Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Situated on the spectacular west coast, this semi-detached house, attached to Cuillin View Apartment (ref UK12829), is located close to the village of Arisaig (Gaelic for ’the safe place’). With miles of sandy beaches on the doorstep, the area is renowned for its wonderful scenery, incredible wildlife and wealth of sporting activities including sea kayaking, sailing and canoeing. There is a sea kayaking centre in the village, with professional guides and equipment for hire. Small private craft can also be launched from the harbour slipway, and cruises to the nearby islands of Eigg, Muck and Rum run from the harbour. Sightings of Minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, otters and puffins can all be encountered at various times of the year.

Only 200 yards away is Traigh Golf Course which is one of the prettiest courses in Britain. This 9-hole course, right on the edge of the sea, is a classic seaside links in a breathtaking setting. The immediately surrounding area is a haven for walkers and there are a variety of spectacular routes direct from the property, suitable for all abilities. The town of Fort William, just 40 minutes drive away, is rightly known as the outdoor capital of the UK and the wealth of activities, outdoor pursuits and places of interest available are world renowned. Climbing and hill walking in this area are second to none, and the Nevis range offers an amazing variety of other sporting activities all year round, including para gliding, skiing, snowboarding and a world class mountain bike course.

The less energetic can take a spectacular ride on the gondola that runs up the side of Aanoch Mor and enjoy a meal at the famous mountain restaurant at the top, or enjoy a cycle ride along the scenic Great Glen Cycle route that runs along the side of the Caledonian Canal (bikes available to hire locally). In the summer months, the West Highland steam train or Hogwart’s Express of Harry Potter fame passes through Arisaig as it runs along the wonderfully scenic route through to Mallaig. Visitors to Mallaig can take the boat across the sea to Skye, returning via Skye Bridge to complete a spectacular circular tour. Beach 200 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.
Cuillin View House can be booked together with Cuillin View Apartment (ref UK12529) to accommodate up to 9 guests.

Seaview Cottage is situated in rural Drimnin on the picturesque Morvern Peninsula and has outstanding panoramic views sweeping over the Sound of Mull. The landscaped gardens, with summerhouse and seating areas, take advantage of the surrounding sea views. A short stroll from the house will bring you to a lovely pebble beach.
The area is famed for its natural rugged beauty and wildlife including red deer, pine marten, wild cats and otters. Bird life including the magnificent golden eagle and sea eagle, and marine life are also in evidence and porpoises are regularly spotted chasing the ferry and other boats. Wildlife tours both sea and land are available in the area.
Lochaline is a small coastal village just over 10 miles away with a shop and restaurant, further facilities and amenities are available in Isle of Mull, Strontian, Fort William and Oban. Its location in this most attractive area of the Highlands means that it is well-placed to take advantage of the many leisure and pleasure activities which the area has to offer. There are regular ferry services from Lochaline over to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull. Beach 50 yards. Shop and pub 10 miles, restaurant ¼ mile.

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.

Located in the small settlement of Camas Inas a few miles west from Salen, The Steading has the most glorious situation with its own beach fronting and fabulous views across Loch Sunart. There isn’t a jetty or slip here, but you can get your boat down across the stones and into the water. There are also moorings in the bay if you arrive by boat. It really is a superb spot to take the kayaks, or your boat and explore the miles of deserted coastline, or even nip round to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a bite to eat (only 30 minutes by speedboat!). There’s wildlife all around with dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters all regular visitors to your very own bay. The wildlife doesn’t stop there, you’ll see many species visiting the garden, red deer and pine martens feed in the garden and there is a most amazing array of birdlife, including golden and sea eagles.
The garden is large and runs right down to your own beach. There is a lovely patio area by the house and lots of mature flower beds and lawn for children and pets to explore. A highlight though is a wee footpath that leads off to the south-western edge of the plot, and you traverse a boardwalk to reach a promontory where there is a spectacular seating-area, it most be one of the best pre-dinner drink spots in Scotland, just mountains and sea with all the wildlife to spot.
Entering the property through the patio doors you come into the open plan living/dining/kitchen space, with the living and dining area having floor to ceiling windows with extraordinary views and also with a large wood burner and TV. The kitchen area has an enormous island and everything you want and need to cook up meals to suit any occasion. Off the kitchen there is a drying room and utility space, through which there is a great gym room with views of the loch. The master double bedroom with en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bath and walk-in shower and the view from the bath is very special. The master bedroom also has a private balcony with chairs to soak up the setting at any time of the day. There are another two bedrooms, a double room and twin room, as well as a beautiful walk-in shower room.
The Steading is a fantastic holiday home that upon arrival you will not want to leave, it’s a great house for families, groups of friends and especially those with dogs as it is a luxury property that is also very dog friendly. Close to the property you have some interesting places to visit including the local Ardnamurchan distillery and famous lighthouse at the UK mainland’s most westerly point. The peninsula has many deserted beaches to explore, mountains to climb, and lochs to swim and fish. It’s a truly untouched area that you will want to keep exploring. Beach 100 yards. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 6 miles.

