Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Phil’s House (ref SUUR), an architect designed, eco-friendly, single-storey house and Reid’s Cottage (ref UYT), a bright and cosy Highland croft house, enjoy an elevated position with panoramic views over the village of Lairg, waters of the Loch Shin and towards the hills beyond. Furnished and equipped to very high standards, they ensure a comfortable and pleasant holiday in this lovely part of the Highlands. Activities include mountain biking in the forest trails, fishing and stalking (by prior arrangement), hill walking or kayaking on the lochs and rivers. Golf courses nearby. For the less energetic, just relax in the comfort of the house and watch the ever changing scenery. Shops and pubs 1/4 mile.

Phil’s House (ref SUUR), an architect designed, eco-friendly, single-storey house and Reid’s Cottage (ref UYT), a bright and cosy Highland croft house, enjoy an elevated position with panoramic views over the village of Lairg, waters of the Loch Shin and towards the hills beyond. Furnished and equipped to very high standards, they ensure a comfortable and pleasant holiday in this lovely part of the Highlands. Activities include mountain biking in the forest trails, fishing and stalking (by prior arrangement), hill walking or kayaking on the lochs and rivers. Golf courses nearby. For the less energetic, just relax in the comfort of the house and watch the ever changing scenery. Shops and pubs 1/4 mile.

This holiday cottage, which was extensively refurbished in 2018, is situated in the rural village of Inchnadamph. Accessed via a rough track it is the perfect get away from it all location. Here you can truly escape, relax in the open plan living space complete with Netflix and Wi-Fi, or simply enjoy time with your loved ones in the garden. This area is part of the first Geopark in Scotland, with its dramatic land/seascapes, geology and history. Traligill Glen, which leads to the impressive entrances of the largest cave system in Scotland, is a short walk from the cottage. The area has much to offer for the outdoor enthusiast, including hill walking, with Stac Pollaidh, Canisp and Suilven all close by, and several lochs for trout fishing (permits available locally). Boats can be hired in Lochinver for sea angling. Knockan Crag, a National Nature Reserve, is also nearby. For bird watchers, Handa Island is a great day out, with hundreds of breeding seabirds, or spot mountain hares and otters. Shop 12 miles, pub and restaurant 200 yards.
Riverside Cottage can be booked together with Ghillies at Riverside (ref UK11018) to accommodate up to 6 guests.

Keeper’s House is situated in beautiful Glen Cassley. This charming, traditional, detached stone cottage overlooks the renowned River Cassley and enjoys stunning views from all windows. Situated on the Highland estate of Glenrossal, it provides peace and tranquillity. There is a large farmhouse-style kitchen/dining room, complete with cooker, microwave and a Belfast sink. The separate living room has a welcoming open fireplace and attractive soft furnishings. There are three good-sized bedrooms accommodating up to six visitors. With a bathroom and a separate shower room it is ideal for larger groups or a two family holiday. The estate has its own 2½ mile stretch of salmon fishing on the River Cassley. Six rods are available from Monday to Saturday with the fishing split into two beats with rods rotating at lunchtime. Behind the cottages lies a small loch, which can provide a useful testing ground for your casting technique or an enjoyable introduction to the sport for less experienced members of your party. When it is time for a break, the estate also provides a comfortable fishermen’s hut. The Glenrossal Estate is an excellent centre for salmon, trout and sea fishing. The local area has many breathtaking hill lochs inhabited with wild brown trout and with the east coast 15 miles away and the west coast only 30 miles, the keen fisherman should never be short of sport. Licences must be obtained beforehand so please contact the estate directly to check availability. Keeper’s House is ideally located for exploring the best of the Highlands. The short drive to Ullapool, around 45 minutes, goes through breathtaking scenery to the west coast. A trip east offers the pretty sandstone villages of Dornoch, Golspie and Brora, all boasting superb sandy beaches and well known golf courses. Beach 20 miles. Shop 11 miles, pub and restaurant ¾ mile. Keeper’s House can be booked together with Birch Cottage (UK5417) and Rowan Cottage (UK5418) to accommodate up to 15 guests.

