Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

A warm Highland welcome awaits you at Glen View of Enrick House. Enjoying a tranquil wooded setting, Glen View has been equipped and furnished to a very good standard to meet all your requirements. Nestling against the side of the hill and with an on-site herb garden, the house is only 4 miles from the lovely village of Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness, and makes the perfect base for exploring the many attractions and amenities along with the stunning beauty of this part of the Northern Highlands. You will also find Lock Miekle only a 5-minute walk from the cottage.
Drumnadrochit has a good selection of restaurants and bars, with Inverness, the Highland Capital, just 18 miles away, where you will find an extensive range of shops, restaurants, theatre, galleries and swimming pools, to name just a few of the amenities. On the edge of Drumnadrochit you will find Urquhart Castle, a very popular visitor attraction, or go to Jacobite Cruises where you can enjoy a boat trip on Loch Ness – a good monster spotting area! Slightly further afield, you can visit Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor and Brodie Castles, and Fort George, or meander along some of the beautiful Moray coastline beaches which have been named in the top twelve of the world’s most beautiful and unspoilt coastlines.
Take a trip along the Malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind in the world! To the west and within a short drive you will find the beautiful Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar, both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you can walk and hill climb, or also enjoy some of the area’s finest mountain bike trails. Visit the beautiful Isle of Skye, and stop on the way to visit the much photographed Eilean Donan Castle. Travel south and visit Fort William where you can hike up Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain), or take the ski lift up Aonach Mor for some skiing. From both locations you will have spectacular views across the area.
Amongst the many activities available in the locality, there are many golf courses within easy reach, mountain biking on numerous trails, hill climbing, walking with many forest trails on the doorstep, a variety of water sports on Loch Ness or the Moray coastline, and skiing and snowboarding in the Cairngorms or the Nevis range. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing scenery. A trip to this area will always evoke happy memories.

Newly renovated in December 2022 to a luxury standard with a large kitchen boasting top end appliances, stunning new bathrooms with under floor heating, comfortable new bedrooms with lots of storage and an updated living/dining area with three huge sofas and coffee table, a snug with a desk, bean bags and games, and a large dining table with plenty of seating to suit everyone’s needs.
This stunning, detached, lodge property enjoys a peaceful and private location approximately a mile outside the forest village of Nethy Bridge, and makes the perfect base for exploring this lovely part of the northern Highlands. Sitting on the edge of the ancient Scottish Caledonian Forest, the lodge overlooks moorland and mountains with abundant wildlife which includes red squirrels, mountain hares, red and roe deer, and many species of song birds can often be heard in this secluded setting.
Mountain Bear Lodge is 12 miles from Aviemore which is situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and at the head of the Speyside Way. The whole area boasts a super range of shops, restaurants and bars along with a wide range of outdoor activities including skiing and snowboarding, (Cairngorm Mountains are within an hour’s drive. Glencoe and Glenshee are around 2½ hours’ drive) There is also mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking with a variety of water sports available on Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway or visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie, the Landmark Forest Adventure Park or the RSPB Reserve at nearby Loch Garten, which are all within easy reach of the lodge.
Visit the testing Spey Valley golf course and the Dalfaber Resort with its wonderful array of leisure activities, or a day trip to the Moray coastline peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches. For the less energetic, sit back in the hot tub set in peaceful garden grounds, relax and unwind. There’s a farm shop, pub and restaurant within 1 mile.

Red Kite Lodge is a real delight, situated in the heart of the Sutherland hills on a working farm, approached via a well-maintained private track leading out to open countryside and the owner’s 50 hectares of croft land. This detached, solid wood lodge enjoying complete peace and seclusion, is presented to a very good standard throughout. The main living area is open plan with a welcoming wood burner and floor to ceiling patio doors to maximise the stunning views. The patio doors open onto raised decking, with a private hot tub and outdoor dining table and chairs. The bright, modern kitchen area is exceptionally well equipped, with plenty of space for dining. The bespoke, solid wood, raised dining table adds an interesting and attractive feature to the room. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms each with colour coordinated soft furnishings. 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.

This property is ideal for the ultimate ’get away from it all’ holiday, with pampering included. Sitting in the hot tub or relaxing with a glass of wine on the decking after a day’s sightseeing or hill walking must be the ultimate holiday experience.

