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Larch Cabin
Sleeps 2. Cabin with bedroom, shower bathroom, logburner, kitchen & decking. Shared firepit. No dogs.
Douglas Fir Cabin
Sleeps 2. Cabin with bedroom, shower bathroom, kitchen & decking. Shared firepit. Dog friendly.
Loskin Wood belongs to Chris Smithard and Diverse Forests, which looks after a small group of Scottish woodlands managed through regenerative forestry. These are working, living woods, neither left as wilderness nor grown as a timber crop. When Diverse Forests took on these fields in 2023, farming had ended about twenty years earlier, but deer had grazed off almost every seedling that tried to take root. Rather than wait for a wood that wasn’t coming, they designed one in 2024. In spring 2026 they planted it with a species mix that deliberately breaks from the monocultures common in the region.
The cabins grew out of the same thinking. Chris wanted to build something “grounded in nature rather than merely placed upon it”. Betty at Studio Wylde designed the cabins so their cladding blends into the hillside and the changing sky behind it. Alicia at Adesignstorie created interiors meant to outlast passing trends. Then a team of carpenters and joiners built them. Staying here is a chance to experience first hand, and contribute to, this inspiring project.
He loves
“Sitting in the window seat – you’re enveloped in the comfort of the cabin while feeling completely immersed in the landscape – watching the young trees sway, the hills shift with the changing light, and catching glimpses of birds, bats, and other wildlife.”
We love
The contrast of the simple, pared-back wood and the cosy tactile furnishings.
You may not love
The cabins sit just off a village road, with walkable shops and a pub, so they’re not remote. They are 20m apart from one another, though screened for privacy. Shared firepit area. Rural speed WiFi.
Sustainability.
Sustainability is the reason Loskin Wood exists. 10,000 young trees, managed as continuous cover and never clear-felled, are slowly turning old farmland back towards Atlantic rainforest. The cabins run on a 100% renewable electricity tariff; cleaning and laundry use natural, non-toxic products, the toiletries are naturally derived, and single-use plastic is kept to a minimum. Wherever possible, the duvets, cushions and furniture are natural, local, recycled or vintage. You don’t need a car to get here, either: take the train from Glasgow Central to Gourock, then the foot-passenger ferry across the Clyde, then a taxi from Dunoon.
Surrounds.
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Biodiversity tour at Loskin Wood -
Open-fire lunch at Loskin Wood -
Guided bike tours from Loskin Wood -
Woodland Craft at Loskin Wood -
Lunch at Inver, Loch Fyne -
Ardentinny Beach, Loch Long -
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Kilmun Arboretum (Photo: Forestry and Land Scotland) -
Planting day at Loskin Wood
- Book an immersive nature experience: a guided walk around the woodland then planting a tree; gathering for a foraged lunch cooked over an open fire; weaving, carving and listening to tales of folklore. See FAQ.
- More than 50 miles of walking and cycling trails start from your door, including the 2-mile climb to the Camel’s Hump viewpoint. Chris can also arrange guided hikes and bike hire/tours.
- Wander down to the Oakbank Community Inn for a relaxed pint with the locals.
- See the grown-up version of your surrounds at Kilmun Arboretum (10 mins’ drive). Hundreds of tree species were planted on its hillside in the 1930s to study how they grow. It’s a glimpse of what Loskin might one day become, with views over the Holy Loch thrown in.
- Or stand under 50m-high redwoods at Benmore Botanic Garden (10 mins). The avenue was planted in 1863, and there are also more than 300 species of rhododendron here (March to October only).
- Head into Dunoon for Argyll Vintners, an independent wine merchant, deli and wine bar. Add Castle House Museum if it rains and you’d like the town’s story (5 mins’ drive).
- Ardentinny is the longest sand beach on the Cowal Peninsula, on Loch Long. Look out for seals, porpoises and herons, and walk the 4.75-mile path to Carrick Castle if you have the legs for it. On the way, stop at The Blairmore, a great café with seasonal local menus.
