Need a luxury dog-friendly cottage near Aviemore? Look no further!

All our luxury cottages on Rothiemurchus are dog friendly - here are some top tips for bringing your dog!

We are all dog lovers at Hidden Highland Retreats, so it was a no-brainer that when we opened Loch an Eilein Cottage in 2016, we decided that four-legged guests could come too. And since then, dogs have been welcome at all the properties.

To help you with your holiday planning, here are the most frequently asked questions we receive from dog-owning guests.

What do you provide for dogs?
In each property we provide dog towels in case your dog returns from walkies a bit damp! We also provide dog bowls. We want to make our canine guests feel welcomed when they arrive, so you'll find some treats in the welcome hamper for them too.

How many dogs can we bring?
Our usual maximum is two - but if you have more than that we will take into consideration the size of the dogs and the size of the property.

Where would you recommend we go for dog-friendly dining?
There are so many places that welcome dogs in Aviemore now - try The Old Bridge Inn, Macdui's, The Balavoulin, the Explorer Cafe at Tiso and the Bothy Bar at The Winking Owl. And of course dogs are welcome at The Barn at Rothiemurchus.

Are the gardens secure for dogs?
At Forest Cottage, Achnahatnich House and Cairn Valley the gardens are completely dog-secure and fenced, and the courtyard at The Garden Flat is secure. The garden at Loch an Eilein is open at one side.

Can you recommend any good dog walks?
Where do we start?! Rothiemurchus is criss-crossed by countless paths and tracks that are dog-walking heaven. You could go out each day and never do the same route twice. Of course if you want to range further there are endless wonderful walks that you could try. There are maps of various types in your property to help guide you, or take a look at Walk Highlands to plan a route.

I want to go out for the day - do you recommend any dog-sitters?
Yes! Unfortunately dogs can't be left alone in the property unless you've brought a suitable crate or cage with you. Instead, we recommend you contact Aviemore Dog Training. Jenny is a fully qualified veterinary nurse who will take wonderful care of your pooch - whether they are a lone wolf or prefer to go out in a happy pack.

Final word
Please remember that your dog must always be under control and in some areas you are asked to keep all dogs on a lead. It's particularly important that you stick to the paths and keep your dogs on a short lead or under close control in moorland, woodland and forests from April to mid-August as this is the breeding season for ground-nesting birds whose nests must not be disturbed.