Right, a challenge for the STW Hive Mind:

We're trying to organise a New Year get together with our friends and assorted sprogs and sproglets. We're looking for somewhere away from the cities where we can all just chill out and relax for a couple of days.

Ideally I'm picturing some nice comfortable cabins in the woods, maybe by a loch that we can take a boat on. Cosy real fires burning, the children playing happily, sipping port while a light dusting of snow falls. That kind of thing 🙂 oh and not too pricey either 😀

The group is 12 adults (all mid-30s sensible types, not a mad stag doo) and 6 young kids (from babies to 4 year olds).

VisitScotland haven't been a lot of help so far and we're struggling a bit. Any ideas?

We stayed in a one about 9 years ago didn't have the lock view or real fires but was great. I'll see if I can find it was for a party around the same size.

You'll be too late for securing much this year but this place would be great for your purpose . we did much the same last year.

http://www.lhhscotland.com/property?id=200L

Hogmanay accomodation is best booked about a year in advance.

Try Stayatlochlomond.com and other independant accomdation listings. Everyone is departing visitscotland listings for the very reason you describe!!

rent 2/3 cottages at http://www.glencoe-cottages.com/ – lochs, hills, seclusion…but it may be too late for this year.

http://www.embracescotland.co.uk/

http://www.ample-cottages.co.uk/

Could try these sites. I've booked smaller properties through both, but each list properties up to 20 people.

Try the hostel in Wanlochhead. As said above may be too late for this year.

http://www.barendholidayvillage.co.uk/
http://www.lochanview.com/output/home.asp
http://www.nunland.co.uk/
http://www.kippfordforestlodges.co.uk/log_cabins_in_scotland.asp
This http://www.7stanes.com/ae-farm-cottages-i601685.html and more on the site

If you are feeling extravagant
Auchinleck House

Might be booked up, but you can always try

http://www.lagganlia.com/

that's where we'll be – 3 families.

No loch beside you, although Loch Insh is just a few minutes away and they have a whole range of stuff you can hire. Lots of fantastic riding on your doorstep (no need to drive).

Still 3 available here

http://www.monzievaird.co.uk/holidaycottagesprices.cfm

Has the loch – equidistant between Crieff and Comrie so beautiful walks – and Comrie Croft on the doorstep for a quick spin

We started going for Christmas away about 20 or so years ago and this did us broud for a few years – hardly cheap mind you

Other wise google "cottages 4 you" it has a good range of prices and locations – thats who we normally manage to book through

Try sykes cottages off the interweb or cotts4you. We've just got back from a cotts4you cottage and was ace!!! Half price because it was a late booking. However Christmas will probably be pretty busy already!!

Brilliant! Thanks for all the suggestions. STW to the rescue as ever!
I know we've left it a bit late 😳 but we only really decided to do it after SITS fell through for us.