Dog friendly cottage, Strathpeffer, Highland

Set within Castle Leod's nationally recognised designed landscape, Laundry Cottage is a private and characterful retreat for two in the courtyard of the estate's former 19th-century stable complex, just outside the Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer. At the heart of the estate stands Category A-listed Castle Leod, the historic seat of Clan Mackenzie and a place of international significance to the worldwide Clan Mackenzie community. The Castle has been home to the Mackenzie family for more than 500 years, while the surrounding landscape is recognised for its exceptional historical interest and remarkable collection of heritage trees.

Staying guests have access to designated walks within the Castle Leod grounds that are not normally open to the public. These include the River Walk, which follows a wooded stretch of the River Peffery, and the Tree Walk through Castle Leod Arboretum, with its exceptional collection of heritage trees and views towards The Castle. The designed landscape is also home to varied wildlife, and guests may spot red squirrels, deer and pine martens, as well as red kites, cuckoos, woodpeckers and many other rarer bird species.

Castle Leod remains a private family home and opens to visitors on selected public open days, while private tours may be arranged separately in advance. Laundry Cottage incorporates surviving stonework from one of the courtyard buildings, while the remaining walls and ruins of the wider stable complex give the setting its distinctive historic atmosphere. As the courtyard's only occupied building, the cottage offers guests a particularly peaceful and private place to stay.

Inside, the cottage has a comfortable sitting room with Smart TV, a well-equipped kitchen with dining area, and one double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom offering both a bath and separate walk-in shower. A separate cloakroom provides additional convenience. Although arranged on a single storey, internal steps connect the central hallway and sitting room.

Outside, the enclosed garden offers a private place to enjoy the Highland air and is particularly useful for guests bringing a dog. Off-road parking is available close to the cottage. Strathpeffer is one mile away, with a grocery shop, cafes, restaurants and bars.

The village also offers woodland walks, a golf course and reminders of its Victorian spa heritage, including the Spa Pavilion and Old Station, now home to the Highland Museum of Childhood. Further afield, Laundry Cottage is well placed for visiting Dingwall, the Black Isle, Inverness and Loch Ness. The iconic North Coast 500 route is only a short drive away, making the cottage a peaceful base for day trips through Easter Ross, Wester Ross and the wider Northern Highlands.