Discover the magic of the Scottish Highlands with a stay in lovely self-catering holiday cottages near Inverness.
Inverness is an attractive city rich with history, natural beauty and infamous legends.
Situated in a tranquil location of the Scottish Highlands, the city has long been one of the most popular destinations in Scotland. With something to offer for everyone, it’s the perfect location for any holiday.
Inverness city centre and the surrounding area of the Scottish Highlands are replete with exciting visitor attractions, outdoor activities and stunning panoramic views. Set chase after the fabled Loch Ness monster, and travel back in time with a visit to Inverness Castle, perched atop the scenic River Ness. Pop into an art gallery or two, learn about the area in the Inverness Museum and experience authentic Scottish cuisine at local restaurants. Whether you’re boating down the peaceful Caledonian Canal, practising your swing on a famous golf course or pottering about the shops and attractions of the city centre, your holiday in Inverness will be one to remember. Take a look at Breakfree Holidays’ top picks for holiday cottages near Inverness.
Breakfree Holidays’ Top Cottages Near Inverness City Centre & Loch Ness
- 7 Westercraigs Apartment (Inverness, Scotland)
- Aultnaskiach House (Inverness, Scotland)
- The Artists Cottage (Farr, Scotland)
- Kinloch Lodge (Banlain, Scotland)
- Braefoot (Fortrose, Scotland)
7 Westercraigs Apartment
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Great for: A unique romantic retreat in a renovated Victorian hospital close to Inverness city centre
An exceptional location deserves exceptional accommodation, and the unique history of this property certainly sets it apart from the crowd. Although it (thankfully) looks nothing like it used to on the inside, this cottage was once part of a large Victorian hospital.
Perched above the city of Inverness on a lush hill, the cottage offers stunning views over the area. The property is located about 4 miles from the city centre, with a golf course (Kings Golf Club) positioned only 2 miles away.
There is plenty to explore in the surrounding area, from beautiful bodies of water such as Loch Ness and Beauly Firth to historic natural expanses such as the Inverness Shire and Culloden Moor. In Inverness, you’ll find plenty of attractions to delight the whole family. Catch a show at the Eden Court Theatre, explore Inverness Castle and soak up the local culture at an art gallery.
Facilities: 7 Westercraigs Apartment is a bright and modern 1-bedroom self-catering cottage, suitable for up to 2 guests. Inside, you’ll find a lovely open-plan living space including a comfortable seating area, dining area and well-equipped kitchen. Prepare a romantic meal for 2 to be shared over the intimate dining table, or kick back on the plush sofa and enjoy your meal with a movie on the large TV. When you’re ready to call it a night, the cosy en-suite double bedroom will have you feeling right at home, ready for a good night’s sleep. When the sun is shining, outside you’ll find lovely and expansive communal landscaped grounds to relax in. You can even bring your four-legged friend along for the fun, as this is a pet-friendly property.
Prefer your romantic getaways with a hot tub? Check out the 7 Best Romantic Weekend Breaks with Hot Tubs in 2022.
Aultnaskiach House
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Great for: A romantic getaway for 2 in a Georgian period apartment, walking distance from Inverness city centre
Step into the lovely historic, Georgian period apartment, the Aultnaskiach House, originally built in 1865. Positioned in a beautiful, wooded location, you’ll feel as if you’re surrounded by quiet countryside whilst being in the middle of town. With the Inverness city centre only a 15-minute walk away, you’ll be able to see all the shops, bars, restaurants, museums and galleries without having to drive all the time.
If you’d rather lay on a sandy beach than out on the loch, take a quick drive to Nairn and the Moray Coast. Avid hikers can tackle a portion of the Moray Coast Trail, stretching for 70 kilometres over beaches and stunning coastal paths. While you’re spending time in Moray, keep your eyes peeled for the infamous Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins playing in the water! One popular hot spot for dolphins and humans alike is Chanonry Point, so if you want the best chances of seeing these delightful creatures, head there.
