The village of Beauly is around twelve miles west of Inverness and has easy access to some of Scotland’s loveliest glens and mountains, including the famous beauty spot of Glen Affric. Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have stayed overnight at Beauly’s thirteenth century priory in 1564 and, according to local tradition, the village is named after her remark ''C''est un beau lieu'' or ‘what a beautiful place’ when she visited. The now ruined priory can still be seen in the village.

Beauly’s large village square was laid out in the 1840s by Baron Lovat, and the village, with its varied shops and eating places, is clustered around it. In addition to greengrocers, butchers and bakers shops, there are two supermarkets for all the provisions you might need. Visitors will also enjoy exploring the traditional Scottish shops selling knitwear, tweeds and crafts as well as the antique shops and boutiques.

The area around Beauly is famous for its fishing, with the River Beauly being well known for salmon fishing. Visitors are also welcome at the village Bowling Club, which is near the Phipps Institute, and golfers can play at the 18 hole course at the Muir of Ord or the 9 hole course at Aigas. Other outdoor activities include cycling and walking, and there are many walks in the area ranging from a quiet riverside stroll to the priory to strenuous walks in the nearby hills.

Beauly has a Pipe Band of its own, and visitors can watch them perform every Thursday during the summer in the village square. You can also see highland dancing in the village, and ceilidhs are held regularly. The Phipps Institute hosts concerts regularly, often featuring traditional music, and each October, fiddlers gather for Blazin’ in Beauly, when there are classes and concerts all weekend.

The village is ideally situated for exploring the Highlands and conviently placed for trips into Invernesss, so search for cottages in Beauly for a traditional Highland holiday.