AS the nights darken to pitch black and the temperature drops, venturing into the woods of central Scotland might not be everyone’s idea of a comfortable mini-break. However, a trio of new eco-friendly lodges in Alloa are extremely cosy, a little luxurious and not too far off the beaten track ... and they might just inspire you to boost your own home’s green credentials.

The buildings are named Schenbothies in a nod to the medieval barony of Schenbothy, from which today’s Brucefield Estate originated.

Today the estate remains largely untouched, but a 10-year wildlife plan is in place to preserve its rich biodiversity. Its owner, Victoria Bruce-Winkler, has combined Scandinavian design with Scottish materials to add accommodation that – thanks to high-quality insulation, triple glazing and a fabric-first approach – is warmer than the average UK home despite minimal use of gas, electricity or logs.

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Named in Scots for the three of the animals that inhabit the surrounding forests, Brock (badger), Tod (fox) and Mertrick (pine marten) are set in a row but far enough apart from each other that when you’re at your bothy, you’ll forget you have neighbours – even if you’re taking in the meadow views from your deck or star-gazing by your personal fire pit. You’re also unlikely to hear any hooting from the plentiful local owls, thanks to the impressive sound insulation.

Based on the minimalist concept of the “tiny house”, the three wooden properties aren’t that tiny – certainly not compared to the pods and shepherd’s huts that are increasingly common for mini-breaks around Scotland – but they are very efficiently designed to provide plenty of space in which to relax. There really is nothing like the smell of timber when you open a door, breathe in, and let any worries from city life ebb away.

The ground floor contains the living room, kitchen area and a shower room, while the bedroom (or “sleeping gallery”) is on a mezzanine level accessed by a wooden ladder and complete with scramble-net-style rigging to stop anyone rolling off the edge. The interior design is minimalist but with little flourishes of character, such as vintage tins containing essentials like firelighters for the Danish wood burner and drinks coasters chopped from a log with lichen still attached to the bark.

The shower room is a riot of bold, bright yellow and has the thoughtful addition of some custom-made tiles showing ancient maps of the area that you can study while having a wash.

The estate provides a lantern, a pair of binoculars, a Wild Guide to Scotland and an Ordnance Survey map, so you don’t need to be a dedicated outdoor enthusiast with all your own gear to make the most of your stay. Even wellies can be provided.

If you’d rather not rely on your own navigation skills to explore the estate, land officer Graham Hodgson is on hand to lead guests around a newly created wildlife trail, take you through the history of the estate and explain the plans that are underway to develop it.

One of the local pheasants was there to greet us as we set off. If you weren’t interested in fungi before, you will be by the time you leave – some of the tiny toadstools look straight out of a book of fairy tales. And there are plenty of other clues for nature detectives, including fluffy white owl feathers and traces of roe deer, one of which we were lucky enough to spot leaping through the woods as we drove to dinner in Dollar later that night.

WE were treated to some glorious autumn sunshine for our visit, meaning we could enjoy breakfast al fresco and then maximise the daylight hours exploring the estate and surrounding area. Brucefield has the option of hiring bikes to take a very leisurely cycle along the old railway line that forms the Alloa to Dunfermline link.

Beyond the estate, a wealth of farm shops and cafes are within easy reach – either by bike or car. We visited Muircot in Tillicoultry en route and took in gorgeous views of the Ochils over lunch and after our departure, we popped into Polly’s Pantry near Forestmill for brunch and delicious Bakewell brownies (the latter also offers home deliveries directly to the bothies, which would be a great option in the event of inclement weather).

If you prefer to coorie in rather than go out exploring, there’s the option to order a cook-at-home dinner in your bothy with all ingredients and a recipe provided. The small but well-appointed kitchen has an induction hob and steam combi oven with full instructions provided for those unfamiliar with such smart technology.

It’s clear a great deal of thought has gone into all of the choices that make these bothies both comfortable and environmentally friendly, from the cooking facilities and underfloor heating to the food recycling bin (a Japanese design with a removable rubber seal) and organic local toiletries.

At just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and less from Glasgow, Brucefield offers a retreat that feels off-grid despite being close to connecting paths and historic towns. Whether your interest is in wildlife, ancient history or contemporary architecture, a stay is likely to provide inspiration, andas well as a way to recharge your batteries.

A three-night stay at one of the Schenbothies at Brucefield Estate starts at £525. Bike hire is £25 per day, the wildlife and history tour is £50 for up to two people (children free), and in summer months, other options of guided activities include a bat walk and a pollinator survey. Cook-at-home options are extra and prices vary. www.brucefieldestate.scot/schenbothies