Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Enjoying a quiet setting with panoramic views across the extensive grounds and on towards the beautiful Cairngorm mountain range, Sunnyside House makes just the perfect base for exploring one of the most scenic and popular holiday destinations in Scotland. The house has been equipped and furnished to a high standard which will ensure you have as supremely comfortable and relaxing holiday as possible, with your every need taken care of. Robes are provided for after a soak in the hot tub and dog beds, cages and dishes are included for your four-legged friends.
Located just a mile or so from the centre of the village of Carrbridge and only 11 miles from the vibrant town of Aviemore, both situated in the heart of The Cairngorms National Park and at the head of the Speyside Way, Sunnyside House can be used as a base to explore or to relax and unwind. Carrbridge has the usual village facilities with a larger range available in Aviemore. The area boasts a super range of shops, restaurants and bars along with a wide range of outdoor activities – skiing and snowboarding, mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking and a variety of water sports on nearby Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey, zip lining and zorbing are just a few of the myriad of activities available. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain funicular railway, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre or the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie and the Landmark Forest Adventure Park which is just a short distance from the house – a superb day of fun for all ages. Visit the lovely Spey Valley golf course and the Dalfaber Leisure Resort in Aviemore with its wonderful array of leisure activities.
Further afield, take a trip to the beautiful west coast and the Isle of Skye or a day trip to the Orkney Islands is well worth the effort. Visit the Moray coastline peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches – voted in the top 20 of the best coastline destinations in the world. This is an area with so much to offer, see and do for all ages. For the less energetic, you can sit back by the side of the wood burner or soak in the hot tub and let the stresses of everyday life slip away. So many happy and unforgettable memories will be made on your holiday in Sunnyside House. Beach 24½ miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

This wonderful detached property, with its own hot tub in a private garden, enjoys a quiet setting, yet it is only 1½ miles from the lively centre of Aviemore. Providing guests with an unforgettable holiday experience, Birch Corner offers spacious and beautifully presented holiday accommodation with your every need having been thought of.
Aviemore nestles in the heart of The Cairngorms National Park at the head of the Speyside Way and boasts a wonderful range of shops, restaurants and bars. The area also offers a very wide range of outdoor activities including skiing, snowboarding, mountain and quad biking, zip lining, climbing, hill walking plus a variety of watersports on nearby Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey, to name just a few of the myriad of activities available. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Landmark Centre in nearby Carrbridge or take a trip to the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie, all of which are within easy reach. About 12 miles from Kingussie, lies the Ardverikie Estate, which has been the setting for films including the BBC TV’s drama series ’Monarch of the Glen’, as well as the location for movies such as ’The Missionary’ and ’Mrs Brown’.
Another visitor attraction for all the family to enjoy, not far from Kingussie, is the Highland Folk Museum, which offers an insight into Highland life in a living history setting. All in all, this is a fantastic base for exploring the many delights that this area has to offer, and there is so much to see and do for all ages. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Balmore Farmhouse is located just a few miles south of Inverness and is only 2 miles away from the infamous Loch Ness. The property has been fully renovated to a good standard and offers guests a superb level of comfort and space.
Enter into the spacious reception hall, leading to a living room with comfortable leather sofas that wrap around the cosy wood burner. The kitchen/dining room is well-equipped with all you could need during your stay, and provides great views over the countryside. The utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer offers a useful space for cleaning mucky clothes after a busy day of adventuring. On the ground floor there is a kingsize bedroom with a private dressing room and an en-suite shower room that is also accessed from the hallway.
On the first floor there are three large bedrooms, two with kingsize beds, and one with a single bed, all served by a family bathroom. Outside there is ample parking and a large enclosed garden. Balmore Farmhouse makes an ideal holiday base for exploring the many delights of the Northern Highlands. Located on the outskirts of the Highland capital of Inverness and close to Loch Ness and the Moray Coast, the area is renowned for its natural beauty along with the many activities available, including golf, kayaking, water sports, mountain biking, climbing and hill walking to name just a few. Discover some of the many historic castles, such as Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, or stroll along some of the many unspoilt beaches. Beach and bar and restaurant 3 miles. Shop 2 miles.

