Dog-Friendly Stirling
With a medieval castle and spectacular scenery, Stirling is a great base for a Scottish escape for you and your furry friend. Stirling is well placed to travel to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. There you will find beautiful woodlands, walking paths and villages dotted about the area. Plus, the stunning views you'd expect in the Highlands. Stirling is a foodie favourite and a great location for fantastic restaurants.
- Aberfoyle, ScotlandSet in a unique location in the middle of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Craigmuick Cottage is perfect for guests wanting a holiday in a superb, secluded location. Your journey to the cottage will take you through the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond into The Trossachs National Park, where the cottage, accessed via a forestry metal gate and a forestry track with pot holes, is set in one and a half acres of landscaped and natural woodland. Due to the location you can enjoy a peaceful holiday without any mobile phone coverage, although you can still keep in touch with loved ones and make calls via the Wi-Fi. The bubbling River Duchray passes by at the side of the grounds, and the area is a haven for birds and other wildlife including osprey, red kites, red squirrels and red deer. The cottage is located just 2 miles from Aberfoyle where you can pick up supplies from the local supermarket and a delicatessen with an award-winning butcher. You can also enjoy the good selection of eating places.
Dating back to the 1800s, the property was once the home of Scottish poet William Glen (1783-1826). The cottage has been lovingly renovated and furnished to a very good standard, keeping some of the original features alongside contemporary and excellent quality fittings. The spacious property can comfortably accommodate 10 guests. On the ground floor, the spacious and airy open plan living area boasts a traditional stone fireplace with an Aga wood burner in the living room, and is just the place to relax on a chilly evening. The dining area with a large table is the perfect spot for the whole group to sit together at breakfast and plan the day’s activities. The contemporary kitchen offers excellent quality appliances including a range cooker, and is thoughtfully equipped with everything you will need to prepare a family meal or a celebration dinner. Just off the kitchen is a spacious utility room with laundry facilities, handy for hanging wet coats and storing muddy boots. There is also a cloakroom and double bedroom with en-suite facilities. A great bonus for families with children of all ages is the TV/playroom, complete with a cosy seating area and a selection of board games, DVDs and books. On the first floor, guests will find four spacious bedrooms, two of which offer en-suite facilities, a large family bathroom with twin wash hand basins and a walk-in shower.
Stepping out into the garden, the patio is perfect for al fresco dining and playing games, and in the evening, star gazing in the forest. If you can tear yourself away from the cottage, you are in the perfect setting for a variety of outdoor pursuits. From your front door there are miles of forest tracks to explore on foot or bike. The area is great for hill walking, mountain biking, golf, pony trekking and fishing on the lochs. For days out, Stirling with its historic monuments, ancient castle and shopping centre is a mere 25 minutes’ drive. Loch Lomond, the single biggest expanse of inland water in the British Isles, has charming villages and bays to explore, and is just half an hour from the cottage. Gleneagles is 40 minutes away, the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow is less than an hour’s drive, and Perth and Edinburgh are just over an hour away. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.£368From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Brig o'Turk, ScotlandThis spacious, detached holiday cottage is set in the pretty hamlet of Brig O’ Turk in the heart of the Trossachs National Park and is perfect for friends or family who want to spend time together in this beautiful location. From the front door, there are endless miles of footpaths and cycle trails to explore in Glen Finglas and the surrounding area, and for the more adventurous, there are hills and mountains to climb such as Ben Ledi, Ben Venue and Ben A’an. Trout fishing can be enjoyed on the nearby loch and river and licences can be obtained from the local post office. There are activities for all ages to pursue, including sailing and boat trips on local lochs, castles, visitor attractions, heritage centres and whisky distilleries. The location is also perfect for golfing enthusiasts with several local courses close by and the famous Gleneagles course only 40 minutes drive.
