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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
    (64 reviews)
    £107
    avg/night
    • 2 BR
    • 2 BA
    • Sleeps 4
    House #8166008
    64
    Viewed 185 times in the last 48 hours
      £71
      avg/night
      • 4 BR
      • 2 BA
      • Sleeps 7
      House #898508
      4
      Viewed 132 times in the last 48 hours
        Exceptional! 5/5
        (26 reviews)
        £136
        avg/night
        • 3 BR
        • 3 BA
        • Sleeps 6
        Cottage #6789331
        26
        Viewed 107 times in the last 48 hours
          Exceptional! 5/5
          (57 reviews)
          £135
          avg/night
          • 2 BR
          • 3 BA
          • Separate Toilet
          • Sleeps 5
          House #720112
          57
          Viewed 56 times in the last 48 hours
            Excellent! 4.6/5
            (26 reviews)
            £79
            avg/night
            • 1 BR
            • 1 BA
            • Sleeps 3
            Apartment #1767166
            26
            Viewed 32 times in the last 48 hours
              Exceptional! 5/5
              (61 reviews)
              £62
              avg/night
              • 1 BR
              • 1 BA
              • Sleeps 3
              Cottage #711010
              61
              Viewed 59 times in the last 48 hours
                Excellent! 4.7/5
                (26 reviews)
                £104
                avg/night
                • 2 BR
                • 1 BA
                • Sleeps 4
                Cottage #1767167
                26
                Viewed 59 times in the last 48 hours
                  Exceptional! 5/5
                  (44 reviews)
                  £139
                  avg/night
                  • 5 BR
                  • 2 BA
                  • Sleeps 12
                  House #1039674
                  44
                  Viewed 72 times in the last 48 hours
                    Wonderful! 4.8/5
                    (9 reviews)
                    £128
                    avg/night
                    • 5 BR
                    • 4 BA
                    • Sleeps 10
                    House #486570
                    9
                    Viewed 68 times in the last 48 hours
                      Exceptional! 5/5
                      (27 reviews)
                      £100
                      avg/night
                      • 2 BR
                      • 2 BA
                      • Sleeps 4
                      Cottage #412184
                      27
                      Viewed 64 times in the last 48 hours
                        Exceptional! 5/5
                        (20 reviews)
                        £80
                        avg/night
                        • 3 BR
                        • 1 BA
                        • Sleeps 5
                        Cottage #6732649
                        20
                        Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                          Wonderful! 4.9/5
                          (14 reviews)
                          £55
                          avg/night
                          • 2 BR
                          • 1 BA
                          • Sleeps 4
                          Cottage #8170588
                          14
                          Viewed 93 times in the last 48 hours
                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                            (50 reviews)
                            £80
                            avg/night
                            • 3 BR
                            • 1 BA
                            • Sleeps 5
                            Cottage #8146034
                            50
                            Viewed 42 times in the last 48 hours
                              Wonderful! 4.9/5
                              (18 reviews)
                              £113
                              avg/night
                              • 3 BR
                              • 2 BA
                              • Sleeps 6
                              Cottage #8151457
                              18
                              Viewed 34 times in the last 48 hours
                                Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                (50 reviews)
                                £96
                                avg/night
                                • 2 BR
                                • 1 BA
                                • Sleeps 4
                                Cottage #722905
                                50
                                Viewed 51 times in the last 48 hours
                                  Exceptional! 5/5
                                  (21 reviews)
                                  £243
                                  avg/night
                                  • 4 BR
                                  • 3 BA
                                  • Separate Toilet
                                  • Sleeps 8
                                  Villa #6516884
                                  21
                                  Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours
                                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                    (19 reviews)
                                    £75
                                    avg/night
                                    • 2 BR
                                    • 2 BA
                                    • Sleeps 4
                                    Cottage #8077168
                                    19
                                    Viewed 31 times in the last 48 hours
                                      Exceptional! 5/5
                                      (43 reviews)
                                      £135
                                      avg/night
                                      • 2 BR
                                      • 3 BA
                                      • Sleeps 5
                                      House #838862
                                      43
                                      Viewed 50 times in the last 48 hours
                                        Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                        (21 reviews)
                                        £50
                                        avg/night
                                        • 1 BR
                                        • 1 BA
                                        • Sleeps 6
                                        Cottage #6562530
                                        21
                                        Viewed 55 times in the last 48 hours
                                          Excellent! 4.7/5
                                          (11 reviews)
                                          £186
                                          avg/night
                                          • 4 BR
                                          • 3 BA
                                          • Sleeps 8
                                          House #1994102
                                          11
                                          Viewed 49 times in the last 48 hours
                                            Exceptional! 5/5
                                            (37 reviews)
                                            £92
                                            avg/night
                                            • 3 BR
                                            • 2 BA
                                            • Separate Toilet
                                            • Sleeps 8
                                            House #8146207
                                            37
                                            Viewed 19 times in the last 48 hours
                                              Very Good! 4.2/5
                                              (10 reviews)
                                              £120
                                              avg/night
                                              • 3 BR
                                              • 1 BA
                                              • Sleeps 6
                                              Cottage #1087426
                                              10
                                              Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                (17 reviews)
                                                £107
                                                avg/night
                                                • 4 BR
                                                • 2 BA
                                                • Separate Toilet
                                                • Sleeps 8
                                                Cottage #870553
                                                17
                                                Viewed 19 times in the last 48 hours
                                                  Exceptional! 5/5
                                                  (23 reviews)
                                                  £68
                                                  avg/night
                                                  • 2 BR
                                                  • 1 BA
                                                  • Sleeps 4
                                                  Cottage #8145117
                                                  23
                                                  Viewed 47 times in the last 48 hours
                                                    Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                    (53 reviews)
                                                    £95
                                                    avg/night
                                                    • 3 BR
                                                    • 3 BA
                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                    Cottage #1511061
                                                    53
                                                    Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours
                                                      Exceptional! 5/5
                                                      (5 reviews)
                                                      £110
                                                      avg/night
                                                      • 3 BR
                                                      • 1 BA
                                                      • Separate Toilet
                                                      • Sleeps 6
                                                      Chalet #74717
                                                      5
                                                      Viewed 48 times in the last 48 hours
                                                        Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                        (6 reviews)
                                                        £71
                                                        avg/night
                                                        • 2 BR
                                                        • 1 BA
                                                        • Sleeps 4
                                                        Cottage #1037977
                                                        6
                                                        Viewed 30 times in the last 48 hours
                                                          Exceptional! 5/5
                                                          (25 reviews)
                                                          £64
                                                          avg/night
                                                          • 1 BR
                                                          • 1 BA
                                                          • Sleeps 3
                                                          Cabin #1985041
                                                          25
                                                          Viewed 80 times in the last 48 hours
                                                            Exceptional! 5/5
                                                            (23 reviews)
                                                            £69
                                                            avg/night
                                                            • 1 BR
                                                            • 1 BA
                                                            • Sleeps 2
                                                            Cottage #8105476
                                                            23
                                                            Viewed 26 times in the last 48 hours
                                                              Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                              (42 reviews)
                                                              £110
                                                              avg/night
                                                              • 3 BR
                                                              • 1 BA
                                                              • Sleeps 6
                                                              House #8128161
                                                              42
                                                              Viewed 16 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                £56
                                                                avg/night
                                                                • 3 BR
                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                • Sleeps 7
                                                                Cottage #1708296
                                                                8
                                                                Viewed 36 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                  Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                  (16 reviews)
                                                                  £109
                                                                  avg/night
                                                                  • 3 BR
                                                                  • 2 BA
                                                                  • Sleeps 6