Shielside lies on the outskirts of the ancient crofting village of Acharacle, at the western end of Loch Shiel, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. It offers four double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities and bedrooms 2 and 4 are particularly spacious. It also has its own large, enclosed garden for guests to enjoy.
Ardnamurchan is a wild and beautiful place, designated as a National Scenic Area for its outstanding scenery and landscape, a popular holiday destination, rich in wildlife with some fabulous walks and great scenery. Acharacle has a village store and post office, Hotel and bar, local garage, café, medical practice and gift shop. Other villages within a short drive have similar facilities and there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, kayaking and wild swimming. Acharacle is 45 miles from Fort William via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Moidart.
Fort William, known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” has a wide variety of attractions 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. At the foot of Ben Nevis, you can enjoy a world-class mountain bike trail in summer, or skiing in winter. The steam train made famous by the ’Harry Potter’ films, can take you on a spectacular journey from Fort William through Glenfinnan and its famous monument to Bonnie Price Charlie and on to Mallaig. You will also find plenty of walking and cycling opportunities.

Fraser’s Cottage is a recently built house immediately adjacent to Salen Hotel. The cottage sleeps 4, with one double and one twin room, both having views over Loch Sunart. The family bathroom with whirlpool bath is also upstairs. Downstairs is open plan with a dining, sitting room and beautiful kitchen area with gas fired rayburn cooker and 2 hobs. There is also a large downstairs shower room and a garden area to the front of the property. This is an excellent base from which to explore Ardnamurchan and the west coast of Scotland.

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.

Set on the fringes of Aviemore village, a wonderful location for enjoying the great outdoors in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, these superbly appointed and beautifully furnished properties offer a very high degree of comfort. Sitting in a quiet cul de sac, they are ideal for family gatherings. All of the four properties (refs S4401, S4402, S4615 and S4538) enjoy their own private hot tub (each for 4 people) and S4401, S4402 and S4538 have a digital, infrared sauna with music and colour system, Freeview TVs and hairdryers in all bedrooms. Aviemore is a renowned centre for outdoor pursuits – excellent climbing and hill walking, competition standard mountain bike tracks, water sports on Lochs Morlich and Insch and, of course, skiing and snow boarding in season are just some of the activities on offer. The fishing and golf are similarly excellent, with trout fishing available all year at Rothiemurchus Estate, 2 miles, or hire equipment (at cost, licence required) for salmon fishing at the River Spey (seasonal). Sled dog rides, train trips to the resort at the top of the mountain, and the Strathspey steam railway are also found here and Britain’s only freely roaming reindeer herd can be spotted against the stunning backdrop of Glenmore. Shops, good restaurants, themed bars, live music are all within ½ mile. Other great attractions in the area are The Highland Wildlife Centre with Amur tigers, wolves and polar bear, The Landmark Centre, Tree Zone; an incredible aerial adventure and Aviemore Highland Resort Leisure Centre with its own wavepool, water slides and cinema.

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.