Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Wester Lonemore is a large, south facing cottage with wonderful views across the Dornoch Sands. This single-storey cottage enjoys a superb setting, with incredible and far-reaching views across the sea to the hills beyond. There has been a new Air Source Heat Pump central heating system added for a greener heating solution. A large entrance porch provides plenty of space for sporting and outdoor gear. The door from here leads into the main living area. This horse-shoe shaped room is set around a warm, welcoming and original open fireplace. Large picture windows drink in the seascape and ever-changing views of skies and sunrises. The kitchen/dining area is bright and modern, with feature Rangemaster cooker and all modern appliances. There are three bedrooms, all attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. The lovely sun room provides an ideal spot to sit and watch the myriad of wildlife that frequent the gardens and its surroundings. A large pond attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife. A modern family bathroom completes the picture.

The country gardens are a real feature of the cottage, attracting many rare and unusual species, including goldfinch, curlews, oyster catchers and lapwings. Rare osprey and red kite are seen close by and deer can be spotted from the windows. It is just a short 500 yard walk from the cottage down to the secluded sandy bay of Dornoch Sands. The charming seaside village of Dornoch is just 3 miles away. Here there is an excellent selection of high quality independent shops as well as restaurants, cafés and bars. Set around the 15th-century sandstone cathedral, Dornoch is a delightful village to meander and explore. It is also home to the world famous Royal Dornoch natural links golf course. There are six more courses within a 20-minute drive. The sandy beaches of Dornoch and Embo are also popular with visitors and locals alike. Wester Lonemore is ideally located for exploring the very best of the Highlands and is just a few minutes from the renowned North Coast 500 route. Beach 500 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Escape to the serene beauty of Opinan, Gairloch and experience the ultimate retreat at Seashell Lodge. Nestled in nature, this cosy haven offers breathtaking sea views that will leave you mesmerized from the moment you arrive. Immerse yourself in the panoramic beauty of the Scottish coast. Its elevated position allows you to enjoy stunning vistas of the sea, creating a tranquil and picturesque backdrop. Bring your four-legged friends along for an unforgettable getaway ensuring your furry companions can enjoy the adventure. Seashell Lodge exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, combining rustic charm with modern comfort. Relax on the private deck area while taking in the fresh sea breeze. Each bedroom is thoughtfully designed to provide a comfortable and restful night’s sleep. Wake up to the soothing sounds of nature and the gentle lull of the waves. The lodge features a shower room for a refreshing and rejuvenating experience. Whether you seek a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled vacation, this haven promises an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones.
Take leisurely strolls through the quaint village of Opinan discovering its charm and friendly atmosphere. The lodge is conveniently located near a pristine beach, perfect for a day of beachcombing, building sandcastles or simply soaking up the sun. Gairloch is known for its rich wildlife. Embark on nature trails or boat trips to witness seals, dolphins and various bird species in their natural habitat. Indulge in the local culinary delights at nearby restaurants and cafes. Sample fresh seafood and traditional Scottish dishes. Explore nearby historical sites, including castles and museums, to delve into the rich history and culture of the Scottish Highlands. Seashell Lodge is the perfect base for your holiday exploring the Scottish Highlands, and it will not disappoint.

Beannachd is a spacious holiday home in Lonemore near Dornoch and enjoys spectacular, uninterrupted views toward the Dornoch Firth. With three bedrooms, this detached house also has large garden, off-street parking, Wi-Fi and is dog friendly. This makes it a great family holiday home with easy access to the north Highland routes. This tranquil location is just 2 miles from the centre of Dornoch and makes the ideal base for relaxing and for travelling further afield throughout the northern Highlands. Beach 2½ miles.

Perched above the shores of Loch Ness, Bunloit Farmhouse provides an enchanting Highland escape. As you enter the cottage, you’ll find the spacious living and kitchen areas to the right, both with wood-burning stoves and loch views. On the left is a twin bedroom providing another fantastic vista across Loch Ness. Upstairs a double and single room greet you, sure to provide a peaceful night’s sleep. There are bathrooms on both floors of the property.
The Farmhouse is surrounded by Bunloit Estate, a nature restoration site. As a guest here, you can book an exclusive site tour (email to enquire), or explore the ample nature on the doorstep all by yourself. Despite the wild feel, most essential services are available in the village of Drumnadrochit (3.7 miles), and more still in Inverness (19.5 miles). Activities in the area are plentiful.

