Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

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.

Moy Bridge Croft is a stunning detached property situated on the banks of the River Conon and set in a spacious private garden, with spectacular scenery surrounding the property. Presented in immaculate condition throughout, with attention to detail in every area, this is the perfect property for a large family to enjoy the Scottish Highlands in pure bliss.
The large, open plan living area has comfy sofas, a Smart TV and a warming wood burner; the dining area has a table and eight chairs for evening meals together, where you can catch up on the day’s adventures. There is a utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as a second sitting room with an open fire, comfy seating and Smart TV. A designated work study is available for those who need to catch up on work whilst on holiday. Four bedrooms can be found on the first floor, all having their own en-suite shower room. Outside, a large enclosed garden is partly lawned and you can relax in patio area with its garden furniture, perfect for al fresco dining. Parking is available for four cars and the property accepts one pet, so the whole family is welcome.
The many activities locally include amazing riverside walks with breathtaking scenery and an array of wildlife, including red kites at RSPB Tollie. Mountain and road biking trails include the Strathconon Trail reaching the foothills of Ben Wyvis. Strathpeffer and Dingwall are both close by and offer a selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, is a short drive away and has something for everyone including boat trips for dolphin watching, fishing on the River Ness, five golf courses (one being Castle Stuart which hosted the Scottish Open). Inverness also has a historic side with Inverness Castle and the museum and art gallery. Why not take a trip up Loch Ness and have a look for our World famous Nessie the Loch Ness Monster? Moy Bridge Croft and the area will not disappoint for your family holiday in the Highlands and surrounding areas. Beach 19 miles.

Curin Cottage is a traditional Highland cottage, nestled in the stunning glen of Strathconon. The cottage has an enclosed, private garden offering idyllic views of the surrounding native woodland and craggy hills on the valley sides beyond. The glen has a tranquil atmosphere and feeling of remoteness, despite being within a 45 minute drive of Inverness, the Highland capital. Each season brings its own beauty; heather clad hills, meandering rivers, multiple lochs, roaring stags in the autumn and an abundance of wildlife. Osprey and golden eagles are often seen from the valley, pine marten are frequent garden visitors, and sightings of red deer a regular occurrence. Due to the lack of light pollution in the glen, it means you can enjoy breath-taking clear night skies.
The cottage is very well presented and offers guests a good level of comfort throughout. It is a truly relaxing home-from-home. There is a spacious, open plan living and dining area with a wood burner, as well as a fitted kitchen with a good level of appliances. The ground floor also has a double bedroom and bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower. On the first floor you will find two lovely bedrooms, a twin and a small double, with dormer windows looking up the valley sides.
Strathconon itself provides many attractions with its beautiful Highland scenery, untouched wilderness and access to the hills. There are many routes to stroll (some straight from your front door), places to picnic, trails to bike and rivers and lochs to swim, boat on, or launch a kayak. Boats and fishing permits are available for visitors from the Loch Achonochie Angling Club.
The cottage is ideally located as a base from which to explore the Scottish Highlands. Daytrips to the west coast might include the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Gairloch or Ullapool. Glen Affric, Loch Ness and Aviemore are a few of the many other places that can be visited. The closest restaurant, renowned for its delicious food and relaxing bar, is in Contin, just over 7 miles distant. Provisions can be bought from the shop in Contin, or in the nearby Victorian Spa village of Strathpeffer.
There are plenty of historic sites within striking distance, such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George, Cawdor Castle and numerous stone circles. Dolphins are frequently seen in the Moray Firth, the best spotting location being Chanonry Point by Fortrose, or via dolphin watching boat trips. In the Scottish Highlands, an idyllic golf course is never far away! Shop and pub 10 miles and restaurant 7 miles.

