Dog-friendly Hotels Dumfries and Galloway

This spacious cottage is situated in the popular town of Gatehouse of Fleet and is a perfect retreat from which to explore the Solway Coast with its many sandy beaches and rocky coves. Only a minutes walk from the town centre with shops, cafés and restaurants. The town also boasts The Mill on The Fleet, an exhibition of historical arts and skills. There is great walking throughout the area with the Galloway Forest Park having marked cycle paths and walks, bird and wildlife to enjoy. Also available throughout the area is fishing, golfing and watersports. Kirkcudbright the ’Artists Town’, offers many art and craft shops and Castle Douglas, Scotland’s food town with many specialist shops are both close by. Cardoness Castle and the local Cally Gardens with an unusual variety of plants are well worth a visit. Cream o’ Galloway for adventure playgrounds, family entertainment and of course, ice cream is within easy reach. Beach 2½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 300 yards.

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.

Butterhole Farmhouse is in a truly delightful setting with fabulous views. Renovated in 2019 and with the owners living adjacent, Butterhole Farmhouse is spacious and most of the rooms take advantage of beautiful views. Enjoy a meal with family or friends in the dining room which also boasts a large wood burner, perfect for those cosy winter nights.
Upstairs, the bedrooms are spacious with a family bathroom and en-suite. Particularly pleasant is one of the kingsize rooms which has double-aspect windows with picturesque views to wake up to in the morning.
Set in the heart of Mabie Forest, Butterhole Farmhouse is the ideal location to enjoy a variety of activities all within walking distance, including many walking trails and some of the world class 7stanes mountain biking trails. There is even a butterfly reserve! There is so much open space for the kids to run around and enjoy the adventure playground.
A must for the kids is a visit to Mabie Farm Park which is nestled just below Mabie Forest, where you can feed the animals and see the belted galloways, alpacas, llamas and much more. It will certainly keep you entertained all day.
Further afield, this beautiful area of South West Scotland has so much more to offer from the quiet sandy coves and cliff-top walks, to the many castles, including Caerlaverock and Drumlanrig. Warmed by the Gulf Stream the area has many beautiful gardens to visit, including Threave Gardens (National Trust) and Logan Botanic Gardens, Scotland’s most exotic garden. A stay here would not be complete without taking a drive along the coast and a wander round the little seaside villages of Southerness, Rockcliffe and Kippford.
After a day packed with adventure take a leisurely stroll from Butterhole Farmhouse to Mabie House Hotel and enjoy a well earned drink! Butterhole Farmhouse can be booked with Butterhole Cottage (UK10736) and Brae Cottage (UK5909) to accommodate up to 16 guests. Beach 9½ miles, shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

An original gardener’s cottage, Orchard Cottage is a traditional, stone-built holiday home overlooking the orchard of the Galloway House Gardens and only yards from the secluded, tree lined, sandy Rigg Bay beach. You can hear the waves from your bedroom and you could even take your breakfast to the beach. Beachcombers will love this location as will writers and painters, nature and garden enthusiasts, activity seekers or honeymooners.
Walks for all ages and abilities start from the doorstep. Head south on the coastal path and through the woods to Cruggleton Castle and the surrounding cliffs. The village of Garlieston is northwards, via the Galloway House Gardens, famous for its spring display of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Golf and fishing are within easy reach, as are the Galloway Hills and the 7stanes mountain bike trails. Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town, Whithorn, home to the first recorded Christian church in Scotland and the harbour villages of Isle of Whithorn and Port William are a short drive or cycle ride away, reachable by quiet, country roads. Beach 50 yards. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

The Soup Kitchen has played an important role in village life and the local community of Borgue over the last 150 years or so. You won’t find soup served in The Soup Kitchen today but you will find a stunning holiday home to call yours for the week.
This upside down house sits on the edge of the village and enjoys superb views. One particular feature is the spacious living room with floor to ceiling windows and patio doors opening onto a covered veranda, which makes the most of the views and is perfect for sitting enjoying the morning sun over breakfast. From the living room there is a kitchen, again allowing you to enjoy the views and a lovely dining room which overlooks the village. Venture outside and you will not be disappointed, a hot tub is situated in a purpose built cabin so you can enjoy the bubbles in rain, sleet or snow.
Starting life as a house, then a Free Church and a school, it then became apparent that there was no need for two schools in such a small community so it became a store. On the 5th of December 1844 the idea came about to ensure every child in the community had the opportunity to have a hot meal during the months of October to March, hence the name “The Soup Kitchen”.
Borgue is a charming little village with a local pub serving food so no need to cook, allowing you to really relax and enjoy the area. The village is close to many beautiful beaches, coastal walks and stunning rolling countryside. A short drive away will take you to Kirkcudbright, a lovely town on the estuary which still has a bustling harbour. Stroll through the town and visit Broughton House, once home to the famed Scottish painter E. A. Hornel. Kirkcudbright is known as “the artists’ town”, having hosted generations of painters, craft-makers and artisans, a culture that is still thriving today. The town attracts visitors throughout the year, drawn in 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 the spectacular Tattoo, an event not to be missed. The area has numerous walks available, from scenic coastal strolls to forest trails. With sailing, swimming, riding, fishing, golf, boat trips and water sports all close by there is sure to be something for everyone. Warmed by the gulf stream there are many beautiful gardens to visit, including National Trust Threave Gardens. 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 3 miles. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 50 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.

This spacious, detached cottage sits within 3 acres of gardens and is located 3 miles from the village of Portpatrick, with restaurants, shops and picturesque fishing harbour. Stranraer is also just a short drive away and is a bustling town with fantastic amenities. The Old Schoolhouse is an old, rural family home and has some quirks that add to the charm, and is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

This beautiful location offers a stunning coastline, sandy beaches, rocky coves and windswept cliffs. The area is a walker’s paradise with everything from gentle walks to challenging hikes on offer, amidst picturesque landscapes.

Wildlife is abundant here, with many unusual species including pine martens, golden eagles, ospreys, red deer, red squirrels and the natterjack toad all to be spotted. The RSPB Mull of Galloway Visitor Centre is home to thousands of nesting birds dotted along the cliffs and is well worth a visit.

Sea fishing from Portpatrick and both trout and salmon fishing can be enjoyed close by. Other country pursuits are available including shooting and horse riding, and golf is available with the Dunskey and Lagganmore courses both close by. Beach 4½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.