Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Harland Cottage is a delightful bijou cottage for couples. This single-storey, detached cottage is beautifully presented throughout. The main living area is open plan and a large deep leather sofa looks out through French windows to the pretty cottage garden. The kitchen area is bright and modern, with built-in units and is well-equipped. The double bedroom has a kingsize bed and an en-suite with a large walk-in shower, which can also be accessed via the hallway. The garden is a real delight, enclosed by an original Caithness dry stone wall, there is a patio area with seating and a good-sized lawn area.

Harland Cottage is situated in Castletown, just 500 yards from one of the most spectacular beaches to be found anywhere in the British Isles. Dunnet Beach has 4 miles of sweeping sands, with high sand dunes providing a natural backdrop. There are lovely walks direct from the cottage, through woodland glades to the beach beyond. It is ideal for dog walks as well as numerous outdoor activities and there is also a pretty harbour to wander round. The area is renowned for its surfing, water sports, fishing and golf. For wildlife enthusiasts, there are often deer close by, numerous seabirds including puffins, whales, porpoises and dolphins are spotted along the coastline.

Castletown has a good selection of local amenities, including a pub with a good restaurant and a local mini-market, all within walking distance. The Heritage Visitors Centre is within a mile. The nearby town of Thurso is just 5 miles away and has further amenities, including supermarkets, bars, cafés, restaurants and a cinema. There are lovely riverside walks along the banks of the River Thurso and plenty to see and do in the region. A visit to the Castle of Mey, with its superb garden and interesting history is a must, along with a day trip to Orkney; the ferry is approximately 8 miles away. Caithness is renowned for big clear night skies so there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights during winter months from the top of Dunnet head the most northerly point on the Uk mainland only 4 miles away. The property is also on the North Coast 500.

Enjoy one of Scotland’s most scenic routes to get to the cottage, going past the Glenfinnan Viaduct which was used in the Harry Potter Films; you can stand at the front of the house and hear the steam train going past. Once inside the cottage the kitchen is to your right and is a bright area with a panel heater to keep it warm. The bathroom is opposite the kitchen and is pleasantly decorated, the living room is at the end of the hallway and is such a welcoming space, there is a dining table in one corner, a lovely corner suite and ample chairs for you to enjoy and of course, the wood burning stove.
Next to the living room is the utility room with ample space for you to hang up your outdoor gear. There is also a dog bed, dog bowl and towel for your furry friend, and outside there is a hose if you need to wash your dog after a day of walking. The bedroom is the last room in the house, and it has dual aspect windows, one overlooking the burn and the other the waterfall, a perfect way to fall asleep with the natural sound of running water.
The grounds of the cottage are delightful, surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs, there is a lovely wee walk up past the cottage, where you can sit outside watching the burn flow past, and if there’s been rain the waterfall will be in full flow too!
If you want a totally relaxed stay, Druimbhan is one of those places, the railway is less than 200 yards to the cottage, not like a town or city station, this one will only stop if you advise the guard, and if you wish to go to Mallaig or Fort William by train you will have to book in advance to let them know.
The Local Inn is just a couple of hundred yards walk from the cottage serving local food and drink from Easter to October if you want to stay close to the cottage. There is another pub but that is 9 miles away but you have to travel through some breath taking scenery to get there. Stunning white sandy beaches are to be found along the coastal road to Arisaig on the way to Mallaig. Mallaig is a wonderful, thriving fishing village where you can purchase freshly caught fish, you can also get the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry over to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. If you are driving, a nice route is to go over by ferry, tour around the island and return back to the cottage via the Skye bridge and Eilean Donan Castle. Definitely a place to go and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and a place you will want to return time and time again.