Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

What a fantastic little bungalow, perfect for a romantic coastal break, situated back from the Tayport marina with wonderful views from the living room over all the boats moored there. Watch the comings and goings of this vibrant harbour while having your morning coffee, either from the living room or step outside through the patio doors onto the enclosed sitting out area at the front overlooking the harbour.
The property is tastefully decorated throughout and has everything you could wish for in a restful break away. A very well-equipped kitchen, living room with patio doors, bathroom with shower over bath and double bedroom, are all very comfortably furnished, while at the rear of the property is a little patio area with table and chairs and cycle store.
This is a superb area for cycling with dedicated pathways running all along the coast towards St Andrews, renowned of course for being the Home of Golf. There are many courses apart from the Royal and Ancient, with Scotscraig just a 5-minute drive away, 13th oldest course in the world! The fine sands at Tentsmuir Nature Reserve are wonderful for walking, with the forest behind, interspersed with lots of trails through mixed woodland and a wonderful sandy beach. Enjoy a tour at one of Fife’s newest craft distilleries, Tayport Distillery, who make flavoured gin, vodka and eau de vie, or back over the famous Tay Bridge, the cosmopolitan city of Dundee awaits, with the RSS Discovery, the V & A and plenty of boutique shops and eateries for you to enjoy. This is a perfect year-round destination. Beach 7 miles.

Willow Lodge is located just 3 miles from the village of Muir of Ord, in a rural position on the edge of a croft. The property has been designed to make the most of the location and maximise the stunning views from all the main rooms. An enclosed private deck wraps around the lodge with comfortable seating for a family of six. The main living area is open plan and contemporary with industrial light fittings, a 50 inch wall mounted Smart TV and a very well equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar. The seating is arranged to take in the views with French doors to the decking. The master bedroom also has French doors and a luxury en-suite shower room. There is another double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both having French doors. These are served by a stunning wet room which is also suitable for wheelchair users. Willow Lodge is dog friendly and will provide an ideal base for walking and exploring the stunning Black Isles.
Inverness, the highland capital, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and the beautiful coastal villages of the Moray Coast are all within a short drive. Local activities include mountain biking, golf, fishing, horse riding, walking and hill climbing to name just a few. Take a day trip to the lovely Isle of Skye and the scenic west coast or travel further north and explore the many unspoilt beaches and coastal inlets of Caithness and Sutherland. Beach 26½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Treetops Lodge has been hand built by the owners who have managed and developed this stunning 150-acre estate for over 30 years. The area is most suited for guests who appreciate the very simple things in life and enjoy waking up in the morning to stunning views over the glen estate. The friendly owners also run an organic and small sheep farm croft with sheep and hens, and embrace the organic way of life. This well-equipped, detached lodge has an open plan living area with comfortable seating for six guests, and a glazed door leading to a private balcony with spectacular views. There are three bedrooms comprising of a master bedroom with double bed and en-suite shower room, twin bedroom and a bunk bedroom both served by a family bathroom. Each holiday home is surrounded by a lawn and screened from neighbours by trees. Treetops Lodge also has a private balcony with garden furniture. There is a children’s play area shared with other properties on-site and 150 acres of natural woodlands and wetlands to explore. You can watch roe deer, red squirrels or maybe a glimpse of a wild cat or fox.
The beautiful, former fishing village of Nairn, with large sandy beaches, is close by and offers a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs, along with a wonderful championship golf course, a harbour and marina. Amongst the many activities available there are a variety of watersports, fishing, boat trips and mountain biking in the nearby countryside. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is just a short drive away with Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and Loch Ness within easy reach. There are many picturesque former fishing villages dotted to the east along the Moray Coast, where you may catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins. Alternatively, take a trip on the Malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Beach 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.
Treetops Lodge can be booked together with Rowantree Chalet (ref UK30558) to accommodate up to 11 guests.

