Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Red Kite Cottage is located just six miles north of Inverness and is nestled into the countryside with stunning views down the garden backing onto a small private wooded area. The property has an open plan living area with a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable furnishings throughout. There is a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both served by a family shower room. Outside there is a large decked area with seating for sunny evenings and lazy days. There is a large enclosed lawned garden which is ideal for children and our four legged friends.
The property has easy access to the A9, which makes it a perfect location for exploring the Black Isles and further up into the Northern Highlands. It is within easy reach of the popular village of Fortrose, where you can see the bottlenose dolphins and just a mile further, you can walk on the stunning Rosemarkie beach. Beach 8 miles. Shop 9 miles, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Tom’s Lodge is a fantastic ecologically friendly lodge set within the heart of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. Boasting some of the finest views of the Cairngorm mountain range, the lodge is nestled on the edge of a forest, between Boat of Garten and Carrbridge. Finished to a luxury standard both inside and out, which includes Scandinavian designed furniture, a superb kitchen with top of the range appliances, sumptuous beds and the ultimate in luxury - your very own hot tub with a view to take your breath away. Tom’s Lodge has everything you need for your luxury holiday.
Stepping into the lodge, you will immediately be pulled to the outstanding view from the south facing glass wall. The spacious living area is perfect for entertaining with gorgeous leather sofas, dining table and wood burner. Tom’s Lodge has been cleverly built in such a way that a heating system is not required. Fully insulated with sheep’s wool, the clay walls retain the heat from the wood burner and natural sunlight from the south facing glass room wall.
Upstairs there is a master bedroom with a kingsize bed, a second living room and a balcony from which to admire the views. The living room has flexible living space, with two sofas that can be converted into comfortable single beds. There are also two additional kingsize bedrooms and a further twin bedroom. All bedrooms have Smart TVs, memory foam mattresses, duck down duvets and quality bed linen to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Your four legged friends are also welcome at Tom’s Lodge. There is a fully fenced garden for them to play in, with walks directly from the house as well as bathrobes supplied to snuggle up in when they come home. Tom’s Lodge is ideal for the less mobile, with two ground floor bedrooms along with a downstairs wet room. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

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.

Bonnie Doon is a delightful, semi-detached, one-bedroom, well-located modern cottage within 10min easy walking distance of Aviemore centre via pedestrian path. It is tucked away in a quiet cul de sac and has the Strathspey Steam Railway line to the back of the property and an outlook to the mountains at the front of the property. The rear garden is a good size and reasonably private with barbecue facilities and a bike post. Bonnie Doon has a well-equipped kitchen, Smart TV and good-sized bathroom. There is a travel cot available for couples with an infant, and your dog is very welcome too!
Bonnie Doon really is the ideal base for couples who enjoy relaxing, cycling, walking and snowsports. It is a brilliant all year-round holidayvenue and a cosy base to return to after a day in the outdoors. Aviemore isset in the hub for the stunning Cairngorms National Park, and you are ideally located for setting off to the mountains where a host of adventure awaits you whether you visit in the summer or winter. Hiking, mountain biking and fishing are popular in the summer, and come winter you can pursue the best skiing, snowboarding and winter walking in the UK. Being in Aviemore means you have extensive amenities and also gives you a great opportunity to explore other places in the area. Visit the charming neighbouring villages of Carrbridge, Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge, and continue to see the Speyside distilleries. You could also explore this area on foot by walking the Speyside Way, or hopping on and off the steam railway.

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.

West cottage is situated just outside the village of Freuchie between the historic county town of Cupar and a larger new town of Glenrothes.
This charming ‘home away from home’ is the ideal base to explore the wonders of the beautiful Kingdom of Fife. This 3-bedroom cottage is ideal for families, couples and small groups and will sleep 6 people comfortably across 3 double bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and there is a family bathroom off the main hall serving the rest of the property. The spacious living space includes a living/dining room and a second garden living room with a sunny western position. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances and everything you’ll need for the few meals you’ll likely be preparing due to the number of fabulous restaurants, pubs and cafes nearby. There is parking for 3 cars and a lovely garden area outside.
The space outside is a wonderful spot to enjoy the world going by, the view and a flavour of the peace and quiet that only such tranquil areas can offer. Situated not far from the main North/South arterial motorway, the M90, West Cottage is exceptionally well located, allowing relatively easy access to county’s many attractions. Glasgow to the west will take just over an hour, Edinburgh and Dundee will take less than an hour as will the famous St Andrews with one of the UK’s finest beaches and of course the Home of Golf.

Arriving at the property on the outskirts of Aviemore, there’s ample parking for three cars. Rowan Cottage is situated in a lovely position, slightly elevated from other properties, meaning there’s an excellent view of the magnificent Cairngorms.
Entering via the front door there is a small boot room. The spacious and inviting living room awaits with wood burner. Through the living room the dining room and conservatory are located. The conservatory soaks up both the sun and the best views of the mountains with the ski runs visible. From the dining room is the good sized kitchen. It also has a large utility room attached to it with a door to the enclosed garden, which is perfect for dogs to come in and out of. The bedrooms are all en-suite and have TVs. There’s a double and twin both with en-suite shower rooms, and the master bedroom has a bath as well as shower.
Rowan Cottage is a very large detached property and would suit a family or friends who want to get out exploring in the countryside. There are trails at every turn, skiing at the right time of year not far away, plenty of water sport opportunities, and fishing galore on the nearby Spey river. Thankfully there’s equipment storage available to guests to use with space for multiple bicycles and even a canoe or two.
Aviemore is possibly one of the best locations for a Scottish Highlands holiday and adventure at any time of the year. The town and area transforms between summer and winter, from pure adventure capital to alpine town in the winter. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

