Best places to stay in Scotland with a dog
Date published: 19 Feb 2026
Scotland was made for four-legged adventures. From wild beaches to forest trails and lochside rambles, there’s no shortage of dog-friendly walks to fill your days. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a full escape, this is a country that rewards curious noses and muddy paws.
The beauty of travelling north is the sheer variety. You’ll find coastal paths, mountain hikes and city parks all within easy reach, plus plenty of welcoming pubs along the way. Even better, there’s a brilliant choice of holiday cottages that take dogs, so no one has to miss out.
If you’re searching for the best places to stay in Scotland with dogs, consider this your starting point. These regions combine scenery, space and a genuinely warm welcome for canine companions, making it easy to plan a break that suits both you and your tail-wagging sidekick.
The Highlands
Big skies, bigger landscapes and miles of sniff-worthy wilderness – the Highlands are a dream for dogs. Think lochside wanders, ancient Caledonian forests and dramatic coastal paths where muddy paws are practically guaranteed.
From Torridon’s mountain scenery to the empty beaches strung along the North Coast 500, there’s space to roam without the crowds. Wildlife, waterfalls and wide-open silence make every walk feel like an adventure. Cosy village pubs complete the picture.
Property pick: Stalkers Cottage, Spean Bridge
Set on the vast Killiechonate Estate near Spean Bridge, Stalker’s Cottage is a characterful Highland hideaway with serious adventure on the doorstep. After days hiking in the Nevis Range or spotting red deer along estate trails, return to underfloor heating and a glowing log burner. With Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis and the Jacobite Steam Train all within easy reach, it’s a base that puts you right at the heart
Isle of Skye
If your dog thrives on adventure, Skye delivers in spectacular fashion. Wild beaches, rugged cliff walks and open moorland promise endless exploring, while the Quiraing and Fairy Pools offer routes with serious wow factor.
There’s drama at every turn – sea eagles overhead, waterfalls tumbling into clear pools, sea air whipping through fur. Portree’s colourful harbour provides a lively base, with relaxed, dog-welcoming cafés to refuel after long days outdoors.
Property pick: Hygge
Overlooking Loch Bracadale in the crofting village of Ose, Hygge is an architect-designed retreat made for slow, scenic stays. Expect loch views from the deck, a wood burner for blustery evenings and an enclosed garden for easy mornings with the dog. Dunvegan Castle, coral beaches and Skye’s dramatic walking routes are all within reach, making it a stylish, eco-conscious base for exploring the island’s wilder side.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Close to Glasgow yet wonderfully wild, this national park blends convenience with proper countryside. Gentle lochside paths are ideal for older dogs or laid-back strolls, while woodland trails and hill walks keep energetic pups happily occupied.
Villages like Luss and Balmaha make scenic stopping points along the water’s edge. Add boat trips, forest parks and easy access from the city, and it’s a brilliantly versatile option for short breaks.
Property pick: Duck Bay Cottage
Right on the shore of Loch Lomond, Duck Bay Cottage 1 delivers front-row views and easy access to the water. Mornings start with lochside strolls, afternoons mean paddling or cruising, and evenings are best spent sinking into your private hot tub as the sun dips behind the hills. With an enclosed rear garden and a hotel restaurant just minutes away, it strikes that sweet spot between wild scenery and relaxed comfort.
Dumfries & Galloway
Often overlooked, Dumfries & Galloway is a quiet hero for dog-friendly stays. Wide sandy beaches, like Mossyard and Rockcliffe, give dogs space to sprint, dig and paddle without the usual crowds.
Inland, Galloway Forest Park offers shady trails, wildlife spotting and peaceful lochs. The pace is slower, the roads quieter and the horizons deliciously open. It’s ideal for those who prefer unspoilt coastline and evenings that feel blissfully cut off.
Property pick: Sand View
With uninterrupted views across the Solway Firth, Sand View lives up to its name. Just steps from the beach in Southerness, it’s made for salty morning strolls and lighthouse spotting with the dogs in tow. The conservatory is the place for sunset watching, while the enclosed garden keeps things easy. Peaceful, coastal and wonderfully unfussy – this is south-west Scotland at its simplest and best.
Edinburgh
City break with a canine twist? Edinburgh makes it surprisingly seamless. Arthur’s Seat delivers a lung-stretching hill walk right in the heart of the capital, while the Water of Leith provides a calmer riverside wander.
Stockbridge and Leith are packed with dog-friendly cafés and independent shops. Add Holyrood Park, Portobello Beach and countless green spaces, and you’ve got culture, coast and countryside layered into one compact, walkable destination.
Property pick: Dreghorn House
Sleeping up to 12, Dreghorn House is a smart choice for big gatherings that don’t want to leave the dogs behind. With five bedrooms, generous living space and a private garden, it gives everyone room to spread out. Set to the west of the city near Murrayfield and the Pentlands, you’re well placed for leafy walks by day and Edinburgh’s castles, culture and restaurants by night.
Perthshire
Known as Big Tree Country, Perthshire is packed with woodland walks, riverside paths and rolling hills that feel tailor-made for long dog walks. The Hermitage impresses with towering Douglas firs and dramatic waterfalls, while Loch Tay offers shoreline strolls and splash-friendly stops.
Pitlochry makes a charming base, balancing cafés and countryside with ease. Central yet scenic, it’s a reliably beautiful choice for dogs who thrive on forests and fresh air.
Property pick: 3 Bed Cottage in Abernyte
Surrounded by 40 acres of private woodland near the River Tay, this light-filled Perthshire cottage mixes country calm with serious extras. Days can start with woodland wanders and end in your own wood-fired hot tub beneath starry skies. There’s a roaring open fire inside, plus access to a sauna, gym and games room. It’s a rural retreat that balances seclusion with a little indulgence.
Isle of Arran
Scotland in miniature – that’s Arran’s nickname, and it suits dog-friendly breaks perfectly. Beaches, mountains, forest trails and coastal roads all sit within easy reach, meaning every day can look different.
Brodick Castle’s grounds are ideal for stretching legs, while quieter shoreline paths promise uninterrupted sea views. The ferry crossing adds a sense of occasion. Once you arrive, the pace slows and the outdoors takes centre stage.
Property pick: Kilbride Cottage
Set on Arran’s southern tip, this traditional two-bedroom cottage pairs panoramic sea views with proper island calm. From the garden, you can spot Ailsa Craig rising from the water, while a nearby forestry trail leads across to Whiting Bay and Lamlash. After coastal rambles and castle-hopping, return to a crackling open fire and an enclosed garden where dogs can roam safely under big Hebridean skies.
With dramatic landscapes, empty beaches and endless fresh air, it’s easy to see why Scotland tops the list for pet-friendly breaks. If you’re ready to book, check out some of the best cottages in Scotland that accept dogs, then all that’s left to do is start planning those long, happy walks.
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
