Inver Bay Apartment

Inver Bay Apartment sits in the small Easter Ross village of Inver, on the southern shore of the Dornoch Firth a few miles east of Tain, and the thing that makes it work for dog owners is what lies directly behind it. Guests travelling with dogs describe walking straight out of the back garden and onto the beach, with no road to cross and no drive to the coast first. For an early start or a last walk before bed, that matters more than almost anything else a property can offer.

The wider setting is quiet and unhurried, with an easy run by car to Tain and the surrounding villages when you want shops or a meal. A dog that likes a long, empty shoreline is well served here.

There is an important caveat, and it is one to weigh before booking. The apartment is part of the owner's own house rather than a standalone cottage, and both the front access and the rear garden are shared. Guests have been caught out by this after booking in the expectation of a self-contained property with a private enclosed garden. It is a particular consideration for an anxious or reactive dog that does not settle when unfamiliar people and animals can appear without warning. If a fully private, secure garden is the reason you are booking, confirm the arrangement with the owner first.

Cleanliness has also drawn criticism, with reports of the apartment not being properly turned around between guests: kitchen surfaces, crockery in the cupboards, the bathroom and the floors have all been mentioned. The welcome from the owner is warmly spoken of, so this reads as an inconsistent changeover rather than indifference, but it is worth knowing.

The property does not publish its terms for dogs, so agree fees, numbers and any size limit directly when you book. On balance it suits a confident, sociable dog and owners who value beach access on the doorstep above having the place entirely to themselves.