Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

The Stable Cottage is an attractive, architect designed conversion of an historic Listed building, formerly a stable and grain loft for the old water mill which is situated close by.

The Stable Cottage and the nearby Mill Cottage (ref W42412) are situated approximately 200 yards from the sea and are within easy walking distance of the centre of the famous village of John O’ Groats. The ideal base to explore this lovely part of the Northern Highlands, John O’ Groats is famous for being the most north easterly point of Britain’s four corners, renowned for magnificent coastal scenery, unspoilt beaches and coastal walks. A breath-taking array of bird life is close at hand. Seals, dolphins, orca and minke whales are frequently seen. Even otters make an appearance, feeding on the rocky shoreline.

Take a day trip to the Orkney Islands with ferries a few minutes away from the cottages. Visit Duncansby Head, the Castle of Mey, Thurso and Wick. See the world class seabird colonies and the awe inspiring Stacks of Duncansby. For the energetic mountain biking, fishing, sailing and windsurfing are available. Both the Mill Cottage and the Stable Cottage are operated by the John O’ Groats Mill Trust, a charity aimed at maintaining these historic buildings for the benefit of visitors and the community. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of John O’Groats, this charming cottage welcomes guests with its inviting ambience and rural vistas. The heart of the home is its open-plan living space, seamlessly blending the living and dining areas with a well-equipped kitchen, creating a perfect setting for convivial gatherings and culinary delights. With two elegantly appointed double bedrooms, a cosy twin bedroom, and a sleek shower room boasting a convenient shower cubicle, comfort and relaxation await at every corner of this idyllic retreat.
In the quaint village of John O’Groats and its surrounding area, a wealth of captivating experiences awaits eager adventurers. Embark on a mesmerizing journey to witness the iconic John O’Groats Signpost,marking the northernmost point of the British mainland, where visitors can capture timeless photographs against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Sea. Explore the rugged coastline with invigorating walks along the picturesque cliff paths, offering panoramic views of the Orkney Islands and the majestic Scottish Highlands. Delve into the region’s rich history at the nearby Castle of Mey, the former residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, boasting splendid gardens and fascinating exhibitions.
For wildlife enthusiasts, boat tours offer the chance to spot diverse marine life, including seals, dolphins, and even whales, while birdwatchers can marvel at the array of seabirds that call these coastal waters home. After a day of exploration, unwind in charming local eateries, savouring freshly caught seafood and hearty Scottish delicacies, while relishing the warm hospitality of this enchanting corner of the world.

A bright, renovated highland cottage, peacefully situated in the hills, high above Drumnadrochit, only 3½miles away. Beautifully secluded, with a lively burn bubbling past. Reached by 1½ miles of fairly steep tarred road then ¾of a mile of track through a birch wood. Fishing permits can be obtained locally. A perfect holiday retreat. Glen Affric and the west coast are well worth a visit, with Inverness only half an hour away. Shop and pub 3½ miles.

This detached holiday cottage sits amidst hills and farmland, midway bewtween Fort Augustus and Inverness, 15 miles, and east of Loch Ness, with some exceptional scenery from the roads leading towards the loch. It is very comfortably furnished with fabrics and colours that compliment the traditional highland style and is approached by a short grassy track. The mountains ensure a tranquil spot and Loch Ruthven very close by, is an ornithologist’s dream, with grebe and many various flora and fauna. Shop 7 miles, pub 1 mile.

