The Anderson, Fortrose

The Anderson is a small, characterful hotel on the High Street in Fortrose, on the Black Isle north of Inverness, and dogs are simply part of the furniture here. The bars are full of them, and breakfast has been known to arrive with a sausage for the dog. Guests travelling with two dogs report the same warm reception as those arriving with one, and nobody describes the welcome as grudging.

The staff are what guests praise most - friendly, quick with the banter, willing to adjust the American-style menu to order - and that extends to how dogs are treated. The kitchen has a strong reputation, the beer and whisky selection is a draw in its own right, and the bars have the kind of quirky, lived-in feel that makes bringing a dog in for the evening unremarkable rather than an imposition.

The building shows its age. Rooms are on the small side, some are colder than others, and the furniture in places needs replacing - the welcome is warmer than the decor. The more practical limitation for dog owners is the setting: the hotel sits directly on the High Street with no garden or yard, and there is nowhere convenient for a dog to relieve itself last thing at night or first thing in the morning without a proper walk. The cathedral grounds and Chanonry Point are close by, but they are a walk, not a step outside the door.

No pet fee, dog count or weight limit is published on the property's booking listing, so confirm those directly when you book. At 4.5/5 for paws, The Anderson suits dog owners who want a genuinely dog-welcoming Highland base with good food and a serious drinks list, and who do not mind a short walk before bed.