Strathpeffer and its local environment offers the best of the Scottish Highlands to the visitor whatever their agenda. From forest walks starting on your doorstep to alpine skiing only slightly further afield, all ages and interests are catered for -

GOLF - Strathpeffer hosts an excellent 18 hole golf course. You can walk to the clubhouse from the cottage in around 5 minutes. For some variety, the famous Royal Dornoch course is a short drive to the north.

FISHING - the Scottish Highlands are famed for their superlative game fishing. Both trout and salmon fishing is available locallly as is an often neglected sea fishing resource - it's hard to beat the first summer mackerel from a small boat off the dramatic west coast. Local freshwater options include Lochs Fannich and Garve - situated 12 and 4 miles west of Strathpeffer respectively - for brown trout (permits through the Garve Hotel 01997 414205); Loch Meig - 5 miles northwest - for brown trout (permits through Ury Post Office, Marybank 01997 433201); Loch Morie - 16 miles north - for brown trout and char (permits through Coul House Hotel, Contin 01997 421487); Lochluichart Lochs - 8 miles west - rainbows and brown trout (permits from Craigdarroch Lodge, Contin 01997 421265); and Tarvie Lochs Trout Fishery - 5 miles west on the A832 - contact 01997 421250. For the use of guests, we have a trout flyrod (AFTM 6-7) and landing net in the Cottage. Simply bring your own reel and flies and you are ready to go!

HILL WALKING - we are at the centre of the action if your passion is to climb the Scottish mountains. From the Cairngorm range to the south round to the glories of Glen Affric, the rugged splendour of Torridon, and the haunting peaks of Assynt, there is endless terrain to tempt and invigorate. The "Munro-bagger" has access to well over 100 mountains in excess of the magic 3000 feet mark within a 50 mile radius of the village. Come back fulfilled from your day in Britain's last wilderness to relax with a dram by the stove.

CLIMBING - from bouldering on technical problems in an idyllic landscape to the majesty of winter ice routes such as Poacher's Fall on Liathach in Torridon, this is a climber's playground. In winter classics such as Emerald Gully on Beinn Dearg or Resurrection Face on Sgurr Mor offer superlative routes where the climber is likely to be undisturbed all day long. For the adventurous Skye beckons and the Grand Traverse of its Cuillin ridge, surely a world-class tick for any climber.

WILDLIFE - the variety of habitats in the area provides special interest for bird-watchers and nature lovers' alike. The patient, and lucky, can hope to catch sight of the special species of the Scottish Highlands such as Crested Tit, Osprey, Golden and Sea Eagles, Dotterel, Snow Bunting, Slavonian Grebe, Red and Black Throated Divers, Hen Harrier, Capercaillie, and Corncrake.  In the woods live Red Squirrels and the beautiful Pine Marten, and Wild Cats still patrol the open glens. The nearby Moray Firth has an international reputation for its dolphin watching. Whether from the shore or boat, this is one of the best locations in the UK to view these marvellous creatures.

MOUNTAIN BIKING - Centred around Strathpeffer and its excellent bike shop, Square Wheels (where adult and childrens' bikes can be hired) are a network of excellent trails that offer limitless variety from exquisite singletrack to freeride extremes. The local forests host the annual "Strathpuffer" 24 hour endurance mountain bike race for the criminally insane. For the rest, more moderate fun can be had at the newly built tracks at Learnie on the Black Isle. In addition, there are great new trails at Ben Bhraggie - the hill behind Golspie - the downhills are fast and not for the faint hearted.

PARAGLIDING - for the aficionado of the big country and mountain flying, this is the pre-eminent landscape for free-flying in the UK. You'll be unlikely to share your thermal with anything other than the curious eagles whilst soaring a backdrop of mountain peaks and ridges unrivalled on this island. A vast expanse of unregulated airspace is available but watch out for the low-flying jets during weekdays. The local site is Knockfarrel Hill and launch is driveable, which is almost unique for Scottish sites. It takes NW - N and can also be flown in a southerly, although this is unusual. Launch is only 2-3km as the crow flies from the Cottage and is visible from the doorstep.

SKIING - Scotland's best ski areas Cairngorm Mountain and Aonach Mor are both accessible for day trips for alpine skiing and boarding. Back-country enthusiasts have the magificent eastern bowl of Ben Wyvis literally on their doorstep.

READING - The Cottage is well stocked with outdoor books, climbing magazines and nature guides in addition to cookery and general interest books.

EATING/FOOD - Good local butchers in Dingwall for Black Isle beef and award-winning Haggis; local farmers' markets; fresh fish and seafood. For eating out try the excellent Red Poppy restaurant at the Pavilion or the superlative Coul House Hotel in nearby Contin.