This picturesque area has been attracting visitors for centuries, which was once part of a royal deer forest where kings hunted, steeped in history with stories of cattle drovers and whisky smugglers. Sir Walter Scott wrote poetry about its beauty and there is the John Ruskin and the Glasgow Boys Trail to follow in the hamlet.
The highland town of Callander is only five minutes’ drive and ideal for picking up supplies with a variety of shops, tearooms, restaurants and bars. If you are worn out after exploring the area you can relax in the garden with a glass of wine and enjoy the views, or curl up in front of the open fire on cooler days. Pub and Restaurant 500 yards.£99From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Kippen, ScotlandSituated within the conservation village of Kippen, in the grounds of the owner’s home, this former stable has been renovated to provide a comfortable, well-equipped base from which to enjoy the village amenities and explore many of the well-known visitor attractions of central Scotland. Kippen lies on the lower slopes of the Gargunnock Hills and affords lovely views to the north across the Forth Valley with the mountain ranges around Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich forming a spectacular backdrop. The village has a general store/post office, delicatessen, two dog friendly pubs serving food, buildings of historic interest and an attractive network of local footpaths and cycle-ways from which to enjoy the adjoining countryside. The Loch Lomond National Park and tourist town of Callander are within a half-hour drive and Scotland’s only lake, the Lake of Mentieth, can be reached within 10 minutes. To the east, Blair Drummond Safari Park, Doune Castle, Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument lie within a 10 mile radius. Shop and two pubs serving food 500 yards.£67From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Callander, ScotlandEnjoy a relaxed active holiday in this spacious lochside property with its own private shore with jetty, offering stunning loch / mountain views. Carsaig is an immaculately presented, detached holiday cottage in an unrivalled setting on the shore of Loch Venacher in the heart of the Trossachs National Park. The holiday property is set in 3 acres of grounds which lead down to a private lochside beach and jetty with outstanding views across the loch and the surrounding hillside and Trossachs. Carsaig offers spacious accommodation and makes a wonderful base from which to venture out with friends and family to enjoy the area and all it has to offer. Wander round Carsaig’s garden Woodland Fairy Trail, enjoy a game of petanque and savour long evenings round the wood burning stove in the outdoor seating area.
The loch is ideal to swim, SUP or on windier days is great for windsurfing. Guests are welcome to bring their own unpowered craft which can be launched from the beach. There are endless miles of forest roads, footpaths through woodlands and around the loch. For the more adventurous, there are hills and mountains to climb such as Ben Ledi, Ben Venue and Ben A’an. For cyclists, the Dukes Pass offers an unrivalled road riding route and for gravel riders, there are over 200 miles of single and wide tracked gravel tracks.
Carsaig is situated near the famous Route 7 which is is part of the National Cycle Network, which takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK. For mountain bikers, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is home to Britain’s largest off-road cycle network. This area is ideal for golfing with several local courses close by, and the famous Gleneagles course is only 40 minutes’ drive. Kids can enjoy local activities such as the treetop adventures of Go Ape at Aberfoyle or the waterpark assault course at Loch Ard. The bustling Highland town of Callander, with a variety of quaint shops, tearooms, restaurants, and bars, is only 5 minutes’ drive and ideal for sourcing supplies. After exploring the local area, unwind in the hot tub or relax on the decking with a glass of wine and enjoy the incredible views across the loch to Ben Venue. Wildlife is abundant including red squirrels, red kites, and ospreys as well as local birds which are frequent visitors. The award-winning restaurant, Venacher Lochside, is next door serving coffee and cakes, relaxed lunches, and dinners.
Within an easy drive is Stirling, 30 minutes, whilst Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Perth, 1 hour. Shops 4 miles, pub 2 miles, restaurants 3 miles.£239From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Main St, ScotlandNestled away in the charming village of Gargunnock, this traditional, detached stone built cottage dates back to the late 1800s and has been renovated to provide a welcoming, spacious holiday cottage. From your front door you can walk to the local inn providing good quality food and drink. Pub/restaurant 500 yards.