- Dinner at Inver is a real treat. On the shores of Loch Fyne, the restaurant is in a restored 18thC ferryman’s cottage, with short menus built around local and foraged ingredients. (30 mins’ drive)
- Wild venison is sold a 10-min walk from the cabins (Croots Country Store), so supper on the deck can come from the same hills as the view.
Details.
- Two cabins amidst a 17-acre forest regeneration project
- Each sleeps 2; adults only
- Heated by radiators using renewable energy
- Each has:
- Bedroom with kingsize bed
- Ensuite bathroom with shower and natural toiletries
- Kitchen with induction hob, combi oven/microwave, fridge-freezer & cafetière
- Basic supplies
- Board games and books
- Deck with chairs
- Communal firepit area
- Larch has a woodburner
- Douglas Fir Cabin is dog friendly – see FAQ
- Wild dining experiences on offer – see FAQ
- Bike tours on offer – see FAQ
- Parking next to each cabin
- Basic rural WiFi (can drop out)
- Walk 10 mins to a small shop; 20 mins to a supermarket; 15 mins to a community pub
- Drive 15 mins to various cafes and restaurants
- The owner is available by phone
- Booking conditions: a 2-night min stay, check in any day Mon-Fri. Except over Christmas when there is a 7-night minimum stay.
- Remember to pack: wellies/walking boots, waterproofs, a headtorch, offline entertainment, and your main groceries
Simple
30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £40 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay. These terms also apply to any booking amendments or date changes.
See our full booking Ts & Cs
FAQs.
In 4-9pm / out 10am
Self check-in via a key safe by your cabin door.
Yes, Douglas Fir Cabin is dog friendly. You can bring up to 2 well-behaved dogs for an additional £30/stay. They are not allowed on the furniture, and must be kept on a lead in the surrounding woodland.
No pets are allowed in Larch Cabin.
Unfortunately not – these are adult-only cabins.
Loskin feels calm and private, but it’s not completely secluded. The cabins are 20m apart, with screening to create privacy as the woodland establishes. You’re unlikely to see your neighbours, but you may occasionally hear everyday sounds: a door closing, quiet voices, or a dog bark. You may also hear distant background noise from time to time, including traffic from the nearby road when the wind carries sound. This is the reality of staying in a young woodland close to town rather than a remote wilderness. The massive upside is being able to walk to a pub and shops.
Planting Loskin Wood: learn all about how the team are creating a regenerative woodland for both people and wildlife. Get hands on by planting a tree, leaving your mark on the future of Loskin Wood. £40pp
Open Fire Lunch: a woodland lunch. Learn traditional cooking methods, and taste dishes inspired by what locals might have eaten thousands of years ago, full of foraged ingredients. £75 pp
Biodiversity and History: be guided through the new woodland, learning about biodiversity and the site’s history. You’ll discover plants, spot animals, and hear tales of the early Neolithic settlers who first shaped this land. £40pp
Woodland Craft & Folklore: carve or weave a keepsake while listening to stories and folklore from Scotland’s forests. £50pp
These guided ebike tours are further afield, exploring Cowal. Discover diverse woodland trails, towering trees, hidden waterfalls, and rich local folklore. Tailored to your pace and skill level. £80pp
Each is constructed from the timber the cabin is named for. Apart from this they are virtually identical but for a few vintage decorations.
Larch includes a woodburner and Douglas Fir welcomes dogs.
There’s a public charge point a 1-minute drive from the site entrance.
These tiny flying insects are active from May to Sept, especially on calm, damp days at dawn and dusk. Midge repellent is provided.
Unfortunately not; there’s a 2-night min stay, checking in any weekday (Mon-Fri).
Yes, Co-op delivers here.
Yes but as the cabins use 100% renewable energy, it’s not unlimited. If you like long very hot showers we would recommend booking the Douglas Fir Cabin.
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