Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Harland Cottage is a delightful bijou cottage for couples. This single-storey, detached cottage is beautifully presented throughout. The main living area is open plan and a large deep leather sofa looks out through French windows to the pretty cottage garden. The kitchen area is bright and modern, with built-in units and is well-equipped. The double bedroom has a kingsize bed and an en-suite with a large walk-in shower, which can also be accessed via the hallway. The garden is a real delight, enclosed by an original Caithness dry stone wall, there is a patio area with seating and a good-sized lawn area.

Harland Cottage is situated in Castletown, just 500 yards from one of the most spectacular beaches to be found anywhere in the British Isles. Dunnet Beach has 4 miles of sweeping sands, with high sand dunes providing a natural backdrop. There are lovely walks direct from the cottage, through woodland glades to the beach beyond. It is ideal for dog walks as well as numerous outdoor activities and there is also a pretty harbour to wander round. The area is renowned for its surfing, water sports, fishing and golf. For wildlife enthusiasts, there are often deer close by, numerous seabirds including puffins, whales, porpoises and dolphins are spotted along the coastline.

Castletown has a good selection of local amenities, including a pub with a good restaurant and a local mini-market, all within walking distance. The Heritage Visitors Centre is within a mile. The nearby town of Thurso is just 5 miles away and has further amenities, including supermarkets, bars, cafés, restaurants and a cinema. There are lovely riverside walks along the banks of the River Thurso and plenty to see and do in the region. A visit to the Castle of Mey, with its superb garden and interesting history is a must, along with a day trip to Orkney; the ferry is approximately 8 miles away. Caithness is renowned for big clear night skies so there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights during winter months from the top of Dunnet head the most northerly point on the Uk mainland only 4 miles away. The property is also on the North Coast 500.

The cottage location is the epitome of the Highlands. Just out of the hamlet of Culrain where there’s a castle, Lower Hilton Cottage is surrounded by woodland and has clear views to rugged hills and the Kyle of Sutherland, a river estuary that feeds into the Dornoch Firth. It’s an incredibly quiet location, with wildlife all around, and has that elusive undiscovered feel that everybody wants in the Highlands. If you want an outstanding Scottish Highlands retreat surrounded by nature, then Lower Hilton Cottage is the place for you.

Entering the cottage at the back door, which is most convenient, you’re met with a great dining space with rooms off in all directions. There’s a stunning double bedroom, spacious yet cosy living room with roaring wood burner and views out to hills and the estuary, the family bathroom and lovely, characterful kitchen. The stairs up from the dining space lead to two great bedrooms. Views out of the double-aspect bedrooms are outstanding. Outside there’s an unfenced mature garden that is mostly laid to lawn. There’s space to sit out and soak up whatever the Scottish weather has to offer.

From the cottage there are many fantastic hiking, mountain biking and road cycling routes to enjoy, and you’ll have the places all to yourself, unlike many other parts of Scotland. The area around Lower Hilton Cottage is authentic Highlands. There’s world-class salmon fishing on local rivers (permits available for very reasonable rates) and the links golf courses nearby are also world famous, most notably Royal Dornoch but the James Braid courses of Golspie and Brora are gems that any golfer will enjoy. Beyond the hamlet of Culrain and Carbisdale Castle, which is the most recent castle built in Scotland in 1905, the village of Ardgay is only ten minutes down the road. Here you’ll find a small, useful shop. Across the Kyle of Sutherland only fifteen minutes from the cottage you will find more services, including a butcher and bar/restaurant.

Lovely Dornoch is only a twenty five-minute drive, and Tain where you’ll find the Glenmorangie Distillery is about the same. Both places are well worth exploring during your stay, with Dornoch likely to be a highlight of your holiday. You have the NC500 easily accessible to the east near Dornoch and Tain, but you can also drive the interior roads via Lairg (crossroads of the Highlands) to reach the north and west coasts -again joining up with the NC500- very easily. The cottage is an excellent base for those adventurers amongst you. Lower Hilton Cottage offers one of the best interiors you’ll find in a holiday home. The minimalist, white, Scandi design is simply perfect. It’s so good in fact, you may shy away from heading out to explore the surroundings at all!

