Red Deer Lodge

Red Deer Lodge sits in pine woodland outside Kincraig, in the Badenoch and Strathspey stretch of the Cairngorms, and the setting is what dog owners come back for. Walks start at the door, a short path through the trees reaches the river for water-loving dogs, and the lodge itself is a spacious three-bedroom house with a wood-burning stove, balconies looking into the forest and a covered deck for hanging up wet coats and leads. There is a bike wash outside that doubles as a dog wash, which earns its keep after a muddy day.

Dogs cost £25 per pet for the stay, and up to two are allowed. The layout helps: a side door onto the decking means a muddy dog can come in without crossing the lounge, and the covered area at the main entrance takes boots and towels. Guests travelling with dogs are consistently happy with the space, the light and the quiet of it.

The thing to know is that nothing is fenced. The garden behind the lodge is open woodland, and dog owners raise this more often than any other point: dogs wander off towards the neighbouring lodges if a door is left open, and there is no secure patch for a quick unsupervised toilet trip, so it is harness and lead every time. Several guests have also wanted a stair gate to keep dogs downstairs, and there isn't one, so bring your own if you need it. The dog wash has a tap but no hose attached.

Cleaning between stays is the other recurring theme, and it lands squarely on dog owners. Guests have arrived to dog hair in the kitchen cupboards, found the washing machine clogged with hair from a previous guest's dog bedding, and picked up a lingering dog smell from the sofa covers. No cleaning equipment is supplied, so a brush and a lint roller are worth packing. Best suited to walkers and cyclists whose dogs are steady on a lead, and who want a comfortable Cairngorms base rather than a secure garden. It earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.