There are plenty of walks through the countryside. The hills around the village have splendid views over to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and Ben Lomond. For guests who enjoy exploring the local area by bike, there are numerous quiet roads and pathways through the countryside and to the neighbouring village of Kippen. There is trout and salmon fishing on the nearby Lake of Mentieth and you will need a licence. Enjoy a round of golf on one of the numerous golf courses nearby and Gleneagles Resort can be reached in under 45 minutes.
A great location for exploring the local area, Stirling is only 6 miles away and offers guests an abundance of historic and popular attractions to visit and explore, including Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Stirling has something to suit all ages and tastes with many popular events held at the Toll Booth and Albert Halls. There is a regular Farmers Market offering local produce, as well as many various pubs, restaurants and a shopping centre. For fans of the epic TV series Outlander there are several places to visit that were used in the filming, Doune Castle is only 15 minutes’ drive and others can be reached in under an hour.
For the kids in particular. there are Blair Drummond Safari Park, Briarlands Farm Park and Stirling Alpaca Centre all within 5 miles.
At the edge of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Briar Cottage is an ideal location for outdoor activities or a scenic drive through breathtaking scenery with lochs and mountains. The motorway network is only 10 minutes away and less than an hour takes you to the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee. If you would prefer to leave the car then Stirling railway station has a frequent regular service.£110From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Port of Menteith, ScotlandThis cosy semi-detached cottage is situated on the private estate of Mondhui within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, in a courtyard garden beside the original farmhouse, which dates back several hundred years. The cottage sits in an elevated position in the hills above the Lake of Menteith, Scotland’s only Lake, with stunning panoramic views of the Lake and historic Inchmahome Priory (founded 1238) which Mary Queen of Scots visited. Guests also have a 10% discount on dining at the fabulous Lake Hotel and Waterfront Restaurant at the side of the lake.
Mondhui itself has been a settlement since prehistoric times and above the property there are “cup and rings” markings. Within the grounds is a duck flighting pond which is ideal for bird watchers and beside the cottage there is a small pond. The area is a haven for birds and other wildlife including osprey, red kites, red squirrels, red deer, pine marten and badgers. From the door of the cottage you can walk directly up into the Menteith Hills and join the Rob Roy Way with hundreds of miles of forest track easily accessible. The cottage is furnished in a contemporary, country style with handmade wooden kitchen units, granite worktops and solid oak flooring throughout. Egyptian cotton linen and hotel quality towels are provided.
It is in the perfect setting for those who love outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling, golf, pony trekking and fishing - the Lake of Menteith is Scotland’s premier trout fishing venue. It is also a great location for those simply wanting to chill out and enjoy the fabulous view of the lake from the covered porch, courtyard or from the comfy couch in front of the wood burner. Nick Nairn’s famous Cook School is only a few minutes drive away as is the popular Lake Hotel which serves good food at the lakeside. This is an ideal location from which to explore one of Scotland’s most picturesque areas or to use as a base to tour central Scotland. Within 10 minutes from the cottage you can be in Aberfoyle, Callander, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park at the David Marshall Lodge or taking a sail on the Sir Walter Scott steamship on Loch Katrine.
Stirling with its ancient castle is twenty minutes away. Scenic Loch Lomond, the single biggest expanse of inland water in the British Isles, with its charming villages and bays to explore is only half an hour from the cottage. Gleneagles is 40 minutes drive. The cosmopolitan city of Glasgow is less than an hour’s drive with Perth and Edinburgh just over an hour away. There are many historic buildings, castles and distilleries to visit in the area. The Trossachs is a wonderful area to visit and no trip to Scotland would be complete without spending some time in the area. Shop 4 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
The Mews can be booked together with The Stable (UK5062), The Old Barn (UK5871) and Gamekeepers Lodge (UK35302) to accommodate up to 8 guests.£117From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Callander, ScotlandThis delightful, Scandinavian-style cottage lies in the heart of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park which is well-loved for its magnificent scenery and open spaces. It is located in an elevated position, enjoying spectacular views of Loch Lubnaig and the surrounding mountains.
