Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Curin Cottage is a traditional Highland cottage, nestled in the stunning glen of Strathconon. The cottage has an enclosed, private garden offering idyllic views of the surrounding native woodland and craggy hills on the valley sides beyond. The glen has a tranquil atmosphere and feeling of remoteness, despite being within a 45 minute drive of Inverness, the Highland capital. Each season brings its own beauty; heather clad hills, meandering rivers, multiple lochs, roaring stags in the autumn and an abundance of wildlife. Osprey and golden eagles are often seen from the valley, pine marten are frequent garden visitors, and sightings of red deer a regular occurrence. Due to the lack of light pollution in the glen, it means you can enjoy breath-taking clear night skies.
The cottage is very well presented and offers guests a good level of comfort throughout. It is a truly relaxing home-from-home. There is a spacious, open plan living and dining area with a wood burner, as well as a fitted kitchen with a good level of appliances. The ground floor also has a double bedroom and bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower. On the first floor you will find two lovely bedrooms, a twin and a small double, with dormer windows looking up the valley sides.
Strathconon itself provides many attractions with its beautiful Highland scenery, untouched wilderness and access to the hills. There are many routes to stroll (some straight from your front door), places to picnic, trails to bike and rivers and lochs to swim, boat on, or launch a kayak. Boats and fishing permits are available for visitors from the Loch Achonochie Angling Club.
The cottage is ideally located as a base from which to explore the Scottish Highlands. Daytrips to the west coast might include the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Gairloch or Ullapool. Glen Affric, Loch Ness and Aviemore are a few of the many other places that can be visited. The closest restaurant, renowned for its delicious food and relaxing bar, is in Contin, just over 7 miles distant. Provisions can be bought from the shop in Contin, or in the nearby Victorian Spa village of Strathpeffer.
There are plenty of historic sites within striking distance, such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George, Cawdor Castle and numerous stone circles. Dolphins are frequently seen in the Moray Firth, the best spotting location being Chanonry Point by Fortrose, or via dolphin watching boat trips. In the Scottish Highlands, an idyllic golf course is never far away! Shop and pub 10 miles and restaurant 7 miles.

Located in the small settlement of Camas Inas a few miles west from Salen, The Steading has the most glorious situation with its own beach fronting and fabulous views across Loch Sunart. There isn’t a jetty or slip here, but you can get your boat down across the stones and into the water. There are also moorings in the bay if you arrive by boat. It really is a superb spot to take the kayaks, or your boat and explore the miles of deserted coastline, or even nip round to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a bite to eat (only 30 minutes by speedboat!). There’s wildlife all around with dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters all regular visitors to your very own bay. The wildlife doesn’t stop there, you’ll see many species visiting the garden, red deer and pine martens feed in the garden and there is a most amazing array of birdlife, including golden and sea eagles.
The garden is large and runs right down to your own beach. There is a lovely patio area by the house and lots of mature flower beds and lawn for children and pets to explore. A highlight though is a wee footpath that leads off to the south-western edge of the plot, and you traverse a boardwalk to reach a promontory where there is a spectacular seating-area, it most be one of the best pre-dinner drink spots in Scotland, just mountains and sea with all the wildlife to spot.
Entering the property through the patio doors you come into the open plan living/dining/kitchen space, with the living and dining area having floor to ceiling windows with extraordinary views and also with a large wood burner and TV. The kitchen area has an enormous island and everything you want and need to cook up meals to suit any occasion. Off the kitchen there is a drying room and utility space, through which there is a great gym room with views of the loch. The master double bedroom with en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bath and walk-in shower and the view from the bath is very special. The master bedroom also has a private balcony with chairs to soak up the setting at any time of the day. There are another two bedrooms, a double room and twin room, as well as a beautiful walk-in shower room.
The Steading is a fantastic holiday home that upon arrival you will not want to leave, it’s a great house for families, groups of friends and especially those with dogs as it is a luxury property that is also very dog friendly. Close to the property you have some interesting places to visit including the local Ardnamurchan distillery and famous lighthouse at the UK mainland’s most westerly point. The peninsula has many deserted beaches to explore, mountains to climb, and lochs to swim and fish. It’s a truly untouched area that you will want to keep exploring. Beach 100 yards. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 6 miles.