In the picturesque village of Fort Augustus at the southern tip of Loch Ness, this well-equipped detached holiday home makes an ideal base for touring. Walk or cycle along the Great Glen Way, take a pleasure cruise on Loch Ness or meander along the banks of the Caledonian Canal, watching the boats as they manage the locks. Visit historic castles and museums, explore remote magical glens, or follow the famous Whisky Trail. There are plenty of outdoor activities nearby and an abundance of wildlife. Fort William, Inverness and the Isle of Skye are all easily accessible. Shop ¼ mile, pub and restaurant 400 yards.

Enjoying a stunning location overlooking the small beach of Fiskavaig Bay and on towards Loch Bracadale, the island of Oronsay and Macleod’s Tables, this detached house is furnished and equipped to a high standard to ensure a truly enjoyable holiday. Set on the western edge of this beautiful island, Seascape makes the perfect base for exploring the wonders of Skye as well as nearby Raasay and Wester Ross.
There is something for everyone – peace and tranquillity, superb scenery including the famous Cuillin Mountains, a large variety of wildlife and many historical sites and buildings to visit along with the famous Talisker Distillery. A trip to Dunvegan Castle and the coral beach, Neist Point Lighthouse or the beautiful Waternish Peninsula are all recommended, and all on the west side of the island. Portree, the bustling main town, is where you can take a stroll down to the harbour and watch the fishing vessels unload their catch of the day. Take a sea trip from Portree to see the varied sea and bird life and also the enjoy the beauty of the rugged coastline. To the north of Portree is the Trotternish Peninsula which boasts some of Skye’s most stunning scenery. Take a visit to Uig, where you can catch a ferry to the Outer Isles of Lewis, Harris and Uist or travel round the peninsula to see the Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls and the Old Man of Storr. To the south of the island is Broadford, with the southern tip called ‘The Garden of Skye’. Here you can visit the ruins of Armadale Castle and its lovely gardens. From nearby Ardvasar, you can take a ferry trip to the smaller Outer Isles and also the mainland.
For the energetic there is mountain biking, kayaking, sea trips and climbing to name but a few activities available. Alternatively, just take a stroll along one of the many unspoilt beaches, or sit back in the comfort of a chair and watch the ever changing views – the perfect way to relax and unwind. Shop, pub and restaurant 5 miles.

This sophisticated apartment oozes comfort and style. The strong traditional Scottish-themed décor throughout so aptly complements the surroundings and adds to the whole experience of staying at the Pine Tree Cabin.
Set over one floor, there is an open plan living/dining/kitchen space, which has a balcony where you can enjoy the uninterrupted views over the loch, al fresco dining or a nice glass of wine, and soak up the fresh Highland air.
The kitchen/dining area is the perfect area to rustle up your favourite meal whilst doing a spot of entertaining. There is an electric wood burner centrally positioned to add to the ambiance of the room especially when the weather is changeable outside.
There is a master bedroom with an en-suite walk-in shower. There are two further bedrooms, each with twin beds which can be made into kingsize beds (on request). There is also a further shower room with walk-in shower next to the living area.
Pine Tree Cabin is in a prime location to enjoy some of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.
Fort William is under half an hour’s drive away and is known as the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’. Scotland’s highest mountain Ben Nevis is found here and there is also a wide selection of shops, cafes and restaurants to enjoy.
A very popular experience is the Harry Potter Steam Train which takes you over the famous Harry Potter bridge (Glenfinnan Viaduct) and finishes up in the quaint fishing town of Mallaig. This area is known for its spectacular white-sand beaches.
In the opposite direction of Fort William, you can visit the famous Loch Ness, take a day trip to Skye or go for some adventures with ‘Monster Outdoor’ for your adrenaline fix.
Whether it’s to relax and enjoy the nature that surrounds you or get your fix of the great outdoors, no matter your pleasure, Pine Tree Cabin is the perfect base to enjoy this incredible area.

