Dog-friendly Ross & Cromarty

Cross 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.

Seascape is situated right on the edge of the sea in the pretty hamlet of Hilton. This pretty 19th-century stone terraced property enjoys spectacular, uninterrupted seascape views from the cottage and gardens. Located next door to the owner, it is a truly romantic seaside cottage for two. The attractive open plan living space looks out across the shoreline, where dolphins and porpoises are regularly seen. There is plenty of comfortable seating in the living area, and the bright modern kitchen is very well equipped and complete with a breakfast bar. A door leads out from here to a secluded patio garden with outdoor garden furniture. Cottage stairs lead up to the charming double bedroom where a small table and chairs at the far end look out across the sea, taking maximum advantage of the amazing views. There is a modern shower room on the ground floor. Opposite the cottage, across the tiny backwater lane, there is a delightful terrace garden overlooking the sea. With flower pots, tubs and outdoor garden furniture, it provides an ideal spot to enjoy a drink whilst watching the small craft bobbing on the bay in the tiny harbour.
Seascape is ideally located in this quaint seaside village and just a short walk to the adjoining ‘seaboard’ villages of Balintore and Shandwick. There is a pub, village shop, restaurant and café all within easy level walking distance along the seafront. The shoreline along this coast boasts wide sandy beaches interspersed with rocky outcrops. The area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with sailing, canoeing, surfing and fishing all local pastimes, and there is a slipway opposite the cottage, ideal for launching kayaks and small craft. Mountain biking, hill walking, golf and horse riding are also enjoyed locally. Just 10 minutes’ drive away is the pretty sandstone town of Tain, the oldest Royal Burgh of Scotland. Here a larger selection of shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and pubs are available, as well as wide variety of sporting and recreational facilities. This part of the Highlands is also easily accessible for exploring further afield. Head north to the wild open landscapes of Caithness, west to the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or south to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands which is less than an hour’s drive away. Beach 50 yards. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ¼ miles.

Cosy, semi-detached cottage in the quiet, coastal hamlet of Inver, near Tain. Fabulous walks beside the sea. Warm and well-equipped. WiFi. Pet-friendly. Ideal base for touring. Tain 6 miles.