Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Near Kyle of Lochalsh, the stunning village of Arnisdale nestles below Beinn Sgritheall (Munro), on the shores of Loch Hourn. It overlooks Knoydart peninsula and Sound of Sleat with the Isle of Skye Cuillin in the distance. Neighbouring Glenelg, 9 miles, has a shop, pub, restaurant, craft shop and Skye ferry (Apr - Oct). Amid idyllic mountainous scenery, ideal for a holiday escaping with wildlife (deer, porpoises, eagles, seals and otters), walking (including the Five Sisters of Kintail, South Cluanie ridge, Ladhar Bheinn), cycling, fishing, touring (Eilean Donan Castle, Pictish Brochs, 18th century Bernera Barracks, Plockton and Skye) or just savouring highland peace and tranquillity.

This attractive ground floor holiday apartment forms part of a stone cottage situated in the village of Castletown which is on the North Coast 500. Its high ceilings, original wooden shutters and cottage garden (grassed area outside the main garden provides space for dogs’ exercise) all add to its charm. Four miles of sandy beach adjoins the fishing harbour 800 yards from the property. Sea angling and loch fishing are available. Known for its unspoilt beaches and wide variety of wildlife and, at certain times of year, the Northern Lights are visible. Central to many surfing locations, golf courses, fishing and the Castle of Mey (8 miles). Take a day-trip to the Orkney Isles. An all weather short mat bowling green is available for guests to use. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Enjoy the splendour and magnificence of Strathconon, a beautiful glen deep in the Highlands. This studio cottage, a spacious detached holiday property, offers the holidaymaker cosy accommodation in a ’get away from it all’ location, especially as there is no mobile reception. Hill walking, river and loch fishing (permits available from the estate office), and an abundance of wildlife help to add to the enjoyment of this ’Brigadoon’ type glen. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is just 30 miles away, and Glacour Studio is ideally placed for touring the North West Highlands. This designer converted croft house is finished and furnished in an open plan Scandinavian style with pine clad roofing and a pine kitchen. Shop, pub and restaurant 15 miles. Glacour Studio Cottage can be booked together with Glenmeanich Cottage (UK33789), Gate Lodge (UK42791) and Braigh na Leitre (UK33790) to accommodate up to 19 guests.

This traditional detached, 130-year-old holiday cottage is set in a highland village location surrounded by mountains, woodlands, abundant wildlife and magnificent scenery. The village lies close to the River Spey for fishing, has a golf/tennis club and is only ½ hour drive from the Cairngorm Mountains and ski resort, and 40 minutes’ drive from the Lecht ski resort. Close by is the RSPB Reserve at Loch Garten, watersports at Loch Morlich and Loch Insh. Shop, pub/hotel and steam railway in village.

Harland Cottage is a delightful bijou cottage for couples. This single-storey, detached cottage is beautifully presented throughout. The main living area is open plan and a large deep leather sofa looks out through French windows to the pretty cottage garden. The kitchen area is bright and modern, with built-in units and is well-equipped. The double bedroom has a kingsize bed and an en-suite with a large walk-in shower, which can also be accessed via the hallway. The garden is a real delight, enclosed by an original Caithness dry stone wall, there is a patio area with seating and a good-sized lawn area.

Harland Cottage is situated in Castletown, just 500 yards from one of the most spectacular beaches to be found anywhere in the British Isles. Dunnet Beach has 4 miles of sweeping sands, with high sand dunes providing a natural backdrop. There are lovely walks direct from the cottage, through woodland glades to the beach beyond. It is ideal for dog walks as well as numerous outdoor activities and there is also a pretty harbour to wander round. The area is renowned for its surfing, water sports, fishing and golf. For wildlife enthusiasts, there are often deer close by, numerous seabirds including puffins, whales, porpoises and dolphins are spotted along the coastline.

Castletown has a good selection of local amenities, including a pub with a good restaurant and a local mini-market, all within walking distance. The Heritage Visitors Centre is within a mile. The nearby town of Thurso is just 5 miles away and has further amenities, including supermarkets, bars, cafés, restaurants and a cinema. There are lovely riverside walks along the banks of the River Thurso and plenty to see and do in the region. A visit to the Castle of Mey, with its superb garden and interesting history is a must, along with a day trip to Orkney; the ferry is approximately 8 miles away. Caithness is renowned for big clear night skies so there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights during winter months from the top of Dunnet head the most northerly point on the Uk mainland only 4 miles away. The property is also on the North Coast 500.

This charming and spacious one bedroom ground floor cottage is located in the peaceful village of Ladybank, just 5 minutes’ drive from the bustling town of Cupar. Walking distance to the local pub, cafe, and shops. Home to Ladybank Golf Club, an 18-hole heathland course of Championship status. Ladybank has a railway station which is said to be the oldest unaltered station in Scotland. Surrounded by the beautiful Scottish countryside, impressive Fife Coast with its many picturesque little fishing villages dotted here and there, Hollybank is within easy reach of St Andrews and Edinburgh
You will love staying and relaxing in this welcoming cottage. When you stay at Hollybank we will come in through the small patio garden and little sunroom. You enter into a large living room leading to a bright galley style kitchen yet fully equipped. The bedroom is large and airy with an en-suite. Along the hall is the WC and a door leading out to a communal path directing you to your own little private garden, set in a communal area. Bring your books, your walking boots and don’t forget your dog and enjoy your holidays!