Darris Farmhouse is a spectacular, luxurious holiday home near to the shores of Loch Ness. Situated on an amazing plot of land the farmhouse enjoys a wrap-around garden with panoramic views across pasture to woodland and mountains. The farmhouse has been extended beyond its original nineteenth century dimensions to include an attached, self-contained annexe which sleeps up to three. Darris Farmhouse sleeps nine people in total and is therefore perfect for an extended family, two families or group of friends.

On entering the farmhouse through the front door, there’s a cute vestibule before the hallway. Off to the right is the main living room with wood burner and large Smart TV, and enjoys fantastic views of the dramatic landscape. To the left of the hallway is a large kingsize double bedroom with en-suite shower room. The en-suite is in fact a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, so it serves as a downstairs toilet as well for the living accommodation. Through the Jack-and-Jill bathroom you reach a back hallway which has a door out to the courtyard area of the garden, a useful utility room and then to the right the brilliant open plan kitchen/dining room unveils itself with additional living room and another large Smart TV. This open plan space is accessible from the front hallway too. The kitchen has everything you’ll need to cook up a storm for family and friends and then gather round the large dining table. There’s access from the open-plan space to the patio and large garden. Back to the hallway and upstairs you reach the first-floor accommodation consisting of three large bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. There’s a kingsize double bedroom and a twin room, which are both double-aspect.

The annexe is self-contained, so has a separate entrance to the farmhouse. A few steps from the front door of the farmhouse you find the entrance to the annexe. Inside on the first floor there is a surprisingly large open-plan kitchen/dining/living space. The kitchen in well-equipped, but if yuou are part of a large family it’s more than likely you won’t use it but instead stroll over to the main kitchen in the farmhouse. The living space has a wood burner and large Smart TV, as well as access out to the courtyard garden. Stairs lead up from the living space to a kingsize double bedroom and a single room, as well as possibly the best bathroom in the whole farmhouse. There’s a fabulous freestanding bath with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.

The garden is large, laid mostly to lawn and enjoys views in all directions. It’s very child and dog friendly, as it’s fully enclosed, and even has a small grassy paddock at the back where dogs can roam about easily from the back door. Darris Farmhouse makes an ideal holiday base for exploring the many delights of the Northern Highlands. Located on the outskirts of the Highland capital of Inverness and close to Loch Ness and the Moray Coast. The area is renowned for its natural beauty along with the many activities available, with fly fishing nearby costing £30 per permit. Other activies include golf, kayaking, water sports, mountain biking, climbing and hill walking to name just a few. Discover some of the many historic sites, such as Culloden Battlefield and Fort George, or stroll along some of the many unspoilt beaches. Beach 23 miles.

Shielside lies on the outskirts of the ancient crofting village of Acharacle, at the western end of Loch Shiel, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. It offers four double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities and bedrooms 2 and 4 are particularly spacious. It also has its own large, enclosed garden for guests to enjoy.
Ardnamurchan is a wild and beautiful place, designated as a National Scenic Area for its outstanding scenery and landscape, a popular holiday destination, rich in wildlife with some fabulous walks and great scenery. Acharacle has a village store and post office, Hotel and bar, local garage, café, medical practice and gift shop. Other villages within a short drive have similar facilities and there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, kayaking and wild swimming. Acharacle is 45 miles from Fort William via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Moidart.
Fort William, known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” has a wide variety of attractions which make ideal walking opportunities on the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis. There are a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants, distilleries, a bus station and railway station with links to Mallaig, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as an overnight sleeper to London. At the foot of Ben Nevis, you can enjoy a world-class mountain bike trail in summer, or skiing in winter. The steam train made famous by the ’Harry Potter’ films, can take you on a spectacular journey from Fort William through Glenfinnan and its famous monument to Bonnie Price Charlie and on to Mallaig. You will also find plenty of walking and cycling opportunities.

