Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Ardlearag is an outstanding architecturally-designed and timber-clad holiday home in the North West Scotland. Overlooking the sea loch Little Loch Broom, Ardlearag also has views of the isolated Scoraig peninsula and wee mountain Beinn Ghobhlach across the loch, and to the east An Teallach, a fabulous Munro, is in view and only a few miles away. Staying at Ardlearag is like striking gold. Pulling up at the stunning property you won’t believe your luck. Any length of time booked is guaranteed to be too short.

The property nestles into the landscape right beside the water and is surrounded by mountains. The area around Ardlearag is known as the ‘great wilderness’ and staying at the property makes it easy to see why. The front of the house looks towards the water and mountains -quite rightly - so you enter through the back door. On the left there’s a well-placed utility room, perfect for cleaning up after long days out exploring in the wilds. Quickly you discover the wow factor of the house, which is the vast amount of glass in the open plan living/dining/kitchen area. Views up the loch and across the water are truly sensational. It’s an amazing room making the most of the surroundings, and it’s finished to a fantastic high standard (like the whole house). To return to this room after days out on adventures is pure bliss.

Beyond the house the great wilderness awaits. An Teallach is a fantastic Munro and with it being so close it deserves an attempt or two during your holiday. Ullapool and Assynt beyond are not far away, and to the south the coastal villages of Aultbea, Poolewe and Gairloch with numerous sandy beaches to choose from await. Staying at Ardlearag is a superb choice for the most amazing of Highland holidays. Book now and forever be happy with your choice!

Set in its own private grounds on the stunningly beautiful little Loch Broom, Kildonan is a bright, spacious and modern detached house. It enjoys wonderful uninterrupted views across the loch to the Summer Isles beyond, surrounded by hills and mountains. Tucked away down its own quiet track it is ideal for a luxurious get-away from it all holiday for families and friends. The large kitchen/dining room is modern farmhouse style, with flagstone flooring and built-in units. Across the hallway is a spacious living room, with deep soft leather sofa suites and a large wood burner. The games room is on the ground floor and is a wonderful bonus for all ages. Here is a large central pool table, as well as a dart board and other games. The rural country gardens surround the house making this an ideal place to relax in the evening. A wide staircase leads up to the first floor, where there are four generously proportioned bedrooms, one with an en-suite. They are all very attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and high quality beds and furniture. As well as the en-suite there is a family-sized bathroom with a deep roll-top bath and a separate shower cubicle.

Kildonan is ideally located for maximising the views, sitting on a promontory near the head of Little Loch Broom, which in summer is ideal for swimming. Badluarch jetty, at the end of the single track lane, offers easy access to the water. Badluarach is a small crofting hamlet, with scattered cottages, sheep and cattle for company. The adjoining lane leads out onto open moorland. The area is a paradise for hill-walkers and climbers, with numerous walks directly from the property and the renowned munro of An Tellach just 5 minutes away. It is equidistant from Ullapool and Gairloch. The coastline that runs along this west coast is simply stunning. It forms part of the renowned North Coast 500 route which encompasses some of the most dramatic and unspoilt scenery to be found anywhere in the British Isles. Miles of sandy beaches are interspersed with coves, tumbling rivers and high mountains. In the nearby village of Dundonnell there is a restaurant and bar which is open throughout the summer months. Both Ullapool and Gairloch, just 30 minutes’ drive away, have excellent facilities, including a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants as well as visitor attractions. Beach 4 miles. Shop 13 miles, pub and restaurant 8 miles.

Osprey Lodge is situated in an elevated position, deep in the Sutherland hills, tucked away down a private track, and enjoying unbelievable views across the surrounding hills and open countryside. This superb, detached solid wood lodge enjoys total peace and privacy, set in 50 hectares of croft land. The accommodation is presented to a very good standard throughout. The delightful open plan living space features a welcoming wood burner in the living area, as well as patio doors that open onto the raised decking, with a private hot tub and sitting-out area. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms with colour coordinated soft furnishings allowing for a good nights’ sleep. This property is very accessible for wheelchair users, with a level entrance and modern bathroom with a claw-footed bath and accessible wet room walk-in shower.

Situated on a working farm where the friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, this is a haven for wildlife and you may also stumble upon osprey, deer, pine martin, red kites, golden eagles and curlews. Whilst completely private, it is just over 1 mile to the pretty stone village of Rogart which is home to a thriving village pub that serves meals, as well as a shop, post office and railway station. It is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highlands, with many places of interest within a short drive. Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Duke of Sutherland, with its gardens modelled on Versailles is well worth a visit. Or experience salmon leaping up the famous Falls of Shin, and mountain biking, hill walking, fishing, and various water sports are all available locally. The historic seaside town of Dornoch is just 15 minutes’ drive away, where you can visit the sandy beach and the renowned championship golf course, as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 17¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Enjoying open views across the countryside, this detached, 200-year old property is full of character and charm. Now a holiday cottage, it has been equipped and furnished to a good standard to ensure as comfortable and relaxing a holiday as possible. Only 7 miles from Inverness and 2 miles from Castle Stuart Golf Links, which has hosted the Scottish Open golf tournament. Mountain biking on some of the many forest trails, golf at some wonderful Scottish courses, sea trips and watersports either on the Moray coast or Loch Ness are just some of the many activities available. There are many historical sites nearby such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and Cawdor Castle. Try the Whiskey Trail along the Moray and Dornoch coasts. Shop 1 mile, pub serving food 3 miles.