Phil’s House (ref SUUR), an architect designed, eco-friendly, single-storey house and Reid’s Cottage (ref UYT), a bright and cosy Highland croft house, enjoy an elevated position with panoramic views over the village of Lairg, waters of the Loch Shin and towards the hills beyond. Furnished and equipped to very high standards, they ensure a comfortable and pleasant holiday in this lovely part of the Highlands. Activities include mountain biking in the forest trails, fishing and stalking (by prior arrangement), hill walking or kayaking on the lochs and rivers. Golf courses nearby. For the less energetic, just relax in the comfort of the house and watch the ever changing scenery. Shops and pubs 1/4 mile.

Originally the village school that served a small rural community in north west Sutherland, The Old School House has been transformed into a delightful stone cottage surrounded by its own enclosed landscaped cottage gardens. The lounge runs the length of the cottage. With the original high ceilings, large windows and Victorian fireplace, this superb room has a warm, welcoming ambience and provides plenty of space for guests to sit and admire the view whilst enjoying a wee dram or two in front of the open fire. There is a large double bedroom with a super king sized bed, a twin room and a small third bedroom with bunk beds for two children. They are all attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. The gardens are a real delight, with a stone slab path leading up through the flower beds to a garden seat from which there are spectacular views across the bay to Handa Island and the Outer Isles. The mountains of Foinavon, Ben Stack and Arkle are also visible.

The immediate area is haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors generally. Hill walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are all local activities. There is a thriving pony trekking centre in the nearby village of Sheigra, with rides amidst spectacular scenery. Fishing in the surrounding lochs and rivers as well as sea fishing is a popular pastime. The area is also a haven for wildlife, with seals and otters in the bay and numerous varieties of birds attracted to the region.

The beaches in this area are renowned. Sandwood Bay is particularly noted, with a wonderful walk across the machair to its secluded sweeping sands. The nearby beaches of Oldshoremore and Polin are also renowned for their unspoilt beauty. Kinlochbervie is the nearest main village. The most northerly port on the west coast of Scotland, this pretty village has an active working harbour and offers good local facilities, including a shop and post office, as well as a hotel with restaurant open all year to non-residents for meals.

Situated only a mile from the village of Drumnadrochit and with wonderful views over Loch Ness, this charming, self contained holiday apartment is on the ground floor of Temple Pier House, an impressive listed building set above the road along the side of the loch. The house retains many original features including small paned windows. Perfect for couples who want a comfortable hideaway with a private hedged garden. Great for walkers, there are many tracks to explore from the doorstep including the Great Glen Way which passes close and continues all the way to Inverness. A boat trip on the loch is a must for a spot of ‘Nessie Hunting’. The charming village of Drumnadrochit has good restaurants, a small but well stocked grocery store, a post office and a bank that opens occasionally. The bright lights of the city of Inverness, 12 miles, offer a superb choice of restaurants, boutiques, museums, and beautiful riverside pathways, with the imposing Inverness Castle, now the city’s courthouse, the impressive St. Andrew’s cathedral and the award winning Eden Court Theatre. Centrally located, this makes an ideal base to access all of the magnificent Highlands. Skye, Fort William and the West Coast of Scotland are within a couple of hours’ drive and the road through Inverness goes onto the A9 and then north to Sutherland or south to Aviemore and further to Perthshire. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Near Kyle of Lochalsh, the stunning village of Arnisdale nestles below Beinn Sgritheall (Munro), on the shores of Loch Hourn. It overlooks Knoydart peninsula and Sound of Sleat with the Isle of Skye Cuillin in the distance. Neighbouring Glenelg, 9 miles, has a shop, pub, restaurant, craft shop and Skye ferry (Apr - Oct). Amid idyllic mountainous scenery, ideal for a holiday escaping with wildlife (deer, porpoises, eagles, seals and otters), walking (including the Five Sisters of Kintail, South Cluanie ridge, Ladhar Bheinn), cycling, fishing, touring (Eilean Donan Castle, Pictish Brochs, 18th century Bernera Barracks, Plockton and Skye) or just savouring highland peace and tranquillity.