Situated in the pretty village of Bonar Bridge, Foundry Bank once formed part of the local foundry, where iron ore was smelted for the original Telford Bridge, which straddled the waters of the Kyle of Sutherland. Adjacent to the owner’s home, this charming, 19th century, semi-detached stone cottage has been beautifully renovated and restored and now provides bright and welcoming accommodation throughout.
The name Bonar Bridge is derived from a Gaelic phrase Am Bannath, meaning at the lower ford. The village is situated near the site of a disused ford and where the Dornoch Firth becomes The Kyle of Sutherland which is tidal for some 10 miles upstream. In the past, Bonar Bridge was a busy port with small cargo ships taking coal and other commodities to the area and uplifting wood, marble from Assynt and iron ore from Rosehall area, all of which had been floated down the Kyle on barges. All this business gradually disappeared when the railway system arrived in the Highlands. The neighbouring crofting area of Ardgay developed into a village around the railway station with a lot of activity and employment centred on goods trains and mail trains.
Original cottage doors open onto the main living area, which runs the length of the cottage. The deep leather sofa suite and the large 42’’ television provide modern comforts whilst the solid wood floors and windows with deep sills maintain the cottage ambience. There is a family shower room on the ground floor and two double bedrooms on the first floor, both attractively presented with colour coordinated, soft furnishings and views across to the bridge and the Kyle of Sutherland.
Foundry Bank is ideally located for exploring the best of the Scottish Highlands. The village of Bonar Bridge lies at a unique focus of Highland roads. The route across to the west coast from here is truly spectacular. Breathtaking mountains are interspersed with lochs and rivers, before reaching the crystal-clear waters and the white shell sandy bays of the Atlantic coastline. Travel further north to explore the wild, rugged seascapes of Caithness, or Inverness is just 40 minutes away by car. Bonar Bridge has excellent local facilities including a bakery, butcher, village store, café, pub and a bistro serving freshly cooked dishes using locally sourced produce, all within close proximity. The village also has its own 9-hole golf course. Fishing in the region is second to none, as there are 14 miles of some of the most prolific salmon rivers available to visitors with day tickets. There are also some lovely hill lochs for trout, and sea-fishing is a popular pastime along the coast.
The Kyle of Sutherland is home to an incredible array of wildlife, such as resident otters, deer and a vast array of birds, which include osprey, whooper swans, golden eagles and buzzards. The property is just 15 minutes’ drive from the renowned Falls of Shin. Here you can watch salmon leaping up the spectacular waterfall from a specially built viewing platform. The area is also renowned for its outdoor pursuits: spectacular mountain bike trails just on the edge of the village offer easy routes for beginners, as well as extremely challenging ones for experienced riders. One thing’s for certain – all will appreciate the amazing views from the hilltop! Stoney beach 100 yards, sandy beach 13 miles. Shop and pub 100 yards, restaurant 200 yards.

Set amongst stunning scenery in the heart of the Highlands, The Wee Hoose is a delightful, detached cottage with its own garden. This traditional stone cottage has been in the same family for over 100 years. Having undergone much renovation and rebuilding, it now provides bright and homely holiday accommodation, whilst retaining many of its original features. The cosy living room oozes old world charm, with deep windowsills and a welcoming wood burner. The kitchen is fully fitted with contemporary appliances and plenty of room for dining. Upstairs are two pretty cottage bedrooms, both very attractively presented with colour-coordinated, soft furnishings.


The Wee Hoose is situated in the quiet crofting hamlet of Linside, and enjoys superb views over the river below and across to the hills. The patio outside the cottage provides an ideal spot to look out for local wildlife, or to simply sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings.


The Wee Hoose is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highland region. Head west along a spectacular route of mountains, lochs and rivers. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is just over an hour’s drive. A trip to the far north also provides more breathtaking scenery. There are plenty of places of interest and outdoor activities in the vicinity - watch salmon leaping at the Falls of Shin, visit Royal Dornoch with its beautiful sandstone cathedral, award-winning sandy beach and championship golf course. The local area is also well known for its wildlife; ospreys, golden eagles, buzzards, pine martin, deer and even otters can be seen in the region. There are numerous mountain biking trails close by. Fishing, golf, hill walking, climbing and a variety of water sports are all local pastimes. Shop and restaurant 9 miles, pub 6 miles.

Balloan Farm Cottage is a stunning, two bedroom detached holiday home situated in a rural location, yet only 1¾ miles from the popular town of Lairg. The cottage was renovated in 2020 to a very good standard.
On entering the cottage, you will find a reception hall, master en-suite bedroom, formal lounge with comfortable seating and a wood burner, dining room, kitchen with a superb level of appliances, and a conservatory with a second wood burner.
On the first floor there is a snug with beanbags, a second bedroom with twin beds, and a separate bathroom. Outside there is a private enclosed garden, ideal for your four legged friends, and a private driveway with parking.
The immediate area is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors generally. Hill-walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing can all be found locally. There is a thriving pony trekking centre locally, where you can hire ponies, and ride amidst spectacular scenery. Fishing in the surrounding lochs and rivers, as well as sea fishing, is a popular pastime. The area is also a haven for wildlife, with seals and otters in the bay, and numerous varieties of birds attracted to the region. For the golfers in the party, why not go to Dornoch which is only 18½ miles drive away and has many nearby golf courses including Royal Dornoch.
The beaches in this area are renowned, with Sandwood bay particularly noted, as it has a wonderful walk across the machair, to its secluded sweeping sands. The nearby town of Lairg offers a host of shops, restaurants and you will find historical buildings scattered throughout the area. The cottage is an ideal base for exploring the North Coast 500. Beach 19 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3¼ miles.