The owners farm hundreds of acres of surrounding farmland and open hills where friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, and osprey, deer, pine martens, red kites, golden eagles and curlews can all be spotted in the vicinity. Whilst providing an element of privacy, the lodge is just over 1 mile to the pretty village of Rogart. It has 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. 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 there is a superb, award-winning, sandy beach, a renowned championship golf course as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 15 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Am Bothan is a delightful, single-storey, detached cottage with veranda and seating enjoying stunning views across Loch Ewe to the mountains beyond. Nestled, but totally private within the gardens of the owner’s home, separated by a shared driveway, it is perfect for couples or a small family wishing to explore this totally unspoilt and truly awe-inspiring part of the Scottish Highlands.The immediate area is renowned for it’s sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery, wildlife abounds with otters, seals, feral goats, deer and a myriad of bird-life.
National Trust Scotland owned, Inverewe Botanical gardens are 3.5 miles away. Due to its temperate climate, which is warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, an exceptional and surprising variety of plants flourish here. The pretty village of Poolewe is 2¾ miles away and has two cafés, a food cart serving stone baked pizzas, village shop with post office, off license and supermarket, pub and municipal swimming pool. The surrounding area offers a wealth of activities including mountain biking, kayaking, hill walking, climbing and sea fishing. The Fisher Field Forest which you can trek to,has been listed as one of the last remaining truly wild places in the United Kingdom. Wild swimming can be had just minutes from the door in Naast cove which you can see from the cottage veranda. Boat trips can be booked from nearby Gairloch for sightings of porpoises, minke whales and other sea life. Also trips to the Shiant Isles renown for it’s bird life including sea eagles,puffins, guillemots and cormorants. There are numerous superb beaches close at hand. Further afield you can visit some of the small villages dotted along the coast or take a day trip to the beautiful Isle of Skye. Sandy Firemore beach 3 miles. Cove, looking out to the Atlantic Ocean with memorial, remembered for the Norwegian Convoy of the 2nd World War, is 5 miles away. The owners are both artists and offer one to one or small group drawing lessons at an additional cost. African drumming lessons can be arranged too. One certainly is not at a loss for inspiration at Am Bothan.

Set in open countryside, above the charming seaside village of Portmahomack, Sheaf Dale is a beautifully presented cottage with a private hot tub in the gardens and a rear gated parking area, ideal for trailers with canoes, bicycles or other equipment. This single-storey, terraced, whitewashed stone cottage is tucked away along a quiet lane on the owner’s working arable and sheep farm. It has been painstakingly restored and renovated throughout and provides a good standard of accommodation in a peaceful yet accessible location. The large, airy living room looks out across the fields, and there is a spacious, well-equipped kitchen/dining room, with plenty of room for up to six guests. The master bedroom features a super kingsize bed and a wall-mounted TV, and both the double bedroom and the bunk bedroom are superbly presented with colour-coordinated soft furnishings. Exposed stone walls and large canvases of the local area add to the property’s charm. There is a secluded lawned garden with a sandstone patio area that leads down to the feature hot tub, making this an ideal property for couples, honeymooners and families wishing to have a relaxing, pampering holiday.

The picturesque seaside village of Portmahomack is just 1 mile away, with its sweeping sandy beach and stunning mountain backdrop, it is a superb spot to walk, picnic, swim or kayak. There is a small harbour with a pier, ideal for a spot of crabbing or fishing. The village has a good selection of amenities, including a shop, pub and café, as well as a renowned seafood restaurant. A traditional links golf course, Tarbat Golf Club which is open to visitors, is just a short walk away and there are numerous other renowned golf courses in the area including Royal Dornoch and Tain Golf Course which looks across the Dornoch Firth to Dornoch. The region is renowned for its archaeological sites and at the nearby Tarbat Discovery Centre there is a fascinating display of Pict, Norse and Medieval artefacts. Within a 10-minute 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 out of local sandstone, Tain is a charming historic town which offers an excellent selection of small shops, restaurants, cafés and pubs, as well as a wide variety of sporting and recreational facilities. Nearby places of interest include the whisky distillery centre, home of the famous Glenmorangie Distillery where you can take a tour and sample the single malt, the famous Falls of Shin, one of the few places to see salmon leaping close to hand, and the enchanting town of Dornoch, with its magnificent cathedral, sandy beach and championship golf course.

This lovely cottage is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highland region. When you return at the end of the day, relax in the hot tub whilst you drink in the uninterrupted views across the countryside to the sea beyond. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
Sheaf Dale can be booked together with The Paddock (UK5049) and Grieve’s Cottage (UK12250) to accommodate up to 15 guests.

Antfield Farmhouse is a beautiful spacious holiday home near to the shores of Loch Ness. Situated on an amazing plot of land, the farmhouse enjoys panoramic views across pasture to woodland and mountains. The farmhouse still has some original nineteenth century dimensions.

Antfield Farmhouse sleeps ten people in total and is therefore perfect for an extended family, two families or group of friends. On entering the farmhouse, you go through the front porch door, before the large hallway. Off to the left is the main living room with open fire and large Smart TV and enjoys wonderful views of the dramatic landscape, this then leads through to the snug/playroom. To the right of the hallway is a large dining room area which looks out to the front of the house with views. Further down the hallway through a door leads to the double bedroom, then there is another small hall with a separate shower room and toilet. The kitchen has everything you’ll need to cook up a storm for family and friends and then gather round the dining table. Next to kitchen is a utility/games room with pool table and darts leading to the patio and large garden. Back to the hallway, and upstairs you reach the first-floor accommodation consisting of 4 large kingsize bedrooms all en-suite.

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, you will also enjoy looking at a private small grassy paddock with horses and donkeys, but this is not for guests to go in.

Antfield 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 activities 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. Dores beach at Loch Ness shores is only 2 miles from Antfield and main beach 23 miles.

