Dog-friendly Scotland

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.

Trelaw is a spacious detached cottage with large enclosed gardens and its very own private hot tub to relax in after a day of exploring. The owner even provides robes and slippers for your comfort and convenience. There is a private fishing loch on the owner’s land which guests are free to use, and the loch is also great for paddle boarding (bring your own boards), and quiet country walks around the farm. There is also an outside bath for your small pet, perfect for their muddy paws, and a hot/cold tap. Horse riders are well catered for as there are riding stables 2 miles away. Outdoor games are available that can be used in good weather conditions such as outdoor table tennis, swing ball, putting mat, kids slide, trike, netball hoop/stand, kids fishing net, croquet set, Quoits set, and cricket set, and there are many walking and cycling routes in the immediate area. For the little guests there are robes, a kids’ welcome pack, a child’s table & chairs, a child’s bathroom step, a cot, a high chair, and board games.
Ayrshire, also known as ’Burns’ Country’ is steeped in tradition and history. Visit Burns Cottage, the Burns Memorial Museum, and the Brig o Doon, the bridge from the famous poem Tam o’ Shanter. The area offers many ruined castles to explore, such as Dunure, Turnberry, and Greenan. A visit and tour to Culzean Castle, designed by Robert Adams and truly one of his masterpieces, is one not to be missed with its dramatic clifftop location. Also worth a visit is the 18th-century Dumfries House, part of the Prince’s Foundation which is home to an unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture. The 2000-acre estate has been beautifully designed with stunning walks throughout the grounds along with several children’s play areas. Auchinleck House, the former home of the renowned biographer James Boswell, where he indulged his penchant for "old laird and family ideas". The house is an 18th-century mansion and is currently managed by the Landmark Trust which has open days. Boswell Coach House is within the grounds and visitors are welcome to walk around the estate. The estate has been inhabited since the 13th century, and the remains of Auchinleck Castle and Auchinleck Old House stand on the estate. The Barony A Frame is a preserved headgear located 2 kilometres west of Auchinleck. 180 feet high, it was built in 1954 as part of the modernisation of the Barony Colliery, which opened in 1907.
The Galloway Forest Park is only a 30-minute drive away and is Britain’s largest forest park with 300 square miles of wild beauty waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, loch, and ancient woodland, and a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats, and many birds of prey. The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the Western world and when the sun sets, enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above.
There is also the Glasgow School of Art designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Willow Tea Rooms, and House for Art Lovers. The pretty seaside towns of Prestwick and Troon are also close by and there are very good rail links for a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow and also historic Edinburgh.
The islands of Cumbrae, Arran, and Bute are all easily reached for a day out while day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is just over an hour’s drive and is well worth a visit.
The property is also close to Ayr Racecourse, Loch Doon Ospreys, TreeTop Trials on Craufordland Estate, and close to award-winning Ayrshire golf courses and garden centres with good road links. Other activities and attractions include Blackstone Clydesdale Experience, 10 miles, Hannahston Alpacas, 3 miles, Ayr’s Award Winning Farm Park, 15 miles, ten-pin bowling, and a cinema are 12 miles away in Ayr and there is an open-air pool at New Cumnock which is part of Dumfries House. The property is also a short drive to the west coast beaches of Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Croy, Dunure, Maidens, Turnberry, and Girvan, where you can hire a boat over to the Ailsa Craig, or walk to the Turnberry Lighthouse.
Trelaw can be booked together with Muirston farmhouse (Uk44977) to accommodate up to 14 people.

Enjoying a delightful and peaceful setting, this charming cottage, with its own private hot tub, offers a cosy holiday retreat amidst the glorious landscape of Glenisla, one of the loveliest of Highland glens. It sits in fine walking country only 8 miles from the Glenshee ski slopes, an ideal location from which to discover the scenic beauty and abundant wildlife of the Angus Glens and Perthshire Highlands. Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late Queen Mother, the ‘fair city’ of Perth and Pitlochry’s Festival Theatre are in easy reach. Shops and pubs 7 miles.

This spacious, detached, single-storey cottage has been fully renovated to a very good standard, and is situated on the owners’ a working sheep and dairy farm. With its own private hot tub and barbecue area, the cottage offers views over open countryside and is situated close to the towns of Dalry and Lochwinnoch. For walkers or those bringing their four legged friends, there are dog and boot washing facilities.
Located on Scotland’s west coast, the property is ideally located to explore the beauty of the Ayrshire coastline. Ayrshire offers a varied coastline with villages, beaches and rocky coves to explore, and is an ideal location for cyclists and walkers with Skelmorlie heralding the start of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, a 100-mile long coastal walk. Inland there is walking, cycling, gardens and castles to visit along with opportunities to ride, fish and golf (the world famous Turnberry course is nearby). Culzean Castle Country Park, extending for over 550 acres, has a network of wooded trails passing along the beach. For water sports, Castle Semple is within easy reach, and mountain bike hire can be found at Lochwinnoch, 5 miles away.
Explore the islands of Cumbrae, Arran and the Isle of Bute or catch a ferry to Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula which gives you great access to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily reached for a day trip. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Situated 200 yards from Loch Sunart in the bay of Camas Inas with access to a rocky beach and the cottages own mooring, this newly renovated cottage is perfectly situated to explore the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the most westerly part of the UK. In the grounds of the cottage is a garage for storing kayaks, paddle boards and bicycles. It is just one minutes’ walk to the loch where you can swim or fish and have close up views of passing dolphins and otters. There is also horse riding, canoeing and water rafting locally as well as clay pigeon shooting.
The cottage is all on one level with five steps up to it with two bedrooms, one which can either be a double size bed or twin beds lounge bathroom and kitchen. A cot is available for babies.
The double glazing and central heating are complemented by an open fire (with fireguard) and a supply of logs provided. Designed to make you feel cosy and comfortable, the cottage is decorated to remind you of Victorian Scotland but has every modern comfort. There are lots of stunning hill and loch-side walks in the area with Castle Tioram being one of the most beautiful sights to see in Scotland. Glen Coe and Ben Nevis with skiing are not far but you can also take a short drive to pubs, award winning restaurants, cafe’s, distillery, or smokehouse to enjoy local produce of seafood or venison. Drive further down the Pensinsula to the award winning organic Ardnamurchan Distillery or to Kilchoan and the Ardnamurchan lighthouse and then take the ferry across to Mull and visit Tobermory and several fish restaurants all selling local fresh caught produce.
Nearby there is a post office and two general food shops. The fish man comes every Tuesday with freshly landed fish including langoustine and lobsters. Venison and organically grown vegetables can be bought locally. You can also order a delivery from a local supermarket in Fort William for basic supplies although there will be items like tea, bread, milk, eggs, and wine in a welcome hamper for you on arrival.
There is a local GP and the area has its own ambulance, coastguard, fire service and police on the peninsula.