Drummond House is a beautiful property located off the A96 between Inverness and Nairn close to Loch Flemington. It sits in large enclosed grounds with trees, shrubs, fruit trees and lots of quiet seating areas to take in the scenery and the wildlife.
Walking through the front door takes you into a large hall with storage for boots and jackets after a day exploring. The living space is open plan with the living area to the front of the property; it is large room with comfy sofas, a Smart TV and amazing views across the garden and the hills beyond. The dining room flows off the kitchen which has plenty of cupboard space and is equipped with everything you will require for your stay. Located at the rear of the property is the conservatory with views of the garden and provides an additional seating area. There is separate toilet on this floor.
On the first floor are two bedrooms. The large bedroom has a kingsize bed and a single bed, and the second bedroom has two single beds and overlooks the garden.
There is a beautiful garden surrounding the property, with lawns, trees, shrubs, many seating areas to enjoy the outdoors and the amazing surroundings. Due to the location, rabbits, foxes and the odd deer may join you as well.
Just 100 metres from Loch Flemington, which has been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and is an internationally important breeding site for Slavonian grebe and a range of other rare, indigenous plants and animals, including breeding swans. The beautiful loch is also said to have an island on it, upon which a castle once stood; in very dry summers its foundations can be seen. The loch was at one time considered one of the best places in Scotland to fish for trout.
The property is located 15 minutes from Inverness Airport and 20 minutes from Inverness city centre, which offers a selection of restaurants, cafés, bars, cinema, theatre, golf courses and fishing on the River Ness.
Maybe take a boat trip up Loch Ness or visit Culloden Battlefield, Fort George museum or Cawdor Castle. Why not take a trip out on the Moray Firth to see dolphins?
The area has a huge selection of amazing walks where you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the area. To the east is the seaside town of Nairn only 15 minutes away with its sandy beach and selection of restaurants, cafés and bars.
Drummond Lodge will not disappoint and is perfect for all the family. The location is ideal to either relax in or just as a base from which to visit the surrounding area and explore the Highlands.

Sandy Bay Cottage is located in the quiet village of Portmahomack which nestles around the sandy bay. There are beautiful views across the water, and you can often spot otters and dolphins, and it is great for swimming and water sports as there is no current. The property is pet friendly so all the family can enjoy a holiday at Sandy Bay. On entering the cottage from the patio area you come into the kitchen which is bright and airy, and is fully equipped with all the mod cons to create a wonderful meal if there is an enthusiastic cook in the family. There is plenty of cupboard space and it is fully stocked with pots, pans and utensils. Through to the cosy living room with comfy sofa and chairs, you can enjoy a relaxing evening in front of the TV. The modern shower room has a shower, washbasin and toilet. There are two bedrooms, a double and a twin, both with bedside cabinets and lights. Outside there is an enclosed patio area to the side of the property, with table and chairs for al fresco dining. There is plenty of private parking across from the cottage.
The area has plenty of opportunity for walkers. Tarbatness lighthouse is 3 miles away, and the quaint village of Rockfield at the foot of the cliffs is a mile away where bird spotting can be rewarding. There is a 9-hole golf course nearby which has a café and bar operating from the clubhouse. There is also a post office with a well-stocked shop, restaurant, tearoom and local pub. Tain is only 9 miles away and has supermarkets, an 18-hole golf course, distillery and selection of local shops, restaurant, cafés and bars.

Fraser’s Cottage is a recently built house immediately adjacent to Salen Hotel. The cottage sleeps 4, with one double and one twin room, both having views over Loch Sunart. The family bathroom with whirlpool bath is also upstairs. Downstairs is open plan with a dining, sitting room and beautiful kitchen area with gas fired rayburn cooker and 2 hobs. There is also a large downstairs shower room and a garden area to the front of the property. This is an excellent base from which to explore Ardnamurchan and the west coast of Scotland.

