cozy Scottish Nest with Secret Views!
My adventure motivation was to stay at one of the four ÖÖD houses available, and let me tell you, these places are incredible! They’re like little modern glass cabins, so cozy and super stylish with the comforts of modern living including underfloor heating. I stayed at a house called Triumph.
But the coolest thing? The windows are like one-sided mirrors! The one-way glass meant I could leave the curtains wide open and enjoy the amazing views of the farmland, seascapes, and the twinkling stars at night. Watching the sunrise and sunset felt like my own secret hideaway with the best views ever! It was so peaceful and quiet, a perfect place to relax.
Don’t worry there are blackout curtains so you can have all the privacy and darkness you want for an ÖÖD (which means ‘good night’). I found it extra fun to open up the curtains to the amazing and breathtaking views in the morning.
Sauna: Wood-Fired Bliss!
And speaking of relaxation, most of the ÖÖD houses also have a sauna! Yes you get your own Sauna to use as much as you want – there is one house with a hot-tub, but that’s probably better for the summer break in Scotland. I was thrilled to fire up the wood-burning stove and create a steamy oasis.
The best part? The one-way glass was still in effect! I could enjoy the stunning scenery while unwinding in the sauna, just like a bird enjoying a natural steam bath.
A team member helped me learn how to kick-off a fire properly and quickly in the wood-burner which was fun and super helpful. With so much wood available to use, I warmed up the sauna early one morning and enjoyed watching the sunrise over the countryside whilst in 70+ degree (celcius) heat. Morning bird sounds added to the experience, it was fantastic!
ÖÖD house: Stylish features & Touches
I felt fancy in the ÖÖD house, ultimate luxury with lovely designs and features! They’re equipped with everything you need, from a hot plate for cooking up a meal, a spacious fridge, and a coffee machine. I took my morning coffee outside, seated next to the cabin and took in the fresh air. It was heavenly!
My choice was to pack food I liked and was able to cook meals very easily – everything from plates, glasses, pots and even yoga mats were available! Arbikie cafe had excellent food choices too, as well as the local restaurants to enjoy so there are options if you prefer not to be the chef during your whole visit.
There are stylish chairs for lounging both inside and outside – perfect for reading. A comfy bed to sleep in, underfloor heating for added cosiness and an excellent bluetooth speaker to enjoy your music or the radio. And let’s not forget the shower! With the one-way glass windows I felt like I was showering outdoors, just like a casual bird-dip in a stream. It was truly a unique experience, and very comfortable.
Reflections: Great ÖÖD, what's not to love?
My Scottish adventure to the ÖÖD Houses at Arbikie Estate was everything I’d hoped for and more! The detours to Arbikie Distillery and Montrose were the perfect additions to the itinerary. Scotland, you’ve been amazing! The people were friendly, the scenery was stunning, and even a little kingfisher like me felt right at home. I’ll be dreaming of those incredible views from the OOD pod for a long time to come.
I learned that OOD houses are available around the world including the UK, Mexico, USA and Europe, all available as ÖÖD hotels.
I’m already dreaming of future adventures, perhaps exploring the Dutch countryside or flying through the German forests on another SquakyTravel – should I go check them out for you?
Stay tuned for more SquakyTravels adventures!
Squaky Rating: 5 Full Squaks! (out of 5)
All scores given by Squaky are on the following scale:
1: It’s Okay , 2: Just Fine , 3: Decent , 4: Great , 5: Fabulous.
Extra useful Info about ÖÖD Houses X Arbikie:
- Address – ÖÖD Houses at Arbikie Estate, Lunan, DD10 9TR.
- Travelling by car from Edinburgh & Glasgow – 2 hours drive.
- Parking is free and next to the houses.
- All wood and equipment for the sauna is included in the price of your stay.
- Arbikie cafe has great food and tours to enjoy – excellent cakes!
- Local shop tesco Tesco (8km)
- Local sight of Lunan Bay (4km)
- Nearby is Glamis Castle (35km)