Dog-friendly Hotels Argyll and Bute

Degnish Farmhouse sits proudly alone within a 1100-acre working hill farm at the western end of Loch Melfort and has spectacular panoramic sea and adjacent island views. Surrounded by abundant wildlife, including otters, seals and birdlife and with easy access to golf, horse riding, sea kayaking, fishing and sailing, this comfortable south-facing detached holiday property offers a perfect retreat in a glorious setting.
The house has been lovingly re-built to a very good standard, with underfloor heating, double glazing and an emphasis on the wonderful views.
Ideally based for exploring the west coast, there are plenty of ferry trips nearby to Mull, Arran, Gigha, Islay, Colonsay or Tiree. The bustling harbour town of Oban, known as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, is a scenic drive north and is home to an array of shops and restaurants. Inveraray Castle, historic Kilmartin Glen, and the Crinan Canal make for wonderful days out. Ardmaddy Castle and Gardens are 3½ miles over the hill, and can be accessed on foot, by 4-wheel drive or via the road to Seil Island. Guests enjoy free access to the gardens and are also welcome to use the estate’s tennis court. Small motor boats can be hired at Ardmaddy. Free fishing can also be arranged on the estate’s well-stocked hill loch.
There are plenty of hill and forest trails for mountain biking and leisurely walks, or visit one of the magnificent local gardens. Whilst there is the farm and miles of coastline to explore, there is also an enclosed garden and covered outdoor BBQ area ensuring the safety of younger children whilst allowing the grown-ups to enjoy an al-fresco lunch. Shop and pub 5 miles.

Islay House stands as one of Scotland's most majestic and historically significant dog-friendly country house hotels, positioned at the heart of Islay, famously known as the Whisky Isle.

Completely 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.

Right on the water’s edge with an enclosed sun-deck, 4 Dolphins offers a luxurious water’s edge holiday experience with seals, otters and seabirds, so close you can almost touch them! The experience of being so close to the sea is something quite exceptional and you will never tire of the ever-changing views and sounds whilst you sit looking out, either from the sun-deck or the comfort of the glass fronted living room. 4 Dolphins is situated on the coastal outskirts of Connel, 6 miles north of Oban on the shores of Loch Etive, and is the ground level luxury apartment created by the owners who live in the house next door.
With exceptional attention to detail and with the comfort of guests paramount, all rooms are luxuriously decorated with comfort and convenience in mind. Within walking distance of 4 Dolphins are three restaurants and three bars, a convenience store, and a railway station. You are feet away from the beautiful Loch Etive and just 5 minutes from the amazing natural attraction of the Falls of Lora, a tidal race underneath the Connel Bridge. Nearby attractions within a 5-minute drive are Dunstaffnage Castle and the Ocean Explorer Centre in the village of Dunbeg which also has a very popular Garden Centre with a café.
Across the Connel Bridge, a 10-minute drive takes you to the village of Benderloch, with its famous Pink Shop, grocery store, cafés, Tralee Beach, Ben Lora woodland walks and easy access onto national Cycle Route 78 which stretches all the way from Oban to Fort William. Oban, just 10 minutes drive, is a bustling west coast harbour town, and has lots going on for the visitor at any time of the year. Known as the ’Gateway to the Isles’, with ferries leaving daily to many islands, such as Mull, Iona, Staffa and Lismore. In keeping with its reputation as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, there are some excellent restaurants, cafés and pubs.
The area is a paradise for golfers, water sports enthusiasts, mountain bikers, mountain climbers and walkers with all the nearby glens, mountain ranges and coastal paths to explore. Inveraray, the ancient capital of Argyll, with its Castle and Jail, is a fun day out for the family. For any guests with young children, there is pony trekking available in the area. A trip to the Isle of Seil, over the Bridge over the Atlantic and a fast fun boat trip viewing whirlpools and wildlife, is another day out for family fun! Further afield, but within an hour’s drive, visitors can enjoy the scenery of Glencoe, take a trip to Fort William to see Ben Nevis or catch the Harry Potter train. Beach 8 miles, shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant ½ mile.