Leaving your best friend at home when you head off on holiday can be tough on both of you, so why not take them along? Travelling is so much more fun when your pet comes too! And booking a holiday cottage can be fun for the whole family—furry members included.
From the Borders to the Highlands and Islands, there are so many fantastic options if you’re looking for a dog-friendly holiday cottage in Scotland. And although Edinburgh and Glasgow are chock-full of dog-friendly pubs, and places to eat with your dog as well as great spots for walkies, when you venture outside of them dramatic mountains, craggy castles, and picture-perfect villages await. We’ve scoured the country and picked a few of the best holiday cottages in Scotland for you.
The House at Mackay’s
Highlands
If you’re looking for isolation coupled with luxury, this drop-dead gorgeous cottage in the most northerly village on mainland Britain will deliver. Look forward to unspoilt views of the rugged landscape, roaring log fires, bespoke and vintage furniture, enormous roll-top baths, and total relaxation. There are dramatic cliff tops, sandy beaches, hiking routes, and walking and mountain biking paths right on your doorstep and if you’re lucky you might spot the Northern Lights. Though it’s remote there’s a nice village shop and a pub nearby.
The cottage has three bedrooms and sleeps six so it’s ideal whether you’re planning a full-on gathering of friends and fam or a romantic retreat with your furry little buddy in tow. A maximum of two dogs are allowed per stay but there’s a £50 cleaning fee for each.
Hygge
Isle of Skye
Named after a concept of cosiness, comfort, and conviviality that generates a feeling of contentment, Hygge cottage lives up to its name. The eco-friendly property has air source heating, a wood burning stove, and views over Loch Bracadale and the Islands of Tarner and Harlosh. From its remote location in the crofting village of Ose on the west coast of the Isle of Skye, dogs and their owners are able to explore the island’s dramatic scenery, archaeological sites, coral beaches, and historic castles. If you’re keen to venture into the great outdoors you’ll of course find hill walking, fishing, boat trips, kayaking, and pony trekking available. The three-bedroom cottage sleeps seven people and one dog and has an enclosed garden so you don’t have to worry about your four-legged travel buddy taking off on their own adventure.
Suffolk Cottage
Dumfries and Galloway
Looking to unwind in a traditional cottage with modern touches? This double-storey cottage located on 250 acres of farmland in Dumfries and Galloway fits the bill. The property is ideal for large family or group getaways as it comfortably sleeps ten people—plus two dogs at no extra cost! It’s also ideally located if you want to explore the surrounding countryside and coast; nearby Rockcliffe Beach and Sandyhills Beach are dog-friendly year-round and Dalbeattie Forest has over 100 miles of trails to explore. There are also local dog-friendly pubs and restaurants (like The Anchor Hotel and Barend Bar & Restaurant) just a short drive away. If you’d prefer to take it easy closer to home, fire up the barbecue in the enclosed garden and patio area or slip into the hot tub and watch the stars.
Gardner’s Cottage
Perthshire
Named as one of The Times’ top 50 UK cottages in 2016, this historic gardener’s cottage on the Monzie Castle Estate was built in 1874. Located just a few miles from the attractive market town of Crieff in the heart of Perthshire, two-miles down a private country lane, it’s surrounded by rolling hills and woodland valleys. Inside the two-bedroom cottage you’ll find an open fireplace, sumptuous furnishings, and bathrooms with deluxe fittings and fluffy bathrobes. The garden has a barbecue picnic bench to enjoy come summer. Beyond the castle grounds you’ll be spoilt for choice if you enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting, fishing, mountain biking, and exploring historical sites. Not only can your canine companion stay with you for no extra fee, the booking price includes a guided tour of the castle (subject to availability).
High Trodigal
Argyll
This eco-cottage built into the hillside using local stone and wood offers a luxurious hideaway for couples and up to two dogs. Though the building’s earth-covered design is Neolithic, the interior is brimming with state-of-the art technology and indulgent touches like underfloor heating, a woodburning stove, spa bath, walk-in drench shower, and sauna. A wall of windows allows guests to take in views of the ocean, the western isles of Islay, Jura and Gigha, two golf courses, and the spectacular sunsets and storms over the Atlantic. There are plenty of scenic walks to enjoy with your dog, and you’ll also have access to fishing, riding, surfing, and golf if you fancy it. Nearby Cambletown boasts two distilleries as well as a museum, heritage centre and a harbour. As well as the usual selection of tea, coffee and milk, the welcome pack includes juice, Champagne, Springbank whisky, local preserves, home baking, free range eggs and flowers!
Loch Lomond Waterfront Lodges
Stirlingshire
They may just be a 30-minute drive from Glasgow, but you’ll feel as if you’re a world away when you arrive at these luxury self-catering lodges on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Each lodge sleeps up to six people and two dogs—resident Irish terrier, Flynn, is always happy to greet four-legged and two-legged guests alike. All of the properties feature their own private hot tub on the patio, a steam cabin or sauna, en-suite bedrooms, and stunning views of the loch. As you’re in the heart of the Loch Lomond National Park there are endless walks and hikes right on the doorstep, and you’ll have access to sailing, fishing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, and canoeing! Plus, there are some whisky distilleries and great dog-friendly pubs nearby including The Clachan in Drymen, The Cross Keys in Kippen, and The Old Mill in Killearn. To top it off a range of spa treatments can be performed by a trained therapist in the comfort of your very own lodge.
The Water Tower
Angus
As its name suggests, this unique, spacious cottage—which sleeps six people and three dogs—was converted from a water tower. The comfortable, detached holiday home boasts high ceilings with beams, wooden floors, French doors leading to an enclosed garden, and fantastic sea views. The property is close to beautiful dog-friendly beaches Lunan Bay and Auchmithie beach so your four-legged friends can run and splash around to their hearts’ content whilst you take in Mother Nature’s beauty. The small town of Arbroath with its historic abbey, shops, seaside funfair, and harbour is just three miles away and there are several golf courses nearby, including the famous Carnoustie Golf Links.
Clachandubh Cottage
Argyll
With an abundance of walks to enjoy from your doorstep, your furry travel companions will be spoilt for choice at Clachandubh Cottage! The stone building started life as three shepherds’ dwellings in the 1800s and has been lovingly converted into a spacious cottage on Ederline Estate—a family-run working hill farm, covering around 13000 acres of breathtaking moors, woodland, and lochs. There are two ancient chapels and a castle on the estate itself, as well as archaeological sites nearby, and white sandy beaches and golf courses along the Kintyre Peninsula. Fishing, pony trekking, riding, woodland walks, canoeing, and sea kayaking await when you visit this fabulous spot.
The cottage has three bedrooms which sleep up to six people and up to two dogs are welcome. It also has an open log fire and its own enclosed garden so you can rest assured your dog won’t get lost trying to take a closer look at the local wildlife which includes deer, pine martens, otters, and golden eagles and ospreys which nest on the estate.
If you’ve been to any of these cottages and have a favourite, tell us on Facebook! We hope you can plan a relaxing getaway to one of these dog-friendly cottages in Scotland and if you don’t want to drive, take the train! You can take up to two dogs with you on all British trains free of charge—find out more in our article Can I Take My Dog on the Train?
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Featured image: EDERLINE.COM
