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.

This charming former fisherman’s cottage, with enclosed garden, is set in the heart of Fishertown which forms part of the lively town of Nairn. Located on the Moray Coast, Nairn boasts a sandy beach which is just a few minutes’ walk from the holiday cottage. A toy cupboard provides amusement at the cottage. Seashell Cottage is ideally situated to enjoy the variety of facilities the town has to offer including a links golf course, fishing and boat trips to see the bottlenose dolphins. Cawdor and Brodie Castle are nearby along with numerous distilleries - take the Whisky Trail on Speyside. Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Inverness, the Highland capital are all within a short drive. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

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.

Seaview Cottage is situated in rural Drimnin on the picturesque Morvern Peninsula and has outstanding panoramic views sweeping over the Sound of Mull. The landscaped gardens, with seating areas, take advantage of the surrounding sea views. A short stroll from the house will bring you to a lovely pebble beach.
The area is famed for its natural rugged beauty and wildlife including red deer, pine marten, wild cats and otters. Bird life including the magnificent golden eagle and sea eagle, and marine life are also in evidence and porpoises are regularly spotted chasing the ferry and other boats. Wildlife tours both sea and land are available in the area.
Lochaline is a small coastal village just over 10 miles away with a shop and restaurant, further facilities and amenities are available in Isle of Mull, Strontian, Fort William and Oban. Its location in this most attractive area of the Highlands means that it is well-placed to take advantage of the many leisure and pleasure activities which the area has to offer. There are regular ferry services from Lochaline over to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull. Beach 50 yards. Shop and pub 10 miles, restaurant ¼ mile.

Guests will find a real home from home in this warm and welcoming holiday cottage at any time of year. Inside this wing of the owners’ home and accessed by a steep gravel drive, the open plan living space is spacious and bright with cosy seating and a window seat offering panoramic views across the surrounding farm lands to St Andrews Bay, the Eden Estuary and St Andrews itself. The kitchen area with an Aga, as well as an electric cooker, is well-equipped and ideal for practising your cooking skills, or creating a special meal, with a dining table where everyone can sit together and plan the next day’s activities.
Lucklaw Steading dates back to the 18th century, former farm buildings which have been converted and renovated to a good standard; the cottage, which is all on one level, is a private wing of the main house. The Steading is set within 2 acres and there is much to explore on foot from your doorstep; woodland and hilltop walks will appeal to hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers alike. With all this fresh air, you will be looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Why not ease those tired limbs after a day out with a deep bubble bath, as well as the option of a shower in the four piece bathroom. The utility and boot room is shared with the owners and houses the washing machine and tumble dryer.
Ideally located for exploring this area of Fife, St Andrews can be reached within a 15-minute drive, making Lucklaw Steading Cottage perfect for if you are visiting students at the university or attending a graduation ceremony. As well as the spectacular castle and cathedral ruins, sandy beaches and pretty harbour, there is much to explore in this historic city, with galleries, cinema, quality places to eat and local and independent shops. St Andrews is renowned worldwide as the home of golf, with seven courses under the management of the St Andrews Links Trust, and there are many local courses within easy driving distance for guests wanting to enjoy golf in the area.
The traditional market town of Cupar, which sits on the banks of the River Eden, has much to offer and is fascinating to walk around, with plenty of places to eat, and a particularly good selection of independent shops. For families the area also has the Scottish Deer Centre, an aquarium at St Andrews and award-winning sandy beaches and forest walks at Tentsmuir, just a short drive away. Across the Tay Bridge, Dundee has lots to offer for a day out, including the V&A with its dramatic waterfront setting and the historic ship ’Discovery’, and is well worth a visit. The Olympia Leisure Centre has a swimming pool, which is great for entertaining the kids on wet days. The East Neuk of Fife has spectacular coastline with picturesque fishing villages built around old harbours and unspoilt beaches. Following the coastal path offers a scenic walk with plenty of places to stop off and visit. Beach 9 miles. Shop 3½ miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

This cosy holiday home is a no-smoking detached bungalow with a hot tub at the end of a quiet and peaceful cul-de-sac in the well known and highly sought after Silverglades area of Aviemore. Situated alongside the Strathspey Steam Railway, it’s only a short 8-minute walk along a quiet country lane to the beating heart of Aviemore and all it’s amenities. Holly Lodge is ideally located for those wanting adventure, romance or peace and quiet, Holly Lodge is the perfect place to start and end your day for families, couples and friends alike. For those arriving by car, there’s plenty of space for two vehicles or more with on-road parking if required.

If during your stay you’ve had enough of mountains, lochs and walks for the day, Holly Lodge ensures you’re kept entertained with unlimited Wi-Fi, a NowTV subscription with entertainment and movie packages, as well as a DVD player with a selection of DVDs. There’s also a large selection of board games for all ages if you decide you really want to fall out with each other (play Monopoly at your own risk)!

You can also indulge in the flicker of flames with the wood burner in the living room, which has a complimentary pack of locally sourced wood from a renewable and responsibly managed family business in Kincraig.

Both bedrooms provide professionally cleaned linen, towels, robes and slippers so you can be comfortable and relaxed during your stay. For little ones, there is a travel cot and highchair, as well as plastic dishes, cups and cutlery. The kitchen is also very well appointed in terms of utensils and equipment, including a dishwasher.

If the weather is in your favour, then you can enjoy and relax in the spacious, enclosed garden which provides a place for the kids to play, as well as a brick barbecue which has a starter pack of charcoal and all utensils are provided, so all you need to think about is what is on the menu. The gem in the garden however is definitely the private NS7 Serenity hot tub. The tub is always on, fully maintained and certified for hygiene and cleanliness, and seats six. This provides the perfect way to relax and soothe the aching bones and muscles after a hard days exploring. Don’t worry if you get back late in the day, as the hot tub has built-in lighting so you can enjoy the bubbles even after the sun has gone down, and its a firm favourite with all guests.

