Braehead Croft, Buckie

Braehead Croft is a self-catering house on the Moray Firth just outside Buckie, and the reason dog owners keep coming back to it is the garden: a big open stretch of grass at the back for a dog to tear around in, with uninterrupted views over the bay from almost every window of the house. Guests travelling with dogs return here year after year, several of them into double figures on visits, which tells you more about how well it works with a dog than any single stay could.

The house takes one dog, and the owners are straight about the fact that the garden is not enclosed. That is the point to plan around. The lawn is large but open at the sides, so it suits a dog that stays close and works less well for anything inclined to wander; guests with reliable recall let theirs run freely, while others have asked for a couple of gates. Treat it as a long-lead garden rather than a secure one and it is a genuine asset.

The house itself is spotless and unusually well stocked for self-catering, down to binoculars for watching the bay and a drawer of the small things people always forget. The owners live nearby, tend to greet arrivals in person and are generous with local knowledge. Despite the name, the croft sits in a row of houses rather than open countryside, so this is a village setting rather than an isolated one.

Buckie harbour and the shops are a short walk, with a cafe within walking distance and Cullen and Findochty a few minutes along the coast. Beach walks are the main draw for dogs, and seals and the occasional pod of dolphins are a regular sight from the windows. The area is quiet, with little to do beyond the coast itself, so this suits a slow week. After heavy rain the long grass makes clearing up after a dog harder work than it needs to be.

Braehead Croft earns a 4.9/5 paw rating and suits one steady dog and owners who want sea views, space and an unhurried base on the Moray coast.