Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

Set in the heart of Fort Augustus and looking out over the locks of the Caledonian Canal, these beautifully presented holiday apartments make the perfect base for enjoying the village amenities and also for exploring this lovely part of the Highlands. You can sit in the comfort of your living room and watch boats travel through the canal. This pretty village is situated at the southern end of Loch Ness and is close to the Great Glen Way. Lots to see and do for all ages – monster spotting on Loch Ness, boat trips, mountain biking, canoeing, hill walking to name but a few. Take a trip to Fort William, the ’Outdoor Capital of the UK’, or Inverness, the vibrant Highland Capital. A trip to the beautiful Isle of Skye with the dramatic scenery of the west coast should not be missed. Or just relax and watch the ever changing views over the village. Restaurant 40 yards, shop and pub 20 yards.

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.

Set in the heart of this picturesque National Trust village, this ground floor holiday apartment forms part of a sympathetically converted former church. Enjoy the fabulous scenery and the rich abundance of wildlife, particularly the seals and otters in Plockton Bay. Super area for walking, fishing and sea trips - lots to do and see. Plockton is a convenient touring base for the Isle of Skye and the beautiful West Coast. Take advantage of the traditional Highland hospitality in the hotels and restaurants which specialise in local seafood. Shop 400 yards, pub 50 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.

Self-catering apartment at Westercraigs in Inverness with private parking and free Wi-Fi. This listed building has been converted into a beautiful modern ground floor apartment. It has been tastefully furbished to a very good standard and offers two guests a comfortable and relaxing self catering break in the heart of the Highlands.

The accommodation is modern and well equipped, with large windows offering plenty of light. For those not wishing to engage in outdoor activities, it is the perfect place to relax and peacefully read a book. The apartment is part of the listed building which was formally a large Victorian Hospital. It is set high above the city of Inverness offering spectacular views. The area is quiet and offers many options for walking and cycling in the immediate area.

This cosy croft house boasts spectacular hillside views over the Sound of Raasay towards the Island of Rona and the mountains of Torridon. Dating from the 1870s, it offers year round holiday accommodation and is delightfully refurbished. Sand and shingle beach, 2 miles. Nearby there are boat trips to the Outer Hebrides. It stands alone in its own unspoilt ¼-acre grounds, with views and a sitting-out area, half a mile from the coast. It is ideally placed to appreciate an abundance of wildlife, dramatic scenery, walking, fishing and challenging climbing. Shops 4 miles, pub 7 miles.

Bydand Cottage is a traditional detached stone croft cottage situated in a quiet hamlet and enjoys superb uninterrupted sea views. Forming part of a working croft, this pretty cottage has been in the same family for over 100 years. Set back from the lane, the cottage is entered through the pretty tended gardens which overlook the spectacular sweeping bay below. The cosy living room has the same wonderful views. The bright kitchen/dining room looks out across the generously proportioned back garden. Fully fenced, it is ideal for children and the family dog. There are three good sized bedrooms, providing plenty of space for up to 5 people. A large family bathroom on the ground floor completes the picture.
Whilst rural, the small hamlet of Melness has good facilities, with a thriving country pub just a short stroll from the cottage and a good local store ½ a mile along the lane. The nearby town of Tongue has a larger selection of amenities and facilities including a general store, bars, restaurants and craft shops. The immediate area is renowned for its spectacular scenery, with the mountains of Ben Hope and Loyal, numerous sandy beaches and wonderful hill and coastal walks direct from the cottage. The region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. For sailors and kayakers, there is a slipway and harbour close to the cottage. Horse riding is available at nearby Torrisdale sands. The area is also 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. There are a number of excellent golf courses within easy reach, including Durness and Reay. Beach ¼ mile. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Enjoying a lovely setting just a few minutes’ walk from the award-winning sandy beach and the vibrant harbour and marina, this semi-detached holiday cottage is located nearby local shops, on the edge of the Fishertown area of Nairn. Dolphin Cottage makes a super base for exploring the many delights of this beautiful part of the Highlands. Inverness, the Highland capital, Culloden Battlefield, the historic Fort George, Loch Ness and the castles of Brodie and Cawdor are all within a short drive. Visit some of the former fishing villages dotted along the Moray Coast, or take a trip along the Moray Malt Whisky Trail – the only one in the world! Amongst the many activities available are a large variety of watersports, fishing and sea trips, mountain biking and golf, with the town boasting a championship course just a short walk from the cottage. For the less energetic, guests can meander along the nearby beach, 500 yards away, where you might catch a glimpse of the famous bottlenose dolphins. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

A traditional ground-floor bungalow situated in Balmacara, Highlands. Panoramic views. Off-road parking. Open-plan living. Hamlet location. Isle of Skye 28.8 mile; Inverness 77.1 miles.