Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Osprey Lodge is situated in an elevated position, deep in the Sutherland hills, tucked away down a private track, and enjoying unbelievable views across the surrounding hills and open countryside. This superb, detached solid wood lodge enjoys total peace and privacy, set in 50 hectares of croft land. The accommodation is presented to a very good standard throughout. The delightful open plan living space features a welcoming wood burner in the living area, as well as patio doors that open onto the raised decking, with a private hot tub and sitting-out area. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms with colour coordinated soft furnishings allowing for a good nights’ sleep. This property is very accessible for wheelchair users, with a level entrance and modern bathroom with a claw-footed bath and accessible wet room walk-in shower.

Situated on a working farm where the friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, this is a haven for wildlife and you may also stumble upon osprey, deer, pine martin, red kites, golden eagles and curlews. Whilst completely private, it is just over 1 mile to the pretty stone village of Rogart which is home to a thriving village pub that serves meals, as well as a shop, post office and railway station. It is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highlands, with many places of interest within a short drive. Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Duke of Sutherland, with its gardens modelled on Versailles is well worth a visit. Or experience salmon leaping up the famous Falls of Shin, and mountain biking, hill walking, fishing, and various water sports are all available locally. The historic seaside town of Dornoch is just 15 minutes’ drive away, where you can visit the sandy beach and the renowned championship golf course, as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 17¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Ardlearag is an outstanding architecturally-designed and timber-clad holiday home in the North West Scotland. Overlooking the sea loch Little Loch Broom, Ardlearag also has views of the isolated Scoraig peninsula and wee mountain Beinn Ghobhlach across the loch, and to the east An Teallach, a fabulous Munro, is in view and only a few miles away. Staying at Ardlearag is like striking gold. Pulling up at the stunning property you won’t believe your luck. Any length of time booked is guaranteed to be too short.

The property nestles into the landscape right beside the water and is surrounded by mountains. The area around Ardlearag is known as the ‘great wilderness’ and staying at the property makes it easy to see why. The front of the house looks towards the water and mountains -quite rightly - so you enter through the back door. On the left there’s a well-placed utility room, perfect for cleaning up after long days out exploring in the wilds. Quickly you discover the wow factor of the house, which is the vast amount of glass in the open plan living/dining/kitchen area. Views up the loch and across the water are truly sensational. It’s an amazing room making the most of the surroundings, and it’s finished to a fantastic high standard (like the whole house). To return to this room after days out on adventures is pure bliss.

Beyond the house the great wilderness awaits. An Teallach is a fantastic Munro and with it being so close it deserves an attempt or two during your holiday. Ullapool and Assynt beyond are not far away, and to the south the coastal villages of Aultbea, Poolewe and Gairloch with numerous sandy beaches to choose from await. Staying at Ardlearag is a superb choice for the most amazing of Highland holidays. Book now and forever be happy with your choice!

Enjoying open views across the countryside, this detached, 200-year old property is full of character and charm. Now a holiday cottage, it has been equipped and furnished to a good standard to ensure as comfortable and relaxing a holiday as possible. Only 7 miles from Inverness and 2 miles from Castle Stuart Golf Links, which has hosted the Scottish Open golf tournament. Mountain biking on some of the many forest trails, golf at some wonderful Scottish courses, sea trips and watersports either on the Moray coast or Loch Ness are just some of the many activities available. There are many historical sites nearby such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and Cawdor Castle. Try the Whiskey Trail along the Moray and Dornoch coasts. Shop 1 mile, pub serving food 3 miles.

Situated on its own, right on the shoreline, enjoying panoramic views of the seascape this unique detached house offers an exceptionally good standard of holiday accommodation throughout. The living room and large kitchen/dining room look out across the bay. A second living room upstairs is built in the form of an ’observatory’, complete with balcony from which to spot the wide variety of bird and sea-life. Miles of shoreline walks are accessed directly from the property. The unspoilt fishing village of Helmsdale has a harbour and restaurants and shops. The area is renowned for its unspoilt beaches, wild and rugged coastline and traditional villages. Fossils are regularly found along this particular stretch of coast. Travel north to visit the Castle of Mey, John O’ Groats and the Orkney Isles. Golf, fishing, cycling, hill-walking, surfing and pony trekking all available locally. Try panning for gold in the Helmsdale river and visit the fairytale castle of Dunrobin. Shops, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

The Ivy Wing and The Cottage are situated in the courtyard of Barrock House, and surrounded by landscaped grounds and mature woodland. This provides shelter for an abundance of bird and wild life with pleasant walks close at hand and the scenic beaches of Sinclair and Dunnet Bay are just 5 minutes by car. The Cottage makes the perfect base for touring this unspoilt and tranquil part of the Highlands. Visit the Castle and Gardens of Mey, the Queen Mother’s Highland home, John O’Groats, Wick Heritage and Lyth Arts Centre, or take a wildlife or distillery tour. Golfing, fishing, sea trips or walking along the many miles of rugged coastline are just some of the many activities available. Lyth is situated just 10 miles north of Wick and 15 miles from Thurso, making the beautiful Orkney Isles easily accessible by car ferry for day trips. Both properties can be booked together for larger groups (ref’s W42082 and W42083). Shop, pub and restaurant 4.5 miles.

