Dog-friendly Hotels Dumfries and Galloway

Airyhemming Farm is a detached two storey house situated in peaceful countryside with open views over farmland to the rolling Galloway Hills. There is ample space for families with particularly attractive features such as the farmhouse kitchen with Aga and the delightful sun room to the front offering glorious views. The property also boasts its own stretch of water for brown trout fishing. If fishing is not for you then why not relax in the hot tub! The charming village of Glenluce has local shops and pubs. This area of Dumfries and Galloway boasts rugged coastlines and secluded sandy beaches which benefit from the warmth of the passing Gulf stream and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, offering an ideal base from which to explore the Machars Peninsula and the Galloway hills. There are many beautiful gardens to explore, including the world renowned Logan Botanical Gardens. The area boasts many pretty little ports like Sandhead, Portpatrick and the RSPB Scotland Mull of Galloway nature reserve where thousands of seabirds nest in the cliff face during the spring and summer. Walking is a delight, whether clifftop, beaches, hills or forests and the Southern Upland Way passes close by. Also a cyclist’s paradise with the world famous 7Stanes within easy reach. If you prefer shooting or golf then there are many facilities nearby including the County course just two miles away. The town of Stranraer which is only 10 miles away offers a wider range of shops, pubs and restaurants. Nearby Cairnryan is home to the Stena Line ferry making a day trip to Ireland a great day out. Beach 2 miles. Shop and pub 2 miles, restaurant 3 miles.
Airyhemming Farm can be booked together with Airyhemming Dairy (UK5201) and Kelbrook (UK5737) to accommodate up to 22 guests.

This spacious detached house, with large enclosed gardens, is situated in the popular traditional market town of Castle Douglas, known as Scotland’s Food Town, only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. This unspoilt area of south west Scotland offers magnificent scenery, some of the finest beaches and golf courses in Scotland, riding, fishing and water sports.
An excellent area for walkers and cyclists with Dalbeattie 7Stanes a mere 10 minutes away. The Galloway Forest Park offers fantastic scenery and wildlife and the Galloway Hills are within easy reach. For those with young children there are also a number of great days out on the doorstep including Cream o’ Galloway, an amusement park on a working dairy farm, 15 miles, and The Cocobean Company, with childrens play area and chocolate workshop, 9 miles away.
If arts and culture are a passion, a quick glance at the surroundings will see exactly why the region has inspired so many artists, writers and craftsmen, from the artist’s town of Kirkcudbright, the region’s infamous Spring Fling, Eden Festival, Electric Fields Festival and Knockengorroch Festival are amongst many other events that take place all year round. The Solway coast has many extensive sandy beaches and rocky coves to explore, with many traditional fishing villages and harbour ports. Kirkcudbright, the artists’ town, has art galleries, antique shops, museums and shops while Castle Douglas has many artisan food shops, galleries and independent shops. Beach 12 miles. Shop 250 yards, pub and restaurant 400 yards.
Just when you think this property can’t get any better, it will undergo impressive renovation from January - March 2023, including a new fitted kitchen; new bifold doors from the kitchen, a raised patio area, a brand new WC room downstairs and the removal of the current sitting area to create a large open plan living space, perfect for all of your family and friends.

Situated only yards from the shoreline, this spacious, detached cottage has fantastic views over the sea to the Mull of Galloway and the Isle of Man. West Barr Cottage has a private garden and direct access to the beach. Known as the Machars of Galloway the area boasts a stunning coastline with amazing cliff top walks. These include Burrow Head, famed for being the location of the closing scene in the cult movie ‘The Wicker Man’, to the Isle of Whithorn, a walk well worth the effort. There are beaches galore to explore, everything from sandy to rugged rocky beaches. The Mull of Galloway is home to the RSPB Nature Reserve and is part of a much larger Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation for its seabirds, plants and coastal habitats. Here you can see many species of birdlife, the cliffs being home to guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes, while ravens and peregrine falcons are regularly seen around the cliffs. Out to sea there are dolphins, porpoise and minke whale to spot and tours can also be taken from the lighthouse. There are many historical areas of interest to visit and the Whithorn Visitor Centre is a mine of information. The area is a walkers and cyclists paradise with the Southern Upland Way passing close by and offering everything from gentle walks to challenging hikes. The town of Stranraer is 20 miles and offers shops, restaurants and pubs and the town of Newton Stewart is also 20 miles away in the opposite direction. There are many coastal villages to explore, and sea fishing, golf and horse riding are all available locally. Day trips to Ireland can be taken from Cairnryan. Beach 30 yards. Shop and restaurant 2 miles, pub 5 miles.
West Barr Cottage can be booked together with West Barr Farmhouse (UK5766) to accommodate up to 12 guests.