This stunning detached barn has a large space for parking (4 cars). Upon entering the property through the main door, you have a useful heated vestibule area for boots, coats and drying kit. This leads you through to the large open plan living space, which is a fantastic area with its triple aspect windows and views over the surrounding Highland countryside. The comfy sofas, beautiful views, wide-screen TV and wood burner all combine to create a truly wonderful living area. From here the hallway leads to the two bedrooms and bathroom. The master bedroom is very generously sized and both bedrooms enjoy flexible zip and link beds (superking/twin), fitted wardrobes and far-reaching views over the countryside. Outside there’s a large, private decking area that is accessible from the open plan living space. It’s a lovely spot to relax and have a drink at the end of a long day out exploring the Northern Highlands (remember your binoculars - the bird life is fantastic!). There is an enclosed garden beyond the decking which is a great space for your dogs.
Being on the outskirts of Lairg (1¾ miles away) means you are close to the local amenities- restaurants, shops, petrol station, visitor centre- and yet you can still enjoy that rare commodity in the Highlands of being able to walk home afterwards - in this case, through the beautiful countryside.
Reaching Lairg is an adventure; you’ve made it to the far north, and the ’Crossroads of the Highlands’. In the immediate area you can enjoy the history and Neolithic archaeology of Lairg, tours of Balblair Distillery, salmon leaping at the Falls of Shin, otter watching at Bonar Bridge, bird watching from the decking, and the award-winning sandy beaches at Golspie and Dornoch. For those feeling more active, within 45 minutes’ drive there are red, blue and black mountain biking runs; amazing road cycling; angling in river, loch and estuary (including the famous salmon on Carron, Oykel and Cassley); sailing, hill walking and six golf courses including the world class Royal Dornoch. Taking a step further out, you can access the stunning mountains of Assynt and the North West Highlands Geopark to the West; the vast expanse of wilderness and Orkney to the North; the Pictish trail and more amazing beaches to the East and you can easily link up with different sections of the famous North Coast 500 touring road from your base in beautiful Lairg.
Amazingly, the property is only 1¼ hours drive from Inverness Airport - really convenient.

What a fantastic little bungalow, perfect for a romantic coastal break, situated back from the Tayport marina with wonderful views from the living room over all the boats moored there. Watch the comings and goings of this vibrant harbour while having your morning coffee, either from the living room or step outside through the patio doors onto the enclosed sitting out area at the front overlooking the harbour.
The property is tastefully decorated throughout and has everything you could wish for in a restful break away. A very well-equipped kitchen, living room with patio doors, bathroom with shower over bath and double bedroom, are all very comfortably furnished, while at the rear of the property is a little patio area with table and chairs and cycle store.
This is a superb area for cycling with dedicated pathways running all along the coast towards St Andrews, renowned of course for being the Home of Golf. There are many courses apart from the Royal and Ancient, with Scotscraig just a 5-minute drive away, 13th oldest course in the world! The fine sands at Tentsmuir Nature Reserve are wonderful for walking, with the forest behind, interspersed with lots of trails through mixed woodland and a wonderful sandy beach. Enjoy a tour at one of Fife’s newest craft distilleries, Tayport Distillery, who make flavoured gin, vodka and eau de vie, or back over the famous Tay Bridge, the cosmopolitan city of Dundee awaits, with the RSS Discovery, the V & A and plenty of boutique shops and eateries for you to enjoy. This is a perfect year-round destination. Beach 7 miles.

Borlum House Farm in Reay on the far north coast of Scotland is a brilliant location to be based for a memorable short break or longer holiday. The restored early 18th century farmhouse and buildings are surrounded by highland cows, lambs and chickens. The Annex is a converted barn attached to the farmhouse that was originally maid quarters.
The farm was originally part of the Sandside Estate which was owned at one time by Mr Pilkington of Pilkington Glass. Records date back to 1729 and it is known that the farm was a sheep farm with dairy for cheese-making. Situated in an enviable spot up the hill from Reay and overlooking the magnificent north coast of Scotland right out to sea, arriving at The Annex you’ll be delighted with the location you’ve picked for your holiday.
Just off the NC500 that goes through Reay, Borlum House Farm is perfectly placed as a base to explore the far north coast. As well as Sandside Bay Beach with Fresgoe Harbour, just down from Reay, and Reay’s fantastic links golf course, there’s so much to see and do that the NC500 touring route will help you reach.
Other amazing beaches nearby include Melvich and Strathy, which are loved by surfers. Historic Thurso is nearby and so too is the ferry port for trips over to Orkney, a great day-trip from Borlum House Farm. Beyond Thurso you must visit Dunnet Head, the Castle of Mey, John O’Groats and Duncansby Stacks. To be honest, the list of amazing places to see goes on and on, and alas we can’t feature all here. But be certain that there’s so much to do during your stay at Borlum House Farm.
The accommodations are finished to a high standard. Both cottages include a kingsize double bedroom with en-suite double shower cubicle. Highland Soap products and lovely bathrobes are provided. The open-plan living/dining/kitchen space is great, complete with Smart TV and woodburning stove. Outside each property there is a private and enclosed garden as well the freedom to explore the grounds of the farm and meet the animals. There’s also a firepit and BBQ Grill shared with each cottage at the farm. Beach 1½ miles. Pub and restaurant 6 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 4 guests.