Set on the Farr Estate in beautiful Strathnairn, Carn Cottage is a recently refurbished heritage property that offers a high standard of holiday accommodation. The cottage itself has a very large wrap-around garden, perfect for the children and dogs to run and roam around. There’s also a great decking area at the rear of the property with a BBQ. Entering the cottage there’s a fantastic open plan living space with a wood burner taking centre stage. A utility room is very welcome considering all the outdoor adventuring you’ll be doing. There’s a double bedroom with en-suite also on the ground floor, perfect for the less mobile. On the first floor there are three further bedrooms and three more bathrooms to complete the accommodation. One of the first floor bedrooms is a single though, so the cottage sleeps a maximum of seven people.
Even though only 20 minutes from the centre of Inverness, being at the cottage and on the Estate feels like you’re a million miles away from civilisation. Staying at Carn Cottage offers the best of both worlds, you can escape into the countryside whilst at the same time be connected to the Highland capital and its touring routes. You don’t have to stray far from Carn Cottage to have an authentic and amazing Highland holiday. Here you can bike, hike, boat and fish all from the cottage on the Estate. In fact, only a short walk from the cottage, there’s a private loch waiting to be fished (permits are included in the rental of Carn Cottage). Rowing boats are available for fishing. There are hiking routes through woodland and up onto the Farr Estate moors, and these double up in many instances as bike trails too. Also worth mentioning, is that the River Findhorn is only a short drive away up the road directly opposite the cottage, and to fish for salmon on the river pre-booking permits is necessary (contact Farr Estate for information).
If you do wish to explore further afield beyond the Farr Estate, and we encourage you to do so because there’s so much to see in the Highlands and at Carn Cottage you’re brilliantly positioned to head off in different directions and get a lot out of the area. The minor road that passes Carn Cottage leads down the strath to the A9 which will transport you quickly to Inverness and the NC500 beyond or south into the Cairngorm National Park. You can actually link up hikes and biking routes from the Farr Estate with roads, tracks and paths that lead to Loch Ness via the amazing scenery that makes up the southern side of Loch Ness. In short, there’s so much to see and do on the doorstep and further afield. One thing we can say though is that a week at Carn Cottage on the Farr Estate won’t be enough, and if you can manage longer you’ll be so grateful for the extra time to explore. It’s a fantastic place to stay. Beach 24 miles.

The owners have lovingly looked after Cliff Cottage, and this detached property is perfect for a family holiday. Before you enter the front door you’ll notice raised beds in the front garden with vegetables that you are welcome to help yourself to in season! The interior is finished to a great standard, with many bespoke features and lovely local artworks displayed. Cliff Cottage makes the ideal base for a holiday in the Highlands, and Applecross is a very, very special part of Scotland. People often mistakenly overlook it in favour of Skye or Loch Ness, and many drive past the peninsula when journeying along the North Coast 500. To visit Applecross is to be treated to a highlight of travel experiences.
Making your way to Applecross is an adventure, particularly if you take the southern road. The Bealach na Bà sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings, and when you get your eyes on this mountain pass, you’ll agree that it would sit pride of place in a Tolkien adventure. It’s a steep drive from sea level to over 2,000ft, and one of the best routes to experience in the UK and Europe. Reaching the top, the expansive, rugged moors of the Applecross interior stretch out in front of you, and the views back down the glacial carved valley you’ve driven up are truly awe inspiring. This is what the Highlands are really about! Descend down to the shore on the west coast of Applecross where there’s an inn, cafés, a restaurants and lots of amenities. This is the hub of the peninsula, and where you’ll visit plenty of times during your stay. Cliff Cottage is to the north of Applecross Bay, only 7 miles up the coast.
Two miles before Cliff Cottage’s driveway is Sand Bay, which is one of the best beaches on the west coast, one to visit a few times during your stay. Cliff Cottage is accessed via a track that leads down to this sheltered and charming spot for a holiday base. Beyond Cliff Cottage, the road continues along the entire west and north coast of the Applecross Peninsula, and is a great scenic route to take during your holiday. It gives you access to Shieldaig and Torridon. You are just a stone’s throw away from the coast and Applecross is your backdrop. Book now and forever be grateful that you did! beach 2 miles.