Step inside

The Stable Bothy is a luxurious one-bedroom space for two people, with carefully curated interiors combining character and comfort.

At the heart of the bothy is an open-plan living, dining and kitchen space with cosy log burner, large picture windows and a sumptuous sofa, perfectly positioned to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valley below. You can also expect the mod cons of Smart TV, Wi-Fi and Home Bluetooth speaker as well as a fully equipped kitchen complete with Nespresso coffee machine, electric hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine with dryer.

The bedroom has a super comfy king-size bed with luxury linens, and the separate shower room has a large, walk-in rainfall shower, heated towel rail with fluffy towels, complimentary organic toiletries and underfloor heating.

There’s a spacious, entrance porch, an ideal spot for drying off muddy boots. The natural garden blends with the surrounding landscape, and the patio provides the perfect place to sip your morning coffee or stargaze when the day’s adventures are past – and perhaps even glimpse the Northern Lights which can be seen regularly!

To help you plan your adventures there are books, local maps and guides, as well as binoculars, walking poles and a picnic blanket. And a welcome basket of local artisan produce awaits guests on arrival.

Location

Situated in the rural parish of Rogart, just over an hour’s drive north of Inverness, the Stable Bothy is ideally located for exploring the wider area, or as a peaceful hideaway for unwinding and enjoying the views over the tranquil valley of Strath Fleet to the hills beyond.

Tucked away off the beaten track in an area where walks, wildlife and magnificent scenery abound, the Stable Bothy is just a stone’s throw from the scenic North Coast 500 and within easy reach of unspoilt beaches, picturesque villages, historic sites, world-famous whisky distilleries and championship golf courses. 

Eating out

From relaxed cafés to fine dining restaurants, there’s a variety of options for eating out in nearby towns and villages. 

Walking

There’s a plethora of walks to be enjoyed from country rambles and coastal trails to more demanding mountain climbs. On the doorstep, Stable Bothy guests can head out for a walk on the croft to take in the views of the valley below and discover remote lochs deep in the hills. 

Wildlife

Get ready to spot a range from wildlife right from the comfort of the bothy including red kites and buzzards which often circle overhead; or listen out for the haunting sound of the snipe in flight and the roaring of the stags in the autumn rut. Nearby is the Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, an estuary where seals bask on the sandbanks and waders and wildfowl feed along the shore. Take a dolphin-spotting boat trip; or head for the Falls of Shin to catch a glimpse of the migratory salmon leaping Herculean-style upstream to their spawning grounds. 

Golf

There are several excellent golf courses within easy reach, notably the internationally renowned Royal Dornoch. This famous championship links course has a beautiful setting, flanked by a sandy beach on one side and the picturesque town of Dornoch on the other. Other local golf courses include Tain, Golspie, Brora and Bonar Bridge.

Distilleries

If you enjoy a wee dram, book a tour and tasting at one of the local distilleries: Glenmorangie, Balblair or Clynelish; or venture a little further north to Old Pulteney in Caithness. In Dornoch you can visit the Carnegie Whisky Cellars, an independent whisky shop offering whisky and gin tastings.

History

From castles and crannogs to brochs and standing stones, there’s a wealth of historical sites to discover within easy reach. Visit Dunrobin Castle at Golspie or the Castle of Mey in Caithness, a favourite retreat of the late Queen Mother. Stop off at the Carn Liath Broch, the remains of an Iron Age roundhouse; walk to the abandoned clearance village of Badbea, a poignant place perched on a steep hillside by the sea; then head north to the Cairns of Camster, a pair of Neolithic tombs dating back more than 5000 years. Or explore the Highland Pictish Trail in Easter Ross including the 8th century carved, Pictish cross-slab at Nigg Old Church, or the intricately carved Shandwick Stone. 

Day trips

Venture North West and follow part of the scenic North Coast 500 route. This awe-inspiring country where majestic mountains dominate the landscape, punctuated by idyllic beaches and pretty villages, has been designated by UNESCO as the North West Highlands Geopark. Visit Smoo Cave, or make the short ferry crossing to Handa Island, a wildlife reserve with seabirds aplenty and spectacular 360° views!

Or rise with the lark and take a day trip to the Orkney islands for a glimpse into prehistory at the Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle or the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. Visit the island’s attractive towns, Stromness and Kirkwall, and stop off at the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, Britain’s most northerly cathedral.