Facilities: Although Aultnaskiach House is a Grade B Listed building, it’s not entirely stuck in the past. Recently refurbished in 2019, the apartments offer a tasteful, bright and cosy home-away-from-home. The property is spread across the first floor, with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom – perfect for couples. The sitting room is spacious and inviting, with massive windows bringing the outside in and high period ceilings lending a special ambience to the place. Feel like royalty as you relax on the leather sofas by the electric fireplace with a good read, or pop something on the large TV. If you start to get hungry, there is a well-equipped kitchen and dining room for rustling up delicious meals. When you’re ready to turn in for the day, the bedroom has a super-king-size bed, so you’ll have plenty of space to spread out. This fully equipped kitchen and dining area is the perfect spot to enjoy your delicious meals at. Best of all, this is a pet-friendly property, so don’t forget your precious pooch at home!
Looking for a different kind of pet-friendly holiday? Check out the Best Dog-Friendly Boating Holidays that You and Your Pooch will Love!
The Artists Cottage
Location: Farr, Scotland
Great for: A spacious, countryside getaway in a modern holiday home designed by the famous architect, Charles Rennie MacIntosh
Located south of the mysterious waters of Loch Ness, just outside of the city of Inverness, is an exceedingly special and hidden retreat – The Artists Cottage. Originally designed by the famous Scottish architect, Charles Rennie MacIntosh, this holiday home takes self-catering holiday cottages to the next level. Situated in 1.5 acres of peaceful countryside, you’ll feel like all of the Highlands are your garden here.
If you can pull yourself away from your beautiful holiday home, there’s much to explore in the surrounding area! Take a boat trip along Loch Ness, stopping at the ancient ruins of Urquhart Castle. For a castle that’s still intact, why not visit the nearby Inverness Castle or Beaufort Castle?
The Scottish Highlands are home to a plethora of castles, as well as the world’s best whiskies, and Inverness is no exception. You’ll find plenty of exemplary distilleries in the area, the majority of which offer tours and tastings. If you decide to visit the neighbouring peninsula of Black Isle, swing by the Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery on the way, or the Black Isle Brewing Co.
The Black Isle is famous for much more than just whiskey too. Covered in trails and natural beauty, Black Isle is the perfect location for hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers alike. Take a quick drive over the Kessock Bridge, and start exploring!
Facilities: After a long day adventuring in Inverness and the surrounding Highlands, The Artists Cottage is the perfect place to relax, unwind and rejuvenate for the next day’s activities. Offering 3 spacious and stylish bedrooms to sleep up to 6 guests, it’s a great space for families or a group of friends looking to get back to nature. Additionally, the cottage is pet-friendly, so your furry friends can tag along for all the Inverness and Highlands holiday fun too!
Inside, you’ll find the space is replete with stunning, tasteful and unique design choices – it was made by a famous architect after all! Enjoy long evenings of leisurely conversation with your loved ones in the spacious lounge area, featuring a fireplace for those cooler nights, and a large TV for your entertainment. Just off of the lounge, sliding doors lead out to a small, tastefully landscaped walled garden. The modern kitchen and dining room, equipped with a gorgeous dark wood and oak dining table, are the perfect places to debrief after a long day of adventure in the Highlands. At the end of the night, the comfortable bedrooms (a master double bedroom with a TV, a twin bedroom with an en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet, and a third double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet) will be waiting to welcome you. Once the sun has risen, enjoy your morning coffee outside in the 1.5-acre country style garden before setting off on a brand new adventure for the day.
Kinloch Lodge
Location: Banlain, Scotland
Great for: A self-catering holiday cottage with a hot tub, close to Loch Ness and Inverness
Looking to upgrade your Loch Ness and Inverness holiday with a stay in a self-catering holiday cottage with a private hot tub? Look no further than Kinloch Lodge. A pretty cottage situated in an enviable location close to Loch Ness and bordering Loch Meikle, Kinloch Lodge is an ideal holiday home with all the amenities you could dream of.