Growing from strength to strength every year, Aviemore is the perfect hub for reaching other areas of the Cairngorms as well as for enjoying the local facilities and activities. You’re a pleasant 10-minute stroll from the nearest country pub/restaurant, and the fantastic and varied local shops. If you hop in the car you’re 15 minutes from Loch Morlich or Loch Insh and the fantastic water sports provisions there, as well as Rothiemurchus en route and the amazing outdoor centre for a whole raft of activities. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Uaine Cottage is a warm and welcoming home from home which has recently been fully refurbished in 2020 to a high standard. Through the front door you’ll find a hallway with plenty of coat hooks for your layers, along with a separate toilet. The living/dining room is a great space with ample seating at the dining table. The kitchen is spacious and you will find all the modern amenities you will need to rustle up hearty meals after long days out exploring in the Cairngorms. There is a door out into the enclosed back garden which has garden furniture and a patio. There are mature trees surrounding most of the garden making it feel very private and to top it off there is a charcoal BBQ to enjoy al fresco dining on the warm summer days. Back into the house there are two spacious bedrooms, one a double and one twin. There is also a modern bathroom with rain shower over bath.
Uaine Cottage is situated in the ever-popular Aviemore. Tucked away in a quiet part of town, close to a bend in the River Spey. However, it is only a ten minute walk from all of the pubs, restaurants and cafés in Aviemore thanks to a lovely little footpath. As well as many fabulous independent places to eat and drink, Aviemore has much more to offer. Being a hub for the Cairngorms National Park, you are ideally located for setting off to the mountains and have plenty of adventure. Whether you visit in the summer or winter, there’s a whole host of activities to enjoy. Hiking, mountain biking and fishing are popular in the summer, and come winter you can pursue the best skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking in the UK.
Being in Aviemore gives you a great opportunity to explore other places in the area, as the the property is situated just off the A9. You can journey down the Spey and visit the charming neighbouring villages of Carrbridge, Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge, and continue to see the Speyside distilleries. You could also explore this area on foot by walking the Speyside Way, or hopping on and off the steam railway. Inverness is only 30 minutes away by car, and if you want to go further afield and explore some other mountains, you can be in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis in just over two hours. Closer to home, Loch Morlich is just 7 miles away, with a wonderful sandy beach known as the highest beach in the UK! Uaine Cottage is a delight, it makes for a perfect holiday home with so much on your doorstep, but its secluded location means you have a peaceful base to rest, relax and recharge. Beach 7 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

An idyllic wilderness retreat, offering sustainable yet comfortable living, with wood burners and solar power to minimise impact on the environment, Glenhurich Cottage, within the National Scenic Area of Loch Shiel, feels cut off from the world, but is only six scenic miles from the village of Strontian. Offering off-grid living with all creature comforts, electricity is provided by solar panels and generators, and the cold sparkling water comes from deep under the glen floor. A combination of gas central heating, welcoming woodburning cooking range and lovely wood burner keeps the place warm and cosy. With no light or noise pollution, the modern world feels a long way away, and days can be spent walking through the glen, along the riverside, or snuggled upon a comfy leather sofa in front of the roaring woodburner enjoying a good book from the hand-picked library.
On entering Glenhurich Cottage, through an oak-framed porch, you will find a traditional highland cottage, with original oak beams and lime-washed walls, beautifully restored and enhanced by modern comforts. Glenhurich Cottage is the perfect nature-lovers’ retreat, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and over 100 species of wildlife including pine marten, majestic red deer, golden and white-tailed sea eagles all regularly seen. With a huge variety of native plants close by, it’s also a haven for rare butterflies and insects. Tucked away in the remote, thickly wooded Glenhurich, it’s close to the River Hurich, an excellent salmon fishing river which flows into scenic Loch Doilet and has clear, deep pools, ideal for a summer dip!
From the shores of Loch Doilet, you can discover the fascinating ruined lead mines at Corrantee or walk along the banks of the River Polloch to the much larger, historic Loch Shiel, where you can look for eagles, otters and divers (including the rare black throated diver), stop for a picnic overlooking Loch Shiel or cycle along the shore-side forest road all the way to Glenfinnan and beyond. Strontian is 24 miles from Fort William via the Corran Ferry via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Sunart and Moidart. Fort William is the main town of Lochaber, known as the "Outdoor Capital of the UK” and has a wide variety of attractions including the Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal which make ideal walking opportunities on the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis. There are a variety of shops, hotels, restaurants, distilleries, a bus station and railway station with links to Mallaig, Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as an overnight sleeper to London.

Enjoying a lovely setting just a few minutes’ walk from the award-winning sandy beach and the vibrant harbour and marina, this semi-detached holiday cottage is located nearby local shops, on the edge of the Fishertown area of Nairn. Dolphin Cottage makes a super base for exploring the many delights of this beautiful part of the Highlands. Inverness, the Highland capital, Culloden Battlefield, the historic Fort George, Loch Ness and the castles of Brodie and Cawdor are all within a short drive. Visit some of the former fishing villages dotted along the Moray Coast, or take a trip along the Moray Malt Whisky Trail – the only one in the world! Amongst the many activities available are a large variety of watersports, fishing and sea trips, mountain biking and golf, with the town boasting a championship course just a short walk from the cottage. For the less energetic, guests can meander along the nearby beach, 500 yards away, where you might catch a glimpse of the famous bottlenose dolphins. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.