Pet friendly holidays in Scotland

Have you ever been on holiday and not enjoyed it because your furry - and, let's face it, quite possibly favourite (!) - family member was left behind at home?

Well, Scotland's the place for you. We've got everything you'll need to take your dog, cat or horse on holiday with you, from pet friendly accommodation and jaw-dropping walking routes to dog friendly pubs, cafés, and much, much more!

Pet friendly accommodation

Whether you're looking for a cat or dog friendly hotel or somewhere with on-site stables so that you can take your horse on holiday, Scotland offers a wonderful range of pet friendly accommodation options that will make your trip really special.

Dogs

You'll find lots of dog friendly hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and self-catering properties that will provide the perfect base for your holiday.

Find dog friendly accommodation or check out our 10 dog friendly accommodations that will get your tail wagging!

Cats

Many dog friendly accommodation providers will also welcome your cat too. Just check with the place you've chosen before you book.

Horses

There are plenty of horse friendly estates and equestrian B&Bs in Scotland. Some of the fantastic options around the country include: Craigengillan Estate and Stables in Ayrshire, Mar Lodge Estate in rural Aberdeenshire or the Scottish Equestrian Hotel, located next to Lanark Racecourse.

You can also find great equine bed and breakfast accommodation by checking out The British Horse Society's Horses Welcome scheme.

Pet friendly days out

Dog friendly walks in Scotland

Thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you and your dog have the right to walk almost anywhere in Scotland, so long as you stick to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. From sweeping countryside and thriving woodland to rolling hills and sandy beaches, Scotland's jaw-dropping landscapes will get your dog's senses working overtime. Here are some great options:

1. See leaping salmon at the Hermitage and Black Linn Falls in Dunkeld, where you and your dog can enjoy a beautiful walk past the tallest Douglas Fir in Britain.
2. Explore Scotland's first National Park on a stroll with your dog. Explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park on many of the paths - but keep your dog under control.
3. Take a walk around Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, a Victorian park on the banks of the River Kelvin and finish your stroll at the dog-friendly Pelican Café on Argyle Street, which provide dog bowls of water and food.
4. Enjoy delicious ice cream on a summer's day at Cream o' Galloway near Gatehouse of Fleet and head along the 0.75 mile dedicated dog walk, where you can let your dog off the lead and admire the young ash, oak and crab-apple trees. Some of the green and purple nature trails are also suitable for dogs.
5. Stroll along the sand at Seton Sands beach in Longniddry, which has a specific dog exercise area.
6. Venture over to the Isle of Arran, which is home to the UK's only island-based country park. Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park is great for dog walking and dogs are allowed into the garden.
7. Admire the plants and flowers of both Victoria and Westburn parks in Aberdeen, which are not only great for dog walking but are opposite each other so you enjoy a whole day out.
8. Take a walk around the former home of the late Queen Mother, the Castle & Gardens of Mey, where dogs can be walked on a lead. There's also a dedicated shaded dog parking area in the wood, if your dog needs a rest or you want to visit an area where you can't take your pet.

Visiting historic attractions with your dog

Organisations such as Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland allow dogs on a number of their properties. Take your dog with you as you discover the history of printing at Robert Smail's Printing Works in Innerleithen, enjoy the quiet splendour of Melrose Abbey or Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders, or explore Fort George, the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, based near Inverness.

Dog friendly pubs, restaurants and cafés

There are lots of pubs, restaurants and cafés in Scotland that will happily welcome you and your dog. Many will offer your dog a bowl of water and a treat too!

Visit dugsnpubs to find dog friendly places to visit or go for a walk (N.B. dug is the Scots word for dog!) or check directly with the pub, restaurant or café you want to visit to see if they welcome dogs.

Hints and tips for bringing your dog on holiday

Before you book your accommodation

• Check what the walks are like in the local area. Do you want beaches, woodland, lochs, mountains or rolling countryside?
• If you want to take your dog with you when you go for a meal, check whether there are any dog friendly places to eat close by.
• Think about whether you want your accommodation to have an enclosed garden.

Things to bring with you

• Meals and bowls.
• Toys and treats.
• Your dog's bed.
• Old towels - to dry wet paws before you come in from a walk.
• Blankets - to cover furniture if you think your dog is likely to jump up on vacant chairs and sofas. (It'll make tidying up at the end of your holiday a lot easier too!)