The owners have lovingly looked after Cliff Cottage, and this detached property is perfect for a family holiday. Before you enter the front door you’ll notice raised beds in the front garden with vegetables that you are welcome to help yourself to in season! The interior is finished to a great standard, with many bespoke features and lovely local artworks displayed. Cliff Cottage makes the ideal base for a holiday in the Highlands, and Applecross is a very, very special part of Scotland. People often mistakenly overlook it in favour of Skye or Loch Ness, and many drive past the peninsula when journeying along the North Coast 500. To visit Applecross is to be treated to a highlight of travel experiences.
Making your way to Applecross is an adventure, particularly if you take the southern road. The Bealach na Bà sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings, and when you get your eyes on this mountain pass, you’ll agree that it would sit pride of place in a Tolkien adventure. It’s a steep drive from sea level to over 2,000ft, and one of the best routes to experience in the UK and Europe. Reaching the top, the expansive, rugged moors of the Applecross interior stretch out in front of you, and the views back down the glacial carved valley you’ve driven up are truly awe inspiring. This is what the Highlands are really about! Descend down to the shore on the west coast of Applecross where there’s an inn, cafés, a restaurants and lots of amenities. This is the hub of the peninsula, and where you’ll visit plenty of times during your stay. Cliff Cottage is to the north of Applecross Bay, only 7 miles up the coast.
Two miles before Cliff Cottage’s driveway is Sand Bay, which is one of the best beaches on the west coast, one to visit a few times during your stay. Cliff Cottage is accessed via a track that leads down to this sheltered and charming spot for a holiday base. Beyond Cliff Cottage, the road continues along the entire west and north coast of the Applecross Peninsula, and is a great scenic route to take during your holiday. It gives you access to Shieldaig and Torridon. You are just a stone’s throw away from the coast and Applecross is your backdrop. Book now and forever be grateful that you did! beach 2 miles.

Bruiach Cottage is set in a quiet corner of the pretty village of Newtonmore. The accommodation is spacious and comfortably sleeps four guests. A large open plan living space has a dining area and a well equipped kitchen. The secluded back garden is peaceful and, although shared with the owner who lives on-site, your private area is a perfect place to sit in a morning and take in the warm sunshine, or in an evening around the firepit and plan your next day’s adventures.
Newtonmore centre is just a short and easy walk away, where you have excellent pubs, restaurants, shops, Wild Cat trail and the award winning Highland Folk Museum. The main attraction to this area are outdoor pursuits like golf, water sports, wild swimming, cycling, hiking and fishing. Aviemore is just a 15-minute drive, with skiing and numerous outdoor specialist shops. Newtonmore golf club is just 100 yards away, and further afield are the more famous courses, such as Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch and Gleneagles.
Centrally located in the Highlands, you are not far from most places of interest including, The West and Moray Coasts, Inverness for Loch Ness, Fort William for Harry Potter fans and Speyside distilleries for the Whisky tour, starting off at the nearest, just 15-minutes away at Dalwhinnie. A stay at Bruiach Cottage could not be any more central for everything to make a memorable stay for all age groups. Shop, pub and restaurant 250 yards.

Enjoying wonderful views across the Caledonian Canal to Ben Nevis, the Aonach Mor ski range and Glen Nevis, this bright and spacious detached bungalow is situated on a working croft in one of the most spectacular parts of the Highlands. There is a wealth of activities in the area, including skiing, climbing, hill walking, mountain biking, sailing, fishing and golf. Although rural the property is not isolated; the local shop is ¾ mile and pub and restaurant are a short walk away. During the summer the West Highland steam train, as seen in Harry Potter Films, passes close by enroute to Mallaig, where ferries depart for Skye and the small isles. Fort William, ‘the outdoor capital of the Highlands’ is just 4 miles away. It boasts a variety of excellent facilities, including swimming pool, and restaurants. The property makes an ideal base for touring the numerous places of interest in the region, including Glencoe, Loch Ness and the beautiful unspoilt Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Shop ¾ mile, pub and restaurant 500 yards.
Stepps Cottage can be booked together with W40834 Lapwing Rise (sleeps 7) which is next door.

Uaine Cottage is a warm and welcoming home from home which has recently been fully refurbished in 2020 to a high standard. Through the front door you’ll find a hallway with plenty of coat hooks for your layers, along with a separate toilet. The living/dining room is a great space with ample seating at the dining table. The kitchen is spacious and you will find all the modern amenities you will need to rustle up hearty meals after long days out exploring in the Cairngorms. There is a door out into the enclosed back garden which has garden furniture and a patio. There are mature trees surrounding most of the garden making it feel very private and to top it off there is a charcoal BBQ to enjoy al fresco dining on the warm summer days. Back into the house there are two spacious bedrooms, one a double and one twin. There is also a modern bathroom with rain shower over bath.
Uaine Cottage is situated in the ever-popular Aviemore. Tucked away in a quiet part of town, close to a bend in the River Spey. However, it is only a ten minute walk from all of the pubs, restaurants and cafés in Aviemore thanks to a lovely little footpath. As well as many fabulous independent places to eat and drink, Aviemore has much more to offer. Being a hub for the Cairngorms National Park, you are ideally located for setting off to the mountains and have plenty of adventure. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, there’s a whole host of activities to enjoy. Hiking, mountain biking and fishing are popular in the summer, and come winter you can pursue the best skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking in the UK.
Being in Aviemore gives you a great opportunity to explore other places in the area, as the the property is situated just off the A9. You can journey down the Spey and visit the charming neighbouring villages of Carrbridge, Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge, and continue to see the Speyside distilleries. You could also explore this area on foot by walking the Speyside Way, or hopping on and off the steam railway. Inverness is only 30 minutes away by car, and if you want to go further afield and explore some other mountains, you can be in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis in just over two hours. Closer to home, Loch Morlich is just 7 miles away, with a wonderful sandy beach known as the highest beach in the UK! Uaine Cottage is a delight, it makes for a perfect holiday home with so much on your doorstep, but its secluded location means you have a peaceful base to rest, relax and recharge. Beach 7 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

