Dog-friendly Hotels Dumfries and Galloway

Situated on the outskirts of a quiet village, in the heart of 7Stanes Mountain Biking country, this detached, converted former dairy is set on a small holding and boasts stunning views over open countryside. This holiday cottage is ideally located to explore local history, with castles, abbeys, mansions and ruins. Dumfries and Galloway boasts rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, offering an ideal base from which to explore the Machars Peninsula and the Galloway Hills. The historic cities of Edinburgh and Carlisle, cosmopolitan Glasgow and the North Lake District are easily reached within an hour. Fishing is available on the River Annan at Hoddom, and there is golfing close by at Hoddom and Powfoot, as well as all the courses Dumfries and Galloway has to offer. Beach 5 miles. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Surrounded by similar cottages in Old Minnigaff, on the edge of Newton Stewart, this cosy, character filled, terraced riverbank cottage is located in a quiet courtyard. It is just a short stroll from the property to all the local amenities including pubs, restaurants and shops. The garden is set right on the riverbank and is perfect for spending endless hours watching the local wildlife, including kingfishers and otters, or just enjoying a glass of wine as the sun sets over the river. The wood burner in the living room and huge picture window means that even when it is raining you can still enjoy the outlook over the River Cree.
Newton Stewart lies on the southern edge of the Galloway Forest Park, which was Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park. If you go for a walk there in the day time you may meet red deer and wild goats that inhabit the area. The area is fantastic for walking, with rolling glens, forests and stunning coastline paths. For bikers there are two of the world famous 7stanes mountain bike trial centres close by at Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Scotland’s ’National Book Town’, Wigtown, is only 7 miles away. This quaint town has a large number of book shops where you can spend hours searching for that perfect holiday read. Wigtown Bay is also the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain, with a wealth of wildlife, making it ideal for birdwatching. Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet and Castle Douglas are also all close by. Beach 7 miles. Shop 300 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

"Idyllically set on a 3000-acre estate..."
Enjoying an idyllic situation on the 3000-acre Crofts Estate, surrounded by the Galloway Hills, these holiday cottages have enviable, dramatic views towards the Solway Firth and Cumbrian Hills beyond. Accessed along a private drive, and adjoining a cluster of well-maintained estate buildings, Stable Cottage (ref UUD) makes a romantic hideaway for two, offering stylishly furnished accommodation – its walls adorned with the original work of various Scottish artists. The larger Victorian detached Gardener’s Cottage (ref UXT) has been elegantly furnished, and features an attractive shared garden with a bridge over a burn and a small waterfall. Arkland Mill (ref STTZ) stands detached with a lovely large garden, a summerhouse and its own bridge over the stream. Marwhin House (SWWR) and Marwhin Cottage (ref SWWS) also stand detached, situated within 25 yards of each other, still with there own privacy, the latter two properties being set in gardens with a delightful stream and pond. Woodland walks and hillside trails radiate from the doorstep. Dumfries lies just 12 miles away, where there are plenty of shops, restaurants and museums, as well as a good theatre. Castle Douglas (8 miles) is a traditional market town with individual shops specialising in food and local produce. There are many beautiful beaches within easy reach along the Solway, and the National Trust Threave Gardens, 8 miles, makes for an interesting day out. Other tourist attractions in the area include the Galloway Kite Trail, the Galloway Forest Park and golf courses and museums in Dumfries. Village shop and pub within 4 miles.

