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, ScotlandSeascape 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.£74From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandGarden Cottage is a delightful country cottage, situated in a quiet no through lane that leads directly down to a stunning sandy beach. It has been fully refurbished in 2018 and is attached to the owner’s traditional stone farmhouse, set in 16 acres and surrounded by fields, with horses and sheep grazing close by. Whilst rurally situated, it is just 1 mile from the thriving small town of Tain with all its facilities and amenities. This charming rose-clad cottage really does offer the best of both worlds.
The cottage is beautifully presented throughout. The main living area is open-plan, and this lovely room looks out across the garden and has plenty of comfortable seating and a large dining table at one end. The fully fitted kitchen at the other end is extremely well-equipped and the bedrooms are attractively presented. As well as the cottage garden with sitting-out area, there is a further fully fenced paddock/field for visitor’s sole use. This provides an ideal space for dogs as well as a children’s games/play area.
There are superb beach and forest walks direct from the property, and just 100 yards away is a stunning sandy beach which is completely unspoilt and invariably deserted. Tain Golf Course is situated on the periphery of the grounds, and the cottage is within easy walking distance of the club house, which is open to visitors. The thriving small town of Tain, Scotland’s oldest Royal Burgh, is built predominantly of mellow sandstone, and has a number of supermarkets as well as a good selection of pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops.
For those who enjoy a ’wee dram’, Glenmorangie, Dalmore and Balblair distilleries are all close by and open to the public. The pretty seaboard villages of Balintore, Shandwick and Portmahomack are just a 10-minute drive away, and there are numerous sandy beaches within a short drive. Golfers are spoilt for choice with Tain, Alness and Golspie courses within close proximity, and the renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club is also nearby, which is ranked 5th in the world.
Wildlife is abundant in the area with deer, otters, seals, dolphins and a wide variety of interesting and unusual birds all seen in the locality. The region is justly famed for its wild beauty and there is plenty to explore in every direction. The cottage is also close to the renowned North Coast 500 route. The area is known for its archaeological sites, and at the nearby Tarbat Discovery Centre there is a fascinating display of Pictish, Norse and Medieval artefacts. Beach 100 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.£81From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandSituated in the heart of the royal burgh of Tain, Solus Na Madainn is a traditional, terraced, stone cottage which has been owned by the same family for many generations. The property has been lovingly restored by the owner in to an attractive cottage using a Scottish theme, whilst keeping many original features. Solus Na Madainn is Gaelic for ‘the morning light’ which streams through the pretty front windows. Enhanced by a cosy wood burner, it oozes charm and character. There is a separate dining room across the hall, with plenty of space for 4 people. The walls throughout the cottage are adorned with original watercolours depicting Scottish wildlife. The small but well-equipped kitchen overlooks the lovely garden, with lawn, flowers and mature shrubs. There is a large family shower room on the ground floor too. Original cottage stairs lead up to 2 attractively presented bedrooms, with quality wool carpets and solid wood furniture.
The cottage is situated close to the centre of the charming and historic Highland town of Tain. Predominantly built of mellow sandstone, this thriving town has an excellent selection of small shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as many sporting and recreational facilities including a golf club (designed by Old Tom Morris), tennis courts, parks and bowling club, which are all within easy walking distance. The cottage also sits on the renowned North Coast 500 route, which passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain. There are numerous places of interest to visit in the area, including the famous Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery, Dunrobin Castle, historic seat of the Dukes of Sutherland, and the enchanting town of Dornoch, with its magnificent cathedral, championship golf course and award-winning beach. Tain is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highland region. Head north to discover cliff top walks and wide unspoilt beaches, west to view mountains and lochs, or south to meander around the Black Isle and Inverness, the capital city of the Highlands. The owner has provided a variety of reference books, games and DVDs for guests to use during their stay. Beach ¼ mile. Shop and pub 200 yards, restaurant 100 yards.£102From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandThe Barn at The Old Manse is a superb conversion of an 18th-century stone barn, set in the grounds of a historic listed building dating back to the 1780s which the owners run as a B&B. Set in a large 2-acre woodland garden, it provides a very good standard of accommodation in a tranquil yet accessible location. The main living area is a stunning room on the ground floor converted from the old barn into a beautiful open plan living area, whilst retaining many of the original features. High ceilings, original oak beams and deep-silled windows are complemented by a large wood burner, wood flooring and colour co-ordinated soft furnishings throughout. Stairs lead up from the living room to a mezzanine floor above, providing a second living room, which also doubles as a second bedroom with a deep leather sofa that converts to a double bed if required.
