Dog Friendly Holidays in Scotland -Our Favourite Destinations

Scotland is a super dog friendly place to visit due to the vast open spaces and accessibility to the great outdoors. You will find many famous landmarks in Scotland and wonderful areas to visit with your furry family, all of which will welcome you for a relaxed stay. Here are some of our favourite destinations for brilliant dog friendly holidays in Scotland.

The Scottish Borders:

The Scottish Borders refers to the areas of Scotland bordering Scotland with England. It is so easy to get to, making it very accessible and popular. Mountain bikers will love the pretty town of Innerleithen which is just a few miles from Peebles. It is also only about 45 minutes from Edinburgh. There are oodles of beautiful walks to enjoy with your dog here, for example along the river Tweed and through the disused ‘half mile tunnel’ which is a very dark! There are many dog friendly hotels, restaurants and cafes in the area. Dog friendly restaurant Osso in Peebles is delicious and definitely worth visit. Stay at Cosaig Cottage, a super dog friendly holiday home in Innerleithen. Bringing your rescue dog means that your cleaning fee (£30) will be donated to the Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary.

Dumfries and Galloway:

Dumfries and Galloway is a wonderful region and also a great stop off for those touring Scotland to the more remote Highlands. Another very dog friendly destination, you will find pooches are welcome in many hotels, restaurants and cafes throughout the area. There are many beautiful and secluded beaches in the area. Our favourite is the small but perfectly formed Monreith. Other local treats included foodie Castle Douglas, Kilsture Forest, Galloway Forest Park (fabulous for mountain biking), St Ninian’s Cave, and Rigg Bay, Garlieston. Portpatrick also has a beautiful coastal walk. Stay at dog friendly  Woodfoot Cottage or Longhill Farmhouse. Gin fans will love the producers Crafty Distillery who offer tours and lunches.

Eilean Shona:

Have you heard of Eilean Shona? Probably not, we certainly hadn’t until stumbling upon it in the weekend newspaper. This hidden gem is an island located in the Inner Hebrides, just off Loch Moidart. A complete return to nature and relaxation, it is home to 7 remote holiday cottages and one very grand house… and no other humans, shops, cars etc. If you are wanting a complete cut-off from hectic, modern life, this is the place for you and your dog. There is so much to do on the island- all activities are self organised and nature based. We loved finding the beach and also exploring the unmarked paths. This is a truly back to nature holiday so think reading, writing, painting, drawing, photography and other really peaceful and tranquil activities. I urge anyone loving peaceful, secluded places to visit to book a stay here. The island is simply stunning and the wildlife breath-taking- in the words of J.M Barrie “A wild rocky romantic island it is too.”

The Angus Glens:

The Angus Glens are a series of valleys offering amazing scenery and single-track roads, in the north east of Scotland. Close to Dundee and Pitlochry, you can choose to be close to town and city life, or be super remote. You will find stunning beaches here, for example Lunan Bay which is an expanse of golden sand, just perfect for dog running Be sure to visit Corrie Fee, a mountainside scooped out by a glacier during the Iron Age. Backwater Reservoir is also a great choice for a really big walk Like so many areas of Scotland, there are many dog friendly hotels, restaurants and cafes in the area, for example The Wee Bear Cafe. Shoppers will enjoy The House of Bruar, a department store with a great food court. To stay in a luxury cottage, check out the beautiful Culhawk House.

Argyll and Bute:

Argyll and Bute is a region in the western Scottish Highlands. Enjoy hopping on a ferry and visiting unspoilt islands, for example Iona, Islay, Mull, Arran, and other places of beauty. A brilliant place to get back to nature and enjoy some breath-taking open spaces. Argyll and Bute is a great destination for beach lovers and also for spotting stunning wildlife including; golden eagles, red deer, otters, seals, and puffins. Be sure to visit Inver in Strachur for a delicious meal. You can also stay in one of the dog friendly bothies or shepherd huts. There are plenty of dog friendly places to stay here and oodles of space to relax in the company of your dog. Ideas of where to stay in Argyll and Bute here.

The Isle of Skye:

The Isle of Skye is most definitely worth the trip to the Highlands due to its breath-taking landscapes and scenery. Skye is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides and is 50 miles long. Joined to the mainland by bridge, Skye is easily accessible. Explore beautiful walks with your dog and find amazing wildlife including; White Tailed Sea Eagles, otters, seals, whales, dolphins, red deer and more. Plenty of dog friendly places to stay, eat and enjoy here and a place of real awe inspiring beauty. Be sure to see the Fairy Pools and eat the the fabulous The Three Chimneys. Ideas of where to stay on Skye with your dog here.

Ayrshire:

Ayrshire is a historic county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde but just a 40 minute drive from Glasgow. Explore the beautiful shores, pretty towns and open spaces. Birthplace to Robert Burns, there are many attractions to see in this area for fans. A very dog friendly place to stay, and home to great places to stay, eat and enjoy. Find dog friendly places to stay here.

More dog friendly holidays in Scotland:

We adore visiting Scotland and have loved each and every place that we have visited so far. Let us know your dog friendly holidays in Scotland recommendations in the comments below. More dog friendly holiday destinations in the UK here.