Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

West cottage is situated just outside the village of Freuchie between the historic county town of Cupar and a larger new town of Glenrothes.
This charming ‘home away from home’ is the ideal base to explore the wonders of the beautiful Kingdom of Fife. This 3-bedroom cottage is ideal for families, couples and small groups and will sleep 6 people comfortably across 3 double bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room and there is a family bathroom off the main hall serving the rest of the property. The spacious living space includes a living/dining room and a second garden living room with a sunny western position. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances and everything you’ll need for the few meals you’ll likely be preparing due to the number of fabulous restaurants, pubs and cafes nearby. There is parking for 3 cars and a lovely garden area outside.
The space outside is a wonderful spot to enjoy the world going by, the view and a flavour of the peace and quiet that only such tranquil areas can offer. Situated not far from the main North/South arterial motorway, the M90, West Cottage is exceptionally well located, allowing relatively easy access to county’s many attractions. Glasgow to the west will take just over an hour, Edinburgh and Dundee will take less than an hour as will the famous St Andrews with one of the UK’s finest beaches and of course the Home of Golf.

Shielside lies on the outskirts of the ancient crofting village of Acharacle, at the western end of Loch Shiel, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. It offers four double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities and bedrooms 2 and 4 are particularly spacious. It also has its own large, enclosed garden for guests to enjoy.
Ardnamurchan is a wild and beautiful place, designated as a National Scenic Area for its outstanding scenery and landscape, a popular holiday destination, rich in wildlife with some fabulous walks and great scenery. Acharacle has a village store and post office, Hotel and bar, local garage, café, medical practice and gift shop. Other villages within a short drive have similar facilities and there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, kayaking and wild swimming. Acharacle is 45 miles from Fort William via a single-track, well-surfaced road through the wild depths of Moidart.
Fort William, known as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” has a wide variety of attractions 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. At the foot of Ben Nevis, you can enjoy a world-class mountain bike trail in summer, or skiing in winter. The steam train made famous by the ’Harry Potter’ films, can take you on a spectacular journey from Fort William through Glenfinnan and its famous monument to Bonnie Price Charlie and on to Mallaig. You will also find plenty of walking and cycling opportunities.

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.

This detached holiday home sits in a quiet area of the Scottish village of Carrbridge. Warm, cosy and welcoming, the property is perfect at any time of the year. Visitors will find that this small but lively village offers a traditional Highland welcome and provides the ideal base for a truly memorable holiday. Shop, pub and restaurant 400 yards.

Welcome to Middledrift Cottage, nestled in the picturesque Highlands village of Brora. This charming holiday retreat offers an idyllic escape for those seeking a perfect blend of tranquillity and adventure. Brora, situated on the northeast coast of Scotland, is a hidden gem with a rich tapestry of natural beauty and cultural experiences waiting to be explored.
For nature enthusiasts, Brora boasts pristine beaches that stretch for miles, offering a serene backdrop for leisurely strolls or invigorating seaside runs. Embrace the crisp Highland air as you wander along the golden sands of Brora Beach, taking in panoramic views of the North Sea and the stunning Sutherland countryside. Wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise, as the region is home to diverse bird species and marine life. Golf enthusiasts will be delighted to discover the renowned Brora Golf Club, where a challenging links course awaits against the breathtaking coastal backdrop. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a novice, the course offers an unforgettable experience for players of all levels.
History comes to life in Brora, with attractions like the Clynelish Distillery, where you can embark on a journey through the production of world-class Scotch whisky. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the area by exploring the Brora Heritage Centre, which offers a fascinating insight into the local history, from the Bronze Age to the present day. Outdoor adventurers can take advantage of the nearby hiking trails that wind through the rugged landscapes of the Highlands. From easy walks suitable for families to challenging hikes for seasoned trekkers, there’s a route for every level of explorer.
Indulge in the warmth of Highland hospitality as you explore the local shops and eateries, savouring traditional Scottish fare and unique artisanal finds. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or excitement, Middledrift Cottage in Brora sets the stage for an unforgettable holiday in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

Enjoying lovely views and sunsets over Loch Sween and Jura, Cruinn (ref URW) and Moy ( ref UXU) are comfortable holiday cottages on the owner’s working farm. Cruinn stands beside natural woodland, and Moy is situated within a wooded glade and offers opportunities to watch deer from the windows or explore the seashore where seals and otters may be spotted playing. This secluded peninsula abounds with birds, flowers and wildlife, with seals, otters, deer and badgers. There are several sandy beaches and opportunities for walking, cycling, riding and boating. Ancient Castle Sween, Kilmartin Glen and the ruined chapels at Kilmory and Keills add archaeological interest. There are opportunities to view the beavers in Knapdale Forest or visit Taynuish Nature Reserve. Lochgilphead (16 miles) offers shops, restaurants, a golf course and an indoor swimming-pool, while a seafood meal can be enjoyed at picturesque Tayvallich or Crinan. Shops 16 miles.

Cruinn (URW) and Moy (UXU) can be booked together to accommodate up to 8 guests.