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Make a holiday rental cottage in the Scottish Highlands and Islands your home away from home

It is hard to describe the pure beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to someone who has not seen the area with their own eyes. It seems that every twist in the road brings you to a new landscape or new little community to explore. Wildlife and nature play a large part in life in the Highlands and Islands, and there are few places in Europe where you can go on holiday in such unspoilt surroundings. Most people looking for self catering accommodation in the Highlands and Islands will already know a huge amount about the area and the possibilities for walking holidays, golfing breaks and fishing trips, but there is always more to see and do in the far north of the UK!

Things to do on holiday in the Scottish Highlands and Islands

Gaelic culture is still strong in the Highlands and Islands, and although the small communities which adorn the landscape have had to adapt to survive, there are still distinct features of Gaelic culture in music, food, arts and sport, which all come together perfectly at the frequent Highland Games competitions which occur throughout the summer. If the local games are on when you are staying in a holiday property in the Highlands and Islands, you are in luck. They provide a wonderful day, brimming with entertainment and Scottish delicacies! Local folklore is hugely regional, and there are some magnificent stories and tales to investigate, which really capture the imagination.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands have had a rough and highly innovative history, resulting in the landscape being covered with fascinating places of interest from huge, humbling castles and ancient monuments to whiskey distilleries and original steam engines.

Walkers, hikers and climbers who fancy a challenge and unrivalled peace will be in their own personal heaven whilst staying in a property in the Scottish Highlands. You could walk and climb for days without having to walk across a road, and there are an enormous variety of marked trails to embark upon, from the dramatic coastal paths to the timelessly secluded forest trails. Riding and mountain biking holidays thrive from Highlands accommodation too.

There are over 40 golf courses to choose from when staying in a cottage in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Golfers will already know of courses like Nairn, but wherever you decide to take self catering accommodation in the Scottish highlands and Islands, you are sure to be able to find a local course for a round.

The untainted rivers and lochs of the Highlands and Islands teem with fish, and although conditions may vary from the optimum conditions you are used to, finding someone willing to pass on a little local knowledge should not be too hard in the Highlands! Fishing permits are required, but are easily purchased from most towns. The waterways and coast of the Scottish Highlands and Islands are perfect for water sports, although wet suits are strongly advised for much of the year. Sailing, kayaking and windsurfing are among the most popular.

During the winter, the Scottish Highlands and Islands are the best place in the UK for skiing. The skiing in Scotland is highly enjoyable, with rewarding runs for beginners and experts alike. There are three main skiing centres which all provide everything you need for a fun skiing holiday or weekend break. These are to be found in the Nevis Range, (near Ben Nevis, and offering Scotland’s highest pistes), Cairngorm (the most popular) and Glencoe (which offers the longest runs in Scotland).

Anyone staying in a self catering holiday in the Scottish Highlands and Islands towards the southern region should also concider a quick exploration of the Aberdeen and Grampion region.

Weather in the Scottish Highlands and Islands

The weather in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is famously unpredictable, largely due to their position on the edge of the European landmass. The weather is not as bad as it may appear by the number of jokes made, but it is nonetheless hard to predict! As long as you have a jacket ‘just in case’, there should be no problems!

Travel to the Scottish Highlands and Islands

There are numerous options for reaching self catering accommodation in the Highlands and Islands. Some of the more remote cottages will have specific instructions for arrival, but in general, Inverness Airport (INV) is the main entry point, with flights from London taking just over an hour. Alternatively, road and rail networks are surprisingly good across the region, but having the freedom to explore by car is a real luxury.