Hazelgrove is a characterful holiday home on the south side of Loch Ness in the small village of Inverfarigaig near Foyers. It’s perched in a spectacular spot with views out over the Loch. Hazelgrove is a magical place to spend a week or two with the entire family. The south side of Loch Ness is arguably the more attractive and certainly much quieter. Along General Wade’s 18th century military road from Inverness you will reach the dramatic little village of Inverfarigaig. The rushing waters of the River Farigaig run through the village and there are numerous trails heading off to explore the surrounding forests and lochs. The South Loch Ness Trail is worth exploring and so too is The Trail of the 7 Lochs, both easily accessible from Inverfarigaig.
Beyond the River Farigaig you soon see Hazelgrove’s sign on the left. The cottage is perched up on the left but within a short stroll of the loch side. Walking up to the timber clad Hazelgrove through mature enclosed gardens you’ll be chuffed with your decision to pick this property for your holiday. You rise up to the cottage’s veranda and Loch Ness dominates the view – it’s spectacular! The rocking chair on the veranda is a nice touch as sitting in this spot is truly good for the soul. Into the property and the vestibule leads into the open-plan living/dining space which makes the most of the view of Loch Ness. There’s an incredible stone fireplace framing the woodburning stove. The kitchen is beyond this space and is well-equipped, including an Aga in addition to an electric oven and hob. Out to the back of Hazelgrove next to the kitchen is a utility room with a washing machine, overhead clothes airer and ironing facilities, and a boot room with access to the wrap-around garden. On the other side of the house are the three bedrooms, two doubles and a single, as well as the family bathroom. All views from the bedrooms are of the garden and surrounding forest making them perfect places to rest and recharge. The outside of Hazelgrove is special. Nestled beneath the trees of the Farigaig forest where red squirrels and pine martens can be spotted, the mature garden is fully enclosed for dogs to run around at will. There’s an even better view from the top of the plot to the rear of the property. There’s a patio with garden furniture for visitors to sit out late in the evening to watch the sunset over Loch Ness. It’s a very special place to spend time.
Hazelgrove is also an excellent base from which to explore the Highlands. Foyers is a great village a short way away with a amazing waterfalls and places to eat and drink. Beyond Foyers the south side of Loch Ness with its network of lanes and trails is brilliant to explore. Fort Augustus isn’t far away and Fort William beyond isn’t a long drive. Inverness is less than thirty minutes drive away, so you’re well connected at Hazelgrove. You can get to Ben Nevis, the Isle of Skye, the Black Isle and the Cairngorms National Park easily from Hazelgrove, but many people will simply want to just stay put by the Loch and enjoy keeping an eye out for Nessie!

“Rhianchaitel” is Gaelic for Cattle Field. This part of Bettyhill where the the house is built was an old croft that obviously often had cattle roaming around. Built over a hundred years ago at the beginning of the twentieth century, Rhianchaitel House is a rather grand croft house. You can see the ruin of the older property in the grounds near to the house, and that single storey croft house would’ve been 17th or 18th century. Arriving in the rugged village of Bettyhill on the far north coast of Scotland, you’re greeted with a collection of cottages across the hilly coast, centred around a shop, a café and a hotel with bar and restaurant. Rhianchaitel is walking distance from the village centre, approximately halfway down the hill towards the beach. Walking down the hill you come across the track circling back towards the house where it stands proud with no neighbours. The accommodation is spacious for five people and the house welcomes up to two dogs. Now even though it isn’t an enclosed garden, it’s a great spot for dogs as the end of track where there’s the occasional slow moving vehicle is about 200 yards away from the house. Dogs can have a great time roaming around the house in the garden and grounds.
Entering through the back door, which you’ll mostly do, there’s a useful hallway for boots after days out exploring. There’s a single bedroom on the ground floor near to the back door. The kitchen/dining room wit adjoining utility area is next and is a fantastic space for the family to gather in to plan days out and reminisce of days well spent at or near Rhianchaitel House. There’s a magnificent floor to ceiling window in the kitchen that gives a spectacular view of the beach and surrounding hills. The kitchen/dining room has everything you’d want from the space plus a handy Flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The living room is also on the ground floor and again has a large Flat-screen TV for everyone to gather round on comfy sofas. Up to the first floor there are two bedrooms, one with a kingsize double and another with a double bed. The double bedroom has an amazing view down to the sandy beach. Also on the first floor is a spectacular bathroom complete with shower cubicle and a free-standing bath. Rhianchaitel House is the holiday home you’ll want to return to during your stay up in the far north of Scotland after long days out exploring. It’s also likely to be a family favourite that you want to return to in future years. There’s so much to see and do on the far north coast, and the NC500 touring route, which passes through the village will be very helpful. There are more amazing sandy beaches beyond Farr Beach at Armadale, Strathy and Melvich. To the west you have Tongue and its unbelievably scenic backdrop of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope which you can explore en route to the arty outpost of Durness. There’s too much to mention here, but hiking, biking (road and mountain bike), surfing, golfing, fishing (fly fishing on some of Scotland’s best salmon rivers, as well as trout lochs and sea fishing, whisky and chocolate tasting, wildlife trips. The list goes on and on. You better book a few weeks to enjoy it all!

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.