The Stables, Beauly

The Stables, Beauly is a self-catering cottage in Beauly, Inverness-shire.

Historic home to the Clan Fraser for generations, this most beautiful and renowned of Highland Estates, with its ancient specimen trees and abundant wildlfe, is the glorious setting for the six charming properties we offer here.

Standing near the meandering waters of the River Beauly, they all enjoy wonderful walking straight from the door, with plentiful opportunities for picnics with red kites, deer and red squirrels regularly spotted. And just 3 miles from this rural idyll lies Beauly, frequent award inner of Britain in Bloom and home to interesting shopping and a variety of restaurants, as well as the ruins of a 13th century priory.

At Loch Ness, 10 miles away, visitors can explore Drumnadrochit's award-winning Monster exhibition, take a boat trip, or go riding and enjoy spectacular loch views from the ruins of Urquart Castle.

Excellent golf courses abound and there is often the chance to watch the ancient game of shinty played on local pitches. Strathglass is a delight to visit, with the great glens of Cannich, Strathfarrar and Affric (National Nature Reserve) to explore encompassing the ancient Caledonian pine forests. Tomich, a beautiful stone-built conservation village where the first Golden Retriever was bred, boasts a good pub, and from here visitors can walk to the dramatic gorge and view the rushing Plodda Falls.

Inverness (11 miles) offers excellent cultural amenities, a new riverside theatre complex, fine dining and excellent shopping, as well as bottle nosed Dolphin cruises on the Moray Firth and river cruises on Loch Ness.

Close to Inverness lies Culloden Moor, the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746 and with an excellent visitors' centre. Romantic Cawdor Castle, complete with a tower and drawbridge, is popularly associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth and has lovely gardens and grounds.

Within an hour's drive the Cairngorm National Park, a renowned centre for outdoor pursuits, offers mountain bike tracks, water sports, skiing and snowboarding (in season), the Cairngorm funicular mountain railway, sled dog adventure centre, and Cairngorm Reindeer Herd.

The Jacobite Trip, a steam railway journey crossing the world famous Glenfinnan viaduct (now featuring in the Harry Potter films), should not be missed, and the Highland Wildlife Park and Landmark Scotland's Theme Park are also great attractions.

Shop and pub serving good food 1.5 miles (only 0.5 mile to the pub from Duffs Lodge).

This fabulous conversion incorporates the traditional arched cartshed with a bright glazed open plan interior.

Boasting beams original slate flooring and wood burning stove. Set in the heart of the working farm so views are restricted.

Spacious and very comfortable open plan sitting room with wood burning stove slate floor and beams with dining area and well fitted kitchen area. Cloakroom/WC.

Stairs to first floor: Double bedroom with 5' bed and ensuite shower room/WC. Two twin bedded rooms one with ensuite shower room/WC.