Set away from the main house, with its own pretty patio areas, both front and back, The Barn enjoys peace and quiet as well as stunning views across the open countryside. Visitors are welcome to wander the woodland grounds and enjoy the pretty walks all around. The Barn is situated in the small hamlet of Kildary with numerous lovely walks direct from the door. The thriving small town of Tain, Scotland’s oldest Royal Burgh, is 5 miles away. There are a number of supermarkets here, as well as a good selection of pubs, restaurants, cafés and shops. For those who enjoy a ’wee dram’, Glenmorangie, Dalmore and Balblair distilleries are all close by and open to the public. The pretty Seaboard villages of Balintore, Shandwick and Portmahomack are just 10 minutes’ drive away, and the beach at the Royal Burgh of Dornoch lies just 15 miles to the north. Golfer’s are spoilt for choice, with Tain, Alness and Golspie courses within close proximity and the renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club nearby, which is ranked 5th in the world. Wildlife is abundant in the area; red kites and buzzards frequently wheel overhead and owls are often heard in the garden at night. Deer are also regularly seen close by. Beach 6 miles. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant ¼ mile.
Scottish Letting Licence number: HI20022F.£91From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandThe White House is a beautifully presented, 19th-century terraced stone cottage, with garden grounds that lead directly down onto a stunning sandy beach. The main living area is on the first floor, where you can take full advantage of the superb sea views from the large picture windows. The living area is separated from the bright contemporary kitchen/dining room by a large breakfast bar. Patio doors lead out onto a large elevated decking area, which is ideal for alfresco dining. There are two attractively presented bedrooms on the ground floor and a well-presented shower room. The gardens across the village road are mainly laid to grass, bounded by mature trees. There is also a further garden area at the rear of the cottage.
The White House is conveniently located in heart of the pretty seaside village of Balintore. It is just a few minutes’ stroll to the small harbour, village shop, pub and restaurants. One of the renowned ’seaboard’ villages along this coastline, Balintore, and the adjoining village of Shandwick, are completely unspoilt and rarely busy. Dolphins and porpoises are often seen in the bay, and there is a wide variety of seabirds seen in the area.
This local area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The nearby town of Tain is just a 10-minute drive away, and has an excellent selection of small shops, restaurants, cafés 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. It is also home to the renowned Highland malt whisky distillery, Glenmorangie. This is an ideal cottage for couples and small families wishing to explore this charming and unspoilt region of the Scottish Highlands. Cycling, hill walking, golf, fishing, horse riding, sailing, canoeing and surfing are all enjoyed locally. Beach 50 yards. Shop and pub ½ mile, restaurant 1 mile.£95From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandSeaside House is a spacious, detached house situated right on the shore in the delightful seaside village of Balintore. With large rooms throughout and superb sea views, it is ideal for families and larger groups. There is a bright, contemporary kitchen/dining room with Aga cooker, and plenty of dining space for 10 people. The living room is on the first floor and it has high ceilings, open fireplace and large bay windows, taking full advantage of the panoramic views across the sea. A large balcony, accessed from the living room and double bedroom, has plenty of room for al fresco dining, and provides an ideal spot for wildlife watching. There is a second living room on the ground floor, and all the bedrooms are generously proportioned, and there are two bathrooms, as well as an en-suite, making it ideal for a combined family holiday. The grounds lead down onto the sand and shingle beach direct from the house. Balintore has good local facilities including a pub, restaurant, café and a small local store, all within walking distance. While nearby Shandwick is renowned for its beautiful golden sand and is used for a variety of activities, including sailing, surfing and sea kayaking. Dolphins and porpoises are regularly seen in Shandwick Bay, and even the occasional basking shark and Beluga whale have been spotted close to shore.£129From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandTucked away on a quiet farm lane, The Paddock is a traditional terraced, single storey stone farm cottage located on a working, farm 1 mile from the charming seaside village of Portmahomack. The pretty cottage garden overlooks the owner’s farmland, with distant sea views. The cottage looks south over the Moray Firth and Moray Coast with views of Cairngorms and Ben Rhinnes. The accommodation is beautifully presented, with a large living room with lovely views across the open fields. The bright, kitchen/dining room is fully fitted and very well-equipped. There are three generously proportioned bedrooms, all thoughtfully decorated with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. Exposed stone walls and large canvases of the surrounding area add to the cottage’s charm and ambience.
