Dog-friendly Scotland
Explore Scotland's dog-friendly destinations for an ideal holiday with your four-legged friend. Whether it's a quaint hotel, cosy cottage, B&B, or a charming country house, find the perfect spot for a short break with your pooch. Discover stunning Scottish landscapes and create lasting memories on your next adventure.
- Ballater, ScotlandThese two, detached holiday properties are located in the heart of Ballater, within 100 yards of Ballater village green, restaurants, cafés, take-aways and shops, many of which feature the Royal ’By Appointment’ coats of arms. The Coyles (ref UK31466) is an impressive granite Victorian merchant’s house, with all the lovely high ceilings and details you would expect from a period property. Ideal for larger gatherings, whether enjoying a special birthday or a relaxing get together with friends, with plenty of living space and very good amenities throughout to ensure a memorable and convivial holiday. On two levels, it offers a high standard of comfort throughout and is a great choice at any time of the year. Built in 1888 using local granite, pitch pine and slate, it’s a true Victorian gem. It has its own enclosed garden and grounds, and enjoys lovely rural views to the south to Craig Coilleach. Quiet and secluded, the gardens are largely laid to lawn with a variety of mature trees and several flower borders with a variety of shrubs. There is a handy shed for bike and kayak storage, and for outdoor entertainment there is a paved patio area, with outdoor seating and barbecue. The Coyles Cottage (ref SBH) has its own garden and grounds and is well equipped throughout with a lovely sunny conservatory, and benefits from triple glazing and central heating throughout, affording year-round comfort.
Ballater sits in the heart of majestic Royal Deeside and is also located in the Cairngorms National Park, making it one of Scotland’s most scenic visitor spots. It boasts cosy cafés, quality restaurants, excellent shopping and great links to outdoor adventure, including hiking, climbing and skiing. Golf can be played in the beautiful surroundings of the 18-hole Ballater golf club and fishing is available, with the appropriate permits, on the River Dee. Ballater has many links to the Royal family and historic castles nearby include Balmoral, Crathes and Craigievar. The Grampians offer wonderful hill walking and wildlife, and the surrounding area of Deeside is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Leisurely walks abound on the banks of the River Dee or within a few miles there’s great walking at Burn O Vat, Lochnagar and Loch Muick.
Deeside is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast with a wide and varied range of sporting activities. The area has excellent hill walking and on/off road cycling facilities and the ski centres at Aviemore, Glenshee and the Lecht are within a short travelling distance. For the sportsman, the River Dee is one of the most popular salmon rivers in Scotland and the River Don is famous for its trout. Deer stalking and grouse shooting can be arranged in the locality. Relatively central for interesting and varied days out, the city of Aberdeen can be reached in around an hour, with Dundee, Perth and Inverness all accessible within 2 hours’ drive through spectacular scenery. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 13 guests.£65From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tarbert, ScotlandRhunahaorine Cottage, built around 1880, has been thoughtfully and lovingly restored by the owners and provides a luxurious, well-equipped, stylish, holiday home with space for guests to relax and enjoy their surroundings. The cottage is surrounded by an abundance of natural wildlife, the clean environment and clear waters are home to all sorts of interesting wildlife. Guests can relax on the sitting area by the wildlife pond and watch the wildlife come and go. The Machrihanish Seabird/Wildlife Observatory is located nearby at Gauldrons Beach and is fantastic for watching migratory birds.
Campbeltown is one of a handful of areas in Scotland categorised as a whisky producing region, and is home to the Campbeltown Single Malt, at one point having 34 distilleries and proclaiming itself the whisky capital of the world. The town boasts two distilleries, museum, heritage centre, harbour, cinema, leisure centre and an annual regatta and music festival.
The town is well-served with supermarkets, independently owned shops, and excellent hotels and restaurants offering the finest local produce.
The lovely village of Tarbert with its harbour, marina and ancient castle is another opportunity to explore.
The Kintyre area is well-known for its fine, white sandy beaches including Westport surfing beach, Macrihanish, Point Sands, A’Cleit, Peninver and Carradale beaches as well as the stunning beach of Dunaverty at Southend.
Unspoilt countryside abounds and whether cycling or walking there are scenic views on East and West coasts of the peninsula.
Lying just off the west coast of Kintyre, the Isle of Gigha offers a pleasant day trip. There is easy access to the Isles of Islay, Arran and Jura. Jura is one of the wildest and most mountainous of the Inner Hebrides. Islay is great for wildlife enthusiasts as it boasts a large RSPB reserve, a wintering population of barnacle and white-fronted geese, and a wildlife information centre.
For the outdoor enthusiast, there are three golf courses, walking along the Kintyre Way, cycling, fishing and water sports. Beach 1 mile. Shop 5 miles, pub and restaurant 4 miles.£65From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Tarbert, ScotlandThis charming cottage is situated in the quiet village of Kilberry, surrounded by wonderful views across the sea towards Islay, Jura and the island of Gigha. It is a tranquil haven, a cosy place to unwind and to take a breath of clean sea air.
It is the perfect place to relax and escape the city but don’t worry, there is plenty to explore including Templar gravestones, a fabulous coastline where seals, otters and a variety of birds can be seen. In the hills, deer roam and golden eagles soar. There are many activities available nearby including whirlpool watching, sea fishing, bird watching, art trails, horse trekking, mountain biking and island hopping. There’s even a small art gallery next door!
The village of Tarbert can be reached within 30 minutes drive and offers a supermarket, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and a nine hole golf course. Ferries are close by for trips to Islay, Jura and Gigha to the west and to the east, Arran. Further South lies the beautiful sands of Westport Beach, great for surfers. In Campbeltown you will find several famous distilleries and the category A listed Glasgow school Art Nouveau style picture house. Kintyre is home to five golf courses, the most famous of which is the championship course at Macrihanish, with its infamous first hole. Further south is the beautiful Southend and the wild Mull of Kintyre.
From Tarbert, cross Loch Fyne to Portavadie with its swimming pool, spa and restaurant facilities and from there you can explore Tighnabruaich and the Cowal Peninsula, Argyll’s Secret Coast. To the north you will find the town of Lochgilphead, the historic and mystical Kilmartin Glen, Knapdale forest and the Scottish Beaver trail. Walk or cycle the beautiful Crinan Canal or take a trip to Coryvreckan, the third largest whirlpools on the planet. Oban, the gateway to the isles, is also worth a visit. Beach 1 mile. Shop and café (seasonal Easter to October) 1 mile. Pub 1 mile. Shop and restaurant 13 miles.£65From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Swedish Houses, ScotlandThis tastefully restored, detached cottage is situated only yards from Loch Long and boasts stunning views over the open water. Situated within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, The Heron, formerly the village tea rooms, is located in the hamlet of Ardentinny, near Dunoon. It is sited next to the Argyll Forest which offers numerous forest tracks, marked walks and cycleways, all easily accessible from your doorstep. The cottage is only 25 yards to the shore where you can walk, fish, launch a canoe or just rest on the rocks, relax and enjoy the view. A large variety of wildlife can be spotted from the cottage including bottlenose dolphins, eider ducks, harbour seals and red squirrels. Nearby, the magnificent woodland gardens at Benmore Botanic Gardens are well worth a visit. The town of Dunoon is within easy reach and has a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants. Take a steamer cruise and explore the hills and lochs of the Cowal Peninsula. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.£66From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Newton Stewart, ScotlandDrumwherry by the Sea is a delightful, traditional Galloway cottage in the tiny hamlet of Monreith on the beautiful coastline of Southwest Scotland. Drumwherry by the Sea is delightfully decorated and boasts a lovely cosy sitting room, modern kitchen with doors opening onto the conservatory/dining room with views over the enclosed and very pretty rear garden. With 3 bedrooms and a modern shower room, Drumwherry by the Sea offers all the comforts of home and is the perfect base to explore the area.