Located in the small settlement of Camas Inas a few miles west from Salen, The Steading has the most glorious situation with its own beach fronting and fabulous views across Loch Sunart. There isn’t a jetty or slip here, but you can get your boat down across the stones and into the water. There are also moorings in the bay if you arrive by boat. It really is a superb spot to take the kayaks, or your boat and explore the miles of deserted coastline, or even nip round to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a bite to eat (only 30 minutes by speedboat!). There’s wildlife all around with dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters all regular visitors to your very own bay. The wildlife doesn’t stop there, you’ll see many species visiting the garden, red deer and pine martens feed in the garden and there is a most amazing array of birdlife, including golden and sea eagles.
The garden is large and runs right down to your own beach. There is a lovely patio area by the house and lots of mature flower beds and lawn for children and pets to explore. A highlight though is a wee footpath that leads off to the south-western edge of the plot, and you traverse a boardwalk to reach a promontory where there is a spectacular seating-area, it most be one of the best pre-dinner drink spots in Scotland, just mountains and sea with all the wildlife to spot.
Entering the property through the patio doors you come into the open plan living/dining/kitchen space, with the living and dining area having floor to ceiling windows with extraordinary views and also with a large wood burner and TV. The kitchen area has an enormous island and everything you want and need to cook up meals to suit any occasion. Off the kitchen there is a drying room and utility space, through which there is a great gym room with views of the loch. The master double bedroom with en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bath and walk-in shower and the view from the bath is very special. The master bedroom also has a private balcony with chairs to soak up the setting at any time of the day. There are another two bedrooms, a double room and twin room, as well as a beautiful walk-in shower room.
The Steading is a fantastic holiday home that upon arrival you will not want to leave, it’s a great house for families, groups of friends and especially those with dogs as it is a luxury property that is also very dog friendly. Close to the property you have some interesting places to visit including the local Ardnamurchan distillery and famous lighthouse at the UK mainland’s most westerly point. The peninsula has many deserted beaches to explore, mountains to climb, and lochs to swim and fish. It’s a truly untouched area that you will want to keep exploring. Beach 100 yards. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 6 miles.

Set in its own private grounds on the stunningly beautiful little Loch Broom, Kildonan is a bright, spacious and modern detached house. It enjoys wonderful uninterrupted views across the loch to the Summer Isles beyond, surrounded by hills and mountains. Tucked away down its own quiet track it is ideal for a luxurious get-away from it all holiday for families and friends. The large kitchen/dining room is modern farmhouse style, with flagstone flooring and built-in units. Across the hallway is a spacious living room, with deep soft leather sofa suites and a large wood burner. The games room is on the ground floor and is a wonderful bonus for all ages. Here is a large central pool table, as well as a dart board and other games. The rural country gardens surround the house making this an ideal place to relax in the evening. A wide staircase leads up to the first floor, where there are four generously proportioned bedrooms, one with an en-suite. They are all very attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and high quality beds and furniture. As well as the en-suite there is a family-sized bathroom with a deep roll-top bath and a separate shower cubicle.

Kildonan is ideally located for maximising the views, sitting on a promontory near the head of Little Loch Broom, which in summer is ideal for swimming. Badluarch jetty, at the end of the single track lane, offers easy access to the water. Badluarach is a small crofting hamlet, with scattered cottages, sheep and cattle for company. The adjoining lane leads out onto open moorland. The area is a paradise for hill-walkers and climbers, with numerous walks directly from the property and the renowned munro of An Tellach just 5 minutes away. It is equidistant from Ullapool and Gairloch. The coastline that runs along this west coast is simply stunning. It forms part of the renowned North Coast 500 route which encompasses some of the most dramatic and unspoilt scenery to be found anywhere in the British Isles. Miles of sandy beaches are interspersed with coves, tumbling rivers and high mountains. In the nearby village of Dundonnell there is a restaurant and bar which is open throughout the summer months. Both Ullapool and Gairloch, just 30 minutes’ drive away, have excellent facilities, including a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants as well as visitor attractions. Beach 4 miles. Shop 13 miles, pub and restaurant 8 miles.

A wonderful detached cottage resting in Glenfinnan, Scotland. Beautiful mountain scenery. Ground-floor living. Woodburning stove. WiFi. Pet-friendly. Ample off-road parking. Fort William 17.3 miles.

Spacious, detached property set in 7 acres of gardens in Northern Scotland. Ideal for large groups. Hit tub, Rural location. Open fire. Bonar Bridge 12.8 miles; Lairg 15 miles.

Battanropie Lodge is an outstanding holiday property with so much space for a family or group of six. It is located in a favourite spot in the Cairngorms National Park in lovely Carrbridge. The village has a couple of fantastic cafés and a couple of bars and restaurants too. Plus there is an 18-hole golf course in the village, which is very little played. Just a short walk from the house is a brilliant woodland walk to take the dogs on, and it offers a great chance to spot rare British wildlife including the ptarmigan, red squirrel and even an osprey if you are lucky.
Battanropie Lodge is a large house set within its own enclosed grounds, perfect for the dogs to roam and explore. The rear of the garden runs down to the river and is fenced off and there is plenty of outdoor seating space on the rear patio. Inside the property there is a spacious open plan living space with a great wood burner and loads of light coming in from dual aspect windows. The spacious kitchen area has a fabulous Aga for cooking, and the utility room attached to the kitchen has a large fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and door to the garden and there is also a separate toilet on the ground floor. Upstairs there are three large bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and enjoys views towards the river and woodland, the second double bedroom also enjoys the same great views, while the third bedroom has twin beds and there is also a family bathroom which has a walk-in shower as well as a bath.
You can explore something different every day from Carrbridge when you venture further afield. The Cairngorm Mountains are to the south east, and the gateway from Aviemore is a classic day trip. Loch Garten and the Abernethy Forest, where BBC Winterwatch was recently filmed, are close by to the east. The north east offers the great Spey valley, with numerous world-class fly fishing opportunities, as well as countless distilleries to nip into for a wee dram or two. The north offers the bright lights of charming Inverness and the Moray Firth with huge sandy beaches not far away at Nairn and further north of Inverness at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle. To the west you have more wild country, different from the Cairngorms but showing the vast wilderness of the Scottish Highlands nonetheless. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.