If you’ve ever dreamed of living or buying a property somewhere secluded, where life moves at a gentler pace, the Scottish Highlands might already be on your radar. With dramatic stretches of coastline and houses with stunning sea views, this region offers a lifestyle unlike anywhere else in the UK. For buyers seeking an abandoned cottage to transform, a cosy hideaway along the NC500, or a cheap rural home for sale in the heart of the countryside, the Highlands deliver remarkable opportunities.
In recent years, the area has become increasingly attractive to investors as well as home-seekers. Rising interest in Airbnb and holiday accommodation has brought new life (and new income potential) to many traditional Highland towns. For investors, the appeal is clear: properties here often offer great value, huge potential for uplift, and a year-round market of visitors seeking somewhere authentic, peaceful, and distinctly Scottish.
But beyond tourism, there is an undeniable charm that draws people to stay longer. The Highlands offer an unmatched combination of wilderness, community, and tranquillity, with properties ranging from quaint cottages and former crofts to modern homes tucked away off single-track roads. If you’re looking for something cheap, something characterful, or something ripe for renovation, the Highlands have a growing selection of properties for sale that could be your perfect next move.
Below, we’ve highlighted three standout opportunities currently available with Auction House Scotland - ideal for those ready to invest, renovate, or relocate!
3 Castle Street, Dornoch, Sutherland IV25 3SR
Guide Price: £225,000+ | 4-Bed Detached House
Located in the beautiful coastal town of Dornoch, this extended 4-bedroom home presents a unique opportunity to add value through modernisation. With an integral garage, spacious double bedrooms, and a well-maintained garden, it’s perfectly positioned for those wanting to create a standout family home - or for investors exploring the booming NC500 holiday market, where similar properties can earn up to £350 per night on AirBnB.
45 North Shawbost, Isle of Lewis HS2 9BQ
Guide Price: £75,000+ | 4-Bed Detached House
This fantastic development project enjoys scenic location on the Northwest coast of Isle of Lewis, with stunning sea views. It sits within large garden grounds and is the perfect opportunity to create a fabulous family home, whether as an owner/occupier, holiday home/rental or for resale. There may be an opportunity to reformat the layout, or even extend the property, subject to all required permissions. The idyllic location, keen guide price and massive added value potential makes this an unmissable Highland deal!
6/7 Feriniquarrie, Glendale, Isle of Skye IV55 8WN
Guide Price: £180,000+ | 5-Bed Detached House
In the beautiful landscape of Glendale on the Isle of Skye sits this excellent detached house with wood burning stove, generously sized gardens, and sixteen solar panels fitted to the roof. This energy efficient home would benefit from some upgrading and would make an ideal investment holiday let with excellent earning potential on offer.
Whether you’re dreaming of a remote retreat, a renovation challenge, or a Highlands-based investment with serious letting potential, the region continues to offer some of the most exciting property opportunities in Scotland. If you’d like to explore any of the above homes - or view more cheap rural cottages, renovation projects, or secluded homes for sale – look at the latest properties for sale by auction in Scotland here.