This cosy semi-detached cottage is situated in the lovely village of Wigtown, known as Scotland’s ‘Book Town’. The town provides a variety of shops, galleries, tea rooms and a pub. Located in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway amidst some of the finest scenery in southern Scotland, and ideally located to explore Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, wilderness and romance. The breathtaking scenery runs from the Galloway Hills and the Galloway Forest Dark Skies Park, with their many hidden lochs, burns and waterfalls, to the beautiful Solway coastline with sandy beaches, rocky coves and picturesque villages to explore.
Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest local reserve in the UK. It has significant numbers of pink-footed geese, greylag geese, and several species of duck and wading birds that visit in the autumn and winter months. Spend time at the Interpretation Centre where you can watch via video camera the Galloway ospreys during their nesting season (April to August), or the local wetlands during the rest of the year. Take time to visit the distillery at Bladnoch which has a large visitor shop and offers guided tours, or meander around Wigtown browsing the gift shops, gallery, plant nursery, and the numerous book shops and many cafés.
This beautiful region boast an exceptional number of activities to try, from a quiet afternoon fishing on one of the excellent rivers, or trying one of the challenging 7 Stanes cycle tracks. You will find horse riding, golf, sailing, diving and numerous walks all in the area and with its famously mild climate and the balmy influence of the gulf stream, Dumfries and Galloway is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic gardens in Scotland. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 250 yards.

Sympathetically renovated, this 18th-century stone-built cottage has its own waterwheel and lies at the edge of the small hamlet of Glenmidge. Semi-detached, it lies next to the owner’s home by the Glenmidge Burn, where the odd glimpse of an otter can be seen. Surrounded by hills and forest, the area has abundant wildlife including roe deer, foxes, badgers, tawny and barn owls, buzzards and red kites. There are trail paths for walking, running and mountain biking on the doorstep, but there are also flat routes and quiet country roads along the valley (maps are available in the cottage).
Less than a mile away up the glen stands the remains of the Lag Tower, which was built by the wealthy Grierson family in the 15th century and was last occupied by Sir Robert Grierson towards the end of the 17th century. He was best remembered as a notorious persecutor of the covenanters, and his headstone is in a local graveyard.
Situated on the Kirkpatrick Macmillan Cycle Trail, the cottage is only 5 miles away from the old Courthill Smiddy at Keir, where Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the first pedal-driven bicycle in the world. A replica is in the museum 3 miles further on at the 17th-century Drumlanrig Castle at Thornhill. Open to the public, the castle has one hundred and twenty rooms, seventeen turrets and four towers, and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. As well as beautiful grounds and river walks, it boasts one of the 7stanes cycle centres, with the Ae Forest close by.
Dalswinton Loch is 4 miles away with lovely walks, and there is a replica of the first paddle-driven steam boat in the world which made its first journey on the loch. The famous poet, Robert Burns, was one of the first passengers on board; he lived and worked the farm at Ellisland, where he wrote Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter. Ellisland Farm is a museum and visitor centre, 3 miles away.
There are several golf courses to choose from in the area: Thornhill is 7 miles, and Dumfries is 9 miles, and both offer shops and plenty of restaurants and pubs. The highest golf course in Scotland is at Leadhills, near Wanlockhead, which is also the highest village in Scotland. Lying 17 miles away, it is famous for the mining of gold and lead, and you can visit the mining museum there. The River Nith and the River Cairn are both about 2 miles away in opposite directions, both being famous for salmon, sea trout and wild brown trout fishing. Day and season tickets are available to visitors. Each fisherman is permitted to keep two salmon per season. Loch fishing for trout and course fish are also available nearby. Beach 22 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

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.