In the picturesque village of Fort Augustus, next to the Caledonian Canal and a short walk from the head of Loch Ness, this ground floor holiday apartment makes an ideal base from which to tour the Highlands. The area hosts a large number of outdoor activities including mountain biking, hillwalking, golf, fishing, horse riding, kayaking and windsurfing. As Ardgay is a corporate member of Fort Augustus golf club, guests are entitled to as many free rounds of golf that they would like. Walk or cycle from the door along the canal towpath, or sit and watch the boats trying to negotiate the locks. Take a boat trip on Loch Ness to hunt for the Loch Ness Monster, drive through dramatic Highland scenery, visit historic castles and explore remote magical glens. Wildlife is abundant with golden eagles, wild deer and otters often seen. Inverness, the ‘Highland Capital’, Fort William, the ‘Outdoor Capital’ of the UK, and the beautiful Isle of Skye are easily reached. Shop, pub and restaurant 400 yards.

Welcome to Pinewood, your idyllic holiday retreat nestled in the heart of the enchanting Highlands, where tranquillity meets adventure. Located in the picturesque Gairlochy Bay, this haven offers an immersive escape into the stunning natural beauty of Scotland.
Gairlochy Bay, with its rugged charm and breathtaking landscapes, invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the rich history and folklore of the Highlands as you traverse the nearby historic trails and ancient woodlands. Unwind with leisurely strolls along the shores of Loch Lochy, where the crisp Highland air mixes with the soothing sound of lapping waves. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the diverse wildlife that inhabits Gairlochy Bay. From red deer roaming the hillsides to elusive otters gliding through the water, every moment promises a glimpse of the untamed beauty of the Highlands. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the variety of avian residents, including majestic eagles soaring overhead.
For those seeking a touch of adventure, Gairlochy Bay offers an array of outdoor activities. Set sail on the loch’s pristine waters for a day of fishing or simply enjoy a leisurely cruise, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Hikers and cyclists can explore the network of trails that wind through the heather-covered hills, revealing hidden gems and breathtaking vistas. As the day ends, immerse yourself in the warmth of Highland hospitality by visiting the local pubs and eateries. Indulge in traditional Scottish cuisine and savour the flavours of the region, all while enjoying the company of friendly locals.
Pinewood in Gairlochy Bay invites you to create lasting memories amid the natural wonders of the Highlands. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, this holiday retreat promises an unforgettable experience in one of Scotland’s most captivating destinations.

Superior detached bungalow (far left in photograph) one of two very attractive houses, well furnished and equipped and set only 200 yards from the shoreline of Loch Linnhe. Wonderful position overlooking the loch and Glencoe mountains with pleasant walks on the shore or ramble on the adjacent private hillside. Sitting 8 miles south of Fort William, it is an ideal holiday base for touring in all directions. Good eating places within walking distance. Fish, sail or surf (bring own equipment). Large patio doors to appreciate the view. Shop and pub ¼ mile.

Zeezicht is a spacious and well-appointed family holiday home, sitting in a prime lochside location with breath-taking views over Loch Torridon to the mountains and beyond. Situated in the northwest Scottish Highlands, it provides a truly get-away-from-it-all experience with dramatic mountain and loch views. This area has so much to offer in the way of outdoor activities, with all levels of walking from munro-bagging to low level coastal routes. Activities available locally include fishing, clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, gorge scrambling, mountain biking, boat trips and so much more. An abundance of wildlife from eagles to pine martens and mountain hares can be spotted throughout the area. Just a short drive away from Zeezicht you can enjoy golf at Gairloch or Lochcarron, or visit Inverewe Gardens and the Applecross Peninsula, so do come and enjoy. 200 yards from loch shore. Shop and restaurant 5 miles, pub 7 miles.