Dream Cottage is a welcoming detached holiday cottage and perfect for couples and families to spend time together and explore the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and the surrounding area. The cosy open plan living space has patio doors which enables guests to take full advantage of the views. There is ample outside space for guests to relax and enjoy with a pretty summerhouse, which has a large window over looking the loch, which is ideal for birdwatching, and board games for children, decking and garden furniture for al fresco dining, or on a clear night, star gazing.
The highland village of Strathyre is just 2 miles away with a local shop, coffee shop, restaurants, hotels, children’s play area, many walks through woodland and an abundance of family-friendly cycle routes where you can join the Sustrans National Cycle Network on route 7. The area is renowned for outdoor activities and there are many to choose from such as mountain biking and cycling, water sports, golf, horse riding and trekking, fishing and hill walking or gentle woodland walks. It is steeped in history and folklore with the famous outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor’s grave in the grounds of the parish church at Balquhidder and there are many other archaeological and historic sites to visit in the surrounding area including Doune and Stirling castles, the Wallace Monument and Inchmahome Priory. The popular tourist town of Callander is within easy driving distance and has an abundance of coffee shops, pubs, galleries, local shops and restaurants. An all year round destination, the town hosts summer and winter festivals, highland games and a jazz festival. For days out, Stirling, with its historic monuments, ancient castle and shopping centre is a mere 45 minutes’ drive. Loch Lomond, the single biggest expanse of inland water in the British Isles, has charming villages and bays to explore and is also 45 minutes’ drive from the cottage. Gleneagles is 50 minutes’, the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh is just over 1 hour away. Shop 2 miles, pub 1 mile and restaurant 2 miles.£157From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Forest Cottages, ScotlandImagine strolling down to the loch side on a still summer morning from this wonderfully welcoming cottage, with its own secluded pebble beach, just 5 minutes from the shore of Loch Lomond, in the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. With no other houses nearby, a native woodland backdrop and Ben Lomond in the distance, this is an idyllic spot for families and friends to relax and unwind in their own patch of holiday heaven. There are fantastic views of the loch from the sun room, living room and two of the bedrooms. This is a year round destination with a wood burner in the living room and air source heating, you’ll be sure to feel right at home whatever the season.
Enjoy impromptu barbecues by the loch side, or explore slightly further along the shore, towards Strathcashel Point where there is a crannog, a man made island built around 3000 years ago, as well as the remains of an Iron Age fort. The West Highland Way passes nearby and Balmaha, 2 miles away, has a pub, restaurant, local shop and is a starting point for a climb up Conic Hill, or you can take the waterbus to Inchcailloch Island. Water sports, golf and fishing are all available locally, and Loch Lomond Shores is just 16 miles for designer shopping, while Stirling and Glasgow are within easy reach for an enjoyable day out. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.£112From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Stirling, ScotlandFor guests who want to relax, unwind and leave the stresses of everyday life behind this is the ideal location. Bridge End Lodge is furnished to a high standard and guests will find a spacious contemporary open plan living, dining and kitchen area with patio doors leading to a sun deck area with view of the Ochil Hills. The accommodation has a double bedroom with an en-suite toilet, twin bedroom and family shower room.
There is lots to do right on your door step, you can explore the 5½ acres of landscaped rural countryside, there are leisurely riverside walks, fishing on the River Devon all with spectacular views towards the Ochil Hills. The lodge park is on the outskirts of the conservation village of Dollar and a 5-minute walk will take you into the centre of the village with a good selection of local amenities, fine tea rooms and cafés with home baking, restaurants, galleries and museum. Enjoy walks along the River Devon or a more vigorous walk through the deep gorge of Dollar Glen up to the 500 year old Castle Campbell, the ancient seat of the Duke of Argyll, and where Mary Queen of Scots once lived. For guests who enjoy a round of golf on holidays there are over twenty local golf courses within easy driving distance including the world renowned Gleneagles course which is only 20 minutes’ drive away.