Situated in a peaceful location within the Galloway Forest Park, one of the Dark Sky Parks, and surrounded by rolling hills, this detached former hunting lodge offers a true ‘get-away-from-it-all’ break. This historical building is set in its own 5 acres, once belonging to the Earl of Galloway, and walking and cycling are available directly from the holiday property. Glentrool, one of the 7 Stanes, with its many marked trails is close by and offers walking and cycling for all abilities. There is easy access to the Merrick, south west Scotland’s highest mountain, which offers more demanding walking. The market town of Newton Stewart, 8 miles from the lodge, is recognised as the Gateway to the Galloway Hills and centre for the Newton Stewart Walking Festival. It has a range of shopping facilities, swimming pool, golf course and a cinema. South west Scotland has a wealth of golf courses including Turnberry, Brunston Castle all within easy reach. Dumfries and Galloway area has many sandy beaches, rocky coves and picturesque villages; the area provides ample opportunity to relax in the wealth of scenic and historic attractions. With its famously mild climate and the balmy influence of the Gulf Stream, Galloway is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic gardens. Ayrshire, with the Ayrshire Coastal Path 100 miles of coastline, easy access to Culzean Castle and Country Park, a favourite with visitors, is a 30-minute drive away. The Wigtown Book Town, Ayrshire Coast and Burns Country provide enjoyable days out. Pub with a brilliant reputation for food and warm welcome only a 3-minute stroll door to door. Shop 8 miles, pub 500 yards.

This delightfully situated, semi-detached, single-storey, holiday cottage has been renovated to a very good standard and is located within the national scenic area between Dumfries and Annan. The cottage is near Caerlaverock Castle and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The county towns of Dumfries and Annan are a short drive away providing a wide range of shops and places of interest. The cottage makes an ideal base for exploring this wonderful area either by car, cycle or on foot, and the Mabie Forest mountain bike tracks are close by, whilst the scenic Caerlaverock Estate has a network of paths to enjoy close by. Close to excellent salmon fishing on the River Nith and wildfowling on the National Nature Reserve. There are several excellent golf courses in the area including the championship course at Southerness. There are wonderful views over the Solway Coast towards the Lake District.

Swallows is the perfect retreat to unwind and relax. This delightful barn conversion is wonderfully situated along a quiet lane, in the serene Scottish countryside, and enjoys views over the neighbouring farmland and the owner’s 2½-acre landscaped garden. Converted with care and attention to detail, the open plan living space is particularly attractive with high ceilings, a picture window overlooking the courtyard and doors leading to the conservatory, which overlooks the private enclosed garden. The quality, calm and tranquillity are evident from the moment you walk through the door.

Beaches and a National Scenic Area are close by, as well as opportunities for hill walking, mountain biking and watersports. Visit renowned gardens, ancient woodland and enjoy the abundant wildlife. The area is well recognised for its clear skies, with it being one of the 12 Best Stargazing Sites in the world, and the first Dark Sky Park in the UK. Only a short drive away is Kirkcudbright, known as the artists’ town. It attracts visitors throughout the year drawn in by the harbour, historic high street and the diverse range of annual events and visitor attractions. The popular programme of summer festivities culminates with the spectacular Tattoo, an event not to be missed. Shop and restaurant 5 miles, pub 2 miles.

Enjoying a wonderful setting with views over the picturesque town, harbour and out to sea, this spacious detached house offers an ideal holiday base from which to explore the surrounding area. Enjoy the challenging uplands of the Galloway Hills, or gentle seaside trails, rolling moors and dramatic cliff-top walks. The Southern Upland Way passing close by is ideal for enjoying the many and varied shorter walks. The dramatic scenery is home to a rich company of flora and fauna, with many unusual species including pine martens, golden eagle, ospreys, red deer, red squirrels and the natterjack toad. The area has many renowned gardens to visit including the Botanic Gardens in Port Logan. Wigtown, Scotland’s official book town, is also home to a charming gallery and excellent cafés, and is located only a few miles from Bladnoch Distillery, where visitors can sample the local malt whisky. For fishermen, the area offers a wide variety of opportunities including sea fishing from Portpatrick and trout and salmon fishing are close by. Other country pursuits include shooting and riding. Golf courses within a 20 minute drive at Stranraer, Portpatrick and Lagganmore. Turnberry, with its world famous course is only 45 minutes away and offers a spa, off road driving, quad biking and restaurant. For the more active, there are numerous cycle routes set out in stunning forestry commission surroundings and cycle hire is available at these centres. Sailing is available via the local marina, and slightly further afield there is the Galloway Sailing Centre where visitors can try windsurfing, canoeing and power boating. From Stranraer, 15 miles, there is the ferry service to Ireland for a day trip. Shops, pubs and restaurants 300 yards.

This beautiful 19th century historic property, with spacious rooms, has been sympathetically renovated to retain many of its original features whilst providing a luxury holiday location whatever your needs. With an accessible kitchen with rise and fall counters x-y ceiling track hoists in two of the five large bedrooms and one wet room, electric profiling beds in three bedrooms, two large specialised wet rooms with level-access showers, low level basin and emergency pull chord alarm system, not to mention the lift, this house caters for everyone no matter what their everyday needs may be. The house and grounds were built on the moat bank of an 11th century Motte-and-bailey castle, the original seat of the ’De Brus’ family who were the ancestors of ’Robert the Bruce’ who was featured in the iconic film ’Braveheart’. The other side of the moat bank can still be seen from the peaceful sensory garden.

The Moat House is only a very short walk from the main street of Annan where you can enjoy a range of pubs and restaurants, or take in a film at the local cinema. There is plenty to do in the area with forests and coastal walks. There are lots of castles to explore in Dumfries and Galloway but Caerlaverock Castle is particularly interesting being a moated, triangular castle. In comparison though Drumlanrig Castle is a very impressive building with 120 rooms, 17 turrets and towers, and it is equally stunning inside, being filled with beautiful French furniture and an art collection which includes Rembrandt’s Old Woman Reading. Mabie Farm Park is always popular with families, from feeding farm animals, a ride on the ‘Choo Choo Express’, a gentle paddle around the boating lake to racing quad bikes, there is fun for kids of all sizes. Alternatively Gretna Gateway Outlet Village can provide hours of retail therapy. It was while living and working in nearby Dumfries that JM Barrie befriended a local family, and their adventures inspired him to write Peter Pan, hopefully your family will have equally fantastic adventures on your holidays. Within 5 miles there is coarse and trout fishing (at cost), river fishing (day ticket permit required) and sea fishing (free) all available (rod licence may be required). Beach 1½ miles. Shop and pub 200 yards, restaurant 400 yards.

Quietly situated on the edge of the pretty town of Moffat, this charming holiday cottage forms a wing of the owner’s home, and was once where the pony and trap were kept. It has now been transformed into a welcoming, cosy haven for two. The bright and spacious living room has a wood burner and French doors looking out to the garden and there is a small courtyard garden to the rear. Moffat has a thriving arts and music scene, a good range of local shops, pubs and restaurants and is ideal for hill walking being on the Southern Upland Way. Ideally placed for touring the area, Edinburgh and Glasgow are 50 miles, spectacular St Mary’s Loch, 30 miles, and the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall is just 10 miles away, while Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill is within easy reach. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

The Nook at Balcary is a beautiful detached cottage with a modern open plan living area boasting floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors opening on to the most fantastic views of Auchencairn Bay and Hestan Island.

Everything at The Nook at Balcary is perfect from the moment you step inside. Not only will the view amaze you, but the attention to detail throughout is stunning from the comfortable sofas, the large walk-in shower to the sumptuous bed. On fine nights, sit outside in the most peaceful of locations watching the stars and enjoying the sound of the sea. The perfect place to relax.

The area surrounding The Nook at Balcary is just as impressive. From your doorstep take a walk over the cliffs, or a short drive will take you to many lovely little towns and villages including Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Kippford and Rockcliffe to name but a few.

This corner of south west Scotland, warmed by the Gulf Stream, also has many beautiful gardens to visit, including Threave Gardens (National Trust). Close to the Galloway Forest Park, the first Dark Sky Park in the UK, and central to 5 of the 7Stanes, it is a popular location for cyclists and mountain bikers. Beach 50 yards. Shop 2 miles, hotel bar and restaurant next door.