Lairg is known as the crossroads of the north, making it a perfect place to base yourself to explore this wild part of the Scottish Highlands. Fair View is about a mile out of Lairg up on more open ground which is spectacular at any time of the year. The bungalow is very spacious and upon entering you’re led to the large farmhouse-style kitchen/dining room, with a useful island counter. The large dining table looks out over the expansive landscapes surrounding the property. A double door leads from the kitchen/dining room through to the enormous double-aspect living room which has an open fire and large TV. All four bedrooms are an excellent size and have great views of this wonderful area.
The sky seems enormous and is recognised as a European Dark Sky because of a distinct lack of light pollution. Stargazing with the added bonus of the Aurora Borealis makes it an even more attractive base. There’s wildlife all around with a huge array of birds throughout the year, as well as red deer, pine martens and the elusive wild cat. The area is a perfect place to base yourself to explore this wild part of the Scottish Highlands.
You can cover a huge amount of the North Coast 500 touring road from here by travelling out to different parts of the coastline using the great roads that lead off to the east, north, north west and west coast sections. It’s great to be able to see the route, being able to base yourself in just one place.
The town itself is beautifully situated at the eastern end of Loch Shin, plus it offers the amenities you will need during your stay. Lairg and Fair View are an excellent choice for a base to explore this otherworldly part of the Scottish Highlands. Beach 15 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Tressady Coach House stands detached in the grounds of an exclusive Highland estate, originally owned by the Duke of Sutherland. Built in 1871 of local stone, the coach house has been imaginatively converted in recent years to provide a very good standard of accommodation whilst retaining its unique original features. Access onto the estate is through an electric gate with a personal key code, offering complete seclusion and exclusivity. The road winds up through mature woodland and fields to the coach house.

The living room has original wooden floors, a superb open fireplace and a high vaulted ceiling which is a real feature. Deep leather sofas and original paintings add to its ambience and opulence. The kitchen/dining room is bright, modern and very well equipped. There is also a shower room with a walk-in shower. Also on the ground floor are a kingsize bedroom and twin bedroom with bathroom next to it, making the property suitable for less mobile guests in the party. On the first floor is another twin bedroom. A second staircase leads up to a mezzanine landing, and then to a large bedroom with a zip and link kingsize bed. All the bedrooms are beautifully presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and high quality linen, and a further bathroom completes the picture.

Tressady Estate is just 2 miles from the charming village of Rogart and just off the renowned North Coast 500 route, which passes through some of the most dramatic and picturesque scenery to be found anywhere in the British Isles. The village has a thriving pub and restaurant as well as a local store and post office. Further facilities can be found in the nearby villages of Dornoch and Lairg. The coach house has its own garden for visitors to use. There are wonderful walks direct from the property and numerous species of wildlife can be seen in the area including deer, pine marten, red kites and golden eagles. Along the shoreline, seals, otters and dolphins can also be spotted. There are plenty of places of interest to explore, as the area is steeped in historic and archeological sites. A visit to the nearby Dunrobin Castle, the historic seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, is a must. The area has plenty to offer those who prefer an active holiday, with mountain biking trails, golf, fishing and various watersports. The picturesque seaside town of Dornoch, with its award-winning sandy beach and championship golf course, is just 15 minutes’ drive away.

There is a large stone barn close to the cottage with full banquetting, dining and cooking facilities which may be available for visitors to use for a special occasion, by arrangement with the owner. Beach 10 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

The Big Hoose is set in a stunning location elevated with spectacular views over countryside. The property has been lovingly furnished with your comfort in mind and will be sure to expectations of any guest. You are welcomed by the double-height reception hall with a stunning piano. There is a large, well-equipped kitchen/dining room, as well as a utility room. Within the centre of the house is a games room as well as a living room with comfortable seating all wrapped around a large wood burner, as well as with French doors leading onto the decking. Out side there is ample parking to the front and a large fully enclosed rear garden which is ideal for children and your four-legged friends. Sitting on the decking is a stunning 6 seater hot tub, the perfect spot to sit back and relax after a day exploring all the Scottish Highlands has to offer. Beach 21 miles. Shop 23 miles, pub and restaurant 5 miles.