Highland Retreat

Highland Retreat is nestled in Glen Alladale on the enormous Alladale Wilderness Reserve, close to the village of Ardgay in the Scottish Highlands. It is a fabulous location brimming with forests, mountains, hills, rivers and splendid views. Ardgay lies on the Dornoch Firth, close to where it becomes the Kyle of Sutherland. Ardgay owes its existence to the 3rd Duke of Sutherland whose estates were so extensive when the railway was built from Inverness in the early 1860’s that he had some control over the route. Ardgay lies at the entrance to Strathcarron, the valley of the River Carron that extends far into the mountainous area to the south west. Some walkers hike from the Kyle of Sutherland in the east to Loch Broom in the west, crossing Scotland in a day.

The cute fishing village of Ullapool is very popular. In this area you can enjoy a variety of fabulous walks in the mountains, along the rock coast and following inland footpaths with an excellent selection of fine summits. Stornoway and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides are a ferry ride away. Ullapool and its surrounding area has been described as an outdoor paradise with a ‘Scandinavian twinkle in winter and Canadian-style adrenaline in summer’ and voted as one of the top ten outdoor destinations by Outdoor Fitness magazine. The Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, just like the Alladale Wilderness Reserve, is home to a wonderful array of wildlife including pine martens, wildcats, buzzards and golden eagles.

Dornoch is just under an hour away with its stunning cathedral where services were held as early as 1239, its breathtaking sandy beach, its Royal Dornoch Golf course and its wonderful shops, restaurants and bars. The links golf course has been played on since the 16th century. You might like to take a look in The Carnegie Whisky Cellars while you are there at its unique range of malt whiskies from all over Scotland. On the way there or on the way back, you may like to stop at the Whisky Distillery at Glenmorangie or at the famous ANTA Pottery and Tain Pottery studios.

Horse lovers can visit the family run Hollingwells Equestrian Centre near Edderton. You can enjoy excellent equestrian tuition or day long treks through stunning landscapes.

If you enjoy boat trips and looking for dolphins, there are plenty of opportunies. You can take a memorable day trip to see these beautiful animals from Chanrony Point or the Cromarty Firth on the Black Isle. You can take a wonderful stroll on pretty Rosemarkie Bay, enjoying a coffee at the local beach cafe before taking out your binoculars to spot the majestic animals. Another popular trip is to Lairg, a fifty minute drive from the cottage to the small, family run Go Wild Highlands where you can take canoe trips down the Kyle of Sutherland. A day trip to Aviemore offers the thrills of white water rafting, skiing, quad biking, an aerial adventure course and various watersports. As well as Royal Dornoch, other spectacular golf courses within easy reach are Castle Stewart and Fortrose and Rosemarkie. If you take a trip to Loch Ness you will enjoy a boat cruise, stopping at the ruins of Urquhart Castle. The Black Isle is also beautiful with plenty of quaint seaside villages, smoked fish shops, craft shops and cute cafes as well as its own Black Isle Brewery where you can stop and taste the beer.

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Luxury self-catering holiday accommodation in the Highlands

Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey to the Scottish Highlands with Oliver's Travels, where fabulous, characterful homes await in this rugged and enchanting slice of northern Scotland. Mist-shrouded mountains, deep-blue lochs and ancient castles are the name of the game. It is like stepping into a fantasy novel, but with fewer dragons and more kilts!

First up on our Highland hit-list is Ben Nevis, standing at a whopping 1,345 metres. Climbers and hikers worldwide flock to its trails, ready to conquer the mountain and be rewarded with the most incredible views. If you are not up for an epic uphill battle, fear not! The Great Glen Way offers a more chilled stroll along the Caledonian Canal, connecting Fort William and Inverness. It is like a leisurely stroll through nature, with bonus canal vibes.

Now, who hasn't heard of Loch Ness? Home to historic castles such as Urquhart Castle, this legendary spot invites you to channel your inner detective and search for Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie might be shy, but the views are anything but! You will enjoy ruins, mystery and just maybe, a friendly monster waving from the depths.

Inverness, the unofficial Highland capital, is where historic charm meets modern pizzazz. The River Ness weaves through the city, tickling the feet of Victorian buildings. It is a sophisticated dance of old and new. You can stroll along the riverbanks, explore Inverness Castle and soak up the local vibes at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Heading west is the hidden treasure of Plockton which boasts landscapes so picturesque, you will think you are in a watercolour painting. Whitewashed cottages add a touch of charm and the sheltered bay is the perfect spot for daydreaming. You can take a boat trip to nearby islands or just bask in the coastal serenity. In Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal plays meet and greet with Loch Ness, boating and water-based antics abound. The locks of Fort Augustus are like a watery staircase, a fascinating engineering marvel that turns boat journeys into a spectacle.

The Highland Folk Museum near Newtonmore invites you to step back in time. This living history museum spills the secrets with reconstructed buildings, costumed interpreters and demonstrations of age-old crafts. Another wonder, Eilean Donan Castle is a real-life fairytale fortress perched on a tiny island where three lochs have a meet-up. It is so postcard-perfect that even Hollywood could not resist its charm. History buffs and Instagram enthusiasts, this one is for you!

Of course, we cannot forget the whisky. The Highlands are the holy grail for whisky aficionados. Glenlivet and Glenfiddich distilleries open their doors for guided tours, where you will learn the magic behind crafting Scotch whisky. Sip, swirl and savour – it is a Highland happy hour!

Whether you are scaling castles, conquering peaks, fishing, boating or just lounging by a loch, the Scottish Highlands invites you to a land where nature and history come together in a brilliant way. It is a timeless tale that leaves you in awe. Step into the magic as adventure awaits!

Ah, bonnie Scotland! A wild and beautiful part of the world, where you can explore the rugged highlands or enjoy the colour and vibrancy of cultural capitals like Edinburgh and Glasgow.

But how do you know you’re getting the very best out of your trip? That’s where we come in. If you’ve had a browse through our range of luxury cottages and castles in Scotland, you’ll know there’s some great places to stay, but to find all the great things to do, see and eat you’ll need our handy Scotland travel guide  – so read on and enjoy! 

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