Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Osprey Lodge is situated in an elevated position, deep in the Sutherland hills, tucked away down a private track, and enjoying unbelievable views across the surrounding hills and open countryside. This superb, detached solid wood lodge enjoys total peace and privacy, set in 50 hectares of croft land. The accommodation is presented to a very good standard throughout. The delightful open plan living space features a welcoming wood burner in the living area, as well as patio doors that open onto the raised decking, with a private hot tub and sitting-out area. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms with colour coordinated soft furnishings allowing for a good nights’ sleep. This property is very accessible for wheelchair users, with a level entrance and modern bathroom with a claw-footed bath and accessible wet room walk-in shower.

Situated on a working farm where the friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, this is a haven for wildlife and you may also stumble upon osprey, deer, pine martin, red kites, golden eagles and curlews. Whilst completely private, it is just over 1 mile to the pretty stone village of Rogart which is home to a thriving village pub that serves meals, as well as a shop, post office and railway station. It is ideally located for exploring the whole of the Highlands, with many places of interest within a short drive. Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Duke of Sutherland, with its gardens modelled on Versailles is well worth a visit. Or experience salmon leaping up the famous Falls of Shin, and mountain biking, hill walking, fishing, and various water sports are all available locally. The historic seaside town of Dornoch is just 15 minutes’ drive away, where you can visit the sandy beach and the renowned championship golf course, as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 17¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Enjoying open views across the countryside, this detached, 200-year old property is full of character and charm. Now a holiday cottage, it has been equipped and furnished to a good standard to ensure as comfortable and relaxing a holiday as possible. Only 7 miles from Inverness and 2 miles from Castle Stuart Golf Links, which has hosted the Scottish Open golf tournament. Mountain biking on some of the many forest trails, golf at some wonderful Scottish courses, sea trips and watersports either on the Moray coast or Loch Ness are just some of the many activities available. There are many historical sites nearby such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George and Cawdor Castle. Try the Whiskey Trail along the Moray and Dornoch coasts. Shop 1 mile, pub serving food 3 miles.

Set on the fringes of Aviemore village, a wonderful location for enjoying the great outdoors in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, these superbly appointed and beautifully furnished properties offer a very high degree of comfort. Sitting in a quiet cul de sac, they are ideal for family gatherings. All of the four properties (refs S4401, S4402, S4615 and S4538) enjoy their own private hot tub (each for 4 people) and S4401, S4402 and S4538 have a digital, infrared sauna with music and colour system, Freeview TVs and hairdryers in all bedrooms. Aviemore is a renowned centre for outdoor pursuits – excellent climbing and hill walking, competition standard mountain bike tracks, water sports on Lochs Morlich and Insch and, of course, skiing and snow boarding in season are just some of the activities on offer. The fishing and golf are similarly excellent, with trout fishing available all year at Rothiemurchus Estate, 2 miles, or hire equipment (at cost, licence required) for salmon fishing at the River Spey (seasonal). Sled dog rides, train trips to the resort at the top of the mountain, and the Strathspey steam railway are also found here and Britain’s only freely roaming reindeer herd can be spotted against the stunning backdrop of Glenmore. Shops, good restaurants, themed bars, live music are all within ½ mile. Other great attractions in the area are The Highland Wildlife Centre with Amur tigers, wolves and polar bear, The Landmark Centre, Tree Zone; an incredible aerial adventure and Aviemore Highland Resort Leisure Centre with its own wavepool, water slides and cinema.

