The Highlands and Islands of Scotland, a visitors paradise with unspoilt scenery, mountain and coastal areas, beautiful clean sandy beaches, rivers and lochs adorning views over scenic landscapes often covered in forest and woodland, heather or moorland. The area is rich in biodiversity and home to native animals including the otter, golden eagles and buzzards, red deer, whales and dolphins to mention a few of the iconic species found around the Highlands. While the Scottish Highlands has many highly productive agricultural areas with cattle, sheep and arable crops being farmed, the more remote locations is the land of the wild deer, wild goats and golden eagle. Scotland has so much to offer, whether you are a keen photographer, nature lover, outdoor sports and hill walking enthusiast, or someone wanting a change from town and city life and looking for the perfect place to relax.
With the increasing popularity of the North Coast 500 route around the north of Scotland many more people are discovering the delights of the Scottish Highlands, the Island of Skye, along with the amazing remoteness of the north west of Sutherland with it numerous rivers, lochs and beautiful mountain scenery. Caithness in the far north east of Scotland has unexpected treasures to be discovered including ancient castles, brochs and standing stones, the marina and ferry port at Scrabster near Thurso, and the traditional fishing town of Wick and the nearby John O’Groats with wonderful views towards the Orkney Islands.
Throughout Scottish Highlands are many places that are ideal holiday bases for longer holidays, where a week or fortnight can be spent exploring the surrounding area, hill walking, having an activity holiday or simply spending the time on the beach and visiting the local pub. One of the best ways to have an activity or relaxing holiday is to book a self-catering cottage, caravan or holiday lodge, you can then come home and put your feet up, literally, and enjoy the scenery. It is often cheaper than eating out all the time if you have accommodation where you can make your own breakfast and meals as desired.
Whatever the reason, we hope you choose a self-catering accommodation through West Highland Holidays, in association with the leading holiday providers of cottages and self-catering holidays in Scotland.
Mountains in the wild mountainous area around Loch Torridon and Glen Carron. These mountain photographs were taken by Lindsay Boyd.
Carron House is an excellent, modern, detached house set in its own spacious gardens with stunning loch and mountain views. Situated in the quiet hamlet of Slumbay, just over a mile from the pretty West Highland village of Lochcarron, Carron House provides a high standard of accommodation in a beautiful and unspoilt setting. Sleeps 5, 3 bedrooms, 2 dogs welcome.
Otter cottage is a traditional stone cottage in an outstandingly beautiful location overlooking Lochcarron. Otters and seals can be seen regularly from the large picture windows. This property is set in its own pretty garden, leading straight down to the rocks and shingle beach. The area is renowned for its wildlife, superb scenery and unspoilt coastline. Sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 2 dogs welcome.
Holiday cottages around Strathcarron are available for holidays all year round and are ideally located to explore the areas around Lochcarron, Torridon and Applecross. You are also a short drive to the Isle of Skye. The area has wonderful scenery and rich in wildlife. If you play golf you are also close to Lochcarron Golf Course, a lovely 9 hole course with views over Lochcarron.
The very traditional highland village of Locharron overlooks the lovely sea loch with the same name. Due to the very steep nature of the hill behind the village the drying areas for the houses are sometimes on the beach, giving the place a rather quaint feel.
Near the village is a 9-hole golf course situated in a very beautiful location – the clubhouse was open to the public the last time we visited and was very friendly as well as providing good food.
The area around Lochcarron is ideal for canoeing, sailing, hill walking and many other outdoor activities. It is also perfect for just taking in the wonderful scenery and abundant wildlife. From here you can drive and explore the surrounding areas.
The Applecross peninsula is on the NC500 route and the two roads into this area and small village are through some outstanding natural landscapes. The road over Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle) is one that provides a some excitement as you drive up the side of a mountain, over 2,000 feet in height, with the road having some “hair-raising” hairpin bends.
Often you can leave the sunshine on the lower road and enter low lying clouds at the top of the mountain where you may get a surprise encounter with herds of deer at the summit. The other road into Applecross follows the coastal from Shielding on a single track road. Watch out for otters playing in the sea along this route.
