The Herdsman's Cottage on the Black Isle is situated in a quiet location just a few minutes drive north of Inverness, readily accessible from the fast A9, with red kites nesting in the adjacent woodland. It stands on a the owners' working croft, with their gentle Highland cattle grazing nearby, and is superbly situated for exploring the Moray Firth and the north west and north east coasts of Scotland.
Newly created, with great imagination, from an old cottage and byre, this delightful, whitewashed, 5 star cottage combines traditional charm with all modern comforts. With its thick walls, double glazing, multi-fuel stove and electric heating it is cosy in all seasons. The open plan sitting/dining/kitchen area has a vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams and lovely views over the countryside towards the often snow-capped peak of Ben Wyvis. The modern kitchen has every appliance you are likely to need, including integrated oven and hob and dishwasher. Both the double bedroom and the twin bedroom are tastefully furnished with Sanderson bedding. Both are downstairs so are ideal for those of limited mobility and have en suite facilities with underfloor heating. Throughout, there is lots of lovely natural wood. Upstairs, there is a further, most attractive galleried snug. The 5-star cottage has been awarded a Green Tourism Silver Award for environmental management and has been approved by the Walkers' and Cyclists' Welcome Schemes. (Herdsman's has lockable bike storage and a drying area for wet boots and clothes.)
Outside, the cottage is surrounded by a large grass garden with a patio area ( pine furniture), fruit trees, a wild flower area and shrubs specifically planted to attract wild life. Grazing for ponies can be arranged if required and there are numerous woodland tracks for excellent riding.
Bogallan is on the Black Isle, which is not an island at all, but a peninsula sandwiched between the Moray and Cromarty Firths. The cottage is very close to the Black Isle Wild Life Park. Fortrose and Rosemarkie (8m) are pretty villages with interesting chapel ruins, and an excellent (and fiendish) golf course. (There are in fact 10 golf courses within easy reach of Herdsman's Cottage.)Chanonry Point, just south of there, is one of the most famous places in all Europe for seeing dolphins. The nearest beach with miles of lovely sand is at Rosemarkie.
Further north, you can head for Dornoch, (39m) with its cathedral, golf course and beaches, or head over to the west coast to Ullapool and Gairloch and the wonderful sub tropical gardens at Inverewe. Or if the mountains of the far north west are calling you, the walkers' and climbers' mecca of Torridon is only an hour's drive away. You can be on Skye in a couple of hours or drive down Loch Ness and follow the Great Glen to Oban. Skiers can be at Aviemore in 45 minutes with the Nevis Range and the Lecht slightly further away.
Heating is by night store and panel heaters (first £10 of electricity INCLUDED) and multi-fuel stove (starter pack of fuel INCLUDED). Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. One well behaved pet is welcome by arrangement.