East Lodge is a luxurious, historic, and characterful holiday home in the Highlands of Scotland. The wider flora and fauna surrounding East Lodge is spectacular. Within only a short walk from the lodge you will see red deer and numerous birds, including iconic Highland birds of prey. The flowers, shrubs, and trees beyond Scatwell’s grove and up Strathconon are varied and mature adding weight to why this glen is possibly the most beautiful in Scotland.
East Lodge itself is a Category C Listed Building (Historic Scotland) and as soon as you lay eyes on the property upon arrival you can’t help noticing historic features. Entering East Lodge through the main arched doorway, you then step into a spacious inner hallway. On the left you have the living room with stunning bay window, characterful stone hearth framing the wood burning stove and a luxurious Chesterfield sofa. Also off the inner hallway is a study and the fantastic open plan kitchen/dining area. The kitchen is well-equipped and perfect for those that like to bake and cook. Off the kitchen to the rear of East Lodge is a lobby and boot room with access to the garden as well as a cloakroom/utility. On the first floor of East Lodge there are three characterful bedrooms two kings and a twin. All three bedrooms are different and enjoy woodland and rural views. Also on the first floor is the spacious bathroom with walk-in shower.
Outside of East Lodge the owners have landscaped the large garden; the lawn has been seeded and will be looking its best later in 2022. However, the garden is still a lovely place to be as you’re surrounded by mature Scatwell trees from around the globe. You can sit up on the patio at the top of the garden by the fire pit and feel at ease in this beautiful place.
From East Lodge we urge you to get out and explore this amazing part of the world. Up the glen there are many walks to enjoy and there’s fantastic fly fishing for trout and salmon only a short walk away. Beyond Strathconon there are some of the best golf courses in the world waiting to be played on, including Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart; and the NC500 awaits only a short drive away from East Lodge to transport you to some of the best sights in Europe, including Applecross, the Isle of Skye and the utterly incredible Assynt. Inverness and mighty Loch Ness are only a short drive away as well. Beach 25 miles.

Set in a quiet rural location, this cosy holiday cottage enjoys lovely views across open countryside towards Nigg Bay and the Cromarty Firth. An RSPB Reserve, sea trips, fishing, golf, castles and south, west and east facing beaches all within easy reach. Great for touring the scenic Highlands. Historic Cromarty is a short ferry trip (only available in summer, also accessible by road) with Inverness, the Highland Capital approx 45 minutes’ drive. Shops 4½ miles, pubs 3 miles. Can be booked with property 19987 (which has adjoining garden) to sleep up to 12 guests.

This wonderful four-storey cottage is based in the ancient fishing port of Nairn, in the Scottish Highlands. Off-road parking. Nearby beach. Inverness 16 miles.

This impressive bungalow rests in Grantown-on-Spey near Nethy Bridge, Scottish Highlands. Pet-friendly. Woodburning stove. Ground-floor living. Bedroom with en-suite. Nethy Bridge 2.5 miles; Boat of Garten 6.5 miles; Aviemore 13.9 miles.

A large detached property resting in the town of Aviemore, Scotland. Ground-floor bedroom. Pet-friendly. WiFi. Woodburning stove. Boat of Garten 5.3 miles; Inverness 29.2 miles.

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.

Battanropie Lodge is an outstanding holiday property with so much space for a family or group of six. It is located in a favourite spot in the Cairngorms National Park in lovely Carrbridge. The village has a couple of fantastic cafés and a couple of bars and restaurants too. Plus there is an 18-hole golf course in the village, which is very little played. Just a short walk from the house is a brilliant woodland walk to take the dogs on, and it offers a great chance to spot rare British wildlife including the ptarmigan, red squirrel and even an osprey if you are lucky.
Battanropie Lodge is a large house set within its own enclosed grounds, perfect for the dogs to roam and explore. The rear of the garden runs down to the river and is fenced off and there is plenty of outdoor seating space on the rear patio. Inside the property there is a spacious open plan living space with a great wood burner and loads of light coming in from dual aspect windows. The spacious kitchen area has a fabulous Aga for cooking, and the utility room attached to the kitchen has a large fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and door to the garden and there is also a separate toilet on the ground floor. Upstairs there are three large bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and enjoys views towards the river and woodland, the second double bedroom also enjoys the same great views, while the third bedroom has twin beds and there is also a family bathroom which has a walk-in shower as well as a bath.
You can explore something different every day from Carrbridge when you venture further afield. The Cairngorm Mountains are to the south east, and the gateway from Aviemore is a classic day trip. Loch Garten and the Abernethy Forest, where BBC Winterwatch was recently filmed, are close by to the east. The north east offers the great Spey valley, with numerous world-class fly fishing opportunities, as well as countless distilleries to nip into for a wee dram or two. The north offers the bright lights of charming Inverness and the Moray Firth with huge sandy beaches not far away at Nairn and further north of Inverness at Rosemarkie on the Black Isle. To the west you have more wild country, different from the Cairngorms but showing the vast wilderness of the Scottish Highlands nonetheless. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.