Dog-Friendly Scottish Highlands

Enjoying a peaceful setting with wonderful views across open countryside towards the Cairngorm Mountains, this spacious detached house has been equipped and furnished to a very good standard to ensure as relaxing and comfortable holiday as possible. Set in the heart of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, Truim Cottage makes the perfect base for exploring the lovely part of the Scottish Highlands. Located close to Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore, with easy access to Fort William, Oban, Inverness, the Highland capital, and the stunning beauty of the west coast and Isle of Skye, Truim Cottage is a superb point to set off from. Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast with hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, golf, and watersports on Loch Morlich and Loch Ericht, are just a few of the many activities available. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this lovely area. Shop and pub 500 yards.

Originally the village school that served a small rural community in north west Sutherland, The Old School House has been transformed into a delightful stone cottage surrounded by its own enclosed landscaped cottage gardens. The lounge runs the length of the cottage. With the original high ceilings, large windows and Victorian fireplace, this superb room has a warm, welcoming ambience and provides plenty of space for guests to sit and admire the view whilst enjoying a wee dram or two in front of the open fire. There is a large double bedroom with a super king sized bed, a twin room and a small third bedroom with bunk beds for two children. They are all attractively presented with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings. The gardens are a real delight, with a stone slab path leading up through the flower beds to a garden seat from which there are spectacular views across the bay to Handa Island and the Outer Isles. The mountains of Foinavon, Ben Stack and Arkle are also visible.

The immediate area is haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of the great outdoors generally. Hill walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are all local activities. There is a thriving pony trekking centre in the nearby village of Sheigra, with rides 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.

The beaches in this area are renowned. Sandwood Bay is particularly noted, with a wonderful walk across the machair to its secluded sweeping sands. The nearby beaches of Oldshoremore and Polin are also renowned for their unspoilt beauty. Kinlochbervie is the nearest main village. The most northerly port on the west coast of Scotland, this pretty village has an active working harbour and offers good local facilities, including a shop and post office, as well as a hotel with restaurant open all year to non-residents for meals.

Situated in the quiet Highland hamlet of Inverasdale on the stunning west coast of Scotland, Deo Na Mara (Gaelic for mist of the sea), enjoys incredible views across the sea from its large picture windows. This beautifully presented single storey cottage sits in its own pretty gardens overlooking Loch Ewe and is surrounded by spectacular hills and mountains.
The living room has deep leather sofas and wonderful views across the bay. The kitchen diner is warm and welcoming, with a Stanley Range heater and a large family dining table. There are three attractively presented bedrooms, all generously proportioned, sharing a family bathroom.
The surrounding area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Hill walking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing and fishing are all available in the area. Canoes and small craft can be launched from the slipway opposite the cottage. There is plenty to see and do close by. The sub-tropical gardens of Inverewe are just 10 minutes’ drive away. Boat trips run from nearby Gairloch to view the amazing sea life around this coast and there are numerous superb beaches all along the coastline. Deo Na Mara is ideal for families, couples or groups wishing to explore this totally unspoilt and truly awe-inspiring part of the renowned Scottish Highlands. Shop, pub and restaurant distance 4 Miles

A warm Highland welcome awaits you at Glen View of Enrick House. Enjoying a tranquil wooded setting, Glen View has been equipped and furnished to a very good standard to meet all your requirements. Nestling against the side of the hill and with an on-site herb garden, the house is only 4 miles from the lovely village of Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness, and makes the perfect base for exploring the many attractions and amenities along with the stunning beauty of this part of the Northern Highlands. You will also find Lock Miekle only a 5-minute walk from the cottage.
Drumnadrochit has a good selection of restaurants and bars, with Inverness, the Highland Capital, just 18 miles away, where you will find an extensive range of shops, restaurants, theatre, galleries and swimming pools, to name just a few of the amenities. On the edge of Drumnadrochit you will find Urquhart Castle, a very popular visitor attraction, or go to Jacobite Cruises where you can enjoy a boat trip on Loch Ness – a good monster spotting area! Slightly further afield, you can visit Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor and Brodie Castles, and Fort George, or meander along some of the beautiful Moray coastline beaches which have been named in the top twelve of the world’s most beautiful and unspoilt coastlines.
Take a trip along the Malt Whisky Trail – the only one of its kind in the world! To the west and within a short drive you will find the beautiful Glen Affric and Glen Strathfarrar, both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you can walk and hill climb, or also enjoy some of the area’s finest mountain bike trails. Visit the beautiful Isle of Skye, and stop on the way to visit the much photographed Eilean Donan Castle. Travel south and visit Fort William where you can hike up Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain), or take the ski lift up Aonach Mor for some skiing. From both locations you will have spectacular views across the area.
Amongst the many activities available in the locality, there are many golf courses within easy reach, mountain biking on numerous trails, hill climbing, walking with many forest trails on the doorstep, a variety of water sports on Loch Ness or the Moray coastline, and skiing and snowboarding in the Cairngorms or the Nevis range. For the less energetic, sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing scenery. A trip to this area will always evoke happy memories.

Unusual single-storey detached cottage with superb views over Loch Insh and the Cairngorms. Open fire, hot tub, spacious accommodation, superb rural location. Aviemore 6 miles.

Escape to this delightful detached holiday cottage, part of the Old Inzievar House estate which is situated in beautiful and natural parkland, on a working farm with varied livestock, about 6 miles west of Dunfermline and 1 mile from the historic Culross village and abbey on the Forth Estuary. Fernwoodlea has been thoughtfully restored to retain many original features and provides spacious, comfortable accommodation. Ideal for relaxing and enjoying the area and all it has to offer with friends and family. You can curl up with a book in the cosy living room in front of the wood burner on cooler days or sit in the garden with a glass of wine.