                                                                  Cottage #8161993
                                                                  16
                                                                  Viewed 23 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                    Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                    (5 reviews)
                                                                    £42
                                                                    avg/night
                                                                    • 2 BR
                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                    • Sleeps 4
                                                                    House #6523458
                                                                    5
                                                                    Viewed 21 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                      Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                      (25 reviews)
                                                                      £200
                                                                      avg/night
                                                                      • 5 BR
                                                                      • 4 BA
                                                                      • Separate Toilet
                                                                      • Sleeps 9
                                                                      House #8162672
                                                                      25
                                                                      Viewed 49 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                        Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                        (7 reviews)
                                                                        £46
                                                                        avg/night
                                                                        • 1 BR
                                                                        • 1 BA
                                                                        • Sleeps 2
                                                                        Cottage #8142806
                                                                        7
                                                                        Viewed 28 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                          Good! 3.9/5
                                                                          (9 reviews)
                                                                          £50
                                                                          avg/night
                                                                          • 3 BR
                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                          • Sleeps 5
                                                                          #8103933
                                                                          9
                                                                          Viewed 28 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                            Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                            (22 reviews)
                                                                            £106
                                                                            avg/night
                                                                            • 3 BR
                                                                            • 2 BA
                                                                            • Sleeps 6
                                                                            Bungalow #1613033
                                                                            22
                                                                            Viewed 27 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                              Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                              (26 reviews)
                                                                              £121
                                                                              avg/night
                                                                              • 3 BR
                                                                              • 1 BA
                                                                              • Sleeps 7
                                                                              House #1680917
                                                                              26
                                                                              Viewed 15 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                (10 reviews)
                                                                                £60
                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                • Studio
                                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                                • Sleeps 3
                                                                                Chalet #830955
                                                                                10
                                                                                Viewed 28 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                  (8 reviews)
                                                                                  £86
                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                  • 4 BR
                                                                                  • 3 BA
                                                                                  • Sleeps 10
                                                                                  House #78657
                                                                                  8
                                                                                  Viewed 47 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                    (8 reviews)
                                                                                    £58
                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                                    Cabin #8093802
                                                                                    8
                                                                                    Viewed 64 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                      Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                                                      (18 reviews)
                                                                                      £107
                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                      • 3 BR
                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                      • Sleeps 5
                                                                                      House #1514578
                                                                                      18
                                                                                      Viewed 18 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                        Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                        (8 reviews)
                                                                                        £56
                                                                                        avg/night
                                                                                        • 2 BR
                                                                                        • 1 BA
                                                                                        • Sleeps 6
                                                                                        Chalet #1957019
                                                                                        8
                                                                                        Viewed 42 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                          £58
                                                                                          avg/night
                                                                                          • Studio
                                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                                          • Sleeps 4
                                                                                          Cottage #1734228
                                                                                          4
                                                                                          Viewed 10 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                            (6 reviews)
                                                                                            £99
                                                                                            avg/night
                                                                                            • 3 BR
                                                                                            • 2 BA
                                                                                            • Sleeps 6
                                                                                            Cottage #6023204
                                                                                            6
                                                                                            Viewed 27 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                              Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                              (17 reviews)
                                                                                              £77
                                                                                              avg/night
                                                                                              • 2 BR
                                                                                              • 3 BA
                                                                                              • Sleeps 4
                                                                                              Apartment #8120870
                                                                                              17
                                                                                              Viewed 16 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                Excellent! 4.6/5
                                                                                                (26 reviews)
                                                                                                £99
                                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                                • 3 BR
                                                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                                                • Separate Toilet
                                                                                                • Sleeps 5
                                                                                                Cottage #8143737
                                                                                                26
                                                                                                Viewed 11 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                  Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                  (12 reviews)
                                                                                                  £64
                                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                                  • 2 BR
                                                                                                  • 1 BA
                                                                                                  • Sleeps 4
                                                                                                  Bungalow #433453
                                                                                                  12
                                                                                                  Viewed 27 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                                                    (23 reviews)
                                                                                                    £129
                                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                                    • 2 BR
                                                                                                    • 2 BA
                                                                                                    • Sleeps 4
                                                                                                    Apartment #1664815
                                                                                                    23
                                                                                                    Viewed 15 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                      (12 reviews)
                                                                                                      £74
                                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                                      • 3 BR
                                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                                      • Sleeps 8
                                                                                                      Chalet #8062962
                                                                                                      12
                                                                                                      Viewed 17 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                      • 1 - 50 of 300+