This self-catering accommodation is located just 2 miles away from the popular village of Drumnadrochit, on the edge of Loch Ness. This means you’ll have effortless access to visitor attractions such as the Urquhart Castle ruins and boat rides and fishing trips along the loch. It’s also a perfect location for exploring the surrounding glens, such as the Great Glen, Glen Moriston and Glen Urquhart. After you’ve trekked to your heart’s content, you can head into Inverness city and take a stroll along the River Ness, grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants and visit the Inverness Museum.
Equally only a short drive away from the accommodation is the Inverness Castle in Inverness Shire. This formidable 18th-century castle sits perched atop a cliff overlooking the River Ness. Admire the beautiful red sandstone exterior and gorgeous, panoramic views over the Highlands.
Facilities: A 4 bedroom cottage that can sleep up to 6 adults and 2 children, Kinloch Lodge is the perfect accommodation for families or groups of friends visiting the Highlands and Inverness together. The bedrooms range as 2 double bedrooms, 1 twin room and 1 bunk room. You’ll find a communal family bathroom located in the hall of the accommodation, as well as an additional shower room. Designed with an open-plan kitchen and lounge area, the inside of the property feels bright, airy and welcoming. Cosy up by the log burning stove with a movie, or kick back with a book for a few hours. When mealtime rolls around, you can cook up a delicious meal in the well-equipped kitchen and chow down in the dining room, or enjoy your meal outside on the patio furniture in the warmer months. After a hearty meal, settle in for a nice, relaxing soak in the private hot tub, looking out over the beautifully manicured garden and countryside. Ah, pure bliss. If you’d rather stay a bit more active, the accommodation offers direct access onto Loch Meikle! Cast a line and see what you can reel in, or take a paddle out with a kayak or canoe rental from in town.
Braefoot
Location: Fortrose, Scotland
Great for: A traditional stone holiday cottage with sea views close to Inverness
Historic charm and seaside views are all yours at Braefoot cottage! A traditional stone cottage perched on the shore of the Moray Firth, this holiday home offers a very special self-catering retreat in the Highlands. Located in a lovely coastal town called Fortrose, here you can get the best of the Scottish seaside while only being 15 miles from Inverness.
When you’re not soaking up the panoramic sea views from every window or relaxing on the beach that’s just outside your door, there’s plenty to do and see in the area! Chanonry Point, a popular spot for the Moray Firth Bottle Nose Dolphins, is very close by. Trek along the coastal paths with a pair of binoculars, or take a sightseeing boat tour out onto the water to get a closer look.
Facilities: This unique and historic cottage sleeps 4 guests across 2 rooms (1 double bedroom and 1 room with 2 single beds – both boasting beautiful views over the cottage garden and the Moray Firth). There is one bathroom at the cottage, featuring a bath with a shower over, a wash hand basin, a toilet and a heated towel rail. At the heart of the holiday home is a welcoming lounge with lovely wood floors, cosy sofas and a woodburning stove. There is a TV provided for your entertainment, however, the views of the Moray Firth pouring in from the windows may be too good to miss. If you’d like to do some cooking during your stay, the kitchen is well-equipped, and there is an elegant dining room to eat in. Outside, in addition to direct access to the beach, there is a beautiful terraced garden, with outdoor furniture to soak up the sun on.
Love a seaside holiday, but want to bring your dog along? Take a look at the 5 Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages Near a Beach that You and Your Pooch will Adore.
Experience the Scottish Highlands & the Fabled Loch Ness Monster
Home to some of the most stunning scenery in the UK, it’s no wonder why Inverness and the Highlands are such popular destinations. Whether you’re an avid hiker and nature-lover, an eager angler, a history buff or a boating expert, Inverness and the Scottish Highlands offer something for everyone. Set sail at Fort Augustus along the Caledonian Canal, trek through the glens of the North East and get a taste of Scotland’s rich history in the many castles and distilleries of the Highlands.
Need a few more options? Breakfree Holidays offers a wide range of holiday accommodation throughout England, Wales, Scotland and even Europe! Take a look at our blog for more holiday ideas, or check out our website to see for yourself. From pet-friendly hot tub holidays to action-packed holiday parks, we’ve got it all! Book your next amazing break with Breakfree Holidays today.