Holiday rentals in Lochside

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Top-rated holiday rentals in Lochside

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Top guest favourite
A cozy interior features a spacious bed and a sofa, set against large glass doors that open to a scenic view of rolling hills. Soft lighting decorates the room, while natural light fills the space, enhancing the connection with the outdoor landscape.
Tiny home
4.84 out of 5 average rating, 276 reviews

The Hide - off-grid-ish woodland cabin near NC500

The Hide is a super get-away for anyone travelling around Scotland on the NC500 or on your own adventure looking for a unique stay. Almost off-grid, it has a comfy bed, central woodburner and spectacular view. It's the perfect stepping stone towards the full off-grid experience, intended for people who are curious about living the off-grid lifestyle but also like to be able to charge their phone, boil a kettle and have a hot shower! Mid Nov - Mar we have a winter mode as the water can freeze.

Top guest favourite
A cozy living area features a brown armchair and a comfortable sofa, with a round table in front. Large windows with yellow curtains provide views of Scapa Flow, while a small plant adds a touch of greenery. A wall-mounted television is positioned nearby.
Loft
5 out of 5 average rating, 150 reviews

Superb views from 2 bedroom loft apartment

STL: OR00349F Small but functional, our 2 bedroom first floor flat has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Our property boasts superb sea views over Scapa Flow, Hoy and beyond, aswell as field views from the bedrooms. Situated 3 miles from Kirkwall Town centre, with country walks from our doorstep, we offer the ideal spot to explore Orkney. We have free off road parking and an outdoor drying space. Please note: this property is accessed via stairs and no lifts etc are available.

Guest favourite
The cottage features a stone façade with a sloped roof and decorative gables. Surrounded by greenery and autumn foliage, a gravel path leads to the front door, flanked by two inviting plants in pots. Large windows allow natural light to fill the interior.
Cottage
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 114 reviews

Ethel's Cottage: Idyllic Riverside 1 Bed Cottage

The recently refurbished and modernised Ethel's Cottage is in an idyllic location, flanked by two rivers. This gate lodge cottage offers the perfect place to stay for a few nights or longer! Easily accessed from the A9 (on the NC500 route) and just a two-minute walk from a secluded beach and estuary with lots of short walks from the front door and plenty longer ones in the vicinity. Modern appliances and comfortable furnishings, the cottage has everything you will need for a relaxing break.

Top guest favourite
A scenic coastal view is presented, showcasing calm blue waters meeting a green hillside. The horizon is lined with a few white buildings, while the landscape gently rises, creating a peaceful seascape enriched by natural light.
Apartment
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 205 reviews

Beautiful Spacious 2 bedroom sea view apartment

Hi we are Joanne and Laurence, we would very much love to present to our future guests our spacious 2 bedroom 1st floor holiday apartment with far reaching coastal views. Located right on the fantastically popular NC500. With plenty of parking it is conveniently situated in a quiet residential area close the town centre of Thurso. With lovely walks along the sea front, harbour and river bank where seals, otters and jumping salmon can be seen. Close to Northlink ferries for trips to Orkney

Guest favourite
The exterior of a modern log cabin is showcased, featuring large glass windows that enhance natural light. A spacious wooden deck surrounds the cabin, with a hot tub positioned nearby. The landscape includes open fields, suggesting a serene environment.
Cabin
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 166 reviews

Valhalla View-NC500

A truly unique get away set on over 14 acres of its own land, over looking the Orkney Islands, 3 mins off the official NC500 Route. With features like its own 6 person hot top, 2 bathrooms, modern kitchen and spacious dining area, and 3 double bedrooms plus a extra guest room with a pull out sofa bed. Relax with the whole family at this peaceful place. Only 15 mins from John o'grotes and Dunnet beach Also the chance to witness the spectacular Northern lights (Aurora) on the right occasion.

Top guest favourite
A terracotta planter displays vibrant greenery, including a small rosemary plant, positioned near a rustic stone wall. Two lantern-style fixtures are mounted beside a white door, contributing to a welcoming entrance.
Cottage
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 550 reviews

BERRISCUE HOUSE - ENTIRE COTTAGE - THURSO

Berriscue House is a beautiful, bespoke cottage - located in the centre of Thurso, hidden away from the world with a large walled garden and private entrance. Five minute walk from the beach. Everything you need for a cosy Scottish retreat! Visit - berriscuehouse(.com) If booking the same day after 6pm please message as it may still be possible to book. If you require the extra bed in the living room, you must tell us in your initial message so we know to prepare this for you.

Top guest favourite
The exterior of the cottage is showcased, featuring a whitewashed facade and a traditional slate roof. A wooden bench is positioned on a small porch area, with lush green grass surrounding the property. The sea is visible in the background, complementing the tranquil rural setting.
Cottage
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 154 reviews

The Old Smiddy, Huna, John O'Groats

Close to the village of John O' Groats and on the North Coast 500, the Old Smiddy (an old blacksmith's cottage) has been beautifully restored into a modern home, while keeping many of its original features. The cottage sleeps 4 people in 2 double bedrooms (both en-suite) and has a fold-away camp bed for use by a small child. The cottage offers beautiful sea views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands and is the perfect base for exploring Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney.

Guest favourite
The exterior of the lodge is shown, featuring a metal roof and a combination of light-colored siding. A gravel pathway leads to the entrance, surrounded by well-maintained green grass and small trees, under a clear blue sky.
Guest house
4.88 out of 5 average rating, 487 reviews

Clayquoy Hideaway Lodge.

