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.
Buckie, ScotlandInverspey is a detached bungalow, set in its own grounds, enjoying uninterrupted views across open farmland to the hills and sea beyond. The interior of the cottage has been completely renovated throughout to an exceptionally high standard. The large living/dining room has deep leather sofa suites and a superb cylindrical wood burner set in the corner of the room. Floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors open onto the large decked area and lawned garden, where there is a barbecue, gas fire pit and outdoor dining furniture. The kitchen is extremely well-equipped, with high quality built-in units. A corridor leads down to the spacious bedrooms, one of which has a zip and link kingsize bed and an en-suite shower room with a large, walk-in shower. The second bedroom has a kingsize bed and a superb en-suite wet room complete with a deep double-ended feature bath. Outside you will find the beautiful garden which extend around the property. A particular feature is a second decked area with outdoor furniture, known as the ’Prosecco deck’, a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the distant sea views whilst planning the next day’s excursion or activity. Inverspey is ideal for couples and families looking for an indulgent and luxurious holiday in a wonderful location.
Inverspey lies on the Spey Bay Trail and on the edge of Spey Bay, a beautiful hamlet that leads directly onto the bay and the River Spey. The immediate area is renowned for its wildlife with the National Scottish Dolphin and Whale Centre just a few yards from the cottage, where you can learn about the amazing bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife that are regularly seen close by, including seals, osprey, minke whale and even rare sea eagles. The centre also runs bat watching tours and the opportunity to explore the UK’s largest surviving ice house. Spey Bay is home to the largest shingle beach in Scotland. There are wonderful walks direct from the cottage along River Spey, renowned for its salmon fishing (permits available locally, in season). The Spey Bay golf course is just a few minutes’ walk away; this lovely coastal links course is open to visitors and there are discounts available for guests, who can also visit the club house, which serves meals and also has a bar. The Malt Whisky Trail is situated over nine locations in Speyside and is well worth a visit. There are numerous sporting activities locally, including sailing, kayaking, fishing, golf, cycling and hill-walking, as well as plenty of interesting places to visit within a short drive. Beach 500 yards. Shop 6 miles, and restaurant 300 yards.£85From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & book
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Taynuilt, Scotland
4.75Completely renovated in 2021, this beautiful detached, single-storey holiday cottage enjoys an idyllic location, with Loch Etive to the front and the River Awe directly behind. Extremely well furnished and equipped the property has direct access onto the beach. It boasts stunning views across the sea loch to the mountains beyond from some of the rooms, and lovely views over the garden from the others. There is a well-equipped kitchen and a dining area seating eight guests. The house enjoys significant privacy with its only neighbours being seals, otters and yachts. Point Park is one of the very few properties to truly have a sea frontage, located just 5 metres from Loch Etive’s shore with direct beach access. In all rooms the bed can be made into double beds in all bedrooms if required.
The lovely little town of Taynuilt has a friendly community and offers a village grocery store, a post office, butchers, tea room, hairdressers, doctor’s surgery and a restaurant serving good food. There is also a train station, the line through Taynuilt runs from Glasgow to Oban so you can have a day in the city or head to the islands. Taynuilt’s golf course is just a few minutes’ walk from the cottage and offers 9 holes.
The bustling Victorian town of Oban known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ is just 20 minutes away by carand offers shops, bars, seafood restaurants, a cinema and leisure centre. Whisky lovers can visit the Oban Distillery to learn how it’s all made. Regular boat trips leave the busy harbour bound for the Inner Hebridean Islands, including Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles with their comical puffins.
Enjoy leisurely forest walks, horseriding, fishing, sailing, diving and golf, or for the more adventurous, Glen Nevis, one of the Highland’s most famous glens and the location of scenes from Harry Potter and Braveheart, is only a short drive and offers stunning scenery and bracing walks. Explore famous castles, historical sites and mature gardens. Visit Bonawe Iron Works, Cruachan Hollow Mountain or the Inveraray Jail. The abundant wildlife includes porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks, otters, deer and a wealth of seabirds. Glencoe and Fort William are easily accessible by car and offer popular climbing, skiing and mountain biking. All in all this is an ideal base for enjoying the pleasures of the great outdoors or just savouring the spectacular scenery of the Western Highlands. Shop and pub 1 mile.£161From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Nairn, Scotland 1.50This charming former fisherman’s cottage, with enclosed garden, is set in the heart of Fishertown which forms part of the lively town of Nairn. Located on the Moray Coast, Nairn boasts a sandy beach which is just a few minutes’ walk from the holiday cottage. A toy cupboard provides amusement at the cottage. Seashell Cottage is ideally situated to enjoy the variety of facilities the town has to offer including a links golf course, fishing and boat trips to see the bottlenose dolphins. Cawdor and Brodie Castle are nearby along with numerous distilleries - take the Whisky Trail on Speyside. Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Inverness, the Highland capital are all within a short drive. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.£49From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Thurso, Scotland 5.00This attractive ground floor holiday apartment forms part of a stone cottage situated in the village of Castletown which is on the North Coast 500. Its high ceilings, original wooden shutters and cottage garden (grassed area outside the main garden provides space for dogs’ exercise) all add to its charm. Four miles of sandy beach adjoins the fishing harbour 800 yards from the property. Sea angling and loch fishing are available. Known for its unspoilt beaches and wide variety of wildlife and, at certain times of year, the Northern Lights are visible. Central to many surfing locations, golf courses, fishing and the Castle of Mey (8 miles). Take a day-trip to the Orkney Isles. An all weather short mat bowling green is available for guests to use. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.£38From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Banff, ScotlandWillow Lodge has been freshly decorated and modernised making it a wonderful base from which to explore Macduff and the surrounding area. With three bedrooms, it is best suited to couples or families or friends groups looking for a comfortable modern home to relax in after a day exploring. It benefits from an attractive and fully enclosed landscaped garden set on multiple levels, giving plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.
Within a 5-minute drive of the beach, this detached bungalow also has a very convenient location in Macduff and is within walking distance of many local attractions. MacDuff enjoys stunning sea views and wonderful sunsets and the architecture reflects its maritime heritage. A restaurant serving fresh local dishes is only a short walk away. The Macduff Aquarium will delights guests of all ages, with a wonderful selection of creatures from the sea and beyond. Learn about the history of the area at the beautiful Duff House, enjoy viewing the art work or strolling through the grounds. The Macduff Distillery is also a great place to visit and situated about 1 mile from Willow Lodge.
The north-east coast of Scotland is a hidden gem, with its atmospheric fishing villages dotted along the coastline, making it a wonderful place for easy exploration. Travel along the beautiful coastline offering stunning cliff top views, or head west towards Portsoy Harbour, with the chance to discover the remains of Boyne Castle, or watch out for some dolphins at Moray Firth. Other popular attractions in the area include Fyvie Castle, a magnificent structure, housing antiques and heritage-rich exhibits, and Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life. This area is also home to some wonderful beaches, with many easily reachable. There really is something for everyone in this fascinating region of Scotland.
This fantastic area of Scotland is a haven for golfers with many courses near by, including Royal Tarlair, Duff House and Turriff. Walkers and cyclists will also enjoy the many walks available. Why not try a walk along the stunning coast, exploring the small bays and beaches along the way? Take in views of the Moray Firth and try a spot of dolphin watching. Fishing in the River Deveron is also a popular pastime here. Beach 1½ miles. Shop 200 yards, pub and restaurant 700 yards.£89From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Tain, ScotlandCosy, semi-detached cottage in the quiet, coastal hamlet of Inver, near Tain. Fabulous walks beside the sea. Warm and well-equipped. WiFi. Pet-friendly. Ideal base for touring. Tain 6 miles.£101From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
St Andrews, ScotlandSituated at the entrance to 400 acres of beautiful parkland on the Balbirnie Estate, The Gate House is a beautifully furnished and extremely cosy and comfortable cottage. Dating back to the 1800s, the cottage provides a contemporary home while still maintaining many of its original features. There is a quirky spiral staircase to the first floor double bedroom with its own relaxing seating area. On the ground floor, guests will find the living/dining room has an open fire, which is just the spot for spending a lazy afternoon on cooler days. There is also a good size kitchen with breakfast bar, family shower room and double bedroom with a king size bed.
