Large group holiday home in the Highlands

This wonderful, early 19th-century, B-listed country house is the perfect place for a special family get-together, or just for a good old-fashioned 'bucket and spade' holiday. Pitcalzean House is graceful yet comfortable and relaxed, with nearly all rooms either en suite or with private bathroom facilities.

The setting is lovely, as the house is surrounded by 33 acres, including a secret walled garden, terraced lawns to the front, mature trees and rhododendrons, and an ancient burial ground of the Romanes family. The approach road to the house commands panoramic views of the Cromarty Firth and the surrounding hills and mountains, and, in spring, is a mass of daffodils and then bluebells.

There is an impressive and elegant drawing room with lovely garden views, a spacious dining room once graced by the visiting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1974, and a fine snooker room for evening entertainment.

This area is peaceful and quiet with some lovely sandy beaches (Shandwick, Portmahomack and Dornoch) and dolphin watching or fishing cruises. Inverness is just 38 miles away and the airport just a little further. Tain, the nearest town, is an historic market town with attractive shops and cafés. The famous Glenmorangie distillery is 6 miles away.

There is plenty to do for all the family - hill walking, beachcombing, dolphin spotting and golf. There is a 9-hole golf course at Tarbat nearby and also that most famous of Scottish courses - Royal Dornoch - just a 20-minute drive away.

In the garden there are trampolines, swings and plenty of places for ball games and hide-and-seek - a child's 'Secret Garden' paradise. When all that is exhausted, take them off to the beach and see if they can spot the dolphins.

The cottage, which is attached to the main house, is available for rental in addition to the house, and sleeps a further four people in a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, bringing the total house capacity to 27 + 4 children.

PLEASE NOTE: From January to the end of March a nearby, unoccupied coach house is being re-roofed.

Accommodation

Ground Floor
Entrance hallway
Inner hallway
Book-lined drawing room with log fire
Dining room with seating for 28
Conference/recreation room with two large sofas, a dining table seating 8, and a piano
Study
Kitchen
Utility room
Laundry room
Snooker room
Cloakroom with toilet and hand basin
Sitting room

First Floor
Magnus Suite comprising:
Double bedroom
Drawing room
Bathroom with balcony
Separate toilet and hand basin

Twin bedroom (Hutton) with en suite bath and separate shower
Twin bedroom (Statpipe)
Twin bedroom (Argyll)
Twin bedroom (Tartan)
Double bedroom (West Sole) with en suite shower room
Double bedroom
2 Bathrooms
Shower room

Second Floor
Twin bedroom (Eider) with en suite shower room
Family bedroom (Forties) comprising one double bed and one single bed with en suite shower room
Twin bedroom (Fulmar)
Shower room

Third Floor
(Cook's quarters)
Dormitory-style bedroom with 5 single beds and 1 double bed (suitable for children)
Shower room
Toy/playroom

Attached cottage:
Kitchen/sitting room
Double bedroom
Twin bedroom
Bathroom

Features

Beaches

Sandy beaches - 4 miles.

Birdwatching

Very good birdwatching area.

Child Friendly

Children very welcome - trampoline, swings, table tennis, wooden castle, books, games and toy box.

Cook Available

Catering can be arranged,

Games Room

Snooker room with full-size table.

Garden

Grounds extend to 33 acres and include lawns, woodland and an ancient burial ground.

Golf

Royal Dornoch - 20-minute drive.

Party Venue

Great for special gatherings and celebrations.

Pets Allowed

One well-behaved dog welcome.

Secluded

Situated in its own grounds in a rural area.

Wildlife Watching

Dolphins frequently seen off Nigg.