Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Cruives Lodge is located in a quiet location on the banks of the River Beauly and is perfect for a large family holiday, with every room providing ample space for everyone to enjoy. Walking through the front door takes you into a spacious reception area, directly in front of you is large living room with comfy sofas, TV and patio door out to the garden with its breath-taking views and sounds of the river.
The huge dining room features a large table with 18 dining chairs, and boasts amazing views of the river. Through the hall is the fully equipped kitchen, with centre island and Range master cooker. There is a large rod and boot room for drying coats and footwear after a busy day exploring the area. Leading off from here is a utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer, alongside a small cloakroom.
The property boasts six spacious double bedrooms, five of which have their own en-suite (an en-suite bedroom is located on the ground floor, ideal for those with mobility issues). The sixth bedroom is located next to the family bathroom.
Outside there is parking for six vehicles and to the front of the property is a seating area with table and chairs and a brick barbecue. The property has direct access on to the river with no secure barriers, so please be aware of this if your booking includes young children.
Cruives Lodge is located approximately 1 mile from the village of Beauly, which has a selection of local shops including a butchers and bakery, cafés, restaurants and bars. There are many lovely walks in the area, and you can take in the beautiful scenery directly from the lodge. Inverness City is 20 minutes away and offers something for everyone. There are four golf courses nearby, one of which is Castle Stuart which has hosted The Scottish Open. Enjoy fishing in the River Ness, visit the Eden Court Theatre, take in a film at the cinema, or spend a day at the trampoline park or the Aquadome.
Why not book a boat trip up Loch Ness and experience the scenery, visit Urquhart Castle and maybe spot Nessie, the infamous Loch Ness Monster? Cruives Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore the local area and then relax in beautiful surroundings in the evening. The lodge and its location will not disappoint as your base for your holiday in the Highlands.

Sleeping up to six guests, Broom Cottage is a traditional 1900s sleeper-built cottage with wonderful walking and biking trails right on the doorstep.
Perfect for families and outdoor adventurers, the Cairngorms National Park offers incredible landscapes and wildlife. Hike up nearby Ben Macdui or visit the Highland Wildlife Park and the Highland Folk Museum. Head to the water-sports hubs of Loch Insh or beautiful sandy Loch Morlich, where you can enjoy sailing, canoeing, paddle-boarding and windsurfing - with tuition available if required.
Grab your clubs for a game of golf in Newtonmore, visit the swimming pool or catch a game of shinty! And you won’t want to miss the Newtonmore Highland Games in August, or the Hogmanay fireworks and torchlit procession! Nip along the road to Kingussie for its golf club, its shops, the remains of Ruthven Barracks or a Highland adventure by horseback.
A snowsports hub, Aviemore sits about 16 miles north, hosting a historic ceremonial stone circle, the Strathspey Steam Railway, the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve....and of course the Cairngorms ski resort! Fort William, Inverness and Ben Nevis are also within easy reach! This area offers so much for the visitor, so whether you choose to ski, walk, cycle, birdwatch or simply relax, you will enjoy your holiday and most certainly love this cottage. This is an excellent base for family holidays, with so much to see and do nearby.