Portmahomack is a thriving seaside village with a fishing harbour and pier, as well as a superb sweeping sandy beach; the mountains beyond act as a stunning backdrop. Portmahomack is the only village on the east coast of Scotland that faces due west and has spectacular sunsets. The village has a renowned seafood restaurant as well as a café, local store and a lovely traditional links golf course, Tarbat Golf Club, which is open to visitors. The area is renowned for its archaeological sites and at the nearby Tarbat Discovery Centre is a local heritage centre and museum, with a fascinating display of Pict, Norse and medieval artefacts, as well as a gift shop. Within 15-20 minutes’ drive lies the Royal Burgh of Tain, established as a Royal Burgh in 1066, and the Tain Museum houses the famous original Tain Silver Collection. Predominantly built in local mellow sandstone, Tain is a charming historic town and offers an excellent selection of small shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs as well as a wide variety of sporting and recreational facilities, including Tain Golf Course which looks across the Dornoch Firth to Dornoch. Just outside Tain you will find the renowned Famous Glenmorangie Distillery, where you can take a tour and sample some of the famous whisky. Beach 1 mile. Shop and restaurant 1 mile, pub 0.5 miles.
The Paddock can be booked together with Sheaf Dale (UK5740) and Grieve’s Cottage (UK12250) to accommodate up to 15 guests.£65From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandThis semi-detached bungalow sits within its own spacious, fully enclosed garden. Upon entering the accommodation there is a spacious hallway with the master bedroom to your right with sea view and the twin room at the rear of the house. The family bathroom has a large raindrop head in the walk-in shower. The living/dining room is a great size and perfect for the family to spend their time in, with a large TV and a sea view. Through the living/dining room is the kitchen which has been finished to a high standard and a dream for those who like to cook. From the kitchen there is a door which leads out into a large patio area with garden furniture, perfectly sheltered to sit out and enjoy the long summer evenings.
Bear Cottage itself is perfectly located right in the heart of Balintore, the central village of the Seaboard Villages. The beach and brilliant coastal walks are right on the doorstep, making the property ideal for those with energetic dogs. 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’, a 11ft high bronze casted mermaid. 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.
Balintore is really very well located for a holiday, just off the North Coast 500 Route, making it perfect to go exploring the Scottish Highlands. Tain is only 10 minutes’ drive away and Inverness only 30 minutes’ away. Beach 200 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 300 yards.£101From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandGrieve’s Cottage is a delightful traditional stone cottage situated in its own generous garden grounds with a state-of-the-art hot tub for visitors’ sole use. Situated amidst open countryside, with stunning uninterrupted views in all directions, the cottage is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy its very good quality facilities and accommodation.
This single-storey end terraced farm cottage (whose name derives from the Scottish for farm foreman) has been extensively renovated and refurbished whilst retaining its original charm, including exposed stone walls and dry stone walling. It is set at the end of a quiet private lane on the owner’s working farm. Whilst the main living area is open plan, a sense of luxury is created with deep leather sofa suites and attractive lighting. The kitchen is accessed through an original exposed stone wall. Large canvases of the surrounding area add to the unique charm of this superbly presented cottage. Outside, a gravelled path leads out to the hot tub area, enclosed by fencing and original stone walls, it is private and secluded. A charming summer house overlooking the hot tub has comfortable outdoor dining chairs and there is a table for alfresco dining by the tub.
The charming and historic seaside village of Portmahomack has a good selection of amenities, including a shop, pub, café and two restaurants and is just 1 mile away and less than a mile from the cottage you will find Portmahomack Tarbat Golf Club. With its horseshoe shaped sandy bay and superb mountain backdrop, it is a wonderful place to walk, picnic, swim or kayak. The harbour and pier are ideal for small boats, a spot of crabbing or fishing. The region is noted for its archaeological sites and at the nearby Tarbat Discovery Centre there is a fascinating display of Pict, Norse and Medieval artefacts. There are lovely walks direct from the cottage. A trip out to the local lighthouse further along the lane is a must, with the opportunity to spot seals, dolphins and numerous seabirds. The nearby town of Tain has further excellent facilities, including restaurants, supermarkets and bars. Grieve’s Cottage is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highland region and will provide a memorable and indulgent pampering break for all. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
Grieve’s Cottage can be booked together with The Paddock (ref UK5049) and Sheaf Dale (ref UK5470) to accommodate up to 15 guests.£71From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tain, ScotlandCosy, 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.£101From price per night based on 7 night stay