In winter we’d rather stay snug in bed when we take our first peek out of the window. That’s why many people make their homes extra cosy in the coldest season. We’ve been hearing lately that Scandinavians are the true masters of this art. But people in the Scottish Highlands also know how to create a haven against the cold within their own four walls. Còsagach is the magic word now being used to conjure up the comfortable Scottish style.

Not purely a male domain

Thanks to Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth may well be the most famous Scotswoman worldwide, but she could almost be seen as the absolute antithesis of this movement: we can’t see her embracing nature or slow living. At its heart, this cosy còsagach trend is about making your own home a place of refuge and relaxation. Real relaxation means coming to rest with all your senses. Besides materials like wool and sheepskin, the warm light of candles and lovely woody scents such as cedar help create the right interior ambience.

For the Scots, it’s small details and accessories like these that make a house into a home. Numerous cushions, throws and natural wood make your own four walls into a warm and welcoming place.

From the outdoors in

As we mentioned before, còsagach stands for a lifestyle where outdoor activities form the precursor to indoor relaxation, where nature grounds us and can also be brought indoors. It’s no wonder real nature lovers are so taken with this approach. Good, honest materials that deliver what they promise are just right whether you’re at home or on the move. Waterproof boots and bags protect against snow and rain – and our four-legged friends will thank us for not cutting short their evening walk at the first lamppost. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing: it’s a saying that could have been made for Scotland

Back indoors, a hot bath and a warming drink beckon. This còsagach trend is about enjoying your own leisure time, consciously making it cosy. As the Americans might say, it’s about quality time.

If you really want to relax, you sometimes need another refuge than your home. So why not head off to one of these traditional log cabins in the secluded Scottish Highlands for a few days’ relaxation? There’s nowhere better to enjoy that cosy còsagach experience first-hand.

Scottish hospitality

The Scots are known for their hospitality, which fits this còsagach trend perfectly. It’s a great excuse to spend sociable hours eating, drinking and chatting with your favourite people to your heart’s content. There are many cosy pubs where you can gather, but you can also achieve this at home.

In the run-up to Christmas, why not invite friends over for a meal and chew over the past year’s events. It’s worth noting that Christmas Day has only been a public holiday in Scotland since 1958: for around 400 years prior to that, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland had discouraged yuletide celebrations – and they were at one time banned by law. Perhaps that’s partly what makes this such a special season in Scotland today?