Southern Cottage

For a peaceful Scottish holiday of windswept beach walks, whisky sipping and perhaps enjoying a round or two of golf, stay at this quaint cottage 2.5 miles inland of the Moray Firth. Previously an 18th-century stable, it offers rustic-style accommodation with all your modern needs fully met. You’ll be excellently placed for the Malt Whisky Trail (8 miles) and also to delve deep into the region’s history at local castles and forts.

This charming abode is made from elegant stone, with this atmospheric raw material also making up some of the inside walls. It’s been thoughtfully and tastefully decorated with warm shades and attractive checked soft furnishings, so you’re bound to feel right at home as soon as you enter.

Downstairs, your spacious open-plan living area is wonderful for relaxing with your loved ones and pet, with its grand open fireplace, sofas and TV. The luscious garden is very much visible through the patio doors and large windows, bringing the peace of nature inside. If you have extra guests, make the most of the full-size sofa bed available in the lounge. The modern kitchen is excellent for prepping yummy meals and packed lunches, and there’s a convenient downstairs shower room with WC that adds to the home's thoughtful design.

When you’re weary from all the excitement, head upstairs to find two gorgeously decorated king-size bedrooms, each with an en-suite for added privacy. The zip-and-link beds can be separated into twin beds upon advance request.

If the weather’s good, you’ll appreciate the lovely garden, accessible via the patio doors in the main living area. You’ll have furniture and a BBQ so you can cook alfresco as children and pets let off steam on the lawn.

• 2 bedrooms – 2 super-king-size zip-and-link (which can be made up as twin beds on request)
• 3 bathrooms - 1 en-suite bathroom with bath, hand-held shower and WC, 1 en-suite shower room with WC, 1 ground floor shower room with shower and WC
• Electric oven and hob, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee machine
• Shared utility area in outbuilding, with washing machine, tumble dryer and drying area
• Open Fire (first basket of logs provided) more available to purchase from the owner
• Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor
• TV in lounge and both bedrooms
• Highchair and travel cot available
• Garden areas to the front and rear with patio seating & BBQ
• Ample parking to the front and side of the property for up to 2 cars
• Shops 2 miles, bar & restaurants 0.3 miles
• Minimum rental is 5 nights unless July and August which will be 7 nights
• Sleeps 4 + 2 (full size sofa bed in lounge can sleep 2 guests on request)
• This property will be decorated for Christmas
• Arrival: 16:00 onwards
• Departure: before 10:00, unless otherwise stated in your arrival details
• 1 dog allowed. Dogs are charged at £20 each per full or part week
• There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £200 when booking at this property, however this may be waived for £25. We’ll provide more details about this when booking your holiday.

This part of Scotland is a nature lover’s paradise, with its scenic walking and cycle routes and rich biodiversity of seals, dolphins and birds. You’ll also have a choice of excellent golf courses nearby, such as Nairn Dunbar just 2.5 miles away.

Nairn itself (2.5 miles) is an ancient fishing port and market town with an idyllic location right on the Moray Firth. Take your pet for a runaround on the pretty dog-friendly beach, or while away an hour or two in the museum, which contains exhibits on local history. There’s also an abundance of shops and restaurants for you to discover.

Craving some nature immersion? There are plenty of spots to choose from, starting perhaps with the Culbin Forest (6.5 miles), a unique Special Protection Area (SPA) that stretches 9 miles along the stunning Moray Coast. Again, this a lovely place for dog walking.

Brodie and Cawdor castles (4.5 miles and 6.5 miles respectively) are a must-see for history aficionados, while Fort George (10.5 miles) is another popular site. At this large 18th-century fortress, you can discover army barracks, canon batteries, ammunition stores, a chapel, a bakehouse and a brewhouse. Don’t forget to check out the stunning views across to the Black Isle from here.

If you’ve got some Scotch tasting on the wish list, you won’t be disappointed, with the Malt Whisky Trail an extremely popular attraction for tourists to the region. It takes in nine big-name and boutique distilleries, with Benromach (8 miles) being the nearest to you.