Dog-friendly Hotels Aberdeenshire

This lovely, cosy end of terrace cottage is in a quiet street within easy walking distance of Banff’s attractive marina. Enjoy a restful break at any time of the year; the cottage is cheerfully furnished with a good level of comfort and the owners have thought of everything to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. The favourable climate here ensures long sunny days throughout the summer, ideal for enjoying long beach walks on golden stretches of sand found all along the coast, interspersed with rocky coves and clifftop paths.
By contrast, visit Duff House, a magnificent example of Baroque architecture and Scotland’s premier country house gallery, which houses a rich collection of paintings and other works of art. There are lovely walks along the River Deveron and the well-respected Duff House Royal Golf Course is just at the edge of the town. Banff itself enjoys spectacular sea views, magnificent sunsets, clean air and sea angling. There is plenty to occupy guests from the numerous castles and historic monuments which you will find, along good cycle routes, and pony trekking. Explore the Whisky Trail further inland which wends its way through dramatic scenery, or visit the city of Aberdeen approximately 1 hour away for retail therapy, cinemas and theatre. Beach 200 yards. Shops, pubs and restaurants 200 yards.

This is a birdwatcher’s paradise and is within an easy walk of the village shop, café and hotel. Furnished with care to maximise the light, inside this single-storey property there are full length picture windows in the bright living room and a well-equipped kitchen. The extensive garden with mature trees and expanse of lawn, is a wonderful sun trap to enjoy after a brisk walk along the beautiful sandy beach.

St Cyrus beach is nestled at the bottom of the cliff, which is accessed either by a steep walk from the local church just a few hundred yards away, or for the less adventurous, there is an easy drive down to the beach on the outskirts of the village at the nature reserve. A walk along the shoreline offers a good chance of spotting porpoises and other marine life in the clear waters. The spectacular cliffs and dunes are a National Nature Reserve and home to a variety of wildlife - peregrine falcons and fulmars are often spotted, as well as divers and other sea birds. Deer inhabit the wooded area at the top, and rare butterflies and plants can be found throughout the reserve. The owner has thoughtfully provided binoculars for your enjoyment. St Cyrus is between Montrose and Stonehaven, both bustling seaside towns with golf courses, shops and leisure centres, whilst inland the Angus Glens are easily reached for some excellent walks and spectacular scenery. Fishing is also available locally. Beach 300 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

After a day out exploring the dramatic coastline of Aberdeenshire and Moray, come back to this lovely, detached holiday home in the historic fishing village of Inverallochy. A former fisherman’s cottage, it is stylishly furnished with contemporary décor in soothing tones, with a spacious kitchen leading to an enclosed garden area at the front of the house and private parking. Just a very short walk to the seashore, the quiet streets, narrow alleys, and rows of cottages can easily carry you back to a very different time when every cottage had a boat pulled up, and the entire community made use of the seashore washing lines to dry their laundry.

The nearby Inverallochy Golf Club, with its backdrop of rolling dunes, rocky shores and beautiful beaches (there is a sea view from every hole), is a challenge for any golfer. For those without clubs, take the 6km walk from the harbour through the village to Whitelinks Bay, before returning behind the course. Visit Maggie’s Hoose at the end of the street, a mini museum chronicling life in a traditional ‘but n’ ben’ fisherman’s cottage.

Take a trip south along the coast through St Combs and visit the RSPB reserve at Loch of Strathbeg and beyond to one of the best stretches of beach in the country. Inland, the castle trail takes you through the heart of Aberdeenshire with some fine examples well worth a visit. Fraserburgh has plenty of shops nearby, while the city of Aberdeen is just an hour away. Beach 3¾ miles. Shop and restaurant 300 yards, pub 400 yards.

Craigclunie is a delightful detached traditional cottage in the heart of the popular Deeside village of Ballater. Boasting a lovely mature fully enclosed south-facing, rear garden, you really wouldn’t know you were so close to amenities such is the quietness of the surroundings. Enjoy a glass of wine or relax with a good book in the spacious conservatory with its leather sofa and which opens onto the garden, while in cooler months the cosy living room with wood burner is the place to be after a busy day out exploring the surroundings.
Ballater is a great base for a relaxing and varied holiday; there is something to do at any time of the year, from visiting distilleries such as the local Royal Lochnagar to hillwalking on some of the many Munro’s in the area and also two driving trails, the Castle Trail and the Whiskey Trail, both ideal for discovering the area; cycling on the Deeside Way, fishing on the River Dee and Balmoral Castle just 8 miles away. Nearby Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre offers day and hourly treks on traffic free routes. The village itself has a host of good eating places, supermarket open 7am-11pm, interesting shops and galleries, while Aberdeen is approximately an hour’s drive away for more cultural activities, theatre and shopping. Shop 150 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Overlooking the gentle meandering bends of the River Dee where wild red deer roam, this former taxidermist’s workshop and cottage has been completely rebuilt under the ‘Mar Estate Golden Jubilee Project’. After lapsing into dereliction, this magnificently appointed property has been restored to its original 1884 timber construction, taking into account every last detail. Further enhanced by the addition of modern day facilities, it stands as a real gem of a holiday home, amidst spectacular scenery. The village is home to the annual Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering. Games were first held here in the 11th century, when contests were set for the local clans in order to pick the bravest and strongest for Malcolm Canmore’s army. Perth is little over an hour’s drive away, as is the beautiful granite city of Aberdeen. Shops 3 miles.

