Pablo

It can be tough for pet owners to get away on holidays sometimes. I know – I own two humans myself. Thankfully, Scotland, with its vast reserves of natural beauty, has an abundance of hideaways where dogs with people are more than welcome. Applecross, a small mainland village across the sea from the Isle of Skye (and a good six hour drive from Edinburgh), is one such haven.           Things to doBeing right in the midst of the great outdoors, Applecross is a good starting point for anyone looking to indulge in some open air activities – humans should check out local adventure outfit Mountain & Sea Guides for a spot of sea kayaking, mountaineering or hillwalking. The single track road that loops round the Applecross peninsula is popular with cyclists, though it’s not for the faint-hearted – the route either starts or ends with the strenuous uphill climb of Bealach Na Ba, an 11-mile pass littered with hairpin bends and spectacular views (I'm at the summit in that pic up top). Naturally, I’m more inclined to head out on foot – there’s a good bay for seal spotting at the nearby hamlet of Ard-Dhubh and a great beach for swimming just over the brae, while in the other direction, the simply named Sand beach offers views of Skye and glimpses of the odd submarine from the local MoD base.         Swimming with pals           Eating and drinkingThe Applecross Inn is famed for its menu of freshly caught seafood (including scallops, langoustines and monkfish), but great food doesn’t c