Dog-friendly Ross & Cromarty
Sat in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Ross and Cromarty is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery Scotland has to offer. The majestic mountain range and rolling hills share the captivating landscape with a scattering of lochs and moors, which are simply begging to be explored by you and your canine companion.
- Tain, ScotlandAcademy Street Cottage is tucked away in historic Tain in the Northern Highlands of Scotland.
Built in the 18th century, this traditional cottage is full of character and also has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay. The cottage has two bedrooms, a set of twin beds on the ground floor and a double bed on the first floor. There’s a shower room with a shower cubicle on the first floor. The rest of the ground floor is made up of a spacious living room with cute woodburner and a kitchen/dining room. There’s a door from the kitchen/dining room to the rear enclosed garden which is perfect for long balmy evenings as well as dogs who are more than welcome.
Academy Street Cottage is a part of the historic centre of Tain, which received its first Royal Charter in 1066 making it the oldest Royal Burgh in Scotland. The sandy buildings are from different periods and it really is a joy to wander around the town. Tain remains a bit off the beaten track because the A9 bypass zoomed potential visitors beyond the town. It’s everyone else’s loss, because staying in Tain is a real treat and you’ll be so glad you decided to stay at Academy Street Cottage. There are restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as lots of independent shops to enjoy. Greens is a local café/bar/restaurant that’s a firm favourite and one you must check out when staying in Tain. The town also offers up a golf course designed by Open Championship winner Old Tom Morris. A hidden gem of a course and one that you’ll fall for no matter what your score.
Royal Dornoch is also just 10 miles away and a little further you have the James Braid masterpieces of Golspie and Brora to try too. Academy Street Cottage is a perfect golfing base. The cottage is also a great base for those wanting to venture up and into the Northern Highlands. The NC500 skirts Tain, so you can swiftly join it and get exploring amazing places far and wide. There’s so much to see in the far north, and all places are within reach of Academy Street Cottage - you could even confidently day trip to Orkney if the weather was calm! Book now and rest assured of a lovely stay at Academy Street Cottage. Beach 10 miles.£69From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandNestled in the picturesque landscapes of Tarrel, Portmahomack, this charming holiday cottage offers a serene escape for travellers seeking tranquillity and natural beauty. Boasting three beautiful bedrooms and two well-appointed bathrooms, this retreat comfortably accommodates families or groups of friends looking for a relaxing getaway.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance, enhanced by the crackling wood burner that promises snug evenings after adventurous days exploring the region. The spacious living/ dining area is a beautiful space with a huge bay window taking in the views, comfy sofas beside the wood burner and extendable dining table, making it the perfect space to relax after a day of exploring your surroundings. The three double bedrooms are all beautifully decorated with luxurious bedding and towels. On the ground floor there is a family bathroom, whilst upstairs there is a modern shower room. There is a well-equipped kitchen providing everything you require for your family holiday. Step outside onto the cottage’s grounds and behold the breathtaking views of the sprawling countryside, where rolling hills meet the distant horizon, creating an idyllic backdrop for morning coffees or evening stargazing sessions. This pet friendly haven welcomes furry companions, ensuring that every member of the family can revel in the holiday experience.
Nearby walking trails provide ample opportunities for leisurely strolls with your four-legged friends, allowing you to soak in the fresh air and stunning vistas together. For those seeking exploration, Tarrel and its surroundings offer a plethora of attractions and activities. Portmahomack itself is a quaint coastal village, offering a charming beach where you can enjoy leisurely walks or engage in water activities like kayaking or paddle boarding. History enthusiasts will be delighted by the nearby Tarbat Discovery Centre, where ancient Pictish heritage comes to life through exhibits and archaeological discoveries. The Tarbat Ness Lighthouse stands proudly nearby, offering panoramic views of the coastline and the North Sea. Food aficionados can indulge in local cuisine at nearby restaurants, savouring fresh seafood delicacies or traditional Scottish dishes. For golf lovers there is a golf course at nearby Tain and a 20-minute drive to The Royal Dornoch. Whether you’re seeking relaxation amidst nature’s beauty, historical discoveries, or exciting outdoor activities, this holiday cottage in Tarrel, Portmahomack, offers a perfect haven to create cherished memories with loved ones. Beach 2 miles.£74From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandWelcome to The Old School House Annex an amazing retreat on the outskirts of Tain, where luxury meets comfort in this stunning two bedroom, two bathroom attached property. The layout of the property allows for a degree of independence and privacy making it perfect for two families to share but have their own individual space, with the kitchen and living rooms available to both. The property provides several versatile spaces for entertainment and relaxation - either as an inviting area for cosy evenings after a busy day exploring or for gatherings and socializing, equipped with Smart TV and comfortable sofas. The downstairs double bedroom is more akin to an apartment in its own right - stepping through the French doors you are taken into an open-plan room offering an expansive, stylishly designed area for relaxation and entertainment with its own dining area and Smart TV. Adjacent to the downstairs bedroom is the kitchen, living areas and well-appointed bathroom, designed with both style and functionality in mind.