Situated only a mile from the village of Drumnadrochit and with wonderful views over Loch Ness, this charming, self contained holiday apartment is on the ground floor of Temple Pier House, an impressive listed building set above the road along the side of the loch. The house retains many original features including small paned windows. Perfect for couples who want a comfortable hideaway with a private hedged garden. Great for walkers, there are many tracks to explore from the doorstep including the Great Glen Way which passes close and continues all the way to Inverness. A boat trip on the loch is a must for a spot of ‘Nessie Hunting’. The charming village of Drumnadrochit has good restaurants, a small but well stocked grocery store, a post office and a bank that opens occasionally. The bright lights of the city of Inverness, 12 miles, offer a superb choice of restaurants, boutiques, museums, and beautiful riverside pathways, with the imposing Inverness Castle, now the city’s courthouse, the impressive St. Andrew’s cathedral and the award winning Eden Court Theatre. Centrally located, this makes an ideal base to access all of the magnificent Highlands. Skye, Fort William and the West Coast of Scotland are within a couple of hours’ drive and the road through Inverness goes onto the A9 and then north to Sutherland or south to Aviemore and further to Perthshire. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Drummuie House is a beautiful, 200-year-old, detached stone house situated in its own 1-acre grounds in an elevated position and commanding superb views across the sea. This large and elegant house was built by Captain Robert Sutherland, a Napoleonic war veteran. It has been painstakingly restored and renovated and provides a high level of luxury in a superb setting. All the rooms are generously proportioned, with high ceilings and large original windows. The spacious farmhouse-style kitchen is bright, contemporary and and extremely well equipped. The dining room is simply stunning, with a solid wood dining table running the length of the room, seating up to 10 people with ease. The main living room has a superb wood burner and lovely deep sofas. There is a games room on the ground floor with a professional slate bed pool table. The Highland Wildcat Trail, a mountain bike trail which features the longest descent in the UK from the summit of Ben Bhraggie and the longest technical single track climb is located behind the property.
All the bedrooms are on the first floor. The two main double rooms are particularly sumptuous: one has a four-poster bed and the other a sleigh bed, both en-suite. With three further bedrooms and two bathrooms, Drummuie House is ideal for larger families and groups. The spacious and mature gardens are fully enclosed and ideal for children and pets. The holiday property is situated on the edge of Golspie, and is just a short walk from all the amenities this seaside resort has to offer, including a beautiful sandy beach and scenic walks. There is a variety of small shops, pubs and restaurants. Tennis, bowling and a public swimming pool are also available. It is within close proximity of many golf courses including the Royal Dornoch Championship Course. Sea and loch fishing, boats trips, kayaking, karting, or mountain bike trails are all within easy reach. Just 3 miles south of the village is the nature reserve of Loch Fleet, with an abundance of wildlife, including seals, ospreys and other birdlife. Shop, pub and restaurant ¼ mile.

Just 50 yards from the sea, commanding superb views of Loch Inchard and the mountains beyond, this detached bungalow is located in this popular north west fishing village. There are excellent opportunities for hill walking and climbing, bird watching and fishing, plus boat trips to seal colonies, Cape Wrath Lighthouse and Handa Island Bird Sanctuary. There are two grocery shops and a few pubs and restaurants in the area. There are several beautiful white sandy beaches all within easy reach, and for golfers there is a challenging golf course 17 miles away in Durness. The cottage is bright and cosy and suitable for holidays throughout the year. Shop, pub and restaurant 0.5 miles.

Achd is a traditional, detached, croft holiday cottage, standing alone within its own fenced garden area, with many original features, whitewashed stone walls, sloping ceilings and wood panelled walls in the bedrooms imparting much comfort and charm, and located just ½-mile from the village. There is much to do for the outdoor enthusiast (a free slipway for small boat landing is available) with several munros, low level walks, kayaking, sea angling and pony trekking. The sunrise and sunsets are truly stunning and Handa Island, Eas a’ Chual Aluinn and the pristine sandy beaches of Achmelvich, Clachnessie and Sandwood Bay are all within driving distance. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Cor an Easan is a traditional croft cottage, situated in a stunning location with superb sea views. This detached two storey holiday cottage is accessed via a short track in the pretty hamlet of Melness. Overlooking a superb sandy bay and surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, the cottage provides peace and tranquillity and is an ideal base from which to explore this wonderful and totally unspoilt region. The nearby village of Tongue enjoys spectacular views across the sea, with the mountains of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal in the distance. There is a slipway and harbour for small boats within a mile of the property. Horse riding is available at nearby Torrisdale sands. The area is renowned for its loch, river and sea fishing. Permits are available locally for salmon, sea trout and brown trout, and boats are also available to hire. Beach ½ mile. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.