Dog-friendly Hotels Aberdeenshire

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 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.

Set in an enviable position right in the heart of Banchory and across the street from the golf course, West Lodge could not be better placed to enjoy all that this area has to offer. With river and hill walking paths less than a mile away and within walking distance to cafés, restaurants and local shops, there really is so much choice right on the doorstep.

West Lodge is a lovely two bedroom property set all on the ground floor. This property would be perfect for couples or a small family looking to enjoy the delights of the region. An open fire provides warmth throughout the house making it a cosy place to relax and unwind in after a long day of hill walking or fishing.

Less than a mile away you will find the Falls of Feugh. This popular attraction is a great place to watch the salmon jumping upstream. Afterwards, you could sample the local Scottish cuisine at the nearby restaurant. Banchory is also conveniently placed to enjoy the Castle Trail. Crathes Castle, with its stunning gardens is a short drive away. Here you will find the adventure course of Go Ape, sure to delight the daredevils in the family.

Drum Castle and the fantastic Dunnotar Castle are also within easy driving distance. Fishing is a very popular pastime in this area of Scotland as well, with many beats accessible nearby. From Banchory, you are less than 40 miles from Braemar and the stunning Balmoral Castle, summer residence of the Royal Family, another fantastic day out. The diverse city of Aberdeen is around a 30-minute drive from West Lodge, and offers a beach, fun fair, swimming pool, parks and gardens. West Lodge in Banchory really is a fantastic property in a wonderfully convenient location, perfect for all the family. Beach 16 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 550 yards.

These lovely detached holiday lodges are set in an elevated position with marvellous views towards Cairn O’Mount. Situated in 8 acres of natural woodland, all the properties are very stylishly furnished with good attention to detail. Mountshade (ref 30297) has been constructed to make the most of its surroundings with its concertina doors from the living room, relax and enjoy the views from the decking area after a busy day out exploring. Park Lodge (ref 17329) has an open-plan living room with a cathedral ceiling, opening on to a well-equipped kitchen. Cairn View (ref 30456), as its name suggests, boasts a wonderful view towards Cairn O’Mount and sleeps 6 in comfort, ideal for families or couples. All three lodges have plenty of space between them, ensuring good levels of privacy. The local and surrounding area provides the perfect holiday for families, friends and couples of all ages. Visit Balmoral Castle, (open in summer to visitors), or tour Royal Deeside, which begs to be explored, with fantastic walks on moor and mountain, river and loch fishing, cycle trails and pony trekking, or take in the scenic majesty of Lochnagar. The popular town of Banchory is just 5 miles away with interesting shops and restaurants, and the area is renowned for its Highland Games in summer. Aberdeen is approximately 30 minutes’ drive with its theatres, bars, gardens and shopping centre, and when the weather starts to cool down, the ski resorts of Lecht and Cairngorm are easy to reach. Shop and pub 5 miles.

The Annexe at Shieldaig Cottage is situated just over a mile from the picturesque village and golden sands of St Cyrus. It is attached to the owner’s house and completely self-contained with stunning views over open countryside. An entrance porch leads through to the open plan living area, and French doors open onto the pretty patio - an ideal spot for alfresco dining or relaxing with a glass of wine. Adjoining the living area is a modern well-equipped kitchen. There is a very attractively presented kingsize bedroom with colour co-ordinated soft furnishings and a shower room all on the ground floor. The first floor has a further attractive king size bedroom and a second living room with views of the countryside to one side and the sea to the other. A utility room with washing matching and clothes airer is at the side and is a great place to store outdoor clothing.
The village of St Cyrus is located on the east coast of Scotland and is famous for its Nature Reserve, a haven for nature lovers, bird watchers and dog walkers. The village offers local amenities including a village shop and post office, a coffee shop and a hotel, pub and restaurant. A perfect base to explore the coastline, hills and glens which surround The Mearns, home of Lewis Grassic Gibbon, write of A Scots Quair. The Grassic Gibbon Centre is located in nearby Arbuthnot. There is no shortage of good walks within easy reach in and around the Angus Glens, Forfar and Kirriemuir areas.
Other nearby attractions include the towns of Montrose and Stonehaven. Montrose sits on the edge of a tidal lagoon known as the Basin. Just south of the town on the A92 you will find the Basin Wildlife Centre where a resident ranger leads guided walks around the reserve. Montrose is also home to several links golf courses. Stonehaven has a beautiful harbour from where you can take boat trips to experience the rugged coastline and bird life. Beach 2¼ miles. Pub 5 miles.

