For Haunting Beauty and Ancient History Choose a Holiday Cottage in The Northern Highlands

Accommodation with Nature on the Doorstep

The Highlands of Scotland epitomise the country's legendary beauty, with awesome wilderness, towering mountains, ancient pine forests and broad expanses of shimmering loch.

It's impossible for nature enthusiasts not to enjoy a short break or long stay in a Highland holiday cottage. Wherever you roam you'll find outstanding natural beauty; Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, Ardnamurchan and the Great Glen are just some of the inspirational locations within reach of our range of cottages.

The Cairngorms National Park is a living landscape, wild at heart, and contains the best wildlife habitats in the UK. The region is home to a quarter of the nation's threatened species such as osprey, red squirrels and capercaillie. Choose a Cairngorm holiday cottage for a real walk on the wild side.

And don't overlook the Northern Highlands' miles of coastline and intriguing islands, where you'll find puffins and seals aplenty, shimmering turquoise waters and quiet sandy beaches. Wildlife flourishes too in the amazing flat lands of Caithness and Sutherland, and from a cottage here you can see dolphins, whales, eagles and otters.

Character Cottages Steeped in History and Heritage

Whatever chapter of history you want to delve into, you'll find heritage around every corner on holiday in the Highlands. Rent a cottage as a base to explore the earliest traces of man among the ancient cairns at Clava, Corrimony, Caithness and Sutherland, or discover the legends of the Picts at the centre for Dark Ages culture, Easter Ross where you'll find the Tarbat Discovery Centre.

Explore medieval history at the impressive stronghold of Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness, and then look for folklore's great mysterious monster. Or from cottages on the islands of Skye, Iona and Mull you can find Viking settlements and Neolithic ruins. No voyage into the history of the Northern Highlands would be complete without a visit to Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army were defeated in the 18th Century.

This atmospheric site is now home to The National Trust for Scotland's visitor centre, where the moving story is retold. From 11th Century ruins, to more recent legacies such as Balmoral Castle, our range of cottages in the Highlands puts centuries of history at your feet.

Choose a Cottage Holiday for Culture and Cuisine

Whisky is the Highlands' most famous export and countless visitors come in search of a 'wee dram' of the finest malt. Whisky Weekends offer tours and tastings in the local distilleries and a chance to learn more about Scotland's national drink.

Our range of cottages put you within easy reach of around 41 distilleries, for those with a strong constitution! Or, for those who prefer to make the most of their self-catering facilities, you'll find exceptional local produce and some amazing traditional dishes to try your hand at.

A must-try is the Clootie Dumpling - a mixture of spices, carrots, apple, raisins and more, wrapped in muslin and steamed for hours. For a little less effort, try the Old Forge at Knoydart, Britain's remotest pub, or the unique culinary experience at the Glenfinnan Dining Car, a restored 1950s carriage overlooking Loch Shiel.

Holiday Homes near the Highlights and Hotspots

Whether you simply want to relax and find your own space among inspirational unspoilt scenery, or raise your pulse with more active pursuits, a cottage in the Northern Highlands makes a perfect retreat.

From a gentle walk around the sparkling waters of Loch Linnhe; to top-class climbing, hiking, skiing, and mountain-biking at Fort William or Lochaber, a holiday here can make your heart soar or your pulse race. Inverness, the region's capital city, plays host the most famous Highland Games, in July each year, when you can watch caber tossing and sword dancing, set to the rousing sound of traditional songs and marching pipe bands.

Or, if it's family fun that makes your holiday special, then try great attractions such as the Strathspey Railway, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, The Highland and Rare Breeds Park at Fort Augustus, or the Skye Serpentarium Reptile World at Broadford. However you choose to fill your Highland Holiday, you are guaranteed some magical memories. Visit our availability search page to find your next holiday cottage in the Northern Highlands.