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    Wonderful! 4.9/5
    (68 reviews)
    £90
    avg/night
    • 2 BR
    • 2 BA
    • Sleeps 4
    House #8166008
    68
    Viewed 245 times in the last 48 hours
      Wonderful! 4.8/5
      (6 reviews)
      £61
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      • 4 BR
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      • Sleeps 7
      House #898508
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        £125
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        Cottage #6789331
        26
        Viewed 107 times in the last 48 hours
          Exceptional! 5/5
          (58 reviews)
          £145
          avg/night
          • 2 BR
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          • Separate Toilet
          • Sleeps 5
          House #720112
          58
          Viewed 63 times in the last 48 hours
            Excellent! 4.6/5
            (28 reviews)
            £66
            avg/night
            • 1 BR
            • 1 BA
            • Sleeps 3
            Apartment #1767166
            28
            Viewed 48 times in the last 48 hours
              Exceptional! 5/5
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              £66
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              • 1 BR
              • 1 BA
              • Sleeps 3
              Cottage #711010
              61
              Viewed 75 times in the last 48 hours
                Exceptional! 5/5
                (44 reviews)
                £127
                avg/night
                • 5 BR
                • 2 BA
                • Sleeps 12
                House #1039674
                44
                Viewed 83 times in the last 48 hours
                  Excellent! 4.6/5
                  (11 reviews)
                  £128
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                  • 5 BR
                  • 4 BA
                  • Sleeps 10
                  House #486570
                  11
                  Viewed 47 times in the last 48 hours
                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                    (16 reviews)
                    £55
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                    • 2 BR
                    • 1 BA
                    • Sleeps 4
                    Cottage #8170588
                    16
                    Viewed 138 times in the last 48 hours
                      Excellent! 4.7/5
                      (29 reviews)
                      £90
                      avg/night
                      • 2 BR
                      • 1 BA
                      • Sleeps 4
                      Cottage #1767167
                      29
                      Viewed 62 times in the last 48 hours
                        Exceptional! 5/5
                        (21 reviews)
                        £77
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                        • 3 BR
                        • 1 BA
                        • Sleeps 5
                        Cottage #6732649
                        21
                        Viewed 45 times in the last 48 hours
                          Wonderful! 4.9/5
                          (19 reviews)
                          £113
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                          • 3 BR
                          • 2 BA
                          • Sleeps 6
                          Cottage #8151457
                          19
                          Viewed 31 times in the last 48 hours
                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                            (55 reviews)
                            £63
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                            • 3 BR
                            • 1 BA
                            • Sleeps 5
                            Cottage #8146034
                            55
                            Viewed 57 times in the last 48 hours
                              Wonderful! 4.8/5
                              (19 reviews)
                              £107
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                              • 4 BR
                              • 2 BA
                              • Separate Toilet
                              • Sleeps 8
                              Cottage #870553
                              19
                              Viewed 60 times in the last 48 hours
                                Exceptional! 5/5
                                (28 reviews)
                                £100
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                                • 2 BR
                                • 2 BA
                                • Sleeps 4
                                Cottage #412184
                                28
                                Viewed 81 times in the last 48 hours
                                  Exceptional! 5/5
                                  (25 reviews)
                                  £66
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                                  • 2 BR
                                  • 1 BA
                                  • Sleeps 4
                                  Cottage #8145117
                                  25
                                    Excellent! 4.7/5
                                    (12 reviews)
                                    £190
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                                    • 4 BR
                                    • 3 BA
                                    • Sleeps 8
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                                    12
                                    Viewed 45 times in the last 48 hours
                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                      (52 reviews)
                                      £66
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                                      • 2 BR
                                      • 1 BA
                                      • Sleeps 4
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                                      52
                                      Viewed 128 times in the last 48 hours
                                        Excellent! 4.7/5
                                        (21 reviews)
                                        £78
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                                        • 2 BA
                                        • Sleeps 4
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                                        21
                                        Viewed 27 times in the last 48 hours
                                          Excellent! 4.3/5
                                          (12 reviews)
                                          £58
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                                          • 3 BR
                                          • 1 BA
                                          • Sleeps 6
                                          Cottage #1087426
                                          12
                                          Viewed 53 times in the last 48 hours
                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
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                                            £50
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                                            • Sleeps 6
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                                            23
                                            Viewed 73 times in the last 48 hours
                                              Exceptional! 5/5
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                                              • Sleeps 5
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                                              45
                                              Viewed 62 times in the last 48 hours
                                                Exceptional! 5/5
                                                (38 reviews)
                                                £92
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                                                • Sleeps 8
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                                                38
                                                Viewed 39 times in the last 48 hours
                                                  Exceptional! 5/5
                                                  (23 reviews)
                                                  £160
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                                                  • 3 BA
                                                  • Separate Toilet
                                                  • Sleeps 8
                                                  Villa #6516884
                                                  23
                                                  Viewed 53 times in the last 48 hours
                                                    Exceptional! 5/5
                                                    (28 reviews)
                                                    £64
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                                                    • 1 BR
                                                    • 1 BA
                                                    • Sleeps 3
                                                    Cabin #1985041
                                                    28
                                                    Viewed 81 times in the last 48 hours
                                                      Exceptional! 5/5
                                                      (23 reviews)
                                                      £67
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                                                      • 1 BR
                                                      • 1 BA
                                                      • Sleeps 2
                                                      Cottage #8105476
                                                      23
                                                      Viewed 41 times in the last 48 hours
                                                        Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                        (7 reviews)
                                                        £63
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                                                        • 2 BR
                                                        • 1 BA
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                                                        Cottage #1037977
                                                        7
                                                        Viewed 34 times in the last 48 hours
                                                          Good! 3.8/5
                                                          (9 reviews)
                                                          £52
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                                                          • 3 BR
                                                          • 1 BA
                                                          • Sleeps 7
                                                          Cottage #1708296
                                                          9
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                                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
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                                                            £81
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                                                            • 3 BA
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                                                            Cottage #1511061
                                                            53
                                                            Viewed 65 times in the last 48 hours
                                                              Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                              (44 reviews)
                                                              £120
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                                                              • 3 BR
                                                              • 1 BA
                                                              • Sleeps 6
                                                              House #8128161
                                                              44
                                                              Viewed 16 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                (18 reviews)
                                                                £100
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                                                                • 2 BA
                                                                • Sleeps 6
                                                                Cottage #8161993
                                                                18
                                                                Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                  (28 reviews)
                                                                  £188
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                                                                  • 5 BR
                                                                  • 4 BA
                                                                  • Separate Toilet
                                                                  • Sleeps 9
                                                                  House #8162672
                                                                  28
                                                                  Viewed 21 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                    (24 reviews)
                                                                    £90
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                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                    • 2 BA
                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                    Bungalow #1613033
                                                                    24
                                                                    Viewed 34 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                      (6 reviews)
                                                                      £42