Perfect Stop in Located in the famous fishing town of Wick (Perfect as a stop in on NC500 route). This lodge offers a clean and welcoming space where you can relax and enjoy a comforting experience. The area which the lodge is located is quiet and secluded, close to the airport, supermarket and all other parts of town. We want to ensure you have the best experience and enjoy your stay, so don't hesitate to ask for anything or for more information. We hope you like our place :)

Guest favourite
A hot tub is nestled on a wooden deck, offering picturesque views of open landscapes and a distant lake. Large glass doors are visible, allowing for an abundance of natural light to fill the interior space.
Cottage
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 174 reviews

Torran Cottage - Views, Exclusivity & Tranquility

Torran Cottage is nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage Site - The Flow Country! Whilst superbly modernised throughout, the cottage retains its original features, including wonderful flagstone flooring, deep-silled windows set into thick stone walls, and a large wood burner for cosy evenings. The views from the hot tub and gardens are unbelievable. Panoramic vistas look east to Morven and the Scarabens, south to Ben Klibreck and west to distant views of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope.

Top guest favourite
A renovated stone building features a traditional slate roof, with a welcoming wooden door at its center. Surrounding the structure, grassy areas create an open setting. The clear blue sky serves as a backdrop, enhancing the rural charm of the landscape.
Cottage
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 562 reviews

The Steading, Melvich

This converted building in the picturesque village of Melvich has been recently renovated and has amazing sea views including the Orkney islands! Offering WiFi, television, and off-road parking for one car. Also, with the new addition of a woodburning stove, you will certainly not be cold! Ideally situated for exploring the north of Sutherland and Caithness, this area is popular for walking, fishing, surfing, golfing and has one of the most beautiful beaches in the area!

Top guest favourite
The cottage is set within a fenced area, surrounded by open countryside. A gravel driveway leads to the entrance, which is framed by wooden fencing. The stone exterior of the cottage is complemented by a slate roof, under a partly cloudy sky.
Cottage
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 117 reviews

Taigh Neonach Cosy 1 bedroom Highland Cottage

Welcome! This is our quirky wee cottage. Originally a traditional Scottish but and ben it now offers a cosy getaway in the far north highlands. Taigh Neonach is Gaelic for odd cottage which suits its slightly unconventional character. A fantastic base to explore the North of Scotland, whether you are touring the NC500, relaxing in the quiet wilderness of Caithness, doing a spot of fishing, shooting, walking, cycling... the choices are endless like the views!

Guest favourite
A serene coastal landscape is depicted, featuring a sandy beach bordered by rolling green dunes. Gentle waves can be seen lapping the shore under a cloudy sky, while a seagull is captured in flight above the water, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the scene.
Chalet
4.75 out of 5 average rating, 252 reviews

Croft View

Fully equipped accommodation with two bedrooms (one double room, one twin room). Melvich is situated on the NC500 route and is ideally placed for exploring the local area. Local pub within walking distance serving evening meals. Booking is advised. Free Wifi available, however we cannot guarantee a reliable signal. Lovely beach nearby which is popular with surfers. Please note due to increased costs, guest now have to pay for the electric they use.

Popular amenities for Lochside holiday rentals

All about Lochside

The northernmost points of mainland Scotland are as beautiful as they are bleak and as wild as they are wonderful. The Caithness area offers traditional fishing villages, rugged sandstone cliffs, and the gateway to the North Sea. A prominent Norse settlement, the town of Thurso is one of the most significant points in the area and is named after the river, originally Torsaa (Thor’s River). You can even feel a Scandinavian presence in the wild coastlines, while the pretty towns with their winding streets feel traditionally Scottish.

The Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea at the Pentland Firth, where a local ferry takes passengers from Scrabster to Stromness in Orkney. The crossing can be eventful, depending on the weather, with looming cliffs and the 137-metre-tall Old Man of Hoy sea stack to welcome you in.

If you’re taking the North Coast 500 scenic drive — or cycle route — through the Highlands, which starts and ends at Inverness Castle, you’ll pass through several hamlets and villages across the northern edge of Caithness. Halkirk, Scrabster, Castletown, John O’Groats, and Wick are all worth pausing in for cosy pubs and picturesque harbours. Windswept cliff walks throughout the region will reward you with views across protected natural areas and untamed landscapes, home to puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes.

What are the top things to do in Lochside?

Dunnet Head

Twenty minutes north of Lochside, the windswept Dunnet Head peninsula is mainland Scotland’s most northerly point. The heather-strewn headland is home to a 19th-century lighthouse atop towering cliffs, miles of winding coastal walks, and a thriving puffin population. This spot is also renowned for whale-watching — and you might even see porpoises and orcas just off the shore.

Castlehill Heritage Centre

This 17th-century dairy farm now houses the Castlehill Heritage Centre, celebrating local industry and culture. Castletown was a pioneering parish — one of the first to recognise flagstone’s global, commercial value, revitalising the local industry. Exhibitions, gardens, and sculpture trails tell the story of Caithness. You can also try your hand at local crafts like rope making and driftwood sculpture.

Thurso Beach

With its increasing reputation among surfers, Thurso Beach is known for its impressive waves (wind and tide permitting). The esplanade makes for an enjoyable walk, facing out across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney island of Hoy.

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