Enjoying a peaceful setting within the small hamlet of Duthil, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Strathspey Lodge commands stunning views across open countryside and on towards the Cairngorm mountain range. This beautifully presented detached house has been tastefully finished with bespoke furniture and local artwork. The property offers a stylish and cosy luxury retreat, while also providing all the benefits of modern open plan family living. This is the perfect choice for families or couples looking to enjoy a luxury holiday in an area renowned for its scenic beauty. This part of the National Park boasts a superb range of shops, restaurants and bars, along with a variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, golf, horse riding, fishing, mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking, and an array of watersports on Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey. Try zip lining, zorbing and perhaps a Segway trip, all really good fun for the family. Take a trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway or enjoy panoramic views from the top of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, the Highland Wildlife Park and Scotland’s National Outdoor Centre at Glenmore Lodge are all within easy reach. Aviemore, the year round outdoor hub of the Cairngorms, is only 15 minutes away at the head of the Speyside Way.
Only 2 miles away is the village of Carrbridge with its historic packhorse bridge. Here you can enjoy a fun-filled day out for all ages at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park, or soak up the Highland atmosphere at the local pub or cafe. Pick up essentials or find an array of locally made gifts and crafts at one of Carrbridge’s various shops and galleries. Just a mile up the road from Strathspey Lodge is the well regarded MacDonald Country Club, which welcomes visitors to use both its leisure and dining facilities.
The area is blessed with numerous stunning golf courses including Spey Valley, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey and Carrbridge. Further afield, world famous courses such as Nairn, Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart Golf Course are all accessible for a day trip. From Strathspey Lodge, visit Loch Ness, the beautiful west coast, the Isle of Skye or the Orkney Islands. The Moray Firth coastline is peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches, where you may catch sight of their famous bottlenose dolphins - this area was voted in the ‘top 20 best coastline destinations in the world’. Also in Moray, you can visit whisky distilleries on the malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind! Strathspey Lodge is a place where wonderful memories will be made, and really does provide a superb base from which to explore the many delights this area has to offer. For the less energetic, sit back and relax in front of the wood burner and soak in the ever changing vistas. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Beech House is situated in one of the most idyllic and unique locations in the Scottish Highlands, with wide and awe-inspiring views across the Great Glen to the North face of Ben Nevis, which dominates the landscape and can be admired whilst luxuriating in the hot tub! Built as the new croft house for Seangan in 1986 and subsequently extended, this exceptionally large, bright and spacious house is situated on a working croft on the banks of the Caledonian Canal. The farm has been in the current family for well over a hundred years and the owners welcome visitors to experience the peace and tranquillity of the Highland croft lifestyle in one of the most renowned and unspoilt area of the British Isles. The hot tub and barbecue area are covered so can be enjoyed in all weathers, and to the front of the house is a large covered decking area with spectacular views to Ben Nevis.
Situated just 5 miles from Fort William, the opportunities for sport and outdoor recreation are second to none.  Climbing, hill-walking, canoeing, sailing, golf, fishing, skiing and cycling are all available within close proximity and the Great Glen Way stretching from Fort William to Inverness is close by. Whether you would like to tackle one of the many Munros in the area (mountains about 3,000 feet), or prefer to wander through the foothills of Glen Nevis, (where the film Braveheart was made), with its pretty riverside walks, or even take the gondola ride up the ski slopes to savour the spectacular views from the top, there is something for all abilities.
The world mountain biking championships are held here annually, and the trails offer a variety of routes for all levels. Take a trip to Mallaig on the ’road to the isles’ just 2 miles from the property, or travel via the famous steam train of Harry Potter fame, which runs along this route. From there, it is just a short ferry ride away to the Isle of Skye, and the smaller isles of Muck, Eigg and Rhum. A day out on the Arnamurchan Peninsula, via the Corran car ferry (5 minute boat ride) is a must. With its beautiful coastline, its pretty hamlets and villages untouched by time, and its lighthouse situated on the most westerley point in Britain, this will prove to be a unique and memorable experience. The rugged beauty of nearby Glencoe, the seclusion of Loch Arkaig (location of the film Rob Roy), and the quiet tranquillity of the Caledonian Canal all contribute to the incomparable qualities of this area and combine to make this lovely house an ideal base for exploring the heart of the Western Highlands. Beech House is particularly suited to a two family or extended family holiday as it can accommodate larger groups. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.
Beech House can be booked together with Birch Lodge (28880) and Hawthorn Lodge (CC511328) to accommodate up to 18 guests.