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                                                                      • 2 BR
                                                                      • 1 BA
                                                                      • Sleeps 4
                                                                      House #6523458
                                                                      6
                                                                      Viewed 24 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                        Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                        (30 reviews)
                                                                        £121
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                                                                        • 3 BR
                                                                        • 1 BA
                                                                        • Sleeps 7
                                                                        House #1680917
                                                                        30
                                                                        Viewed 27 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                          Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                          (12 reviews)
                                                                          £63
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                                                                          • 2 BR
                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                          • Sleeps 4
                                                                          Bungalow #433453
                                                                          12
                                                                          Viewed 29 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                            (8 reviews)
                                                                            £46
                                                                            avg/night
                                                                            • 1 BR
                                                                            • 1 BA
                                                                            • Sleeps 2
                                                                            Cottage #8142806
                                                                            8
                                                                            Viewed 34 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                              Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                                              (13 reviews)
                                                                              £54
                                                                              avg/night
                                                                              • 2 BR
                                                                              • 1 BA
                                                                              • Sleeps 6
                                                                              Chalet #1957019
                                                                              13
                                                                              Viewed 41 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                Excellent! 4.6/5
                                                                                (10 reviews)
                                                                                £110
                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                • 2 BR
                                                                                • 2 BA
                                                                                • Sleeps 4
                                                                                House #8129914
                                                                                10
                                                                                Viewed 38 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                  (8 reviews)
                                                                                  £99
                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                  • 3 BR
                                                                                  • 2 BA
                                                                                  • Sleeps 6
                                                                                  Cottage #6023204
                                                                                  8
                                                                                  Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                    Excellent! 4.6/5
                                                                                    (5 reviews)
                                                                                    £80
                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                                    • 2 BA
                                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                                    Cottage #6546317
                                                                                    5
                                                                                    Viewed 31 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                      (20 reviews)
                                                                                      £110
                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                      • 3 BR
                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                      • Sleeps 5
                                                                                      House #1514578
                                                                                      20
                                                                                      Viewed 14 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                        Excellent! 4.4/5
                                                                                        (7 reviews)
                                                                                        £85
                                                                                        avg/night
                                                                                        • 3 BR
                                                                                        • 1 BA
                                                                                        • Sleeps 6
                                                                                        Cottage #6003166
                                                                                        7
                                                                                        Viewed 24 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                          Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                          (10 reviews)
                                                                                          £57
                                                                                          avg/night
                                                                                          • 3 BR
                                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                                          • Sleeps 6
                                                                                          Cabin #8093802
                                                                                          10
                                                                                          Viewed 77 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                            Good! 3.9/5
                                                                                            (12 reviews)
                                                                                            £50
                                                                                            avg/night
                                                                                            • 3 BR
                                                                                            • 1 BA
                                                                                            • Sleeps 5
                                                                                            #8103933
                                                                                            12
                                                                                            Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                              Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                              (20 reviews)
                                                                                              £79
                                                                                              avg/night
                                                                                              • 2 BR
                                                                                              • 3 BA
                                                                                              • Sleeps 4
                                                                                              Apartment #8120870
                                                                                              20
                                                                                              Viewed 23 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                (6 reviews)
                                                                                                £57
                                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                                • Studio
                                                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                                                • Sleeps 4
                                                                                                Cottage #1734228
                                                                                                6
                                                                                                Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                                  (9 reviews)
                                                                                                  £86
                                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                                  • 4 BR
                                                                                                  • 3 BA
                                                                                                  • Sleeps 10
                                                                                                  House #78657
                                                                                                  9
                                                                                                  Viewed 23 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                                    (20 reviews)
                                                                                                    £87
                                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                                                    • 3 BA
                                                                                                    • Sleeps 7
                                                                                                    Cottage #8072390
                                                                                                    20
                                                                                                    Viewed 28 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                      (19 reviews)
                                                                                                      £114
                                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                                      • 3 BR
                                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                                      • Sleeps 6
                                                                                                      Cottage #1644892
                                                                                                      19
                                                                                                      Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours

                                                                                                      Highland Holiday Cottages & Homes (300+)

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                                                                                                      Recent Reviews

                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Great house with a great view!

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      We had a great time at this property. The property is very clean and very well furnished and equipped! Everything is of the high standard, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher are all Mièle. The rooms are big and very comfortable. Bathrooms are really nice, especially the one on the top floor. The property also has private parking for two cars, which is a must in Portree during the high season. There are lots of nice restaurants and cafes, and there are two Coops close to the Property. We will really recommend this property for the holidays. Thank you Tricia and John.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jul 25, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jul 2017
                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Our stay July 2017

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      We are renting properties for our family vacation for years, and so far this was one of the best experiences we have ever had. The cottage is beautifully located, and very spacious and well-organized. We loved it and will undoubtfully return. Thank you Joy!
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jul 24, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jul 2017