Allt Beag (Gaelic for ’little streams’) is a bright, detached, architect-designed house perched on the edge of Loch Kishorn in the pretty village of Achintraid, in the heart of the north west Highlands. It is set in its own grounds and enjoys stunning views across the sea loch to the hills beyond. The main living area is open-plan, with high vaulted ceilings and a large welcoming wood burner. Sliding patio doors open onto a decked area with picnic table and chairs; a superb spot to sit and drink in the wonderful surroundings. A small snug on the ground floor with a piano and wall-mounted maps of the local area provides a quiet space to relax in and plan the next day’s trip. There are two double bedrooms on the ground floor, one en-suite, and a family bathroom. Stairs lead up to two further bedrooms, with twin and single beds. All bedrooms are attractively presented and possess the same superb views. The rural country gardens surround the house and contain grassy slopes, small ditches and wild flowers and trees, which are a haven for wildlife.
The immediate area is renowned for the wildlife. Otters, eagles, seals and deer are all seen in the locality. There are spectacular views to the Bealach na Bà, one of the highest passes in Britain, whilst a visit to nearby Applecross via this amazing road is a must. There is a wealth of activities available in the area, including climbing, hill walking, cycling, horse riding, sailing and kayaking. Sandy beaches, small coves and beautiful mountain ranges make up the terrain in this remote and wild region. The nearby village of Lochcarron, just 6 miles away, provides a good selection of facilities, including small shops, a pub, cafés and restaurants, as well as a golf course open to visitors. Beach 200 yards. Shop and pub 6 miles, restaurant 2 miles.

Sunrise is a beautifully presented, detached cottage, situated in a stunning location and sitting right on the road of the NC500 route which is one of the top 10 scenic routes in the world. This bright cottage, set in 1½ acre grounds, enjoys commanding views across the sea with the Highland hills beyond. Situated off a small no-through lane, on a hillside, the property offers peace and seclusion, yet is within close proximity to all amenities.
This single-storey property offers a large, well-equipped kitchen/dining room with a large fridge/freezer and a spacious living room with a Swedish wood burner and high picture windows, looking out across the bay to the hills. The large hall boasts a table tennis table, perfect for spending some quality time with family. The double bedroom has its own en-suite, an electric blanket, a pure wool duvet or traditional goose down duvet, and mini toiletries on arrival. For dogs, a welcome tray and dog towels are provided. The garden extends over an acre, and there are some steep banks within the grounds, but it provides the perfect place for letting man’s best friend burn off energy.
Sunrise is situated in the small hamlet of Navidale, with the charming coastal fishing village of Helmsdale just over a mile away. Fishermen can be seen fishing for lobster, crabs and clams along the coast, and visitors can often purchase fresh local shellfish direct from the boats. There are miles of shoreline walks close by, and fossils are regularly found along this particular stretch of coast. Helmsdale has a good selection of restaurants and small shops, as well as a fascinating museum detailing the unusual history of the area, including the 19th century gold rush. There is also a 9-hole golf course in the village and the renowned course of Brora is just 10 minutes’ drive away. Travel north to visit the Castle of Mey, John O’Groats and even the Orkney Isles. Try panning for gold in the Helmsdale river and visit the fairytale castle of Dunrobin. Beach ¼ mile. Shop and restaurant 1½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Fionn Croft Lodge is a contemporary, architect designed, eco-friendly lodge situated in a stunning location on the renowned west coast. This impressive two-storey wooden lodge, with a unique ‘boat-end feature’ is light, airy and spacious, providing a high standard of accommodation in a wonderful setting.
The main living area on the ground floor is open plan with floor to ceiling, triple glazed windows looking out across the 2-acre grounds to the sea beyond. This spacious room is an ideal spot to sit and enjoy the stunning sunsets, and watch for local wildlife. Whales, dolphins, otters and a wide variety of seabirds are seen close by. A large wood burner offers a warm welcoming ambience and also provides the main heating for the house. The kitchen is partially separated just off the dining area. It is extremely well-equipped throughout, with two ovens and even a coffee making machine. There is a double bedroom on the ground floor and a spacious shower room. The main bedroom on the first floor is truly superb. It has floor to ceiling windows looking out across the sea to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides. There is a third twin room and a family sized shower room on this floor too.
The lodge is situated on a small working croft in the remote and pretty hamlet of Melvaig. It is the last habitation on a dramatic road that leads from Gairloch to the Rubha Reidh Lighthouse, following the coast along the way. Three miles along the road ends at the north headland, where there is a lovely walk out from the lighthouse, and the chance to spot rare white tailed eagles and other local wildlife. There is plenty to see and do in the immediate area and for water sports enthusiasts, there is a small slipway in Melvaig to launch kayaks and small crafts. The nearby village of Gairloch, just 15 minutes’ drive away, has a good selection of amenities including shops, restaurants, bars, boat trips, fishing trips, golf course and an interesting local museum. With stunning sandy beaches, hill-walking, sailing, cycling, fishing and wonderful wildlife, Fionn Croft Lodge provides an ideal base for a truly memorable Highland holiday. Beach 100 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 9 miles.