The upstairs master bedroom presents a haven of opulence, featuring a plush king size statement bed, this tastefully decorated room has spectacular views across the countryside and beyond. An en-suite bathroom offers a shower over bath, a washbasin and toilet. One of the most enticing features of this luxurious haven is the private hot tub, nestled on a spacious terrace and directly accessed from the downstairs bedroom. Relax under the stars, enveloped in the soothing warmth of the bubbling water, offering an unrivalled experience of indulgence and serenity.
This property prides itself on being more than pet-friendly, providing a warm welcome to furry companions. With ample space for exercise within the 2 acres of ground and nearby woods for walks, your pets will relish their stay as much as you do. Beyond the comforts of this lavish abode, Tain offers a myriad of activities and attractions. Explore the historic Tain Museum, its famous Glen Morangie Distillery or stroll along the serene shores of the Dornoch Firth and Easter Ross Peninsula, or indulge in a round of golf at any of the nearby golf clubs including the renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club. For adventurous souls, nearby hiking trails and outdoor adventures await amidst the stunning Highland landscapes. The beautiful beach at Shandwick is just 7 minutes drive away, perfect for a family day out. Indulge in the local cuisine at charming cafés and restaurants, savouring the flavours of the region’s fresh produce and delectable dishes. Additionally, the vibrant local markets offer a glimpse into the community’s culture and craftsmanship.
Many guests use this property as a base for exploring the NC500, Isle of Skye, Orkney Isles, Inverness, Loch Ness, Culloden and beyond.£100From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandOn The Beach is superb modern detached house situated right on the seafront in the pretty fishing village of Balintore. This stunning architect-designed house will appeal to families and groups wishing to enjoy the ultimate beach holiday. The main living room is on the first floor. It has its own balcony, maximizing the stunning panoramic views across the sea and along the sandy beach. There are four generously proportioned bedrooms (three with en-suite facilities, and a separate family bathroom). The spacious master bedroom also has a dressing room. The downstairs kitchen is exceptionally well-equipped with all modern appliances and the dining room is separate. Balintore and the adjoining seaside village of Shandwick are completely unspoilt and provide idyllic seaside holidays without the crowds. Dolphins, seals, porpoises and a wide variety of seabirds are seen in the locality. The village has a local store, pub, café and restaurant, all within a short walk from the property. Further facilities are available in the nearby town of Tain.£164From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandBalnaha Cottage has been lovingly renovated in 2023 and offers a fantastic base for your holiday in the Highlands.
Walking through the front door takes you into the hallway to the left is the bright open plan living and dining area, which has leather sofas and a wood burner, perfect for a relaxing evening after a busy day exploring the area. The modern fully equipped kitchen area has plenty of cupboard space. There is dining table and chairs which completes the area. The master bedroom has a zip and link kingsize bed, bedside tables, lights and storage, the en-suite has a spacious walk-in shower. The second bedroom has a kingsize bed, bedside tables, lights and a funky storage solution incorporated behind the headboard. Both bedrooms are completed with luxurious bedding and towels. The family bathroom with bath and walk-in shower is also Jack and Jill to the second bedroom. The rear hallway has storage for coats and footwear after a day exploring. Outside there is enclosed front garden laid to lawn, with a seating area to the far side of the cottage with patio, table and chairs, perfect for al fresco dining.
Fearn is only 10 minutes from Tain which offers a selection of supermarkets, local shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. It is home to the Glenmorangie Distillery and has a golf course. The property is 5-minutes from both Balintore and Portmahomack, both of which have beautiful beaches and amazing scenic walks taking in spectacular views and selection of wildlife. Portmahomack also has a beautiful golf course and is home to Tarbatness Lighthouse. Balnaha Cottage is only 23-minutes from Dornoch which has a selection of local shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. There is the Royal Dornoch golf course for the golf lovers, and every Saturday evening throughout the summer the Dornoch Pipe Band play in the square. Balnaha Cottage is the perfect base to explore the area and relax in beautiful surrounding in the evening, you will not be disappointed.£101From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandNestled in the heart of the picturesque town of Tain, Scotland, this charming two-bedroom, one bathroom property offers a cosy and inviting retreat for those seeking a tranquil Highland escape. Surrounded by stunning landscapes and filled with modern comforts, this property is the perfect base to explore Tain and the surrounding beauty. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance. The open-plan living area features a wood-burning stove, perfect for snuggling up by the fire during the colder months. The cottage boasts a well-equipped kitchen and a comfortable dining area, making it a delightful space for both relaxation and home-cooked meals. The cottage accommodates up to four guests with two charming bedrooms, each designed to provide a peaceful night’s sleep. Neutral tones and soft furnishings create a cozy atmosphere, ensuring a restful stay.
