Dog Friendly Stays, Paw-Approved Bites & Sips

The Boat House, Rothiemurchus – Dog-Friendly Cottage in the Cairngorms

Nestled in the highlands of Scotland lies the ultiMUTT holiday location and PAWsible the best place we’re ever sniffed.

After 7 hours in the car, leaving Yorkshire at breakfast time, we finally pulled into Rothiemurchus, hidden just behind Aviemore, on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Our bellies rumbling, we’d left Yorkshire at breakfast time, but this was no time for hunger. It was time to explore – a wood and the River Spey all on the doorstep – is this place is FUR’REAL.

The grounds of the Boat House

Then, whilst checking out the garden, we met another family that were staying on the estate. Marsli and her hairy Highland Cow crew. They we’re having a stomping time at the other side of our garden with their new babies.

Black Labrador meeting a Highland cow at Rothiemurchus Estate
Meeting Marsli the Highland cow

After some time exploring the grounds, sniffing out where the pheasants and deer had been the night before, we discovered the Boat House – one of the most PAWtastic places I’ve ever wagged.

The Boat House, Rothiemurchus

We met our hosts Amy and James, dog mad humans, the best type. ApPAWrently, I got a little too excited, embarrassing the humans by jumping up at the back door demanding to be let in to meet the visitors, and then jumping all over Amy. Everyone was singing ‘who let the dogs out!’ in their heads. They gracefully said we were adorable. Next time, YES…the humans said they’re will be a next time, we’re not allowed to meet anyPAWdy until we’ve settled down.

Come on in … welcome to our new home everyPAWdy.

The house was as exciting to discover inside as the outside setting. Lots of rooms and doors hiding new smells and comfy dog snoozing floors. Dog rules applied, as they do at home – no upstairs snooping or snoozing, and no sneaking on the sofas. But with such cosy and fluffy rugs who need a sofa! Dexter fell in LOVE with the rug in the snug.

Black Labrador Dylan and fox red Labrador Dexter in the snug at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Introducing the new Laird’s of Rothiemurchus!
Fox red Labrador puppy Dexter lying on a rug at The Boat House
Black Labrador Dylan lying on a rug at The Boat House

Here is a sneaky peek of some of the rooms us dogs missed!

Ground floor bedroom at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Ground floor bedroom
Ground floor bedroom at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Ground floor bedroom view
Upstairs bedroom at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Upstairs bedroom
Upstairs ensuite at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Upstairs ensuite
Master bedroom on first floor at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Master bedroom
Upstairs bathroom at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Upstairs bathroom

The ‘Chill Out’ room is unreal for a night in with PETflix. The PAWrents said it’s like having your own personal cinema. OBVs we’ve never been to the cinema – they’re not dog friendly, but this place certainly is, and we love it.

Sitting room at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Chilling out
Sitting room at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Sitting room
Sitting room at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
PAWsecco time
Sitting room at The Boat House, Rothiemurchus
Chill out window view

In the four days we spent at the Boat House, we sniffed out new places around the estate which has been with the Grant family for over 450 years! So many places and walks to explore.

Exploring Rothiemurchus Estate

On the boundary of the estate we discovered Inshriach Forest and Glenmore Forest Park. On our next trip we’re going to visit the beach at Loch Morlich. The beach is our favourite place to play. This time we hit Nairn beach, overlooking the Black Isle, whilst checking up on the grandPAWrent.

Black and fox red Labrador in the sea at Nairn beach
Nairn beach
Black Labrador in the sea at Nairn beach
Nairn beach
Black and fox red Labrador sitting on Nairn beach
Nairn beach

Back at Rothiemurchus estate, we discovered it hosts a Farm Shop with their own craft butcher. We tasted some delights at The Druie café restaurant before popping into the gift shop for some reTAIL therapy. It’s PAW liking good, and extremely PAWpular.

Coffee at The Druie Cafe, Rothiemurchus
Soup and sandwich at The Druie Cafe, Rothiemurchus
Lunch at the Druie Cafe, Rothiemurchus

It’s imPAWsible to beat the tranquillity of The Boat House, it’s one of those places that gives you PAWspective and a new leash of life. So much so, I refused to get in the car when it was time to go home.

Exterior of The Boat House holiday cottage, Rothiemurchus
Dylan it’s home time, get in.

The Verdict 🐾

The PAWrents talked about taking how great it would be to spend a month at the house reading all the books. To us, Rothiemurchus is the real crown jewel of Scotland. BUT please don’t tell anyPAWdy about this special place – let’s just keep it our little secret.

We hope we be FURiends FURever with the clan at the Rothiemurchus Estate.

Be sure to say ‘hello’ from us when you visit.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Woofability: 5/ 5 tails

Have you ever visited the area? Share your stories below.

Check out Rothiemurchus and The Boat House

 

Dylan

 

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