For outdoor activities the choice is endless, the Ochil Hills provide great scope for hill walking in dramatic glens with peaks such as Ben Cleuch and Dumyat and great for mountain biking. For days out and only 12 miles away is the historic city of Stirling with popular visitor attractions to visit including Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and Bannockburn Heritage Centre, restaurants, bistros, cafés and bars and the Marches Shopping Centre, and you can leave the car behind as there is a regular bus service in to the city. If you prefer a more relaxing time in tranquil surroundings then Bridge End Lodge is perfect, enjoy a glass of wine on the decking and enjoy the views, watch the wildlife, dine al fresco and watch the stars in the evening. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.£83From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Port of Menteith, ScotlandGamekeepers Lodge is the most recent addition to Lakeview Cottages at Mondhui and it must be said that it’s arguably the finest. Hand built by the owners with attention to detail and fine craftsmanship the quality is hard to ignore. Constructed with Siberian Larch and finished with high quality oak the cottage gives a cosy almost log cabin feels yet presents a real guest experience. Situated on a hillside with one of the most beautiful views across the Lake of Menteith and the Trossachs towards the Campsie Hills.
The open plan living space emphasises the quality timbers used in the build. The bespoke kitchen is handmade again by the owner with impressive precision. Everything you’ll need to prepare, cook, and enjoy a meal is found including everything from quality crockery and glassware to appliances like a dishwasher, fridge freezer and washing machine. At the end of the day the King Size 4 poster bed will be welcome sight and is very comfortable with Egyptian Cotton sheets. Completing the property inside is the shower room, almost a Wet room this space is tiled tastefully and as expected has quality sanitary ware fitted. All of Lakeview Cottages have their own private space and gas BBQ, the private space at Gamekeepers Lodge has arguably the most private position and has the finest, uninterrupted view over Inchmahome Priory and the Lake.
Mondhui itself has been a settlement since prehistoric times and above the property there are ’cup and rings’ markings. Within the grounds is a duck flighting pond which is ideal for bird watchers and beside the cottage there is a small pond. The area is a haven for birds and other wildlife including osprey, red kites, red squirrels, red deer, pine marten and badgers. From the door of the Cottage, you can walk directly up into the Menteith Hills and join the Rob Roy Way with hundreds of miles of forest track easily accessible. It really is in the perfect setting for those who love outdoor pursuits including walking, cycling, golf, pony trekking and fishing - the Lake of Menteith is Scotland’s premier trout fishing venue. It is also a great location for those simply wanting to chill out and enjoy the fabulous view of the Lake.
Nick Nairn’s famous Cook School is only a few minutes’ drive away as is the popular Lake Hotel which serves good food at the Lakeside. This is an ideal location from which to explore one of Scotland’s most picturesque areas or to use as a base to tour central Scotland. Within ten minutes from this Cottage, you can be in Aberfoyle, Callander, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park at the David Marshall Lodge or taking a sail on the Sir Walter Scott steamship on Loch Katrine. Stirling with its ancient castle is 20 minutes away. Scenic Loch Lomond, the single biggest expanse of inland water in the British Isles, with its charming villages and bays to explore is only half an hour from the cottage. Gleneagles is 40 minutes’ drive. The cosmopolitan city of Glasgow is less than an hour’s drive with Perth and Edinburgh just over an hour away. There are many historic buildings, castles, and distilleries to visit in the area.
Gamekeepers Lodge can be booked together with The Mews (UK5061), The Stable (UK5062) and The Old Barn (UK5871) to accommodate up to 8 guests.£167From price per night based on 7 night stay