Set in 27 acres of grounds, this delightful house forms the north wing of the owners’ mansion. Dating back to 1687, the house is steeped in history and The Mews was added in 1842. The house has its original 1840 layout. Unfortunately there are no upstairs bathrooms as planning will not allow as the building is B listed. The house is conveniently laid out for family groups or couples with the bedroom areas accessed by two separate staircases on either side of a central lounge and kitchen area. On one side there are 2 adjoining bedrooms one can only be accessed via the other one, ideal for a family but not suitable for unrelated couples. There is a 48 bottle wine fridge in the kitchen which is well equipped but not overly large though you can seat 4 for dining. The dining room seats 8 in comfort.
Outside, guests have free access to the extensive walled garden at the rear and the parkland at the front, inhabited by the owners’ miniature Shetland pony herd and which leads down to a beautiful small lake with an island. An idyllic retreat, guests can explore the grounds or enjoy the many activities available in the area. Nearby, the Hill of Bennachie is a great place for walks, whilst the Lochter Centre near Inverurie (11 miles) offers outdoor activities to suit everyone, from archery to Segway and from go-karting to clay pigeon shooting, and much more! This is castle country and there are 14 of Scotland’s finest to choose from. Golf, fishing, and riding are all within easy reach in the area and there is a good selection of shops and eating places both in Insch and nearby Inverurie. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 800 yards.

In an area renowned for superb fishing and golf, this wonderful property could not be in a better location! Just 50 yards from the rushing waters of the lovely River Dee and very close to Banchory Golf Course, this spacious and very comfortable accommodation makes full use of its situation, with patio doors from the living room offering an uninterrupted view of the river itself - where fishing may be arranged with the owner (subject to availability). With all modern facilities, it ensures a very relaxing stay in total comfort.
Banchory is a superb base for a varied holiday with Crathes Castle and garden, and Castle Fraser both well worth a visit. Also boasting two golf courses in the town, there is a wider choice in the surrounding area with excellent hillwalking and skiing available in the Cairngorms just a short distance away. A short drive leads to Ballater, where Queen Victoria first arrived in Desside in 1848. Although the line has long since closed, visitors can still visit the elegant train station in the heart of the town centre. Ballater is also an excellent base for local walks and outdoor activities. A popular walk leads to Lochnagar, the much painted and written about mountain by the current Prince of Wales.
Balmoral is easily accessible for the day and the local distillery at Lochnagar is well worth a visit, with tours and tasting of the local malt available. For an alternative day out, Aberdeen - Scotland’s third largest city, is well worth a visit. Many of the parks have been transformed into ‘flower gardens’ and are some of the most beautiful in Britain. There is also an excellent choice of restaurants and pubs and the livley city harbour comes alive in the evening with a number of theatres. Shops ½ mile.

This charming, 19th century (built in 1822), semi-detached cottage is peacefully situated on a quiet lane at the edge of the coastal village of St Cyrus, 30 miles south of Aberdeen with international airport. The completely natural garden provides a haven for local wildlife, birds and plants and backs onto open farmland at the rear. The holiday cottage retains many quaint features giving it a unique character and a welcoming atmosphere. The village shop, cafes and hotel are within walking distance, as are the miles of golden sands for which St Cyrus is renowned. The cliffs and dunes surrounding the beach are a National Nature Reserve where a plethora of wildlife including peregrine falcons can be spotted. Shops, pub and restaurant 5 miles.

This 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.

This traditional cottage sits on the banks of the River Dee. Meall Darroch looks pretty as a picture and has the welcoming warmth of an open fire. The holiday cottage has been fully modernised, carefully furnished and fitted with numerous labour saving appliances to make your stay totally relaxing. In this idyllic location there is freedom and space amongst moorland, heather and mountains - great walking country with real challenges for climbers. Yet this spectacular area is close to the tourist route - Braemar famous for the celebrated Highland Gathering and the breathtaking Linn of Dee. Shop and pub 4 miles.