The property location in Tain offers a wealth of outdoor activities and scenic experiences. Tain is renowned for its golf courses, making it a golfer’s paradise. Beyond golf, the area offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and cycling along the scenic routes that meander through the beautiful countryside. Tain has a good selection of cafes, restaurants and bars offering a selection of Highland Fayre. The captivating museum showcases the rich history and heritage of Tain, featuring artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf at this renowned golf course, set against the backdrop of the Dornoch Firth and just over the bridge you have the world renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Course. Whisky enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to this world-famous distillery, where you can explore the whisky-making process and indulge in tastings.
A short drive away, the charming town of Dornoch boasts a stunning beach, historic cathedral, and quaint shops and cafes. This property offers the perfect balance of comfort and adventure. Whether you’re looking to curl up by the wood-burning stove or set out to explore the natural beauty and cultural attractions of the region, this property is an ideal Highland hideaway. Discover the tranquillity and charm of Tain and create lasting memories in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.£88From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandShore Walk is located in the pretty fishing village of Balintore with spectacular views to both the front and rear of the property. The property is 100 yards from a beautiful sandy beach and offers the ideal holiday cottage for four guests.
Walking through the front door there is a bright hall with storage for coats and footwear after a day out exploring. The beautiful open plan living area has a cosy wood burning stove, comfy sofas, Smart TV, reading material, board games and Anta accessories making it a lovely space to spend an evening. The spacious fully equipped kitchen has everything needed for the chef of the family to cook a home-cooked meal and the added benefit of a dining area with a table and four chairs. This floor is completed with a separate toilet with a wash basin. On the first floor, there is the master bedroom with a super kingsize bed, bedside tables, lamps, and a wardrobe with plenty of storage. The second bedroom is a spacious twin with bedside tables, lamps, and a wardrobe with more storage. The family bathroom is on this floor with a walk-in shower, wash basin and toilet. Outside, the fully enclosed rear garden includes a patio and a picnic bench and loungers.
There is a Scottish Fare welcome box supplied for your stay, and logs are only supplied for the first night so additional logs can be purchased locally. There is a storage box with towels for your four-legged friend after a trip to the beach. There are kid’s buckets and spades for the beach, beach towels and crab catchers as you are able to catch crabs at the harbour.
Balintore has the Seaboard Centre situated on the seafront which has a cafe offering lunches, afternoon tea and coffee, the village post office is also located there. There is a small shop and chemist a short walk from Shore Walk. There is a popular restaurant and bar serving good quality meals and is just a short walk from the property. There is plenty to do in the area with the nearby town of Tain only 9 miles away offering a good selection of local shops, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and bars. There is a golf course and the famous Glenmorangie distillery close by too. Shore Walk and Balintore is the perfect location to base yourself and explore the Highlands and surrounding area. You will definitely not be disappointed. Beach 150 yards. Pub and restaurant ¼ mile.£76From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandFisher’s Cottage is an original fisherman’s cottage, situated in the heart of the charming seaside village of Balintore. This traditional single-storey, stone cottage is set along a quiet lane, just a few yards from a stunning sandy beach and pretty harbour. Beautifully presented throughout, the bright, modern living room/dining room has a pretty cottage suite and colour-coordinated soft furnishings. The kitchen is at the rear of the cottage and is equipped with modern built-in units. The back door opens onto the attractive gardens, with lawns, mature shrubs and outdoor dining furniture. There is a large kingsize bedroom which has been thoughtfully furnished, as well as a single bedroom. The cottage also has a good-sized family bathroom complete with shower over bath.
Balintore is one of several traditional seaside villages that hug the shoreline of this lovely Highland coast. A short stroll leads down to the pretty fishing harbour and the lovely sandy beaches of Balintore, Shandwick and Hilton. The coastline is completely unspoilt and provides an idyllic seaside holiday, away from the crowds. There are a range of amenities close by, including a village store/post office, pub and restaurant all within easy walking distance. The area is renowned for its wildlife - dolphins and porpoises can be regularly seen in many of the surrounding bays, and you will also find a myriad of sea birds in the area. Local activities include fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling and hill-walking. Golfers are spoilt for choice, with many local golf courses in the region for you to try your hand at, the nearest being Tain, as well as the championship courses of Dornoch and Brora, both just a short drive away.