The Steading at Nabny is a two bedroomed, detached barn conversion in a tranquil setting, surrounded by beautiful countryside and only a short drive from the historic old town of Kirkcudbright and the popular market town of Castle Douglas. Whilst offering peace and quiet, and exceptional dark skies, it is ideally placed to explore this stunning and unspoilt corner of south west Scotland. The Steading at Nabny, which is situated close to the owner’s home, has been beautifully converted and is extremely comfortable. The private courtyard is tucked away from the main courtyard, and offers peace and tranquillity for guests to enjoy those stunning dark skies. If weather conditions allow, the owner can offer astronomy sessions that take advantage of the beautiful dark skies and the opportunity to take astrophotographs. Whether you enjoy peaceful rural walks, a cosy evening by the wood burner or trips to see the local attractions, it’s the perfect location for a holiday.
The surrounding area has endless walks, from scenic coastal to forest trails. The attractions are endless, from sailing, fishing, golf, boat trips and water sports, to swimming and riding and much much more. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, there are stunning gardens to visit, including Threave Gardens (National Trust). Kirkcudbright, known as ’the artists’ town’, attracts visitors throughout the year who are drawn 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. Beach 6 miles. Shop 5½ miles, pub and restaurant 6 miles.

The perfect getaway for a couple, this large and sumptuous, one-bedroomed, terraced house is decorated using a colour scheme of soft greys and a splash of green, and makes an ideal retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Cosy up on the sofa in front of a blazing fire, or sit in the garden and enjoy the night sky. A wonderful ‘home from home’, Granary has it all - and your dog is welcome too!
It is set in a quiet street in Gatehouse of Fleet, a delightful village in this beautiful part of south west Scotland. Once known locally as the ‘Glasgow of the South’, the village used to have a thriving industry with cotton mills, shipbuilding, a brewery and its own port. Nowadays, its rich past can only be seen in the street names and inside the former textile mill, The Mill on the Fleet, which now houses exhibitions. There are many attractions in and around the town including the Mill on the Fleet Visitor Centre, Cardoness Castle and the popular Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre, home to one of Europe’s longest zip wires. For a more laid back day, there are delightful beaches just a few minutes’ drive away, including Mossyard and Carrick. The area has numerous walks available, from scenic coastal walks to forest trails. Together with sailing, swimming, riding, fishing, golf, boat trips and water sports close by, there is something for everyone. The area is warmed by the Gulf Stream, and many beautiful gardens flourish here, including Threave Gardens (National Trust). Granary is close to the Galloway Forest Park, the first Dark Sky Park in Europe, and being central to five of the 7Stanes, at Kirroughtree Forest and Dalbeattie Forest, it is a popular location for cyclists and mountain bikers. Kirroughtree has some of the best technical single track mountain bike trails in Scotland. Only a short drive away is Kirkcudbright, known as ‘the artists’ town’, which attracts visitors throughout the year who are drawn by the harbour, the historic high street and the diverse range of annual events and visitor attractions. The popular programme of summer festivities culminates with a spectacular tattoo - an event not to be missed! Shop 100 yards, pub and restaurant 20 yards.
Granary can be booked together with Knocktinkle (UK5243) and Willow (UK5244) to accommodate up to 10 guests.

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.

Cree lodge with its modern interior boasts stunning views over the Solway Firth and is located close to the village of Creetown and the town of Newton Stewart, with its many shops restaurants, cafés and pubs.

Situated on a working sheep and dairy farm, stabling is also available by prior arrangement, should you wish to bring your horse along too. The lodge is enviably located at the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, Britain’s largest forest park with three hundred square miles of wild beauty just waiting to be explored. The park boasts tranquil valleys, rugged rock faces, forest, moorland, lochs and ancient woodland alongside a huge diversity of wildlife including red and roe deer, wild goats and many birds of prey.

The park has also been awarded the status of one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world, and when the sun sets enthusiasts come to wonder at the universe revealed above. Dalmellington at the far end of the park is home to the Scottish Dark Observatory, and for the outdoor enthusiast nearby Galloway offers hill walking, mountain biking and water-sports, with many renowned gardens and ancient woodland to explore with a chance to glimpse the abundant wildlife.

The towns of Castle Douglas, ‘the food town’, Gatehouse of Fleet and Kirkcudbright, ‘the artist’s town’ are all within a short drive. Gatehouse of Fleet offers a wider range of places to eat and drink, and there are many attractions in and around the town including the ‘Mill on the Fleet’ Visitor Centre, Cardoness Castle and the popular Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre, home to one of Europe’s longest zip wires. Kirkcudbright attracts visitors throughout the year drawn by the harbour, its 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. Beach 7 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
Cree Lodge can be booked together with Willow Lodge (ref UK13637) to accommodate up to 8 guests.