Sail Mhor View Proper Dog Friendly Holiday Cottage

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Name: Sail Mhor View

Reviewer:  Tracey Radnall

Despite visiting the north west of Scotland several times, the vast wild landscape that plays out never ceases to impress; it is absolutely stunning in all weathers as we are to find out. Being early spring the likelihood of three to four seasons in any given day is, of course, relatively high. We are heading for Badcaul and the hamlet of Durnamuck, south west of the coastal port town of Ullapool. Sail Mhòr View is a spacious detached house perched above the banks of Little Loch Broom. Named after the Corbett, Sail Mhòr, meaning ‘great heel’, although known locally as the ‘Plum Pudding’, it concludes the rugged ridge of the An Teallach range of hills. The stunning views from the house compete for your attention with the nearest undulating shoreline plunging into the blue waters of the loch below flanked by a hulking curtain of rock still bearing its layer of winter snow.

SAIL MHÒR VIEW

On arrival, behind a six foot gate, the fully secure garden is suitable for every size of canine. Featuring an open grassy space for your dogs to play and for the humans to soak up the stunning lochside views among the ever-shifting light. A variety of pine, silver birch trees and shrubs attract garden birds too, all visible from the double-aspect sitting room picture windows. Inside, the owners Nicola and John, have literally thought of everything when equipping the house. Every conceivable requirement for both canine and their humans’ comfort has been considered. From fleece covered sofas, to an outdoor shower and drying room. There are even doggy-themed bowls, coasters and spaniel-decorated egg cups. The house has large windows in every room so a 360º view of the landscape outside features inside the cosy house too. The fact that your dog(s) are welcome to sit on the furniture and that the garden is fully secure makes for an instantly relaxing break the minute you arrive from what is likely to have been a lengthy journey. Bertie and I are settled in in no time at all. He has already sniffed out the Dog House cupboard in the hall, which is home to a box of toys, leads of all lengths and even a canine-specific ‘Pawly’ first aid kit. There is also a spacious dog-specific room set aside, equipped with a handy sink. An ideal space for your dog crates and beds and great for drying your dogs following a bracing beach walk or while you’re busy cooking.

WALK PLANNING

As a lover of maps, I particularly appreciate the addition of an Ordnance Survey custom made sheet map on the kitchen wall, with the position of Sail Mhòr View at the centre of the sheet. It makes planning your walks and the places you and your pack want to explore so much easier. I also have the brilliant OS app on my smartphone, which is both useful and provides piece of mind should you have younger dogs prone to getting over-excited on a walk. We explored a good 20-mile circumference from the map in all directions and had no issues receiving a signal too which is hugely reassuring, especially if you are a solo traveller with dogs. You are going to need a full week (and more) to explore the many beaches and forest trails. My boy just loves a beach walk with a favourite ball, so using the satellite function on the map and going by Nicola’s recommendations on the Sail Mhòr website, our first beach (and nearest) is Mungasdale, a pretty pink sandy beach just five minutes up the road. With fine weather forecast the following morning we decide to explore the coast road to the intriguingly named beach of Mellon Udrigle. It’s a 20-minute drive to the village of Laide (where there is also a handy petrol station). Turning right behind the post office we follow the single track road north to the beach car park. From here follow the duckboards onto the prettiest of pale sandy beaches with vast views across Gruinard Bay to the Summer Isles, Coigach and beyond to the lofty peaks of Assynt. 

There are two family groups in full cry on the beach with picnics and barbecues. Bertie gets a sniff of burgers so time to reach for his favourite ball as a distraction. The following day we head slightly further afield to the town of Gairloch. Here, there are several cafes, two food shops, a pretty arboretum and, of course, beaches. Following a walk on the beach adjacent to the golf club (free parking) we head to the dog friendly Gale Centre, a modern community-run dog friendly cafe for a hot chocolate, with its open views across the bay. From Gairloch, following the coast road we head south east towards Slattadale Forest in the hope of seeing a red squirrel. Parking up in the forestry car park, with impressive views the length of Loch Maree punctuated by the brooding Munro of Slioch, we take a walk along the Tollie Trail – an old postal route. There are numerous winding trails on the hillside, all affording wonderful views. Retracing our coastal route back to Badcaul, reminders of the cruel Highland Clearances are never far away as we drive through the bluntly named hamlets of First Coast and Second Coast. For our final day we head to the local bay at Gruinard. It is actually four or five beaches forming one expansive beach at low tide. It’s a crystal clear day with fluffily white clouds overhead and fellow dog walkers on the beach. There’s even a group preparing for a swim at the far eastern end of the bay. We head for the sheltered western end of the beach to spend the afternoon among the dunes and machair. Sunkissed and happy we return to the house for our final evening dinner, with its dedicated Doggy Diner complete with spill mats and bowls. 

It’s time to depart and on leaving Durnamuck and passing through Badcaul we spot at least 30 wild goats and their kids along the roadside, some climbing on hind legs to feed on the scented flowering gorse. There are several kids in tow this time of year, so do take care when driving through the village. Nicola tells me they are indeed wild and during the winter months the pack spend their days in the valley before returning upland in late spring. Our leave is delayed due to heavy snow fall the next morning meaning the lofty sections of the A9 could be a bit tricky. So checking the snow gate situation at traffic.gov.scot we depart Little Loch Broom and its herd of goats and their cute kids. We’ll be back to explore more beaches and trails later in the year.  If you are seeking a relaxing holiday in Scotland with more than a brace of dogs, then look no further. There’s dog friendly and then there’s proper dog friendly. Corrieshalloch Gorge proves to be an ideal stop-off en route, near the Braemore junction and the turning to Ullapool. A handy place to stretch your legs, ideal for a short stroll or longer walk along the gorge paths. The new visitor centre has facilities and information about the gorge and a cafe with a covered outdoor seating area, providing takeaway hot drinks, rolls and toasties.

The Sail Mhor View and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 84.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine