Lottie Gross has done all the hard work and research for you in her new book, Dog-Friendly Weekends: Scotland. Here’s where to go for dog-friendly breaks of all kinds.
Think of Scotland and, right now, you’ll probably think of Traitors, as a host of British national treasures are currently on our screens trying to suss out the liars living alongside them in a magnificent Scottish castle. But when I think of Scotland, I think of my dog, running free on empty beaches. I think of him trotting through forests of thick, Scots pine. And I imagine him hunkered down in the whipping 60mph winds we faced on our ascent of Cairngorm – one of the mightiest mountains in the British isles.
Put simply, Scotland is magical when you’ve got a dog. Its outdoor spaces are spectacular, from the beaches on its islands and famous road trip routes, to the majestic mountains of the Highlands. There are cosy, cutesy little towns like Peebles and Stirling with dog-friendly pubs aplenty, and dynamic urban sprawls like Edinburgh and Glasgow, with plenty for cultured dogs to enjoy alongside their humans.
You won’t be short of places to visit, walk the dog or stay in Scotland, but you might just have trouble deciding where to start. Here’s my advice:
Best for empty beaches
Scotland has so many spectacular stretches of sand, but the quietest I found were out on the islands. We spent a few nights in Uist, one of the islands of the Outer Hebrides, and found ourselves alone of several of its white-sand beaches. Head to Baleshare Beach (I stayed at Baleshare Bothies) on the west coast of Benbecula, or Traigh Iar further north for some of the best stretches. Even further north, near the very tip of mainland Britain, Orkney has wonderful sandy bays, too. We loved Skaill Beach, next door to one of the most exciting prehistoric sites in Britain (Skara Brae), and Waulkmill Bay (best at low tide).
Best for epic walks
You don’t need to be a mountaineer to scale Scotland’s peaks. There are some you definitely shouldn’t attempt without a map and a little experience, but many of its munros and hills are accessible even for those of us without a Duke of Edinburgh Gold. I scaled my first mountain in Scotland last year: Cairngorm, a short-but-sharp, steep climb to a 360-degree-view summit. The wind was brutal but the sense of achievement great, and once we’d hit the trig point at the top, we saved our legs and took the funicular down from the Ptarmigan Station near the top (dogs can’t go up the mountain railway, you’re only allowed to go down) after a slice of cake.
Elsewhere, Arran has exceptional walks. You can hike up Goat Fell with the crowds, or make like Arty and me and meander through gorgeous Glen Rosa before climbing the steep slope to the Saddle, a ridge between Cìr Mhòr and North Goat Fell that has views over both Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox.
Best for indoor fun
We all know the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, and while there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothing – sometimes spending all day in the driving rain just doesn’t feel fun. Inclement weather can be avoided in the likes of Stirling. The Old Town Jail is dog-friendly and fascinating – it’s staffed by actors and involves a little immersive theatre, so book the quiet session if you’ve got a nervous dog. And the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum is home to a changing roster of artworks, as well as a history exhibition hosting the oldest football in the world.
Get Dog-Friendly Weekends: Scotland for Lottie’s in-depth guides to all these destinations and many more.
What’s news in the dog travel world?
According to a survey done by luxury linen brand Tielle, 38% of UK pet owners are more likely to holiday in the UK rather than Europe this year. I’m not entirely surprised – after the debacle around the EU Pet Passports being shelved in April, going abroad becomes significantly more expensive if you’ve got more than one dog needing an Animal Health Certificate. Luckily, there’s a new passport system being introduced next year to make it simpler. We’ve not yet got full details from DEFRA, but when I spoke with representatives back in April, they told me it’s expected to be in use by next summer.
Just back from…
September was a busy month, but the standout spots I reviewed for my upcoming books included the Montagu Arms (yes, the dog wedding venue) in the New Forest, which offered Arty a dog afternoon tea while I tucked into my own. I adored Louma Country Hotel, in west Dorset, too – we had a large shepherd’s hut with wood-fired hot tub, outdoor shower and sunny, sea-view decking. The food at Louma is out of this world, and much of their meat is reared on site. It’s been something of a southern England tour, as we also hit the beaches of Cornwall from the beautiful Trevear Farm, which has dog-friendly cottages alongside all the amenities of a hotel (hello, pool, gym and spa).
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