Dog-friendly Hotels Dumfries and Galloway

Airyhemming Dairy is a detached former Dairyman’s Cottage situated on a working dairy farm yet set away from the buzz of the farm, in peaceful countryside, with views over farmland to the rolling Galloway Hills. Enjoy this restored cottage, whether it be sitting in front of the cosy wood burner, enjoying a game of pool in the games room or star gazing from your very own hot tub. The cottage also boasts its own stretch of water for brown trout fishing. 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 on the cliff face during the spring and summer. Walking is a delight, whether cliff top, beaches, hills or forests and the Southern Upland Way passes close by. It is a cyclist’s paradise with the world famous 7Stanes within easy reach. If you prefer shooting or golf, there are many facilities nearby including the County Course, just 2 miles away. The town of Stranraer, which is only 8 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 Dairy can be booked together with Airyhemming Farm (CC537213) and Kelbrook (UK5737) to accommodate up to 22 guests.

Enjoying a wonderful setting with views over the picturesque town centre, harbour and out to open sea, these spacious, detached houses offer an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. No 4 (UK5569) has stunning views over the sea from most windows, and also from the hot tub. No 7 (UK5736) is situated next door to No 8 (UK5770) and has a spacious interior with pool table and hot tub to the rear, while No 8 also with a hot tub, has a first floor living room with pool table, bar and French doors leading out to the balcony.
Portpatrick is perfectly placed to enjoy the challenging uplands of the Galloway Hills, to the more gentle seaside trails, rolling moors and dramatic cliff-top walks. The Southern Upland Way passing close by presents the ideal focus from which to enjoy the many and varied shorter walks within the region. 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 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 both trout and salmon fishing close by. Other country pursuits are available including shooting and riding. Golfers will feel equally at home in this area with Stranraer, Portpatrick and Lagganmore golf courses within a 20-minute drive, while Turnberry, with its world famous course is only 45 minutes away and also offers a spa, off road driving, quad biking activities and restaurant facilities. 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 for those happy to travel slightly further afield there is the Galloway Sailing Centre, where visitors can also try windsurfing, canoeing and power boating. From Stranraer, 6½ miles, there is the ferry service to Ireland for a day trip. Beach 200 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.
4 Military Drive (UK5569) can be booked together with 7 Military Drive (UK5736) and 8 Military Drive (UK5570) to accommodate up to 32 guests.

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.

Situated in the bustling harbour town of Stranraer, this deceptively spacious terraced cottage lies opposite Agnew Park with a pond, café and the sea beyond. Stranraer, situated at the head of Loch Ryan, is the gateway to the Rhinns of Galloway and for more than a century was a busy ferry port for services between south west Scotland and Northern Ireland. The town has many shops and there are plenty of places to dine out too. The town’s main attraction is the Castle of St John, a ruined four-storey tower house built around 1500, which sits on a green in the main street. There are several eye-catching artworks in the area surrounding the castle, and Stranraer Museum can be found in the old town hall. Close by are Castle Kennedy Gardens, with the castle, two lochs, a giant lily pond and an avenue of monkey puzzle trees. Logan Botanic Garden sits 13 miles south of the town and is home to exotic ferns and palms and a boasts a beautiful walled garden. The area is steeped in history and the landscape diverse, a haven for artists, birdwatchers and walkers. Portpatrick, 8 miles, lies at the start of the Southern Upland Way one of Scotland’s acclaimed long distance footpaths covering 212 miles to Cockburnspath on the east coast. The Mull of Galloway with its grass-roofed visitor centre is Scotland’s most southerly point with amazing views of Ireland, England, the Isle of Man and Scotland. Lucky visitors may spot seals and minke whales and will most certainly see a host of sea birds. Take the high speed ferry to Ireland for a spot of sightseeing or a shopping trip to Belfast. Beach 200 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 150 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.

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.

Curlew Cottage is situated in the quiet village of Creetown amongst the rolling Galloway Hills, where the very best of Scotland’s countryside is on your doorstep, from rolling hills and fine forests and lochs, to sandy beaches and a spectacular coastline. Gardens here are special, with gems like nearby Threave and the Logan Botanic Gardens near Stranraer. Palm trees and many other exotic plants thrive under the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. The Galloway Forest Park is close by with an abundance of wildlife including red deer range, wild goat park and red squirrel feeding stations. Buzzards are a common sight and you may be lucky enough to see golden eagles and red kites too. The park has been awarded status as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK. With over 7000 visible stars to look at, you are spoilt for choice.

Dumfries and Galloway offers many picturesque towns and villages to explore. The market town of Newton Stewart is located just 6 miles away and offers a good selection of independent shops, supermarkets, a leisure centre, a cinema and many restaurants. There are also some great walks to enjoy, along with music and walking festivals. Kirkcudbright, locally known as the artists town, offers many festivals throughout the year including Scottish nights, classic car rallies, historic walks, a medieval fayre, a jazz festival and a spectacular Tattoo, as well as a good selection of pubs and restaurants. Castle Douglas, Scotland’s food town, and Wigtown, Scotland’s book town, are also nearby. There is also a large variety of outdoor pursuits available including fishing, horse riding, cycling, golf and watersports. Kirroughtree Mountain Biking Centre is just 3 miles from cottage. Electric vehicle charging point 550 yards. Beach 7 miles. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.

This charming, detached cottage is situated in the bustling town of Newton Stewart, with its many excellent shops and eateries. With the Galloway Forest Park and Dark Sky Park close by, Cottonmill Cottage is ideally placed to explore the beauty of south west Scotland.
The location is perfect for walkers, golfers and cyclists, with Glentrool, Kirroughtree and the 7stanes mountain bike trails nearby, as well as a great choice of golf courses. There is an abundance of fishing opportunities, bird watching, beautiful gardens, rocky coves, sandy beaches and quaint villages to explore along the Machars Peninsula. The Machars of Galloway boasts a stunning coastline with amazing clifftop walks, including Burrrow Head, famed for being the location of the closing scene in the cult movie, ‘The Wicker Man’, and the Isle of Whithorn, a walk well worth the effort. There are an array of beaches to explore, with everything from stretches of golden sand to rugged rocks.
For nature lovers, the Wood of Cree is a short drive away and the RSPB Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve, with many species of birdlife, is within easy reach. Beach 14 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 500 yards.