Situated on its own, right on the shoreline, enjoying panoramic views of the seascape this unique detached house offers an exceptionally good standard of holiday accommodation throughout. The living room and large kitchen/dining room look out across the bay. A second living room upstairs is built in the form of an ’observatory’, complete with balcony from which to spot the wide variety of bird and sea-life. Miles of shoreline walks are accessed directly from the property. The unspoilt fishing village of Helmsdale has a harbour and restaurants and shops. The area is renowned for its unspoilt beaches, wild and rugged coastline and traditional villages. Fossils are regularly found along this particular stretch of coast. Travel north to visit the Castle of Mey, John O’ Groats and the Orkney Isles. Golf, fishing, cycling, hill-walking, surfing and pony trekking all available locally. Try panning for gold in the Helmsdale river and visit the fairytale castle of Dunrobin. Shops, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

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.

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.

The Ivy Wing and The Cottage are situated in the courtyard of Barrock House, and surrounded by landscaped grounds and mature woodland. This provides shelter for an abundance of bird and wild life with pleasant walks close at hand and the scenic beaches of Sinclair and Dunnet Bay are just 5 minutes by car. The Cottage makes the perfect base for touring this unspoilt and tranquil part of the Highlands. Visit the Castle and Gardens of Mey, the Queen Mother’s Highland home, John O’Groats, Wick Heritage and Lyth Arts Centre, or take a wildlife or distillery tour. Golfing, fishing, sea trips or walking along the many miles of rugged coastline are just some of the many activities available. Lyth is situated just 10 miles north of Wick and 15 miles from Thurso, making the beautiful Orkney Isles easily accessible by car ferry for day trips. Both properties can be booked together for larger groups (ref’s W42082 and W42083). Shop, pub and restaurant 4.5 miles.

Nestling amid the glorious Highland countryside, with a stunning backdrop of mountains, this traditionally built stone house stands detached on the site of an old croft, on a 350-acre estate. Ideal for year round family holidays, it features a most attractively furnished, designer interior, which opens out onto a large, south-facing enclosed garden laid mainly to lawn. The surrounding area is a nature lover’s paradise, with several lochs close by offering excellent fishing and bird-watching opportunities, and much indigenous flora and fauna. Inverness 17 miles. Shops 6 miles, pub 1 mile (open Apr-Oct).

An idyllic wilderness retreat, offering sustainable yet comfortable living, with wood burners and solar power to minimise impact on the environment, Glenhurich Cottage, within the National Scenic Area of Loch Shiel, feels cut off from the world, but is only six scenic miles from the village of Strontian. Offering off-grid living with all creature comforts, electricity is provided by solar panels and generators, and the cold sparkling water comes from deep under the glen floor. A combination of gas central heating, welcoming woodburning cooking range and lovely wood burner keeps the place warm and cosy. With no light or noise pollution, the modern world feels a long way away, and days can be spent walking through the glen, along the riverside, or snuggled upon a comfy leather sofa in front of the roaring woodburner enjoying a good book from the hand-picked library.
On entering Glenhurich Cottage, through an oak-framed porch, you will find a traditional highland cottage, with original oak beams and lime-washed walls, beautifully restored and enhanced by modern comforts. Glenhurich Cottage is the perfect nature-lovers’ retreat, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and over 100 species of wildlife including pine marten, majestic red deer, golden and white-tailed sea eagles all regularly seen. With a huge variety of native plants close by, it’s also a haven for rare butterflies and insects. Tucked away in the remote, thickly wooded Glenhurich, it’s close to the River Hurich, an excellent salmon fishing river which flows into scenic Loch Doilet and has clear, deep pools, ideal for a summer dip!
From the shores of Loch Doilet, you can discover the fascinating ruined lead mines at Corrantee or walk along the banks of the River Polloch to the much larger, historic Loch Shiel, where you can look for eagles, otters and divers (including the rare black throated diver), stop for a picnic overlooking Loch Shiel or cycle along the shore-side forest road all the way to Glenfinnan and beyond. Strontian is 24 miles from Fort William via the Corran Ferry via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Sunart and Moidart. Fort William is the main town of Lochaber, known as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK” and has a wide variety of attractions including the Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal which make ideal walking opportunities on the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis. There are a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants, distilleries, a bus station and railway station with links to Mallaig, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as an overnight sleeper to London.