Dog-friendly Ross & Cromarty

Garden 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.

Tucked 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.

Grieve’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.