Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Enjoying a secluded, yet easily accessible location, this cosy former crofter’s cottage has been sympathetically renovated to provide stylish accommodation. In the garden is a fabulous Finnish Grillikota (BBQ hut) where barbecue cooking can be enjoyed all year round - just the place for that special meal. Only 2 miles from Broadford and 4 miles from the Skye bridge, this detached holiday cottage is ideally placed for touring the mystical Isle of Skye and the west coast. Armadale Castle and the towns of Portree and Dunvegan are recommended. Superb area for kayaking and many other water sports, mountain biking, climbing and relaxing. Shops and pubs 2 miles.

This attractive, single-storey holiday cottage was formerly the forester’s cottage on a Highland country estate. Situated close to a hamlet it provides attractive accommodation in a quiet setting. There are woodland and riverside walks leading down to the shores of the Cromarty Firth, home of a large colony of seals. Easy access to the Black Isle with its pretty fishing villages and attractive coastline. Golf is only 5½ miles away and you will also find fishing, hill walking, mountain biking and numerous water sports all available in the area.

This charming, spacious, attractive, well furnished and equipped holiday cottage enjoys a rural location and is in a large enclosed garden, with adjoining woods. It is conveniently located 4 miles from Nairn, which has miles of sandy beaches, 2 championship golf courses, bowling, tennis and shops; and ½ hour drive from Inverness. Close to Cairngorms with skiing, mountain railway, mountain biking and superb walking and climbing. Cawdor, 1 mile away, is a conservation village with quaint houses, PO and a tavern. Horse riding can also be found 1 mile away. Adjacent is the castle with gardens and grounds, which are open in the summer. Shop and pub 1 mile.

The Ivy Wing and The Cottage are situated in the courtyard of Barrock House, and surrounded by landscaped grounds and mature woodland. This provides shelter for an abundance of bird and wild life with pleasant walks close at hand and the scenic beaches of Sinclair and Dunnet Bay are just 5 minutes by car. The Cottage makes the perfect base for touring this unspoilt and tranquil part of the Highlands. Visit the Castle and Gardens of Mey, the Queen Mother’s Highland home, John O’Groats, Wick Heritage and Lyth Arts Centre, or take a wildlife or distillery tour. Golfing, fishing, sea trips or walking along the many miles of rugged coastline are just some of the many activities available. Lyth is situated just 10 miles north of Wick and 15 miles from Thurso, making the beautiful Orkney Isles easily accessible by car ferry for day trips. Both properties can be booked together for larger groups (ref’s W42082 and W42083). Shop, pub and restaurant 4.5 miles.

Situated on a promontory and enjoying spectacular sea views, Ethel’s House is a detached stone cottage set in its own garden, adjacent to a working croft. Much loved by its original family, this traditional stone cottage was painstakingly moved stone by stone to a higher vantage point in the village of Armadale on the far north-west coast of Scotland. The current owners have completely renovated this charming cottage and it now provides a good standard of accommodation in a truly superb setting.
Entering through the pretty patio gardens that look out across the sea, a hallway leads through to the main accommodation. There is a delightful living room with leather sofa suite and a cosy wood burner. The kitchen/dining room is extremely well-equipped with contemporary built-in units and a good sized solid wood dining table. All the windows look out across the bay. There is a large shower room on this floor. Upstairs there are three very attractively decorated and furnished bedrooms. Skylight windows ensure that visitors can encounter the dramatic sunrises and sunsets afforded by the clear unpolluted skies in this part of the Highlands (and for those who prefer, black out blinds are built-in too!). The cottage has oak flooring on the ground floor, high quality wool carpeting in the bedrooms and underfloor heating throughout.
Situated just off the renowned North Coast 500 route, in the quiet hamlet of Armadale, this cottage is ideal for visitors wishing to explore this totally unspoilt area. Sea otters are regularly spotted on the shoreline below the cottage and whales, basking sharks, porpoises and seals all frequent the local waters. There are superb walks direct from the cottage and numerous outdoor activities close by, including kayaking, sailing, hill walking, fishing, surfing, golf and plenty of archaeological sites and historic places of interest. In winter months it is often possible to see the Northern Lights from the cottage garden. The nearby villages of Melvich and Bettyhill, both within 10 minutes’ drive, have a good selection of amenities, including pub, restaurant, café and a small local shop. The beaches along this coastline are renowned for their wide sandy bays with high sand dunes, and spectacular mountain backdrops. Beach ½ mile. Shop 7 miles, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Bydand Cottage is a traditional detached stone croft cottage situated in a quiet hamlet and enjoys superb uninterrupted sea views. Forming part of a working croft, this pretty cottage has been in the same family for over 100 years. Set back from the lane, the cottage is entered through the pretty tended gardens which overlook the spectacular sweeping bay below. The cosy living room has the same wonderful views. The bright kitchen/dining room looks out across the generously proportioned back garden. Fully fenced, it is ideal for children and the family dog. There are three good sized bedrooms, providing plenty of space for up to 5 people. A large family bathroom on the ground floor completes the picture.
Whilst rural, the small hamlet of Melness has good facilities, with a thriving country pub just a short stroll from the cottage and a good local store ½ a mile along the lane. The nearby town of Tongue has a larger selection of amenities and facilities including a general store, bars, restaurants and craft shops. The immediate area is renowned for its spectacular scenery, with the mountains of Ben Hope and Loyal, numerous sandy beaches and wonderful hill and coastal walks direct from the cottage. The region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. For sailors and kayakers, there is a slipway and harbour close to the cottage. Horse riding is available at nearby Torrisdale sands. The area is also renowned for its loch, river and sea fishing. Permits are available locally for salmon, sea trout and brown trout and boats are also available to hire. There are a number of excellent golf courses within easy reach, including Durness and Reay. Beach ¼ mile. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Wester Lonemore is a large, south facing cottage with wonderful views across the Dornoch Sands. This single-storey cottage enjoys a superb setting, with incredible and far-reaching views across the sea to the hills beyond. There has been a new Air Source Heat Pump central heating system added for a greener heating solution. A large entrance porch provides plenty of space for sporting and outdoor gear. The door from here leads into the main living area. This horse-shoe shaped room is set around a warm, welcoming and original open fireplace. Large picture windows drink in the seascape and ever-changing views of skies and sunrises. The kitchen/dining area is bright and modern, with feature Rangemaster cooker and all modern appliances. There are three bedrooms, all attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. The lovely sun room provides an ideal spot to sit and watch the myriad of wildlife that frequent the gardens and its surroundings. A large pond attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife. A modern family bathroom completes the picture.

