
Holiday rentals in Lochside
Find and book unique accommodation on Airbnb
Top-rated holiday rentals in Lochside
Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness and more.

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

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.

Holiday Home, Central Thurso
Our spacious traditional 2 storey Caithness Hoosie can comfortably accommodate 6 looking to holiday in the most Northernly town on mainland Scotland. Centred in the heart of Thurso, mins away by foot from everything: Town centre - 1min, Playpark - 1min, Beach - 3mins, A9 - 3mins, River walk - 5mins, Train station - 10mins. While only 45mins drive from all Caithness has to offer. Ideal for NC500 + Orkney trips. Ample free parking + locked garage to store Motorbikes, Bicycles + Surfboards.

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.

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.

Clayquoy Hideaway Lodge & Private Hot Tub On NC500
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 :)

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!

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! 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.

Thurso Beach House Apartment with sea views!
Situated by the beach front with amazing sea views. This neatly refurbished cosy 1 bedroom top floor apartment is set in a quiet location but the town centre is still on your door step. Good restaurants and pubs/bars are a short walk away. The beach is across the road! A perfect stop or base while exploring the North Coast 500 or John O'Groats. Scrabster ferry terminal for Orkney or the Shetlands is only a 5-10 minute drive away.

The Old Smiddy - Directly on NC500 HI-00093-F
Welcome to my 17th-century original working croft cottage. Set in the stunning Highlands, directly on the NC500 in the small rural village of Melvich. Just a short walk from Melvich beach great for swimming, fishing, surfing, or just a gentle stroll along the beach, a truly beautiful getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. The cottage whilst boasting all modern amenities still keeps a lot of its original features.

Barn for 6,spacious & unique, NC500, The Highlands
For those travelling the NC500 or visiting Orkney, The Barn is the perfect stopover. It sleeps up to 6 in spacious traditional box beds with two beautiful shower rooms. There is a large open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with cosy wood burner . Breakfast essentials are included as well as free Wi-Fi, secure parking, and laundry. Our location is stunning and our design is unique 😁. Follow @thehighlandhaven

Tottie's Cottage
A traditional Scottish croft house with sea views which has been lovingly restored to a very high standard with all modern amenities. Located in the most northerly village on mainland UK, with coastline walks and beaches in abundance nearby. A special place to explore or simply relax and unwind. A Highland Council approved short term letting property, licence number HI-00297-F.
Popular amenities for Lochside holiday rentals
Other great holiday rentals in Lochside

Taigh Neonach Cozy 1 bedroom Highland Cottage

Fishers Rest

Private luxury riverside lodge

1 Sinclair Bay Lodges

Thurso Beachfront Apartment, overlooking the bay!

The Highland Hideaway - North Coast Luxury Pod

North Brae Cottage, Staxigoe

Armadale Farm Cottage, Armadale Bay
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.
Destinations to explore
- Newcastle upon Tyne Holiday rentals
- Isle of Skye Holiday rentals
- Inverness Holiday rentals
- Glasgow Holiday rentals
- Fort William Holiday rentals
- Scottish Highlands Holiday rentals
- Keswick Holiday rentals
- Stirling Holiday rentals
- Glasgow City Centre Holiday rentals
- Glencoe Holiday rentals
- St Andrews Holiday rentals
- Portree Holiday rentals