This charming former fisherman’s cottage, with enclosed garden, is set in the heart of Fishertown which forms part of the lively town of Nairn. Located on the Moray Coast, Nairn boasts a sandy beach which is just a few minutes’ walk from the holiday cottage. A toy cupboard provides amusement at the cottage. Seashell Cottage is ideally situated to enjoy the variety of facilities the town has to offer including a links golf course, fishing and boat trips to see the bottlenose dolphins. Cawdor and Brodie Castle are nearby along with numerous distilleries - take the Whisky Trail on Speyside. Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Inverness, the Highland capital are all within a short drive. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

Enjoying a peaceful yet central setting within the pretty village of Auldearn, this semi-detached, traditional holiday property has been furnished and equipped to a good standard to ensure as comfortable and relaxing holiday as possible. Just three miles from the seaside village of Nairn with its long sweeping sandy beaches and local amenities, Tigh Na Bruiach (Gaelic for ‘House on the Hill’) makes a super holiday base for exploring this wonderful part of the Northern Highlands. Visit Culloden Battlefield, Fort George, Inverness, and Loch Ness, all within a very easy drive. Brodie and Cawdor Castles are just a short distance and well worth a visit. You can meander along the Moray Coast and visit some of the beautiful, unspoilt beaches and hopefully catch sight of the dolphins, seals and large variety of birdlife this area is renowned for. Take a trip along the Malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind in the world! Further afield, go to the scenic West Coast, Fort William or the enigmatic Orkney Islands. Golf, mountain biking, kayaking, hill walking and photography are some of the many activities available.

Horseshoe Cottage is a traditional, terraced, stone-built cottage tucked away on a quiet lane, in the heart of the picture-postcard village of Freuchie at the foot of the Lomond Hills in rural Fife. After spending a day exploring, Horseshoe Cottage provides a cosy and welcoming base to retreat to, and is perfect for a romantic weekend in the countryside. The small enclosed garden is an added benefit where you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink or, weather permitting, enjoy an al fresco barbecue. From your front door you can walk to the local hotel for a drink or a meal, explore the friendly village down old lanes with well-kept gardens and out into the surrounding countryside. If you enjoy walking or cycling there are miles of lanes and quiet roads to explore.
The historic conservation village of Falkland, with it’s fairytale Renaissance palace and gardens, are only 2 miles away and makes a great day out where you can experience a day in the life of the Stuart monarchs and visit the extensive gardens. Wander around the medieval village where properties date back 300 years and stop for a refreshment in one of the tea shops or places to eat. For fans of the epic TV series Outlander, the village was one of the many locations filmed in this area.
The property is ideally located for a golf break, with 52 golf courses in a 25 mile radius, and St Andrews, with it’s championship courses, can be reached in under 30 minutes. For exploring further afield there’s Dundee with the V&A Museum and harbour side, and Perth can be reached in under 30 minutes. Sandy beaches at Leven are only 10 miles away and the Fife Coastal Path, for coastal walks to secluded coves and old fishing villages, can be joined here. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

’Blink and you’ll miss it’, a phrase many have uttered about Dornie, and the same can be said of Loch Long. Dornie is a lovely little village along the shores, just across the road from world-famous Eilean Donan Castle. When passing the castle with it on your left, Dornie is off to the right, with Loch Long slithering inland between high hills and mountains. On the opposite side, there is a wee road the runs parallel to the loch into the heart of the mountains. Bramble Bank is along this road on the shores of the magnificent loch.

A few miles along the road you enter the small crofting community of Allt na Sugh - spelt in other ways too, and this is where you will find Bramble Bank, nestled down to the right just above the shores of Loch Long. The property is a spacious detached lodge nestled into the heather-clad hills. Bramble Bank’s aspect from its very own plateau above the loch is truly outstanding with views across the water to the peaks of Sgurr na Cloiche and Sguman Coinntich. It’s an inspiring glen and emblematic of the Scottish Highlands. To be based at Bramble Bank is a peaceful dream, and would suit those wanting to have a bolthole that’s in an awe-inspiring location.

The lodge would be perfect for a couple looking to go walking in the nearby hills and mountains of Kintail. The Falls of Glomach are a short walk away, and Glen Elchaig is an inspiring hike too. There are many routes to explore, and with a dog in tow, you would have a fantastic walking holiday from Bramble Bank. It would make a great base too to explore the surrounding area by car. It is only a short drive along one of the most beautiful Highland roads to the main road linking Inverness and Skye. You can reach the Isle of Skye in 20 minutes from Bramble Bank, and explore the entire island during your stay. Loch Carron, Applecross and Torridon are fairly close to the north, and Glenelg to the south is only a short drive away.

The lodge itself is simply set up. You enter through French doors into the living room which allows you to take in the loch and mountain views. The living room is open plan with the dining room and kitchen. It’s spacious and has triple aspect, so very light. Outside of the property there is space to sit and enjoy surprisingly warm summer evenings. It’s a beautiful spot and you’ll be pleased to be spending time looking out from Bramble Bank. You’ll have a very good chance of spotting red deer, sea eagles, golden eagles, otters and pine martens all from the doorstep. Beach 12 miles. Shop 11 miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.