This cosy holiday home is a no-smoking detached bungalow with a hot tub at the end of a quiet and peaceful cul-de-sac in the well known and highly sought after Silverglades area of Aviemore. Situated alongside the Strathspey Steam Railway, it’s only a short 8-minute walk along a quiet country lane to the beating heart of Aviemore and all it’s amenities. Holly Lodge is ideally located for those wanting adventure, romance or peace and quiet, Holly Lodge is the perfect place to start and end your day for families, couples and friends alike. For those arriving by car, there’s plenty of space for two vehicles or more with on-road parking if required.

If during your stay you’ve had enough of mountains, lochs and walks for the day, Holly Lodge ensures you’re kept entertained with unlimited Wi-Fi, a NowTV subscription with entertainment and movie packages, as well as a DVD player with a selection of DVDs. There’s also a large selection of board games for all ages if you decide you really want to fall out with each other (play Monopoly at your own risk)!

You can also indulge in the flicker of flames with the wood burner in the living room, which has a complimentary pack of locally sourced wood from a renewable and responsibly managed family business in Kincraig.

Both bedrooms provide professionally cleaned linen, towels, robes and slippers so you can be comfortable and relaxed during your stay. For little ones, there is a travel cot and highchair, as well as plastic dishes, cups and cutlery. The kitchen is also very well appointed in terms of utensils and equipment, including a dishwasher.

If the weather is in your favour, then you can enjoy and relax in the spacious, enclosed garden which provides a place for the kids to play, as well as a brick barbecue which has a starter pack of charcoal and all utensils are provided, so all you need to think about is what is on the menu. The gem in the garden however is definitely the private NS7 Serenity hot tub. The tub is always on, fully maintained and certified for hygiene and cleanliness, and seats six. This provides the perfect way to relax and soothe the aching bones and muscles after a hard days exploring. Don’t worry if you get back late in the day, as the hot tub has built-in lighting so you can enjoy the bubbles even after the sun has gone down, and its a firm favourite with all guests.

Growing from strength to strength every year, Aviemore is the perfect hub for reaching other areas of the Cairngorms as well as for enjoying the local facilities and activities. You’re a pleasant 10-minute stroll from the nearest country pub/restaurant, and the fantastic and varied local shops. If you hop in the car you’re 15 minutes from Loch Morlich or Loch Insh and the fantastic water sports provisions there, as well as Rothiemurchus en route and the amazing outdoor centre for a whole raft of activities. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Set on the shores of Loch Lochy with breathtaking views across to Ben Nevis and the Aonach Mor mountains. This detached log home is furnished to a wonderful standard. Gairlochy Bay is set in a stunning location, accessed via a gravelled forest track, and guests can fish from the decking, watch the boats sail through the Caledonian Canal or wander around a network of paths and shoreline. For those wishing to get out and about it is an excellent base to explore the Highlands and the Western Isles, known for its magnificent scenery and abundance of wildlife. Fort William is the nearest town with an array of shops, bars and restaurants, whilst Inverness and Oban are also easily reached. The local scenery has been used as the backdrop for many well known films, such as Braveheart and Rob Roy. Visitors can also take the steam train to Mallaig passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct as depicted in one of the Harry Potters movies, the gondola up the Nevis mountain range, or visit the Loch Ness monster. Outdoor activities include skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, walking, climbing, horse riding, golf and a variety of watersports. There are plenty of beautiful gardens and ruined castles to be visited and the area is famous for its rich historical legacy. Shop and pub 3 miles.