Old Manse Cottage is a traditional Highland cottage that has been lovingly renovated to a very high standard to provide spacious, light and comfortable accommodation. Strolling through the green front door you enter the amazing open plan living space which is incredibly spacious and makes the most of original features. The space is triple aspect so there is a lot of natural light, including an outstanding window on the gable end of the building with a comfy window seat, inviting you to pass the time simply gazing out at the giant beech trees with a glass of your favourite drink in hand. The kitchen is a very generous size for a couple, and has everything you’ll want for a week-long holiday or short break in the winter. The dining table is an antique naval mapping table; lovely for cooking up a storm of multiple dishes and spreading out. The table is very well suited to those who may need to break out the laptop and do a bit of work. The living room space is centred around the wood burner, historic 18th-century stone fireplace, a comfy sofa and fireside chair, and a TV.
Beyond the living room space is the cute kingsize bedroom with an incredibly comfortable mattress and cosy down duvet. The bedroom has two windows overlooking the garden areas, a chest of drawers, wall hooks with hangers and a chair. Adjacent to the living room is a vestibule with coat hooks and room for hiking boots, next to the back door into the garden. The bathroom also flows from the vestibule and has been cleverly renovated to create a lovely space with a walk-in electric shower, sink, toilet and washing machine.
The garden is wraparound and enjoys a patio area with garden furniture and a bench beside the cottage rockery and grassed lawn. Soak up rural views across pasture and woodland and listen to the sounds of nature around the cottage, including many birds of prey which nest close by. The cottage welcomes one well behaved dog but please be aware the garden is not fully enclosed.
The cottage is full of history. It was built originally as a small croft in the late 17th century and formed part of the Laird of Cromartie’s estate at neighbouring Castle Leod. In 1792, the cottage became part of the manse (vicarage) next door. The cottage has been used in many different ways through the centuries, including as a kitchen and maid quarters to the main house in Victorian times, indicated by the huge stone fireplaces. In more recent decades it was the gardener’s cottage, with some fantastic local history from WW2 linked to it.
Walk straight from your back door across tracks and fields to Castle Leod, Strathpeffer village and Rogie Falls. Also in the garden is a shed, perfect for those wanting to store bicycles or other sports equipment.
Old Manse Cottage is tucked away in the Highlands of Scotland in a small hamlet called Fodderty, about 1-mile distance and a lovely walk from the spa town of Strathpeffer, with many local choices for eating and drinking. Just over 20 minutes from Inverness, the cottage is excellently located for those wanting to explore the Highlands with fantastic roads nearby connecting all corners of this amazing area, including Ullapool and the West Coast only 45 minutes away. This cottage is a Highland hidden gem.
Strathpeffer with a village shop, pharmacy, deli bistro and hotel bars only 1 mile away. Dingwall town with Tesco, Lidl, fuel, and many other local shops, only 4 miles. Extra logs for the woodburner can be purchased in Dingwall. A welcome guide in the cottage provides more details on services available locally. Inverness city centre is 25 minutes away by car with many restaurants and shops. The local bus (number 27) stops at the end of the cottage lane (hourly daytime service) to go into Strathpeffer, or Dingwall and Inverness.

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 quiet setting with panoramic views across the extensive grounds and on towards the beautiful Cairngorm mountain range, Sunnyside House makes just the perfect base for exploring one of the most scenic and popular holiday destinations in Scotland. The house has been equipped and furnished to a high standard which will ensure you have as supremely comfortable and relaxing holiday as possible, with your every need taken care of. Robes are provided for after a soak in the hot tub and dog beds, cages and dishes are included for your four-legged friends.
Located just a mile or so from the centre of the village of Carrbridge and only 11 miles from the vibrant town of Aviemore, both situated in the heart of The Cairngorms National Park and at the head of the Speyside Way, Sunnyside House can be used as a base to explore or to relax and unwind. Carrbridge has the usual village facilities with a larger range available in Aviemore. The area boasts a super range of shops, restaurants and bars along with a wide range of outdoor activities – skiing and snowboarding, mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking and a variety of water sports on nearby Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey, zip lining and zorbing are just a few of the myriad of activities available. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain funicular railway, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre or the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie and the Landmark Forest Adventure Park which is just a short distance from the house – a superb day of fun for all ages. Visit the lovely Spey Valley golf course and the Dalfaber Leisure Resort in Aviemore with its wonderful array of leisure activities.
Further afield, take a trip to the beautiful west coast and the Isle of Skye or a day trip to the Orkney Islands is well worth the effort. Visit the Moray coastline peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches – voted in the top 20 of the best coastline destinations in the world. This is an area with so much to offer, see and do for all ages. For the less energetic, you can sit back by the side of the wood burner or soak in the hot tub and let the stresses of everyday life slip away. So many happy and unforgettable memories will be made on your holiday in Sunnyside House. Beach 24½ miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.