Monreith is a tiny hamlet on the coast a few miles along from Port William, known as the ‘Machars of Galloway’ where there is a village shop, restaurant, and café. This area of Dumfries and Galloway boasts rugged coastlines and secluded sandy beaches, which benefit from the warmth of the passing Gulf Stream and only a short stroll will take you down to Monreith Beach, a long, wide, sandy beach backed by cliffs and when the weather is fine, its perfect for swimming or fishing throughout the year. The kids will love exploring the many rock pools as well as many exciting caves along the coast. Surrounded by breath taking scenery explore the whole area, known as the Machars Peninsula and the surrounding Galloway Hills. There are many beautiful gardens to visit, including the world-renowned Logan Botanical Gardens, with its many exotic plants and trees. A trip along the coast there any many quaint little villages such as Sandhead, Portpatrick and the Isle of Whithorn. A visit to the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point and home to the RSPB nature reserve, where thousands of seabird’s nests on the cliff face during spring and summer is a must and on a fine day the views are simply stunning. With its quiet country roads, the area is perfect for cycling and for the Golfers amongst you St Medans is quite literally just across the road and is a family friendly 9-hole course on the shores of Luce Bay.£67From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Dunfermline, ScotlandSet in a secluded, woodland location with views of rolling farmland, these two holiday properties offer a perfect hideaway for peace and tranquillity. With light spacious interiors, stylish furnishings and woodland walks from the door, these holiday homes provide every comfort. The 17th-century village of Culross, with quaint crow stepped gables and pantiled roofs, is only 3 miles. Dunfermline, 5 miles, Scotland’s ancient capital, is now a thriving city with hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities. Shops 1 mile, pubs 1½ miles.£67From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Garlieston, ScotlandA delightful semi-detached holiday cottage in an idyllic location with magnificent sea views to the Isle of Man and the Galloway Hills. Situated
¾ mile up a private good road, on the edge of the owner’s 50 acres of private woodland, with paths leading to a secluded sandy, pebbly beach and rocks for sea fishing - 10 minute walk. Two mile bluebell walk in May. Galloway House gardens, 2 miles, one shop at garage, bowling green, two tennis courts, harbour and nearest pub 1¼ mile.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Newton Stewart, ScotlandSituated 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.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Turriff, ScotlandThis charming holiday home is bright and attractive, tucked away amongst trees in a natural unspoilt secluded spot, 3 miles out of Turriff. A quiet relaxing setting, well placed to visit the various shops, golf course, swimming pool and leisure centre in the town. National Trust properties, Duff House and Galleries are 10 miles.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay
- Banff, ScotlandThis is the perfect getaway spot to unwind and enjoy everything the area has to offer. The northeast coast is dotted with many villages and small towns, all worth a visit. The larger towns of Banff, Fraserburgh and MacDuff offer excellent local services. This ‘home from home’ is surrounded by beautiful walks to enjoy.
If you fancy a break from cooking embark on an adventure to Gardenstown just 3 miles from the property and tuck into a home-cooked meal at the local hotel, then take a romantic stroll along the sandy bay to savour the sunset.
Crovie Clifftop Path for walkers with panoramic coastal sights, enjoy peace and quiet at the secluded Cullykhan Beach or marvel at the historical landmark of St. John’s Church and Kirkyard. For wildlife lovers a visit to the RSPB reserve at Troup Head is a must and of course boat trips (Early booking advised) onto the Moray Firth will ensure a good view of the famous dolphins as they pass by.
Fraserburgh just a short 30-minute drive is filled to the brim with fantastic amenities including supermarkets, boutique shops, pubs, and eateries, as well as the attractions such as the exceptional Fraserburgh Harbour and Beach. Strichen Stone Circle, the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Strichen Community Park, and a full-size lighthouse built within Kinnaird Head Castle are all worth a visit. Discover awe-inspiring views where the North Sea meets the Moray Firth, heading over to a variety of charming villages and fishing ports for some locally sourced delicacies and exciting water sports and boating opportunities. Other must-see attractions include the Macduff Marine Aquarium, the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, history buffs may wish to visit the town of Banff to tour a magnificent Georgian mansion or if that’s not for you, tee up at Duff House Royal Golf Club.£68From price per night based on 7 night stay