Gairloch is the perfect Scottish holiday destination for everyone wanting to experience a holiday in the Highlands of Scotland, you have everything from beautiful scenery, mountains for hill walking, clean sandy beaches, outdoor sports including golf, windsurfing, sailing, horse riding. There is sea, river and loch fishing as well as many places to visit nearby.
In the Scottish Highlands area of Wester Ross you will discover some of the best, unspoilt scenery in Scotland. Gairloch caters for visitors and you can find holiday accommodation to suit most requirements, with hotels, self-catering cottages, caravans, campsites, bed and breakfast accommodation as well as a Hostel. Gairloch and the surrounding area is a short scenic drive from Inverness and it takes approximately 2 hrs to drive to the west coast taking time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Several sandy beaches can be found throughout Wester Ross, with the beach at Gairloch being very popular with locals and visitors. If you love remote sandy beaches then drive out past Sheildaig, Badachro, Port Henderson and then Opinan to Redpoint where you will discover a lovey beach, often empty of people even in the height of summer. Closer to Gairloch is the sands on the North Erradale road at Big Sand. One of the areas caravan and campsites, Sands Caravan and Camping is next to this beach where you can rent a caravan, wigwam or stay in your own campervan, caravan or tent. The other caravan and campsite is located in Gairloch village next to one of Gairloch's hotels, local shops and cafe.
Sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, 2 dogs welcome.
Tollie Cottage is situated just a few hundred yards from Gairloch harbour and close to the main Gairloch beach. It is situated close to all the amenities of Gairloch, whilst offering peace and tranquillity.
Sleeps 5 with 3 bedrooms, 2 dogs welcome.
Glengowan cottage is situated in the rural, crofting township of Inverasdale on the west coast of Scotland and offers views over mountains and open countryside. This peaceful place is an ideal location for exploring, with the sandy beach and dunes of Firemore Sands nearby and the exotic Inverewe Gardens at Poolewe.
Skye is a unique Scottish Island as it has a bridge connecting the island to the mainland of Scotland. The bridge is free to cross providing a very convenient way over to the island, to explore this outstanding travel destination. For many people the mountains and munros of Skye provide a challenge that has to be tackled, for others it is the excitement to visit an area used to film iconic movies and TV dramas. The island is also home to wild deer, golden eagles and other wildlife for you to see and enjoy. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the chance to see the Northern Lights make this area a memorable holiday location.
Whatever your motive to visit Skye, the area can be highly recommended for extended visits of a week or more as there is so much to see and do. While there are over a 100 self-catering cottages available on the island it is suggested you book early as this is a very popular holiday destination in Scotland.
Moo Cottage in Struan, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
Sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 2 dogs welcome.
Moo Cottage is furnished and equipped to a good standard and is ideal for a relaxing holiday break. Take time to explore the many unspoilt beaches, miles of rugged coastline where you may catch a glimpse of the vast array of wildlife including whales, dolphins and otters as well as eagles. For the outdoor enthusiast, kayaking, fishing, sea trips, mountain biking and hill walking are just some of the many activities available. Shop, pub and restaurant 8 miles.
Tigh Sheoc is an outstanding cottage in the settlement of Torrin in the south of Skye. Sleeping 4 with 2 bedrooms. 2 dogs welcome and pets go free.
The cottage is set in its own 11 acres of land with the garden mainly laid out to lawn with some garden furniture. The property has been converted from a stone barn to a lovey warm cottage with oil central heating. The main bedroom has a king sized bed and with two single beds in the other bedroom.
Benefiting from outstanding views towards mountains you will find this cottage ideal for exploring Skye and the mainland area around Kyle of Lochalsh and Plockton. It is also perfectly situated for a hill walking holiday with the mountains of Beinn Dearg, Blabheinn nearby and a relatively short drive to the Cuillin Hills.
Isle of Skye mountains - Black Cuillin, Sgurr na Stri and Bla Bheinn
