7 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Scotland

With its beautiful natural scenery, there’s no shortage of dog-friendly fun to be had in Scotland, the northern-most and most rugged country of the UK. Not that dogs are restricted to the countryside; dogs are also made welcome in the Scottish cities, such as Edinburgh.

On your next Scottish holiday with your pup, add some of these dog-friendly things to do in Scotland to your itinerary.

1. Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

Edinburgh is a must-visit stop for most people visiting Scotland, due to its impressive history and wonderful architecture. And just because you’re travelling with a dog doesn’t mean you should skip over visiting the capital of Scotland, as it’s one of the most dog-friendly cities in the UK.

I recommend walking along the Royal Mile and taking in the Old Town of Edinburgh with your dog at your side. Start at the Palace of Holyrood, residence of the Queen when she’s in Edinburgh, and then head up the hill towards Edinburgh Castle.

Along the way pass the modern Scottish Parliament Building but also plenty of old gothic buildings, such as Tolbooth Tavern and St Giles’ Cathedral.

If you’re wanting to head inside Edinburgh Castle you’ll have to return another day, as dogs aren’t allowed inside this popular tourist spot. Instead head down to the hill to the expansive grass lawns of the Princes Street Gardens (just keep your dog on its leash). Or if the weather isn’t the best, retreat to one of the many pubs that welcomes dogs.

Bonus Tip: When crossing George IV Bridge, take a turn south (to the left) to head 0.2 miles to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby. The little Skye terrier followed the remains of his master to the churchyard and stayed there until his death, the bronze statue erected in his honour.

2. Cruise on Loch Ness

Thanks to the legend of the Loch Ness monster, a cruise on Loch Ness is a popular part of a trip to Scotland. Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland, based on both its length and great depth. It’s not far to the west of the large town of Inverness, plus within day-trip distance of Edinburgh.

The cruises are run by a single company, Jacobite Cruises. They offer multiple cruise options, with the shortest being the one-hour Inspiration cruise departing Clansman Harbour. This is the cruise we took, which is a dog-friendly cruise.

Dogs are also permitted on the longer two-hour Contemplation Cruise, which also cruises along the Caledonian Canal. In both cases, dogs must be booked in at check-out, free of charge, with a maximum of five dogs permitted per trip.

Note that it’s not possible to take a dog on the cruises that visit Urquhart Castle, as dogs are not allowed at that site. Instead just view the castle’s remains from onboard the boat.

It’s best to book your Loch Ness cruise in advance, as some cruises do get booked out by tour coaches. Although during the summer some cruises run hourly, so it’s not too long to wait on shore.

Just one warning from Jacobite Cruises: keep an eye on your dog, in case Nessie is feeling peckish!

3. Explore the Isle of Skye

A visit to the Isle of Skye is turning into a must-visit stop in Scotland for international tourists. This means that most accommodation books out well in advance, including the dog-friendly options.

But with its impressive natural beauty, I can’t help including it in my list of recommendations for Scotland. Just be prepared for slow journeys on the many one-lane roads and to book your accommodation in advance!

Some of the highlights of a visit to Skye include the rocky outcrops of the Old Man of Storr, the rugged Quiraing and the enchanting Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle. I recommend getting out of your car and hiking as much as the weather allows.

We hiked up to the Old Man of Storr with our dog, a fairly short path, albeit muddy from the many visitors. Unfortunately we had to skip the Quiraing Path due to the wind that almost blew us off the escarpment.

Just be warned that no matter what time of the year you visit Skye, you’ll likely encounter rain. Be prepared with adequate gear for yourself, and plenty of towels for cleaning your dog and covering surfaces in your car. We skipped taking our dog on the walk to the Fairy Pools due to the mud, plus a rather large gap on the stepping stones.

4. Hike Up Arthur’s Seat

Not that you need to head all the way to the Isle of Skye for impressive hiking in Scotland. I highly recommend hiking up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. The remains of a dormant volcano, the Arthur’s Seat trail starts just behind Holyrood Palace at one end of the Royal Mile and is great for hiking with an active dog.

It’s a bit of a clamber up the steep slopes at time, but do-able by most people even if you’ve only got a pair of trainers. The views at the top are terrific, especially on a sunny day.

Take along your own water and allow a couple of hours. I seem to recall that part of the walk is off-leash, although it depends on the time of the year due to nesting birds, so always check the latest signs.

5. Visit a Classic Scottish Castle

Scotland is home to countless fascinating castles, and you should make sure you visit at least one of them on your visit to Scotland.

On our drive to and from the Isle of Skye, we stopped off to take in the view across the bay to the popular Eilean Donan Castle, near Kyle of Lochalsh. However, dogs are not allowed to cross over the bridge to the castle, so we just took in the view from the shore.

If you’re wanting to visit a classic Scottish castle with your dog, instead consider visiting the National Trust-listed Culzean Castle and Country Park. It’s located a one-hour drive southwest of Glasgow (on the way to Cairnryan and the dog-friendly ferry across to Belfast).

Dogs are permitted in the extensive landscaped gardens and woodland that surround the castle, as long as they are kept under control, plus on a leash within the walled garden. They are not allowed inside any of the buildings though.

For more National Trust for Scotland locations that are dog-friendly, check out the listing at Dog Furiendly.

6. Run Wild on a Scottish Beach

While the beaches of Scotland may not be suitable for swimming except for the most hardy soles, the country is still blessed with many beautiful beaches, many that allow dogs.

Head to the Isle of Cumbrae, west of Glasgow and a quick ferry ride across, and visit the award-winning sandy stretch of Newton Beach at the village of Millport. An old-fashioned spot, the beach is great of paddling and crabbing. Don’t also miss getting a photo of your pooch with the painted crocodile on a log.

Alternatively, head north to Redpoint North Beach, about 10 miles south-west of Gairloch. With views stretching off to the Isle of Skye on a clear day, it’s a wild and secluded spot.

For more recommendations on dog-friendly beaches in Scotland, check out The Beach Guide, with almost 150 beaches around Scotland listed. Or check out my tips for the some of best dog-friendly beaches in the UK.

7. Take a Day Trip to the Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are located just off the northern tip of Scotland, a 3-hour drive north of the town of Inverness. The islands are a great destination for lovers of history, as they are home to many Neolithic remains, including the Neolithic village of Skara Brae and multiple standing stone circles. Plus the islands played a fascinating role in WWII.

There’s a few different vehicle ferry options to take across to the islands, plus a passenger ferry that runs from John O’Groats, the most distant point on Britain from Land’s End near Penzance. Dogs are allowed on each of the ferry options.

Unfortunately, while small, quiet dogs were previously allowed on the combined ferry and coach tour operating from John O’Groats, they are no longer permitted on the coach tour, just the ferry and the wildlife cruises.

For the best sightseeing experience with your dog, it’s best to take one of the vehicular ferries across, so that you can tour the island along with your dog.

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• 15 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in England
• 6 Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Wales
• 7 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks in the UK

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