Within a 10-minute drive lies the oldest Royal Burgh of Scotland, Tain. Built predominantly of local mellow sandstone, this charming and historic town offers an excellent selection of small shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and pubs. This part of the Highlands is easily accessible for exploring the whole of the north. Nearby places of interest include a variety of whisky distillery centres, one of which is home to Glenmorangie single malt, the Falls of Shin where salmon can be seen leaping, and the enchanting town of Dornoch, with its majestic cathedral, sandy beach and championship golf course. Fisher’s Cottage is also just a 35-minute drive from Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Beach 500 yards. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 800 yards.
Scottish Letting Licence number: HI20021F.£82From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandThis semi-detached cottage sits within its own spacious, enclosed garden. Upon entering the accommodation there is a spacious hallway with space for welly boots and coats. The kitchen has a fully fitted kitchen with everything you’ll need to rustle up hearty meals for friends and family and beyond the kitchen there’s a very nice dining room. At the rear of the property there’s a utility room with a washing machine. Also, on the ground floor is the living room with 40” Smart TV and open fire, as well as a single bedroom and a bathroom that has a large walk-in shower with rainforest showerhead and on the first floor there are two spacious double bedrooms. In the garden there’s a patio with comfortable garden furniture and a barbecue that is either coal or gas fired. Iseabail’s House is perfectly located right in the heart of Balintore, the central village of the Seaboard Villages.
Sandy Shandwick beach is only 2 minutes’ walk from the cottage and brilliant longer coastal walks stretch out right from the doorstep. It’s an ideal property for those with young ones who want to spend all their time on the beach and for those with energetic dogs eager to let off some steam. Balintore’s harbour was built circa 1890 and the village has a shop, café, inn, post office and pharmacy. It’s a small and friendly community that has made its living for centuries from fishing. Before the harbour the practice of pulling fishing boats up on the beach was common. Sitting on the shoreline at Balintore is the Mermaid of the North, an 11ft high bronze casted mermaid, while at the adjacent Seaboard Centre you can collect the Mermaid stamp for the North Coast 500 passport. Locally there is evidence of an ancient settlement, Fearn Abbey just inland from Balintore was founded in 1238 and just outside the Seaboard Villages is the Shandwick Stone, a 9ft tall Pictish cross slab dating back to 780AD and thought to be standing in its original position. It is thought to have been a navigation tool for fishermen over the centuries. Iseabail’s House makes the perfect base for a Highland holiday. You have everything you’ll want and need right on the doorstep, but beyond the Seaboard Village limits the wild and ever dramatic Scottish Highlands await. The North Coast 500 touring road is 5 miles to the north and an outstanding route showing the Highlands at its best.£97From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Hilton, ScotlandCross Tides is the quintessential seaside cottage. Situated in a quiet backwater lane in the fishing village of Hilton and with gardens that open directly onto the shoreline, this pretty 19th Century stone cottage is ideal for couples. There is a cosy living room downstairs with welcoming open fire and a second living/dining room upstairs with a dining table, comfy seating and stunning sea views, ideal for sitting and watching the ever changing seascape and the small fishing boats along the shoreline. There are two pretty bedrooms and a modern shower room on the ground floor. The terrace garden is attractively set with tubs and flowering plants. A small gate opens onto the beach and small fishing harbour.
The village of Hilton is one of several pretty ‘seaboard’ villages that straddle this lovely Ross-shire coastline. They all possess beautifully kept seafronts and little harbours, with rocky outcrops interspersed with stunning sandy beaches. This coastline is completely unspoilt and provides an idyllic seaside holiday away from the crowds.
Dolphins and porpoises are regularly seen in the bay and even the occasional basking shark and Beluga whale have been spotted close to shore. Just a short walk from the cottage there is an excellent pub, restaurant, café and a small local store. The area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Cycling, hill walking, golf, fishing, horse riding, sailing, canoeing and surfing are all enjoyed locally. Within ten minutes’ drive lies the oldest Royal Burgh of Scotland. Predominantly built of local mellow sandstone, Tain is a charming historic town and offers an excellent selection of small shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs as well as a wide variety of sporting and recreational facilities, including tennis courts, golf club and bowling club, all of which are available to visitors. This part of the Highlands is easily accessible for exploring the whole of the north.£70From price per night based on 7 night stay