16 dog-friendly hotels to book in Scotland

One of the finest country houses in the north of Scotland, book a stay in the beautiful 1810 traditional Forss House Hotel in Caithness. Hidden amongst 20 acres of glorious woodland, enjoy a peaceful retreat away from the busy city life and recharge your batteries. Enjoy a stay in one of the dog-friendly rooms in the River House & Fishing Lodge with extensive grounds to explore too. Your pup will receive a warm welcome from the hotel, and your stay includes a comfy doggy bed and some special treats too. In the Highlands, you will never be lost for things to do and places to see. The area has a mountain of history to uncover including many dog-friendly attractions and places to eat.

Head to the Scottish Borders and the historic 28-acre estate of Cringletie House Hotel for a retreat in a special castle-style getaway. Treat you and your furry friend to a spot of luxury with a stay in one of the hotel’s immaculate rooms, with a Walled Garden and nature trail on your doorstep it’s the perfect choice of accommodation. Less than an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh, this award-winning hotel is the perfect base for exploring the city and the surrounding Lothians, with bags of dog-friendly things to see and do in the area too.

Situated on the glorious shores of Loch Sunart, Kilcamb Lodge Hotel is the ideal pet-friendly place to stay for exploring this incredible playground in the Highlands. This small luxury hideaway boasts mesmerising scenery and is surrounded by 22 acres of natural private meadow, mountains and woodland – perfect for a doggy day out! Winner of the UK’s Best Pet-Friendly Hotel in 2017, the lodge offers dog food mats and bowls, doggy bags, treats on arrival, dog towels and more, so your pooch can enjoy a spot of pampering too.

Overlooking the first tee at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, this hotel is a haven for golf enthusiasts. Featuring some of the finest accommodation in the north Highlands, with 22 en suite bedrooms all tastefully individual in décor and design, you’ll be spoilt for choice on your dog-friendly golf trip. The hotel welcomes your canine companions too at an extra £15 per dog per stay and are allowed in the bedrooms, provided they are not left unattended, and well-behaved dogs are also allowed in the bar area too.

Aside from golf, there are plenty of other things to do and explore in the area too, from woodland walks and historic attractions, to uncovering coastal gems, and spotting wildlife on the Dornoch Firth.

Choose from dog-friendly apartments and cottages at Douneside House Hotel in Aberdeenshire. Enjoy a stay in Casa 21, a pet friendly holiday apartment located on the first and second floors of the Casa Memoria building. Or cosy in to the Alpha Cottage, a luxury three bedroom, dog-friendly holiday cottage, located within the beautiful grounds of Douneside with views across the Arboretum. Included in a stay in the cottages and apartments, you’ll have full access to all the hotel facilities including the onsite Health Club, featuring a swimming pool, games room, gym, sauna and steam room. There is plenty for all the family to enjoy too, including a tennis court, putting green, and children’s play park, to name a few.

Nearby in Braemar, The Fife Arms offers 46 guestrooms and suites, all of which are dog-friendly, apart from the Artist’s Studio. Each room is beautifully decorated and boasts a unique atmosphere, complete with antiques, artworks and even objects that once belonged to historic figures that once visited the Arms. Your canine companion is also welcome at the Flying Stag Bar. This lively and characterful public bar continues to be the social centre of the village, with regulars rubbing shoulders with visitors. Enjoy spirited conversation and live entertainment whilst sipping on your choice of local beers, Scottish whiskies and spirits, accompanied by a menu of bar snacks and hearty Scottish dishes.

Venture to the serene north west corners of Scotland where the Kylesku Hotel offers the ideal location for exploring this awe-inspiring landscape. Snuggle into this stylish, boutique hotel overlooking Loch Gleann Dubh for a relaxing stay with incredible views. These contemporary rooms also welcome calm and well-behaved pooches, so the whole family can enjoy blissful walks and glistening beaches. Be blown away by mesmerising coastal seascapes, keep your eyes peeled for elusive native wildlife, and explore until your heart’s content in this untouched Scottish realm.

Treat you and your pooch to a spot of luxury with a stay at the prestigious Fairmont in St Andrews. Well-behaved pups are welcome to stay on the first floor of the hotel and are given a complimentary dog bed and dog water bowl. Offering immaculately presented rooms with an authentic feel, enjoy a peaceful stay in this historic town, boasting magnificent views from the rooms, as well as spa and well-being treatments and plenty of golfing opportunities to enjoy too. Complete with amazing attractions to visit, beautiful beach walks to enjoy and tasty local food and drink to try, you won’t be lost for things to do here.

