Ardtalla, Novar Estate
Sleeps 20 / From £10,560 per week
Ardtalla is an 18th century stable square beautifully converted into an elegant country house located on the 20,000 acre Novar Estate. Ardtalla is an excellent base for exploring the north Highlands and its many golf courses, distilleries and dramatic coastlines. Salmon fishing can also be organised on the Novar Beats of the River Alness.
Ardtalla is located on the Novar Estate which was created by Sir Hector Munro in the 18th century and is still owned by his descendants. It is a traditional mixed highland estate extending to 20,000 acres between the Rivers Glass and Alness.
Novar Estate was once described as a “barren and treeless place”. Three hundred years later and under the stewardship of the same family, it is a thriving Highland estate extending to 20,000 acres and including farmland, forestry, hill, shooting, fishing and most recently alternative energy enterprises.
The estate offers high quality driven shooting, rough shooting, duck flighting, some stalking and grouse: walked-up or over pointers. You can fish for salmon, sea trout and trout on the River Alness or explore 150 miles of tracks on foot or by mountain bike. There is a tennis court and croquet in the walled garden for guests to enjoy, and close by are whisky distilleries, castles, beaches and over 20 golf courses.
Guests have the option to take fishing on the River Alness at a discounted rate and other sport and activities can be booked separately.
The main house has 9 well appointed ensuite bedrooms, plus the adjacent property, Larch Cottage has one further ensuite bedroom, plus two staff bedrooms for your chef and assistant.
Please note that as the kitchen is a professional commercial kitchen it is better suited to a professional chef / cook, and guests should employ a cook/chef and assistant, which we can assist with.
Daily Housekeeping included.
Rental 2026
Low season: £10,560 per week
High season (Easter, Late May Bank Holiday, July – October): £12,950.00 per week
Christmas & New Year: £16,500 per week
Short Breaks available upon request during Low Season.
Dogs are welcome in outdoor kennels.
Accommodation
There are nine ensuite bedrooms. Each can be configured for double or twin beds. The beds are made up with crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms all have large showers and free standing baths.
The drawing room and galleried hall provide sufficient space for groups to be together in front of roaring log fires or with french windows to fling open on those occasional warm sunny days. There is also a snug for time out to watch television, DVDs or for children to play with the selection of games.
The dining room seats up to twenty guests.
Upstairs there is a very popular games room with a snooker table and table tennis table. There is also an outdoor tennis court and croquet lawn.
Ground Floor
Large galleried hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, 2 double/twin bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, kitchen, drying room and secure gun room.
First Floor
Billiard room, 7 double/twin bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom on the first floor.
Larch Cottage
Adjacent to the main property, Larch Cottage has one en suite bedroom on the ground floor.
There are two additional staff bedrooms on the first floor sharing a bathroom and finished to the same high standard as Ardtalla.
Dogs are not allowed in Ardtalla, although kennels are available if required.
Ardtalla: Short-term let licence number: Pending / EPC Rating: C
Larch Cottage: Short-term let licence number: HI-20064-F / EPC Rating: E
Activities
Golf
Ardtalla is an ideal base for groups of eight to eighteen golfers wishing to play some of the finest courses in the Highlands of Scotland including Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Tain, Fortrose and Nairn. Other notable courses in the area can be found at Brora, Golspie and Strathpeffer among others. There are more than 20 golf courses within an hours drive. There are drying facilities to ensure your clothes and equipment are ready for the next day.
Mountain Biking
There are over 150 miles of tracks on Novar, accessible by mountain bike. There is the challenge of a ride to the Fyrish Monument or a cycle over the hill to a picnic prepared for you on the moor or beside the river.
Falconry
A highlight for a visitor of any age is a falconry display in the walled garden. These usually take place in the early evening and are highly interactive. Children of all ages delight in donning the falconer’s glove and having the experience of handling these majestic birds.
Archery
The timeless sport of archery can be brought to the walled garden or to hidden glades on the hill.
Whisky Tasting
The waters of the River Alness and the malting barley grown on Novar are key ingredients in the fine local malts of the Highlands. A whisky tasting can be sampled at Ardtalla or at a local distillery. Glenmorangie and Balblair are all near by.
Other Activities
Table tennis and billiards are available, and tennis and croquet in the walled garden.
There is the opportunity to explore the North Highlands including the castles of Dunrobin and Cawdor and Dornoch Cathedral.
Novar Estate can organise in house activities (fishing, clay pigeon shooting).
Any off-site activities, such as whisky tasting or golf require to be arranged and confirmed directly with the activity provider.
Sporting
Shooting
The estate offers a high quality driven partridge shoot. There is also driven pheasant, rough shooting, duck flighting, walked-up grouse and grouse shooting over pointers. Roe deer and limited red deer stalking is available.
Fishing
Salmon, sea trout and trout fishing is available on the River Alness and Loch Morie.
The Alness runs northeast of the estate and has good runs of salmon and grilse (young salmon on their first return to the river from the sea). The fishing season runs from March to October with annual rod catches of around 150-250 fish being caught in Novar waters.
The Novar fishings offer six rotating beats. The average length of each beat is about a mile with, typically, fifteen to twenty named pools. Both banks are included although most of the fishing is from the southern (right) bank.
There is a small spring run of salmon and sea trout from late April until early July. The first grilse return is usually expected in early July. The most productive part of the season runs from mid-July through to the end of October.
Further trout fishing is available on stocked lochs. Fly fishing instruction can be arranged on the estate.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Can be organised by prior arrangement.
Where to find Ardtalla, Novar Estate
Testimonials
What a wonderful time we had. Somehow, as a group, we managed to catch salmon, shoot clays, have owls land on our heads, learn archery, hike mountains and gorges and NOT break anything at Ardtalla. Quite an achievement. The girls had terrific fun, Erica was very sweet to us and the household ran beautifully. Thank you, Margaret, for all your help and please pass our thanks on to George as well. Really a swell time. Looking forward to next year.
Susan Mikula
Once again had a terrific, action packed time at Ardtalla. Some of the second timers felt it was even better than last time, which is high bar indeed, and those that were with us for the first time all had a marvellous time.
Clive Eminson, Suffolk
It was an extraordinary week! Both Ardtalla and Larch Cottage were perfect and the tour by Ronald of the grounds, absolutely wonderful, including his garden. Our thanks also to the front of house team, Neil, Kate, Katie, Sarah, Kaitlyn, apologies if I’ve missed some out or got a name or two wrong, much fine whisky and wine was consumed! One outstanding highlight was Roxanne Blyther of Elite Falconry, she worked with a white-tailed eagle, a red kite and long eared owl to name but a few and our entire group was enthralled. Last but by no mean least, thank you for arranging the weather.
Ann Medlock
The whole family leaves you with regret - but also with the mind full of the most happy memories. You have a great country. Warm thanks also for all your great and gentle help. All of you - Good Luck.
Baroness Dora Janssen, Belgium
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