Dog friendly locations

Dog Friendly Travel for 2022

by Janice Hopper

Many farmhouses aren’t complete without a resident dog. So start 2022 by planning a trip for all the family, including four-legged friends.

COSY COTTAGES Rowan Cottage, Perthshire Rowan Cottage, near Abernyte (sleeps six, plus two dogs) offers contemporary accommodation in the heart of Perthshire. Set on Milton Farm, home to ninety breeding cows, 450 breeding sheep and 50-60 acres of barley, this three-bedroom timber lodge makes an excellent canine base. Climb up King’s Seat for sweeping views across Perthshire, enjoy riverbank rambles along the Tay, or enjoy a sightseeing cruise with your canine companion. Alternatively practise your swing with your pup – both Strathclyde Golf Centre (14 miles) and Glenisla Golf Course (16 miles) allow dogs to walk their courses. In-house catering and canine grooming services are available on site, booked in advance.

A seven-night self-catering stay costs from £853. £20 supplement per dog. Visit caninecottages.co.uk/cottages/ rowan-cottage-perthshire.

Balnab Farm, Dumfries & Galloway Feather Down Farms’ Balnab Farm is located in Dumfries & Galloway, on the Machars peninsula. The farm is a thirdgeneration, family-run dairy farm with 120 Holstein Friesians, Pygmy goats, Shetland ponies, Oxford Sandy and Black piglets, chickens, ducks, cats and dogs, along with the Vance family who are ready to welcome guests and their dogs. Cosy tents are set up on the farmer’s field with panoramic views of the countryside. As a dairy farm, the honesty shop offers a raw milk dispenser - and don’t forget the private hot tub.

The coastal village of Isle of Whithorn is ten minutes away, or take your pup to explore the seaside town of Garlieston or the fishing village of Port William. Alternatively undertake a two hour coastal walk from Rigg Bay to Cruggleton Castle.

Prices from £440 for a two night weekend stay in a tented cottage that sleeps up to six people. Discover details at featherdown.co.uk.

Red Kites & a Stirling Bolthole Argaty Cottage is situated on the Argaty Estate in Stirlingshire, a working farm owned by the Bowser family since 1916. This area of central Scotland is where the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have reintroduced the red kite, and the Argaty estate is home to a large number of these beautiful birds, and an abundance of red squirrels too. Ranger-led visits to the hides cost £7 per adult, £3 per child (argatyredkites.co.uk; concessions are available and under 6s visit free).

The recently renovated Argaty Cottage comfortably sleeps six guests. Dogs receive an arrival gift of dog biscuits, and dog beds and towels are available, plus there’s a small dog run and outdoor kennel if required.

Argaty Cottage costs £125 a night (£20 per dog per stay), with a three-night minimum stay. For offers, eco-tourism discounts and booking visit argatycottage. com.

Clackmannanshire Crib Slackbrae is a two-bedroom two bathroom former forester’s cottage on the Brucefield Estate in Clackmannanshire. Traditional from the outside, yet contemporary Scandi design inside, there’s a ceramic wood burner and underfloor heating to keep guests cosy, plus the cottage is fully accessible and has been renovated as a low energy house.

Built in the 1700s, Slackbrae was the former gatehouse to the estate, which covers 420 hectares of semi-ancient birch, oak and Scots Pine woodland, pasture and arable farmland. At one time it was owned by the Stirling & Dunfermline Railway:

the original train line dates back to 1852 and is now a cycle route, providing access for day trips to the Wallace Monument.

Guests are welcome to bring their dogs into the grounds and self-catering cottages. A dog bed, bowl, treats and waste bags are provided. The cottage is £300 per night (three night minimum stay) plus £40 per dog, and sleeps up to four adults (cots and extra beds are available for children), and includes a locally sourced breakfast hamper. To book visit brucefieldestate.scot.

Ross-shire Retreat Formerly derelict, Newhall Mains now offers sumptuous holiday accommodation across five individually themed cottages and four double suites, all set around a classic quadrangle. Each property has been restored by local craftsmen using traditional materials such as stone, lime render, lead and slate. Expect natural sheep wool quilts, and rugs that have been spun using wool from the estate’s own flock of Jacob sheep.

Dogs are warmly welcomed in the Red Gates cottage (no supplement). With three bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining area, study room, boot room and laundry, Red Gates is ideal for a dog-friendly Highland holiday. Staying at this self-catering cottage doesn’t necessarily mean cooking for yourself. Evening meals, meal delivery and summer BBQs are also available.

Red Cottage costs from £250 per night with no minimum stay (newhall-mains.com).

DOG-FRIENDLY SCOTTISH HOTELS Dogs & Domes Meldrum House is a 13th century manor house in rural Aberdeenshire with its own modern golf course. Dogs can book into certain Stables Bedrooms, and they’re welcomed to their room with a bowl, Meldrum House blanket and doggy biscuit. Pups are allowed in the Cave Bar where there’s a doggy station with biscuits, bowls of water and blankets. They can also hang out in the Drawing Room and the luxury dining domes.

Chain Lodge, the exclusiveuse lodge at the start of the driveway to Meldrum House, has five ensuite bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and dining room, and it’s also dog friendly.

Entertain your pooch by hiking up Bennachie, along Balmedie Beach or by walking to the local butchers in Oldmeldrum for a sausage or bone.

Double rooms start from £140 B&B, and it’s £15 per dog per night (meldrumhouse.com).

Nights in Nairn For a coastal escape metres from the beach, book into the Golf View Hotel in Nairn where guests are greeted by hotel dog, Fudge. Golf View’s 42 rooms are all dog friendly, and pups are welcome in many public areas. The hotel also offers excellent leisure facilities, including a pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, outdoor hot tub with remarkable sea views, plus a tennis course. The famous Nairn golf coarse is on the doorstep, or head to the nearby city of Inverness to walk your pup along the banks of the River Ness.

Book a classic double from £139 per night, and it’s £20 per dog per evening (crerarhotels. com/golf-view-hotel-spa).

Craigellachie Canines Whether guests are staying the night, enjoying a meal at the Copper Dog Pub or savouring a dram in the renowned Quaich Bar, visitors and their four-legged friends are welcomed with open arms (and treats). Doggie guests at the Craigellachie Hotel can access woodland walks along the River Spey, returning to dog beds and bowls of fresh water after their adventures. Eye-catching doggie prints by Hugo Guinness are peppered around the hotel, ensuring dogs are centre stage.

Craigellachie recently hosted its first Yappy Day event which aimed to bring dog lovers and owners together for food and fundraising. Proceeds were donated to the Wild at Heart Foundation that supports the sheltering and re-homing of dogs. Look out for more Yappy Day events to come.

Doubles cost from £165 per night with no supplements for dogs (craigellachiehotel.co.uk).

Red Gates Lounge at Newmains