Dog-friendly Scotland
Explore Scotland's dog-friendly destinations for an ideal holiday with your four-legged friend. Whether it's a quaint hotel, cosy cottage, B&B, or a charming country house, find the perfect spot for a short break with your pooch. Discover stunning Scottish landscapes and create lasting memories on your next adventure.
Cumbernauld, ScotlandSet in the hills this detached holiday cottage is located within Palacerigg Country Park which has over 700-acres of grassland, moorland, woodland and ponds. Wildlife is abundant, roe deer, badger, fox, hare, sparrowhawk, kestrel, long-eared and short-eared owls can all be seen. Situated within half an hour’s drive to Glasgow and Stirling, whilst Loch Lomond National Park is a 45-minute drive. Woodland walks are available from the door to explore nature trails and places of historic interest, including evidence of fireclay mining at Glencryan. The property is situated on the edge of a golf course and horse riding can also be found just ½ mile away. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.£49From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & book
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Folda, ScotlandSet amidst the gloriously beautiful landscape near the top of Glenisla, the location of this very comfortable detached cottage will delight walkers and bird watchers alike. Cosy and traditionally furnished, Dalvanie Mill sits on a small working farm, an ideal location for enjoying the local area’s superb walking, golf, riding and fishing. Just 8 miles away lie the winter ski slopes at Glenshee and a scenic 35 mile drive leads to Pitlochry’s famous fish ladder, theatre and quality shops. Shop/PO and inn serving food 7 miles.£88From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Newtonmore, ScotlandThe Baltinnas are a pair of adjoining but completely separate lodge style properties. Baltinna West oozes warmth and character, with a cosy wood burner in the living room, this is a truly tranquil holiday retreat for two. The Monadhliath mountains behind are a stunning backdrop, and there is an enclosed decked front garden where red squirrels are regular visitors. Mature beech and lime trees surround the garden.
Downstairs is open plan, with a well-equipped, modern fitted kitchen and a living/dining area where you can put your feet up whilst relaxing on the Chesterfield settee facing the wood burner. Upstairs there is a deep roll-top bath in the romantic master bedroom to soak those muscles after walking the local Wildcat Trail or bagging a nearby munro or two! Baltinna West has a kingsize bed with individual flexible reading lights and USB sockets. There’s also a shower room with shower, wash hand basin, toilet and heated towel rail upstairs (and a separate toilet downstairs).
In an area made famous by the BBCs Monarch of the Glen and Outlander TV series, these two architect-designed, timber-clad properties (Baltinna West, ref UTY, and Baltinna East, ref SGGW) make the perfect couples’ getaway nestling between the Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges. Newtonmore is situated in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park and is a walker’s and birdwatcher’s paradise. The location is fabulous; the village shops and great pubs serving very good food within just two minutes walk, plus cafes and a takeaway also within a few minutes walk. Outdoor pursuits found locally include golf courses (one within walking distance) fishing on the River Spey, mountain biking, wild-swimming in rivers and lochs, skiing, tours taking in distilleries, RSPB sites, interactive museums, and the towns of Aviemore and Inverness. Shops ¼ mile.£123From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Ratho, ScotlandHidden away among lovely beech trees and with views from the terrace of the attractive Union Canal, The Coach House is a perfect base from which to explore Edinburgh. Stone-built and detached, it is set within the extensive grounds of the owners’ home on the edge of a village where a good pub, local shops and an opportunity to take a canal cruise can be found. For keen walkers there is good hill walking in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. Glasgow, Perthshire, Fife and the Borders and, of course, the beautiful city of Edinburgh are all within easy access. Golf close by. Guests receive 10% discount in the owner’s award winnning pub, 5 minutes’ walk. Shops ½ mile.£90From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Westruther, ScotlandThis delightful whinstone house lies in a glorious setting in the village of Westruther. Just 33 miles from the beautiful city of Edinburgh, it stands detached and benefits from an enclosed landscaped garden and grounds which include several lawns, an orchard, and paddocks. The garden enjoys a wide open outlook on to the horizon over Lauderdale and makes the perfect place in which to relax after a hard day touring the beautiful Scottish Borders. The welcoming hall has a cosy open fire and comfortable sofas, which leads to an elegant living room with a vast stone fireplace. The large kitchen has a locally crafted dining table, perfect for wonderful, memorable meals.
Lauder, 8 miles, has a good selection of local shops and pubs as well as a golf course. Fishing and shooting can be arranged, and horse riding is available locally. Excellent hill walking can be found on the Lammermuirs or Cheviot Hills and on the nearby Southern Upland Way, 2 miles. Thirlstane Castle, Mellerstain House and Floors Castle are just three of the many grand houses to visit nearby.
Edinburgh is a must for a day trip. This historic and magical city evokes the imagination of all ages. Dominated by the imposing castle, there are excellent tours of the city and castle as well as wonderful shopping, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. The Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently docked in the historic medieval port of Leith, and can be boarded for an interesting insight into how the Royal Family lived whilst at sea. Shops and pubs 8 miles.