Just along from St Andrews, enjoy a stay at The Inn. This family-fun traditional coaching inn allows well-behaved pups in all of their rooms, with dog treats, poop bags and water all readily available during your stay too. You can also enjoy tasty pub food onsite where your pooch is welcome too, provided they are kept on a leash. Kingsbarns Beach is nearby too, so you can enjoy all the seaside adventures together!

If you’re a keen golfer, The Inn offers bespoke weekends for golfers and with the world-famous Kingsbarns Golf Links just 5 minutes away, as well as Crail, the world’s seventh oldest golf links club 10 minutes away, and the Castle Links Course, nearby and all accessible by car, you’re definitely in luck!

Another Fife gem, The Ship Inn offers six beautiful and individually designed double or twin rooms, 4 of which have stunning views over Elie Bay. Each room includes complimentary bathroom products from Siabann, Nespresso machines and a beautiful tea selection from The Tea Lovers’ Company, as well as flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The ground floor Superior Room allows dogs at a £15 charge per dog per stay. Tuck into some delicious hearty food in the pub and the new Ship’s Cabin whilst admiring the stunning views that surround you.

Head to the west of Scotland to the small town of Inveraray where the George Hotel offers 17 rooms that have been recently re-styled to keep the authentic feel of the building, its history and architecture, boasting a unique place to stay. Pets are welcome to stay and breakfast can be delivered to your room, so you can enjoy a lazy morning with your pup.

The surrounding area is truly an explorer’s paradise; with iconic landscapes, incredible coastal seascapes, and many historic western corners to visit – perfect for a day out with your canine companion.

The Isle of Tiree is a perfect adventure escape! Known for its extraordinary waves, that host the BWA Tiree Wave Classic each year, it’s a popular spot on the map for surfers and watersport enthusiasts alike. The Reef Inn boasts a luxury stay with 8 contemporary rooms, each featuring a neutral palette of colours and Nordic designs, encompassing the islands’ ancient Viking heritage. Your four-legged friend is part of the family, so bring your pooch along, for an extra charge, and enjoy all the beaches, walks and island life until your heart’s content.

A country house by the sea, Loch Melfort Hotel is a lovely spot in Oban making it the perfect base if you fancy an island adventure. This dog-friendly hotel allows well-behaved pups to stay all year round in the comfortable, ground floor rooms which have direct access to the large grounds, with plenty of options for dog walking too. The hotel also provides doggy essentials including towels and treats. Located just a short stroll from the beach, you can leave your pawprints in the sand with a seaside adventure, or admire the view as the sun sets in the distance.

Fancy a city break with your pooch? Glasgow is a vibrant and lively city to visit all year round; with streets full of history and character, dog-friendly cafés  and eateries to find, and plenty of parks and gardens to run around in too, it’s perfect for a dog-friendly holiday. Novotel Glasgow offers contemporary rooms in the heart of the city, and welcomes your canine companion for an extra charge. After a busy day exploring the city, why not rejuvenate in the hotel’s fitness centre, or relax in the sauna and steam room. There are many nearby cafés and restaurants surrounding the hotel that are also dog-friendly, so you can enjoy the city’s food and drink scene too.

Why not get away from it all with an island retreat to Orkney? The Kirkwall Hotel features 37 en suite rooms complete with a beautiful harbour view restaurant, an excellent range of facilities, as well as a lounge bar and public bar. The hotel is dog-friendly so make sure you bring along your furry family member for a trip away exploring the island. Staying on Orkney will be like a trip back in time, with many ancient history attractions and sites to visit, including St Magnus Cathedral, the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palaces, The Orkney Museum and The Highland Park Distillery and Visitor Centre, to name a few.

Escape to Busta House Hotel on Shetland. This hotel dates back to 1588 where it was owned by the Giffords, and has since become the perfect setting for exploring the island’s history and beautiful scenery. Enjoy a stay where the hotel offers many dog-friendly rooms, although dogs are not permitted in public areas, including the lounge, bar and restaurant. Choose from single, double or twin rooms, all named after Shetland’s islands, where you can admire incredible views and is also a great place to base yourself for exploring the many historic and fascinating attractions Shetland offers.