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.

Enjoying a peaceful rural setting on the outskirts of Rosemarkie on the beautiful Black Isle, this detached property has been equipped and furnished to ensure as relaxing and enjoyable holiday as possible. The Black Isle makes a perfect base for exploring the many delights of the Northern Highlands. Visit the lovely fishing villages along the Moray Coast or take a distillery tour along the Moray Whisky Trail.

Inverness, the Highland capital, Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield are just a short drive and the stunning west coast is a fantastic day out. The many activities in the area include mountain biking, golf, water sports and boat trips, quad biking, walking and climbing, to name just a few. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and watch the ever changing vistas. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

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.

Balloan Farm Cottage is a stunning, two bedroom detached holiday home situated in a rural location, yet only 1¾ miles from the popular town of Lairg. The cottage was renovated in 2020 to a very good standard.
On entering the cottage, you will find a reception hall, master en-suite bedroom, formal lounge with comfortable seating and a wood burner, dining room, kitchen with a superb level of appliances, and a conservatory with a second wood burner.
On the first floor there is a snug with beanbags, a second bedroom with twin beds, and a separate bathroom. Outside there is a private enclosed garden, ideal for your four legged friends, and a private driveway with parking.
The immediate area is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors generally. Hill-walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing can all be found locally. There is a thriving pony trekking centre locally, where you can hire ponies, and ride amidst spectacular scenery. Fishing in the surrounding lochs and rivers, as well as sea fishing, is a popular pastime. The area is also a haven for wildlife, with seals and otters in the bay, and numerous varieties of birds attracted to the region. For the golfers in the party, why not go to Dornoch which is only 18½ miles drive away and has many nearby golf courses including Royal Dornoch.
The beaches in this area are renowned, with Sandwood bay particularly noted, as it has a wonderful walk across the machair, to its secluded sweeping sands. The nearby town of Lairg offers a host of shops, restaurants and you will find historical buildings scattered throughout the area. The cottage is an ideal base for exploring the North Coast 500. Beach 19 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3¼ miles.

This beautifully finished, detached, Highland lodge is situated almost exactly in the central point of Scotland; a monument marking the point is just a short walk down the lane. The Den is perfectly located to explore the Cairngorms National Park, but because it is so central in the Highlands and the country, there are also amazing sights to see within a short drive. Ben Nevis lies to the west, whilst Inverness and the Black Isle are to the east.
The Den is set in a lovely, quiet site with space all around and views of the Cairngorms. It is less than ¾ mile from the A9, and is very conveniently located for a short break to explore this amazing part of Scotland, maybe as part of a larger tour. Arriving at The Den, you will be immediately pleased with its location and how it has been finished. Its spacious, open plan layout has been decorated beautifully, and has an enormous amount of light flooding in. A patio door leads out onto the large decking area, which has an excellent aspect of the mountains. It is the perfect spot to sit in with a glass of wine in the evening. The site has a lot of shared space to explore with children, including a large play area. It is also a great site for dogs because there are many walks to explore right from the doorstep. If you have your own horse, stabling is available by direct arrangement with the owner, who lives on the adjacent farm. The village of Newtonmore is only a few miles away with pubs and restaurants, as well as a supermarket. Shop 4 miles, pub and restaurant 3 miles.
The Den can be booked together with Cruachan (UK13683) to accommodate up to 10 guests.

St Brighs enjoys a stunning location, perched right on the shores of the renowned Cromarty Firth. Originally a boathouse and built of solid stone in the 1860s, St Brighs has been extensively modernised, whilst retaining much of its unique historic character. The gardens surrounding the cottage lead immediately onto the shoreline, which plays host to a wide and fascinating variety of animals and birds. It is completely secluded, ensuring that nature is your sole companion when you stay in this very special place. An original solid wood door opens onto the kitchen/dining room. A large wood burner nestles in the corner, providing a warm and cosy ambience. The kitchen is extremely well-equipped, with built-in units and appliances. The main living room at the rear of the cottage has French doors which open onto the garden and directly onto the shores of the Cromarty Firth. The staircase, made of Douglas fir, leads up to the first floor. Here there are two bedrooms and a family bathroom. One has a kingsize bed, with a beautiful original ornate window looking out across the water. The second has twin 3ft beds, with the window looking out across the garden to the water beyond. The country gardens surround the property, with a solid fence protecting the garden from the water’s edge. A gate opens directly onto the shoreline, which is tidal. Although fenced off, small children must be supervised at all times.
In addition to the peaceful setting and beautiful views over the Firth to the Black Isle, St Brighs is ideally located for exploring the Highland region. It is just 2 miles from the bustling market town of Dingwall, where there are a number of shops, supermarkets, pubs, cafés and restaurants. Walkers will enjoy the range of forestry tracks in the locality and for the more adventurous there is the towering ridge of Ben Wyvis, the local Munro mountain. A trip to the Black Isle peninsula, with its stunning beaches, fascinating museums and pretty villages is a must. The coastline is home to the famous Moray Firth dolphins, which can often be spotted close to shore. Golf, fishing, cycling, kayaking, sailing and birdwatching are all local pastimes. Beach 17 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

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.

A neat and bright timber-clad cottage in a lochside location. Well-equipped and very comfortable. WiFi. Perfect location for touring highlands. Abundance of wildlife and fly fishing available.

Cottage near Strathpeffer on banks of a pretty loch. Heart of the Highlands. Spacious welcoming timber-clad cottage. WiFi and Fly fishing available. Strathpeffer 3 miles.