Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

Nestling in breathtaking scenery and adjoining the beautiful River Cassley, March Cottage offers peace and seclusion in a truly stunning setting. This spacious, detached holiday cottage is situated 4 miles down a spectacular glen that follows the path of the River Cassley, leading away into the spectacular hills. The cottage is impeccably presented throughout and has been granted a Green Tourism Award. The large open plan kitchen and dining room has French windows that open out to the grounds and hillside beyond. The spacious living room boasts a wood-burning stove, which you can lounge in front of and enjoy the views of the river and hills beyond. There are four beautifully presented bedrooms on the first floor, along with two bathrooms and an en-suite.

March Cottage is ideal for larger families as well as couples seeking luxury and seclusion in a totally unspoilt setting. The property is based at a salmon fly fishing river, the owners don’t own the fishing, but fishing can be booked through Fishpal, look for Glencassley river. There are superb walks direct from the door and the surrounding area is a haven for wildlife; deer regularly graze along the riverbank, ospreys and golden eagles wheel overhead, and pine martens roam the gardens. Situated in the heart of Sutherland, there are numerous places to visit in all directions. The stunning west coast is less than an hour’s drive away, and Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is a similar distance. Shop 14 miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

Enjoying a peaceful setting with wonderful views across open countryside towards the Cairngorm Mountains, this spacious detached house has been equipped and furnished to a very good standard to ensure as relaxing and comfortable holiday as possible. Set in the heart of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, Truim Cottage makes the perfect base for exploring the lovely part of the Scottish Highlands. Located close to Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore, with easy access to Fort William, Oban, Inverness, the Highland capital, and the stunning beauty of the west coast and Isle of Skye, Truim Cottage is a superb point to set off from. Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast with hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, golf, and watersports on Loch Morlich and Loch Ericht, are just a few of the many activities available. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this lovely area. Shop and pub 500 yards.

Originally the village school that served a small rural community in north west Sutherland, The Old School House has been transformed into a delightful stone cottage surrounded by its own enclosed landscaped cottage gardens. The lounge runs the length of the cottage. With the original high ceilings, large windows and Victorian fireplace, this superb room has a warm, welcoming ambience and provides plenty of space for guests to sit and admire the view whilst enjoying a wee dram or two in front of the open fire. There is a large double bedroom with a super king sized bed, a twin room and a small third bedroom with bunk beds for two children. They are all attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. The gardens are a real delight, with a stone slab path leading up through the flower beds to a garden seat from which there are spectacular views across the bay to Handa Island and the Outer Isles. The mountains of Foinavon, Ben Stack and Arkle are also visible.

The immediate area is haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors generally. Hill walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are all local activities. There is a thriving pony trekking centre in the nearby village of Sheigra, with rides 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.

The beaches in this area are renowned. Sandwood Bay is particularly noted, with a wonderful walk across the machair to its secluded sweeping sands. The nearby beaches of Oldshoremore and Polin are also renowned for their unspoilt beauty. Kinlochbervie is the nearest main village. The most northerly port on the west coast of Scotland, this pretty village has an active working harbour and offers good local facilities, including a shop and post office, as well as a hotel with restaurant open all year to non-residents for meals.

Enjoying a peaceful village setting only a few minutes’ walk from a gallery cafe, pub and restaurant, The Heathers has been equipped and furnished with ample storage throughout to ensure a relaxing and comfortable holiday. Boat of Garten, known as the Osprey Village, lies adjacent to the River Spey and is set in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise - amongst the many activities available are skiing in the Cairngorms or the Lecht, mountain biking, walking, fishing, climbing, zip lining and golf - to name but a few. Take a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway (110 yards from the house) or the Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Railway to enjoy breathtaking scenery whilst getting some clean Scottish air! Close by is the RSPB reserve at Loch Garten and a renowned golf course, with pleasant woodland walks literally 55 yards from the doorstep. Top quality water sports on Loch Morlich and Loch Insh are also nearby. For the less energetic, just relax and unwind in this lovely area.

Situated in the quiet Highland hamlet of Inverasdale on the stunning west coast of Scotland, Deo Na Mara (Gaelic for mist of the sea), enjoys incredible views across the sea from its large picture windows. This beautifully presented single storey cottage sits in its own pretty gardens overlooking Loch Ewe and is surrounded by spectacular hills and mountains.
The living room has deep leather sofas and wonderful views across the bay. The kitchen diner is warm and welcoming, with a Stanley Range heater and a large family dining table. There are three attractively presented bedrooms, all generously proportioned, sharing a family bathroom.
The surrounding area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing and fishing are all available in the area. Canoes and small craft can be launched from the slipway opposite the cottage. There is plenty to see and do close by. The sub-tropical gardens of Inverewe are just 10 minutes’ drive away. Boat trips run from nearby Gairloch to view the amazing sea life around this coast and there are numerous superb beaches all along the coastline. Deo Na Mara is ideal for families, couples or groups wishing to explore this totally unspoilt and truly awe-inspiring part of the renowned Scottish Highlands. Shop, pub and restaurant distance 4 Miles