This charming and spacious one bedroom ground floor cottage is located in the peaceful village of Ladybank, just 5 minutes’ drive from the bustling town of Cupar. Walking distance to the local pub, cafe, and shops. Home to Ladybank Golf Club, an 18-hole heathland course of Championship status. Ladybank has a railway station which is said to be the oldest unaltered station in Scotland. Surrounded by the beautiful Scottish countryside, impressive Fife Coast with its many picturesque little fishing villages dotted here and there, Hollybank is within easy reach of St Andrews and Edinburgh
You will love staying and relaxing in this welcoming cottage. When you stay at Hollybank we will come in through the small patio garden and little sunroom. You enter into a large living room leading to a bright galley style kitchen yet fully equipped. The bedroom is large and airy with an en-suite. Along the hall is the WC and a door leading out to a communal path directing you to your own little private garden, set in a communal area. Bring your books, your walking boots and don’t forget your dog and enjoy your holidays!

Willow Lodge is located just 3 miles from the village of Muir of Ord, in a rural position on the edge of a croft. The property has been designed to make the most of the location and maximise the stunning views from all the main rooms. An enclosed private deck wraps around the lodge with comfortable seating for a family of six. The main living area is open plan and contemporary with industrial light fittings, a 50 inch wall mounted Smart TV and a very well equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar. The seating is arranged to take in the views with French doors to the decking. The master bedroom also has French doors and a luxury en-suite shower room. There is another double bedroom and a twin bedroom, both having French doors. These are served by a stunning wet room which is also suitable for wheelchair users. Willow Lodge is dog friendly and will provide an ideal base for walking and exploring the stunning Black Isles.
Inverness, the highland capital, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and the beautiful coastal villages of the Moray Coast are all within a short drive. Local activities include mountain biking, golf, fishing, horse riding, walking and hill climbing to name just a few. Take a day trip to the lovely Isle of Skye and the scenic west coast or travel further north and explore the many unspoilt beaches and coastal inlets of Caithness and Sutherland. Beach 26½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Bruiach Cottage is set in a quiet corner of the pretty village of Newtonmore. The accommodation is spacious and comfortably sleeps four guests. A large open plan living space has a dining area and a well equipped kitchen. The secluded back garden is peaceful and, although shared with the owner who lives on-site, your private area is a perfect place to sit in a morning and take in the warm sunshine, or in an evening around the firepit and plan your next day’s adventures.
Newtonmore centre is just a short and easy walk away, where you have excellent pubs, restaurants, shops, Wild Cat trail and the award winning Highland Folk Museum. The main attraction to this area are outdoor pursuits like golf, water sports, wild swimming, cycling, hiking and fishing. Aviemore is just a 15-minute drive, with skiing and numerous outdoor specialist shops. Newtonmore golf club is just 100 yards away, and further afield are the more famous courses, such as Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch and Gleneagles.
Centrally located in the Highlands, you are not far from most places of interest including, The West and Moray Coasts, Inverness for Loch Ness, Fort William for Harry Potter fans and Speyside distilleries for the Whisky tour, starting off at the nearest, just 15-minutes away at Dalwhinnie. A stay at Bruiach Cottage could not be any more central for everything to make a memorable stay for all age groups. Shop, pub and restaurant 250 yards.