If you are feeling more energetic, try the owner’s tennis court, or with permission from the owners, a tour of the restored walled garden can be arranged. This rural haven has excellent access to dog friendly walks, cycle paths, and outdoor amenities, but within easy access of Edinburgh 24 miles, Perth 33 miles and Stirling 18 miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Big Barns Cottage forms part of a separate wing of an historic B-listed Arts and Crafts house. It is one of the original buildings on the Sutherland Estate, built for the Duke of Sutherland, whose family’s seat is Dunrobin Castle. This early 18th century crow-stepped barn was converted by the renowned architect George Devey in the 19th century. He remodelled it on the Cotswold vernacular; his aim was to convey the impression of a large country house without losing the impression of an original 18th century barn. Its historic and characterful architecture is completely unique and a joy to behold.
The cottage has its own separate entrance and front door. The solid wood door opens into a charming living room with a welcoming wood burner and original flag stone flooring. The furnishing, including many antiques, have been chosen to suit the period. There is a separate dining room, with antique furniture, in-keeping with the original building. The kitchen is small but very well-equipped. Stairs lead up to two pretty bedrooms, one with a double bed and the second with twin beds. Both enjoy views across the beautiful gardens to the sea beyond. Set in two acres of private, mature gardens, which include a large variety of rare plants and enclosed woodland, the cottage has its own separate and secluded garden area, surrounded by flowering plants, with lawn and outdoor dining table and chairs.
Native deer are often seen around Big Barns Cottage and seals swimming close to shore can be admired from the local beach, which is just a short walk away. Situated one mile away from the main road, down an unmade estate track, there are numerous forest walks, cycling routes and a wide variety of wildlife to discover direct from the cottage. There are breathtaking views across the Dornoch Firth to the far distant peaks of the Cairngorms.
Big Barns Cottage offers total peace and seclusion, yet is ideally located for exploring the best of the Highlands. Just a mile away is the renowned North Coast 500 route, which encompasses some of the most incredible and inspiring landscapes to be found anywhere in the British Isles. There is plenty to explore close at hand or further afield, including local distilleries, golf courses, fishing, kayaking, sailing, hill-walking and mountain biking. A visit to Dunrobin Castle is a must, with its fairy tale turrets and its gardens modelled on Versailles. The nearby villages of Golspie and Brora, both within 10 minutes’ drive, provide a good selection of local amenities, including pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, cafés and small shops. This totally unique historic cottage provides warm and welcoming accommodation in a truly superb setting. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and resturant 1½ miles.

Newly renovated in December 2022 to a luxury standard with a large kitchen boasting top end appliances, stunning new bathrooms with under floor heating, comfortable new bedrooms with lots of storage and an updated living/dining area with three huge sofas and coffee table, a snug with a desk, bean bags and games, and a large dining table with plenty of seating to suit everyone’s needs.
This stunning, detached, lodge property enjoys a peaceful and private location approximately a mile outside the forest village of Nethy Bridge, and makes the perfect base for exploring this lovely part of the northern Highlands. Sitting on the edge of the ancient Scottish Caledonian Forest, the lodge overlooks moorland and mountains with abundant wildlife which includes red squirrels, mountain hares, red and roe deer, and many species of song birds can often be heard in this secluded setting.
Mountain Bear Lodge is 12 miles from Aviemore which is situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and at the head of the Speyside Way. The whole area boasts a super range of shops, restaurants and bars along with a wide range of outdoor activities including skiing and snowboarding, (Cairngorm Mountains are within an hour’s drive. Glencoe and Glenshee are around 2½ hours’ drive) There is also mountain and quad biking, climbing and hill walking with a variety of water sports available on Loch Insh, Loch Morlich and the River Spey. Take a trip on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway or visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, the Highland Wildlife Park at nearby Kingussie, the Landmark Forest Adventure Park or the RSPB Reserve at nearby Loch Garten, which are all within easy reach of the lodge.
Visit the testing Spey Valley golf course and the Dalfaber Resort with its wonderful array of leisure activities, or a day trip to the Moray coastline peppered with little fishing villages and beautiful beaches. For the less energetic, sit back in the hot tub set in peaceful garden grounds, relax and unwind. There’s a farm shop, pub and restaurant within 1 mile.

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.

Red Kite Lodge is a real delight, situated in the heart of the Sutherland hills on a working farm, approached via a well-maintained private track leading out to open countryside and the owner’s 50 hectares of croft land. This detached, solid wood lodge enjoying complete peace and seclusion, is presented to a very good standard throughout. The main living area is open plan with a welcoming wood burner and floor to ceiling patio doors to maximise the stunning views. The patio doors open onto raised decking, with a private hot tub and outdoor dining table and chairs. The bright, modern kitchen area is exceptionally well equipped, with plenty of space for dining. The bespoke, solid wood, raised dining table adds an interesting and attractive feature to the room. There are two beautifully presented kingsize bedrooms each with colour coordinated soft furnishings. 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.

This property is ideal for the ultimate ’get away from it all’ holiday, with pampering included. Sitting in the hot tub or relaxing with a glass of wine on the decking after a day’s sightseeing or hill walking must be the ultimate holiday experience.

The owners farm hundreds of acres of surrounding farmland and open hills where friendly cattle and sheep roam freely, and osprey, deer, pine martens, red kites, golden eagles and curlews can all be spotted in the vicinity. Whilst providing an element of privacy, the lodge is just over 1 mile to the pretty village of Rogart. It has 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. 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 there is a superb, award-winning, sandy beach, a renowned championship golf course as well as the 12th-century cathedral that dominates the central square. Beach 15 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.