Maximum guest occupancy of 10.£410From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Callander, ScotlandA well-presented cottage, sitting in the stunning setting of Brig o'Turk, Scotland. Magnificent surroundings. Pet-friendly. Woodburning stove. Callander 10.4 miles; Stirling 25.5 miles.£83From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Dunoon, ScotlandThis charming Category B-listed holiday cottage is situated only yards from Loch Long and boasts stunning views over the open water. Nestled in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Raglan Cottage is the perfect escape for guests wishing to relish the peace. Sited next to the Argyll Forest, which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible and right on your doorstep, this terraced holiday cottage is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore this delectable location. The cottage has the additional benefit of a large front deck overlooking the water’s shore only 3m away from the end of the garden. Guests can, fish for their tea (rods in the cottage) launch a kayak or just rest on the pebble beach and watch for our resident porpoises and seals playing in the Loch. Or you could take a walk along to the local Ardentinny pub and bistro for a warm welcome, and on a fine day grab a table on their beautiful Lochside deck - booking advised for food.
Ardentinny’s sandy beach where the Cowal hills and forest tumble down to the shore is a short stroll from the cottage’s front door and opens into some spectacular trails.
Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit and the incredible Pucks Glen is a must-see for those who love a mystical landscape of gorges and waterfalls. Whilst the town of Dunoon is within easy reach (there is a bus directly from Ardentinny) and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants when in Dunoon check out the Queens Hall and Burgh Hall for excellent music gigs and entertainment and also try Dunoon’s little cinema for a night at the movies Take a Wreckspeditions or Waverley paddle steamer cruise and explore Loch Long and Kyles of Bute.
Known as Argyll’s Secret Coast, the Cowal Peninsula is tucked away in a small corner of Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. Bordered by Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute, it’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Scotland’s first National Park, with hills, glens, rugged coastlines, white beaches, clear waters and ancient forests.
Argyll’s Secret Coast is packed with places to visit and things to do. Many sailors, walkers, cyclists and artists are all drawn to this area for its natural beauty. Explore the forests and coastline by foot, bike, kayak or boat.
Abundant in wildlife, including deer, buzzards, otters, golden eagles, red squirrels and even, if you’re very lucky dolphins and porpoises, this beautiful location offers much for the nature lover. The whole area is steeped in Highland history and dotted with ruins, castles and ancient sites. A short drive takes you to Portavadie, with its new marina and the ferry over to Tarbert to explore the Kintyre Peninsula with ferries to the Islands of Islay, Jura and Arran. Shop and restaurant 4 miles.£114From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Arden, Scotland"Stunning cottages in the heart of Loch Lomond National Park..."
Situated in the heart of Loch Lomond National Park, these stunning holiday properties have been lovingly restored and furnished to provide wonderful retreats.
Auchendennan Farm Cottage (SLLX) is a single-storey holiday cottage; within the house there is a large family sauna which can be used as an ideal way to unwind. Outside on the sun decking, there is a sunken hot tub which is large enough for all the family and powerful enough to give tired muscles a proper massage. Rose Cottage (SRRG) is a single-storey conversion adjoining the owner’s farmhouse. Combining modern and traditional furnishings, the property boasts a superb hot tub and external sun decked area for relaxing and unwinding. Burnbeag (SVVE) is a stunning, detached cottage to the rear of the steadings and has a stream running through its private enclosed garden, which has a decked area and hot tub. Courtyard Studio (SVVD) is a single-storey barn conversion set in the courtyard, behind the main house. Chestnut Cottage (SXXO), Willow Cottage (SXXP), Primrose Cottage (SXXQ) and Ivy Cottage (SXXR) are all pretty single-storey, semi-detached holiday cottages, with open-plan living areas and a cosy, wood-burning stove.
In summer, Loch Lomond’s ancient oak woods ring with birdsong. Look out for redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers. Ospreys are summer visitors to the loch and nearby Lake of Menteith. In the high country of Breadalbane, golden eagles may be seen soaring over mountain slopes richly carpeted in alpine plants. Watch out for porpoises and seals and glimpse Loch Lomond’s herd of fallow deer as they bound through the trees. Loch Lomond and Loch Earn are some of Scotland’s prime venues for sailing and water-skiing, while the rivers Balvaig and Teith are popular with canoeists. The Teith is also a great salmon river and one of many places popular with anglers. For golfing enthusiasts, the famous courses of Loch Lomond are just a short distance from the property, with an abundance of courses for all standards within easy reach.