Not far from Inverness, tucked away up beautiful Strathnairn is the lovely cottage for two Farr Out. Set on the Farr Estate with amazing Highland scenery all around, it’s a great place to base yourself for exploring near and far. Recently refurbished in 2022, Farr Out offers a high standard of holiday accommodation. Entering through the front door into the hallway there is an open plan living/kitchen/dining area to the left and the double bedroom and bathroom off to the right. The open plan living space is spacious for two people and has everything you would want when back from days out exploring the local area. The bedroom is very comfortable and the bathroom has a large shower. Outside of the property there is a patio with garden furniture, and only a few yards away there are some unusual but inquisitive neighbours, a group of llamas.
Farr Out is tucked away in a converted old steading on the Farr Estate and is set in a lovely rural location. It feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle that most of us are used to. However, it’s only 20 minutes out of charming Inverness, so in a way you have the best of both worlds staying at Farr Out, country and city living, in one holiday. Another advantage of being close to Inverness is that you’re near to famous touring routes like the North Coast 500 which starts and finishes in the city. However, if you don’t want to venture too far you don’t have to because there’s so much to see and do close by. You can cycle, hike and fish from the cottage on the estate. There are routes up onto the estate moors that you’re welcome to explore. Loch Farr which is situated on the estate is available for fly fishing free of charge (rowing boats are provided for fishing). The road that runs through Farr is a celebrated route to Fort Augustus, and it has been rated as one of the most scenic in Scotland. It was used in the iconic film ’Local Hero’ as well and there are many minor roads off it that journey down to the south side of Loch Ness, which is surprisingly close to Farr Out, another amazing benefit to staying at this lovely property.

Stag’s Hide is the perfect year-round base to explore the beautiful Highlands surroundings and reconnect with nature. Surrounded by woodland and grazing pasture, your neighbours are likely to be the pheasants, squirrels or deer. And after the initial astonishment and wonder of your first sighting, by the end of your stay you’ll be so used to seeing the majestic deer frolicking nearby.
Dating back to 1909 when it was built for the gamekeeper of the Kinrara Estate, Stag’s Hide now combines the very best of old and new. The interior reflects a simple Scandi style, with plenty of wood and natural textiles, creating a calming environment in keeping with a slower pace of life. Indoors you can put your feet up and relax in the warm glow of the Squirrel log burner that’s at the heart of the open plan living, dining and kitchen area. The traditional log burner gives the room a cosy, timeless feel. It’s also great for drying out your boots. The ‘old’ is perfectly complemented by the ‘new’, with state of the art Sonos speakers, a Smart TV and a stylish, modern fitted kitchen. Although compact, the cottage offers everything a family or small group could need.
There are two luxury double bedrooms, both with king-size beds. Actually one of the beds is a super-king which can be separated into twin beds, depending on the needs of your group. Both bedrooms have double aspect windows and Smart TVs, a contemporary wet room with rainfall shower and a heated storage cupboard for any outdoor clothing. You may choose to digitally detox during your stay. But if you do need to stay connected, the cottage comes fully equipped with Smart TVs and free Wi-Fi. A more traditional detox may prove trickier!
The Kinrara distillery is only a short walk away and there’s a choice of local breweries and distilleries, all within a few minutes drive. It doesn’t matter when you visit, Stag’s Hide will be the perfect base for your trip. In winter you can see the Cairngorm ski runs from the door, with the Mountain Centre lifts only a short drive away. In spring and summer, there’s plenty to explore, with the centre of Aviemore a brisk 20-minute walk away. Keen cyclists will do it in 8…
There are plenty of walks for all ages and all abilities. General Wade’s Old Military Trail runs past the cottage and there’s a pleasant 20-minute walk to the shores of picturesque Loch Alvie. The more daring in your group may choose to hurtle through the pine forest on a zipwire at the nearby Zip Trek Adventure Park!! Whatever you choose to do, Stag’s Hide is the ideal base to explore this stunning part of Scotland. Whether you visit in the spring, summer, autumn or winter, the cottage has everything you need to create memories.