The country gardens are a real feature of the cottage, attracting many rare and unusual species, including goldfinch, curlews, oyster catchers and lapwings. Rare osprey and red kite are seen close by and deer can be spotted from the windows. It is just a short 500 yard walk from the cottage down to the secluded sandy bay of Dornoch Sands. The charming seaside village of Dornoch is just 3 miles away. Here there is an excellent selection of high quality independent shops as well as restaurants, cafés and bars. Set around the 15th-century sandstone cathedral, Dornoch is a delightful village to meander and explore. It is also home to the world famous Royal Dornoch natural links golf course. There are six more courses within a 20-minute drive. The sandy beaches of Dornoch and Embo are also popular with visitors and locals alike. Wester Lonemore is ideally located for exploring the very best of the Highlands and is just a few minutes from the renowned North Coast 500 route. Beach 500 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

A beautiful stone cottage based in Skerray, Scotland. Perfect for the North Coast 500. WiFi. Country views. Enclosed garden. Bettyhill 6.4 miles; Tongue 7.5 miles.

Cuckoo’s Nest is a comfortable detached family holiday home on a croft, set beside the shores of Loch Ewe. It’s the perfect Highland retreat on Scotland’s wild west coast away from modern life, where you can truly switch off and relax. The accommodation provides a very comfortable place to spend a week or short break if touring the North Coast 500. Comfortably sleeping 5 adults, this three bedroom cottage also has the option of a cot for a younger visitor. The living room is a great space for a family, with a wall-mounted TV and centrally placed open fire. There’s a selection of board games for those hard to miss wet days of the west coast, and a huge window to watch the ever changing weather across the loch. In the kitchen you will find all modern conveniences, including an induction hob and cooker, microwave and even a slow cooker for those days when you’re out exploring the local area. The dining area in the kitchen has a large family table with ample space for 5 and a younger one in a highchair. There is a useful utility room off of the kitchen perfect for muddy feet and paws. There are three good sized bedrooms, with the master having a kingsize bed, a second bedroom with a double and the third with a single. The bathroom has a wonderful large drench shower and a bath.
From the front door there are walks aplenty, and only a short stroll away, there is a bay and slipway where you can launch kayaks from to go wildlife watching in Loch Ewe. You’ll have a good chance of seeing otters and seals, as well as harbour porpoises and possibly dolphins. The fishing is fantastic too, and from the slipway you’ll be able to catch mackerel for supper if you wish. Also, if you have your own boat and trailer, you can launch from this slipway. Beyond Cove you will find remains of WW2 bunkers used to protect the entrance of the deep sea loch which was a safe harbour for Russian convoy submarines, you can find out more about the history in the Russian Convoy museum in Aultbea.
There is an outstanding local red-hued sandy beach only one mile from the house called Firemore Beach. Poolewe is only 8 miles away with its shops and places to eat, as well as local market every Tuesday between April and October. Inverewe Gardens sits on the shores of Loch Ewe in Poolewe and Gairloch is only 8 miles further away, plus the magical landscape of Wester Ross is at your disposal to explore. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 8 miles.

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.