                                                                                                      Highland Holiday Cottages & Homes (300+)

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                                                                                                      Recent Reviews

                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Superb holiday home

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      The Backrest is an incredibly comfortable, warm, and extremely well equipped place to spend a wet and windy week on Skye. It feels like a real home. I could spend hours sitting at the huge windows just watching the ever changing view, and the bird life at the loch edge below. That included the disconcerting sight of a huge black-backed gull swooping down to take a duckling off the water, and the subsequent concerted efforts of a group of ducks coming together to protect the remaining brood. Weather notwithstanding, but with rather less sexy raincoats than Billy Connolly, we managed to explore a lot of the island, and seek out quiet corners. If you want to avoid the mass of walkers heading up to the Fairy Pools just keep going to the end of the road down Glen Brittle, for a beach with no-one else there, and a choice of paths to access the surrounding countryside. I would only make one small point--Mette's email reminded us not to leave unwashed dishes in the dishwasher when leaving, but only five tablets were left in the house; two more would probably solve what appears to have been a problem!
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jun 20, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jun 2017
                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Beautiful house with a stunning view

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      The old schoolhouse has been a beautiful place for us to spend the holidays. We found everything we needed to feel like home. Our kids loved it and we spend the evenings in front of the window to enjoy the beautiful view and the sunsets.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jun 20, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: May 2017