Hazelgrove is a characterful holiday home on the south side of Loch Ness in the small village of Inverfarigaig near Foyers. It’s perched in a spectacular spot with views out over the Loch. Hazelgrove is a magical place to spend a week or two with the entire family. The south side of Loch Ness is arguably the more attractive and certainly much quieter. Along General Wade’s 18th century military road from Inverness you will reach the dramatic little village of Inverfarigaig. The rushing waters of the River Farigaig run through the village and there are numerous trails heading off to explore the surrounding forests and lochs. The South Loch Ness Trail is worth exploring and so too is The Trail of the 7 Lochs, both easily accessible from Inverfarigaig.
Beyond the River Farigaig you soon see Hazelgrove’s sign on the left. The cottage is perched up on the left but within a short stroll of the loch side. Walking up to the timber clad Hazelgrove through mature enclosed gardens you’ll be chuffed with your decision to pick this property for your holiday. You rise up to the cottage’s veranda and Loch Ness dominates the view – it’s spectacular! The rocking chair on the veranda is a nice touch as sitting in this spot is truly good for the soul. Into the property and the vestibule leads into the open-plan living/dining space which makes the most of the view of Loch Ness. There’s an incredible stone fireplace framing the woodburning stove. The kitchen is beyond this space and is well-equipped, including an Aga in addition to an electric oven and hob. Out to the back of Hazelgrove next to the kitchen is a utility room with a washing machine, overhead clothes airer and ironing facilities, and a boot room with access to the wrap-around garden. On the other side of the house are the three bedrooms, two doubles and a single, as well as the family bathroom. All views from the bedrooms are of the garden and surrounding forest making them perfect places to rest and recharge. The outside of Hazelgrove is special. Nestled beneath the trees of the Farigaig forest where red squirrels and pine martens can be spotted, the mature garden is fully enclosed for dogs to run around at will. There’s an even better view from the top of the plot to the rear of the property. There’s a patio with garden furniture for visitors to sit out late in the evening to watch the sunset over Loch Ness. It’s a very special place to spend time.
Hazelgrove is also an excellent base from which to explore the Highlands. Foyers is a great village a short way away with a amazing waterfalls and places to eat and drink. Beyond Foyers the south side of Loch Ness with its network of lanes and trails is brilliant to explore. Fort Augustus isn’t far away and Fort William beyond isn’t a long drive. Inverness is less than thirty minutes drive away, so you’re well connected at Hazelgrove. You can get to Ben Nevis, the Isle of Skye, the Black Isle and the Cairngorms National Park easily from Hazelgrove, but many people will simply want to just stay put by the Loch and enjoy keeping an eye out for Nessie!

This charming three-bedroom bungalow is a refurbished family croft house, and the perfect base for active families or groups of friends to relax after a busy day out and about.
As you enter through the porch, you arrive firstly into the large kitchen area which comes fully equipped with everything you’d need during your stay. There is a dining table for everyone to enjoy their meals together, and enjoy the beautiful views over the nearby mountains and golf course. Set on the one level, the living room is next door, and offers a nice space to relax after a busy day’s activities and the bedrooms are further down the hallway, next to the family bathroom.
Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness, and with the Caledonian Canal running through the village to Loch Ness, Fort Augustus is a wonderful place to relax. Watch the boats go through the locks, with many places to eat and drink and shop. There’s plenty to do locally, exploring the Great Glen Way walking trail and Great Glen Canoe Trail, boat trips on Loch Ness, a Golf Club, you can discover history at the interactive heritage centre and spend some time Loch Ness monster hunting! You won’t be disappointed with this picturesque village destination, whatever you do, the shores of Loch ness are simply stunning whatever time of year you choose to stroll along them; and it’s the perfect location to explore the rest of the Highlands.
Just over an hour’s drive along one of the most beautiful roads in Scotland is the Isle of Skye. There is loads to see on the way, such as Eileen Donan Castle, the coastal village Plockton, and a stop off at Applecross Inn. Fort William, the outdoor capital of the Highlands and the beautiful city of Inverness and, are both just a 45-minute drive away. Perfect for all ages and interests, Westerdale offers groups a home from home to explore this spectacular part of Scotland.

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.