This is a real find! Sitting right on the harbour front in the quaint fishing village of Johnshaven, this immaculate and newly renovated fisherman’s cottage has, as its name suggests, wonderful views over this picturesque harbour. The interior is warm and welcoming, with a calming and tasteful décor, comfortable beds and cosy wood burner in the living room.
Situated in the heart of the village, there is a wonderful restaurant next door serving local produce as well as a brilliant Lobster Shop, serving crab, lobster and all manner of lovely seafood. Johnshaven is a delight; lobster creels sit at the side of the harbour where you can sit and watch the comings and goings of the boats or take a stroll around the narrow streets.
Further up the coast, the popular market town of Stonehaven with its own outdoor heated pool, and Dunnottar Castle is well worth a visit while south Montrose, has clean sandy beaches, golf courses and other leisure activities. There is easy access to the Angus Glens from here, through rolling countryside of the Mearns or alternatively travel on the Victorian Heritage Trail, through Edzell and Fettercairn towards Banchory, over the scenic Cairn O’ Mount road. Beach 300 yards.

Alford is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just south of the River Don. It lies within the Howe of Alford which occupies the middle reaches of the River Don. The place-name is thought to come from the Scots auld ford; its original position being on the banks of the Don. Close to some of Scotland’s largest ski centres, the town is also great for perfecting your skill all-year round on the dry ski slope at the Alford Ski Centre Located in the centre of the town is the renowned Grampian Transport Museum, boasting climb-aboard vintage vehicles, interactive exhibitions as well as special collections – enjoyed by adults and children alike.
For adventure seekers, the town can also act as a base for walkers and cyclists hoping to explore Royal Deeside. The property is set out all on the ground floor and comprises separate living, dining and kitchen areas, as well as two bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside is a private lawned area to enjoy, the garden and drive are not enclosed so please be aware if you have young children or pets.

A spacious, modern, and well-equipped holiday home that exudes warmth and comfort. With five bedrooms, it can comfortably accommodate eight guests, making it perfect for families or a group of friends. The open-plan living area is flooded with natural light, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The lower West Wing hosts the large, fully-equipped kitchen, two main living rooms, a dining room (seats six with two extra dining chairs in the kitchen) and a single toilet on the ground floor. You will find the master bedroom in the upper West Wing with an en-suite.
The East Wing has two bedrooms on the ground floor (a double bedroom and a single room). Both have easy access to the large bathroom on the ground floor. In the upper East Wing, there are two further double bedrooms, sharing a bathroom. Please do note that there are three small steps between the West and East Wing, and both areas are connected inside the house.
A short drive away, visit the iconic Balmoral Castle, a favourite retreat of the British royal family. Explore the magnificent gardens and enjoy a tour of the castle’s interior. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Cairngorms, ideal for hiking, biking, and wildlife spotting. In winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the nearby resorts. Aberdeenshire is known for its whisky production. Visit local distilleries like Glenfiddich and Glenlivet for a taste of Scotland’s finest spirits. Savour delicious Scottish cuisine in the nearby restaurants and pubs, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, hearty stews, and traditional haggis.
Discover the rich history of Aberdeenshire by visiting historic sites like Dunnottar Castle and Crathes Castle. A peaceful retreat with easy access to a wealth of attractions and activities. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply wish to relax and unwind in the picturesque Scottish countryside. Beach 6 miles.