Walking is a popular pursuit, from gentle low-level strolls to strenuous mountain climbs. Ben Lomond, Ben Lui, Ben Ime and Ben Vorlich are among the 21 Munros (mountains over 3000 feet). The West Highland Way stretches from the edge of Glasgow to Fort William, hugging the banks of Loch Lomond and passing through the spectacular mountain scenery of Strathfillan. There are great opportunities for cycling on and off road on National Cycle Network Route 7, which passes through the National Park from Balloch to Killin. Cameron House, the 5 star golf/spa resort is just minutes from the property where one can enjoy fine dining, day spa packages and championship golf. Lomond Shores, again a short distance from the property, offers designer shopping, loch cruises and an aquarium. The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily accessible by car boasting award winning restaurants, theatres, galleries and concert venues, designer shopping as well as many tourist attractions including the breath-taking Edinburgh Castle. Shops 2 miles, pub ¼ mile.
Auchendennan Farm Cottage (SLLX) can be booked together with Rose Cottage (SRRG) to accommodate up to 10 guests.£267From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Banff, ScotlandThis well-furnished, terraced property is situated down a quiet street in the popular coastal town of Banff, just a short walk from the harbour and vibrant marina. There is a good variety of shops, pubs and eating places as well as many historic buildings, which ensures there is plenty to do in the immediate vicinity.
The bright and airy interior has been thoughtfully furnished to provide a good standard of comfort with spacious bedrooms and a cosy living room, which also includes a dining table comfortably seating four. This leads into a well-equipped kitchen, with a full range of implements including a slow cooker and basic store ingredients to help create the family meals which could be enjoyed al fresco in the enclosed rear garden, also ideal for sitting out on sunny afternoons.
Nearby is Duff House, a magnificent example of baroque architecture, and Scotland’s premier country house gallery, housing a rich collection of paintings and other works of art and the well-respected Duff House Royal Golf Course is a challenge for any golfer. There is also another course at Tarlair in nearby Macduff, just a mile around the bay.
There are lovely walks along the River Deveron which feeds into Banff Bay having a lovely sandy, dog friendly beach. Banff itself enjoys spectacular sea views, magnificent sunsets, including the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights between October and March, clean air as well as river and sea angling. There is plenty to occupy the visitor in the surrounding area, from golden sandy beaches (the majority of which are dog friendly) stretching from Banff to Nairn, to the numerous castles and historic monuments which abound. There are cycle routes and pony trekking, and make sure you explore the Castle and Whisky Trails further inland, which wend their way through dramatic scenery.
The lively city of Aberdeen, around 1 hour away, is great for retail therapy, cinemas and theatre. Inverness is around 2 hours away, the gateway to Loch Ness which leads down to Fort William.
Beach ¾ mile. Shops ¼ mile, quiet local pub 175 yards and restaurants ½ mile.£54From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Ballater, ScotlandThese two, detached holiday properties are located in the heart of Ballater, within 100 yards of Ballater village green, restaurants, cafés, take-aways and shops, many of which feature the Royal ’By Appointment’ coats of arms. The Coyles (ref UK31466) is an impressive granite Victorian merchant’s house, with all the lovely high ceilings and details you would expect from a period property. Ideal for larger gatherings, whether enjoying a special birthday or a relaxing get together with friends, with plenty of living space and very good amenities throughout to ensure a memorable and convivial holiday. On two levels, it offers a high standard of comfort throughout and is a great choice at any time of the year. Built in 1888 using local granite, pitch pine and slate, it’s a true Victorian gem. It has its own enclosed garden and grounds, and enjoys lovely rural views to the south to Craig Coilleach. Quiet and secluded, the gardens are largely laid to lawn with a variety of mature trees and several flower borders with a variety of shrubs. There is a handy shed for bike and kayak storage, and for outdoor entertainment there is a paved patio area, with outdoor seating and barbecue. The Coyles Cottage (ref SBH) has its own garden and grounds and is well equipped throughout with a lovely sunny conservatory, and benefits from triple glazing and central heating throughout, affording year-round comfort.
Ballater sits in the heart of majestic Royal Deeside and is also located in the Cairngorms National Park, making it one of Scotland’s most scenic visitor spots. It boasts cosy cafés, quality restaurants, excellent shopping and great links to outdoor adventure, including hiking, climbing and skiing. Golf can be played in the beautiful surroundings of the 18-hole Ballater golf club and fishing is available, with the appropriate permits, on the River Dee. Ballater has many links to the Royal family and historic castles nearby include Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar. The Grampians offer wonderful hill walking and wildlife, and the surrounding area of Deeside is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Leisurely walks abound on the banks of the River Dee or within a few miles there’s great walking at Burn O Vat, Lochnagar and Loch Muick.
Deeside is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast with a wide and varied range of sporting activities. The area has excellent hill walking and on/off road cycling facilities and the ski centres at Aviemore, Glenshee and the Lecht are within a short travelling distance. For the sportsman, the River Dee is one of the most popular salmon rivers in Scotland and the River Don is famous for its trout. Deer stalking and grouse shooting can be arranged in the locality. Relatively central for interesting and varied days out, the city of Aberdeen can be reached in around an hour, with Dundee, Perth and Inverness all accessible within 2 hours’ drive through spectacular scenery. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 13 guests.£124From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
