If you are looking for dog-friendly holidays in Scotland, you won’t be disappointed. With two breathtaking National Parks, snow-capped mountains, glens, lochs, and dog-friendly beaches, it’s hard to imagine a better place for walkies.
Dogs and well-behaved owners are very welcome to explore beautiful Scotland!
Dog Friendly Holiday Parks in Scotland
There are around 2000 dog-friendly holiday homes, lodges, and cottages by the sea and inland to welcome you and your dog to Scotland. Many inland campsites in areas of natural beauty do not accept breeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act, and some require your dog to be tattooed or microchipped. So, check before you go.
If you are searching for static caravans for sale in Scotland, double check they allow dogs before you buy.
Heads of Ayr Holiday Park
A peaceful family and dog-friendly beachside park with a heated indoor pool, comfortable lodges, and cosy caravans. Heads of Ayr Holiday Park offers good value for money, with stunning views, and the coastal path to the beach makes a wonderful dog walk.
Seton Sands Holiday Park, Haven
A small, beautiful park with spectacular views across the Firth of Forth, Seton Sands is situated by the sandy beach. There’s the bungee trampoline, archery, and an indoor pool for humans. For dogs, there’s running on the beach, digging in soft sand, splashing in the water, and finding that stick on one of the lovely nature trails.
Related: Dog Friendly Haven Holiday Parks
Loch Katrine Eco Camping
Loch Katrine is an idyllic getaway, comfortable lochside lodges in a stunning location. With views of Ben Venue and Loch Katrine, endless waggy adventures are ahead on the Great Trossachs Forest Footpath.
Drymen Camping
Set in the 720 scenic acres of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Drymen Camping is the ideal base for exploring the West Highland Way. Lots of friendly pubs a mile away in the small-town square.
Related – Holiday Parks Scotland
Dog Friendly Beaches Scotland
With 6000 miles of coastline, rugged cliff walks, and beautiful beaches, you’ll love Scotland if you and your dog love the seaside.
Langamull Beach
Located on the Isle of Mull, this is said to be one of the top dog-friendly beaches on the west coast. You’ll walk 2 miles across grazing ground with breathtaking views where your dog must be kept under control for a while. Then it’s all free chasing and ball catching all year round on beautiful white sand, splashing in the clear turquoise sea.
Saltcoats Beach
A long esplanade backs onto a broad stretch of sandy beach with views all the way to the Isle of Arran. A wonderful beach to play ball and paddle with lots of shops and restaurants in the town centre nearby. Dogs are welcome all year round.
Yellowcraig Beach
This family beach stretches 4 miles to North Berwick across the Gullane dunes with views to Fidra Island. There are footpaths through woodlands and open grassland. This lovely beach is set in a local nature reserve and has a specially allocated dog walking area.
Balnakeil Beach
A remote, unspoilt beach on the northwest coast with white sands, sparkling turquoise sea and grassy dunes, Balnakeil is a doggy dream of a playground all year round. There’s a café and shops nearby.
Cramond Beach, near Edinburgh
Cramond Beach is popular with Edinburgh dog walkers, about 5 miles from the city centre. A vast stretch of sand is situated on the River Almond estuary; at low tide, you can walk to Cramond Island along the causeway. Check the waves, or you and your dog might have to doggy paddle back. There’s a little pub for a bowl of water and a promenade with stunning views across the Forth.
Tyninghame Bay, East Linton, East Lothian
Best of both worlds at this beautiful spot. Whether your dog likes to walk in the woods or play on the beach, Tyninghame Bay will delight you. The path from the car park leads through the woods to the sand dunes at Ravensheugh Sands, where your dog can run and play his paws off.
Dog Walks in Scotland
Hiking Trails – Serious Walkies
Dumyat Hill Walk: Running close to Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, a moderate trail of just over 5 kilometres across a beautiful country with a lake and a range of activities along the way.
Loch Ard Circular Walk via Rob Roy’s Cave near Callander, Stirling; this is a spectacular 6.8-kilometre loop trail, great for dogs with stunning views across the loch.
Crathie, Easter Balmoral and Cairns Circular Situated near Ballater, Aberdeenshire, this popular 9.5-kilometre loop trail are strewn with wildflowers. Rated moderate, this is a wonderful trail for runners, hikers, and their dogs.
Inveraray Castle – Dun na Cuaiche Watchtower: Positioned near Inveraray, Argyll and Bute, this 5.0-kilometre trail with beautiful views is a wonderful adventure for experienced and inexperienced dogs and their owners.
Days Out with Your Dog in Scotland
With more than 30,000 lochs to explore, your dog will take you on jaw-dropping walks and might even sniff out a monster.
The two spectacular national parks, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the Cairngorms, are also dog walker paradise. Be mindful of the wildlife on the lead, where sheep, deer, or anything else looks like fair game to your dog.
Many main attractions, such as the historic Inverary Jail and courtrooms, the historic Caledonian Centre, and the dramatic Urquhart Castle, welcome dogs.
Your dog can come with you on a Loch Ness cruise, the Sir Walter Scott Steamship on Loch Katrine, and even the Scottish Isles. Dogs sail free on Calmac and other Scottish ferries.
Dog Friendly Pubs and Restaurants
- The Maltings Coffee Shop, Annandale Distillery, Dumfries, and Galloway – See how single malt whisky is made at the distillery, and bring your own cask! Dogs are made very welcome in the coffee shop.
- The Pitcairn Green Inn, Perth – friendly atmosphere, lovely garden, dogs most welcome.
- Brewdog, Aberdeen – Craft ales and hearty pub food to share with your dog in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
- Bulland’s Coffee House, Milngavie – Quirky, teddy bears everywhere, and a sneaky sausage might be on the menu because they’re mad about dogs.
- Singl’End Cafe and Bakehouse, Glasgow – Great food and atmosphere, and dogs with well-behaved owners are warmly welcomed into the family.
- Aunty Betty’s Stonehaven – Tea, sandwiches, heavenly cakes, and a special tub of doggy ice cream, a well-deserved treat after an exhausting day.
Doggy Etiquette
You should read the Access Code, which gives you the right to roam before you set off to find out about your responsibilities.
Scotland is rich in wildlife that mustn’t be disturbed; keep your dog on a lead where sheep and other animals are around or walking a nature trail. Dog waste must be picked up to avoid the spread of disease.
Many visitors to Scotland go for tranquillity, close to nature, and mustn’t be disturbed. Although it’s so exciting to be able to run free, swim in calm waters, and there are so many trees to investigate, respect the environment and don’t go barking mad.