From the front door you can take a stroll into the delightful conservation village of Markinch, rich in history and once the medieval capital of Fife. The village has a good selection of supermarkets, local independent quality shops, cafés, a deli, restaurants and pubs and the local butcher, whose award winning steak pies are well worth sampling. This semi-detached cottage is part of Balbirnie South Lodge which was built in 1861 and designed by the architect David Bryce. The gates were usually locked and visitors were required to ring the bell, still on one of the pillars today, to gain entrance to the estate. In 1837 John Balfour became master of the estate and in 1840 married Lady Georgine Campbell, (daughter of the Earl of Cawdor) and the inter-twining initials in the date stone is thought to represent this. The Balfour family continued to own Balbirnie House and the estate until 1969.
During the 18th and 19th century, the estate landscape was designed by Robert Robinson and Thomas White, who created one of the most significant collections of rhododendrons in the east of Scotland. There are around 200 varieties from India, China and the Himalayan provinces and when the plants are in bloom it is well worth seeing. The Gate House is ideal for guests attending a wedding or event at Balbirnie House as you are only a short walk to the hotel. The location is ideal for walkers and cyclists as the Balbirnie Estate has parkland to explore and the Lomond Hills Regional Park is only a short drive away. This is a brilliant choice for golfers with an 18-hole golf course on your doorstep and many local courses nearby, and St Andrews, the home of golf, with its championship courses is just 30 minutes’ drive away. The British Golf Museum is close to The Old Course and there is the only hickory golf course in the UK at Kingarrock. For days at the seaside, the sandy beaches of the East Neuk of Fife are within a short drive and the Fife Coastal Path takes you to secluded coves, little fishing villages and award winning sandy beaches with plenty of places to visit and find refreshments. Beach 6½ miles. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 300 yards.£75From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Newton Stewart, ScotlandA marvellous, detached bungalow nestled on the outskirts of Isle of Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway. Whithorn 4 miles; Wigtown 14.7 miles; Newton Stewart 21.3 miles.£73From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Dunoon, ScotlandThis stunning detached house with landscaped gardens, sits at the water’s edge and boasts fantastic views over Holy Loch and the Firth of Clyde to the hills beyond. The living room has floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views, and a wood burner to keep you warm on chilly nights. The spacious en-suite master bedroom boasts a private balcony, perfect for enjoying the far reaching views. This is the perfect tranquil location to relax in and escape from the trials of everyday life, and to explore the spectacular scenery and history of the area.
The deep glens and narrow sea lochs are typical of the west coast, and there you can find a huge selection of Scottish wildlife: red deer, roe deer, buzzards and golden eagles to name but a few. The area is also full of history, where standing stones, burial cairns and rock carvings abound.
The town of Dunoon is within easy reach and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants. Take a steamer cruise and explore the hills and lochs of the Cowal Peninsula. There is an abundance of outdoor activities on offer with sailing, sea fishing, windsurfing, fast speed RIB boat tours, quad bikes, clay shooting and much more. Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit. Located within the Loch Lomond National Park, the area is ideal for walkers and cyclists of all abilities and boasts a magnificent diversity of scenery with dramatic peaks, waterfalls, hidden caves and mysterious, forest covered slopes. Shop 300 yards, pub and restaurant 400 yards.£178From 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.£125From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