Aonach Cottage offers complete tranquillity in a truly peaceful setting. Only 3 miles from sea lochs and the amenities of Glencoe village, the cottage has all the comforts and flexibility of home, among the spectacular and dramatic mountain scenery of Glencoe. It sits below some of Scotland’s highest mountains, and enjoys panoramic mountain views, including a stunning view of the Aonach Eagach Ridge and towards Bidean Nam Bian. There are numerous walks from the door, including to the Corbett Meall Lighiche and the lesser-known Munro, Sgor na h-Ulaidh. The views from the windows are just stunning. With no light pollution, you can enjoy star gazing across the dark night sky. From the front door you can wander further up the peaceful glen alongside a mountain burn and enjoy beautiful scenery and a feeling of being in the hills, even if you are not a hill walker.
Sharing a completely enclosed deer-fenced area of the mountain with its sister cottage Bidean Cottage (UK41933) and the owners’ farmhouse, Aonach Cottage is accessed by a 1-mile hard surfaced farm road off the main route through Glencoe. Glencoe is a lovely highland village with many amenities including a mini-market, café, hotel, pub, filling station, church and dentists and there are some fabulous restaurants, cafés, and pubs nearby, all serving good, local food. The nearby village of Ballachulish has a small supermarket, doctor’s surgery, tourist information with coffee shop and a bar/restaurant. Steeped in history, Glencoe is surrounded by the most breath-taking scenery of mountains and lochs and the area offers a large range of sports and outdoor activities, including winter sports, hill walking, climbing, mountaineering, fishing and water sports, mountain biking and golfing. The town of Fort William is 18 miles or 30 minutes’ drive, from the cottages and offers shopping and a wealth of activities. Oban, known as the ’Gateway to the Isles’, is only 36 miles away. Glencoe Mountain Resort, with skiing, mountain biking and other activities is a 20-minute drive through the glen.
The cottages can be booked together to accommodate up to 12 guests.

With accommodation all on the ground floor, this lodge offers a comfortable, open-plan living space with a beautiful log fire, dining table for six and fully equipped kitchen. There are two en-suite bedrooms, and a further family bathroom. There are plenty of outdoor attractions in the area, including some of the country’s best hill walking. There are also opportunities for canoeing, pony-trekking, loch cruises and dolphin-watching boat trips.
The peaceful, countryside setting is within reach of the stunning Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, with its gentle lochs, haunting moorland and enchanting woodland where you can enjoy pleasant walks and birdwatching. The increasingly popular NC500 route around the north coast of Scotland runs right through Beauly! The Highland capital of Inverness is also just 11 miles away. Culmill Lodges are near Drumnadrochit and famous Urquhart ruined castle, with the famous Loch Ness 8 miles away. You will be amazed at the choices available to you in this fabulous region as you return to your cosy lodge at the end of an active day.
Birch (ref UK38858) can be booked together with Beech (ref UK38859) to accommodate up to 8 guests.

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.

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.

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!

Darris Farmhouse is a spectacular, luxurious holiday home near to the shores of Loch Ness. Situated on an amazing plot of land the farmhouse enjoys a wrap-around garden with panoramic views across pasture to woodland and mountains. The farmhouse has been extended beyond its original nineteenth century dimensions to include an attached, self-contained annexe which sleeps up to three. Darris Farmhouse sleeps nine people in total and is therefore perfect for an extended family, two families or group of friends.

On entering the farmhouse through the front door, there’s a cute vestibule before the hallway. Off to the right is the main living room with wood burner and large Smart TV, and enjoys fantastic views of the dramatic landscape. To the left of the hallway is a large kingsize double bedroom with en-suite shower room. The en-suite is in fact a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, so it serves as a downstairs toilet as well for the living accommodation. Through the Jack-and-Jill bathroom you reach a back hallway which has a door out to the courtyard area of the garden, a useful utility room and then to the right the brilliant open plan kitchen/dining room unveils itself with additional living room and another large Smart TV. This open plan space is accessible from the front hallway too. The kitchen has everything you’ll need to cook up a storm for family and friends and then gather round the large dining table. There’s access from the open-plan space to the patio and large garden. Back to the hallway and upstairs you reach the first-floor accommodation consisting of three large bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. There’s a kingsize double bedroom and a twin room, which are both double-aspect.

The annexe is self-contained, so has a separate entrance to the farmhouse. A few steps from the front door of the farmhouse you find the entrance to the annexe. Inside on the first floor there is a surprisingly large open-plan kitchen/dining/living space. The kitchen in well-equipped, but if yuou are part of a large family it’s more than likely you won’t use it but instead stroll over to the main kitchen in the farmhouse. The living space has a wood burner and large Smart TV, as well as access out to the courtyard garden. Stairs lead up from the living space to a kingsize double bedroom and a single room, as well as possibly the best bathroom in the whole farmhouse. There’s a fabulous freestanding bath with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.

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, and even has a small grassy paddock at the back where dogs can roam about easily from the back door. Darris 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 activies 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. Beach 23 miles.