1 The Royal Hotel
1 Marine Terrace, Cromarty
SatNav: IV11 8YN
Web: www.royalhotel-cromarty.co.uk
Tel: 01381 600217
Run by a local farmer’s daughter, The Royal Cromarty serves beef from the family farm, whose cattle have won many prizes, in its restaurant. It also houses a resident dog – Ellie, the miniature schnauzer who, they say, “keeps a watchful eye on all proceedings”, greets guests and chases the seagulls that plague the shoreline. Visiting dogs receive treats, a bowl and a towel, left in their rooms. The hotel has two highly-adaptable dog-friendly rooms and a self-contained apartment that takes dogs.
Dogs are not permitted in the restaurant but they are welcome in the bar, conservatory and sitting room, and food from the restaurant can be served there. Enjoy stunning views of the Cromarty Firth – including the lonely disused oil rigs that spot its waters.
2 The Anderson
Union Street, Fortrose
SatNav: IV10 8TD
Web: www.theanderson.co.uk
Tel: 01381 620236
A characterful pub-restaurant with rooms, which has more than 250 whiskies on offer, this small, family-run business is mad about dogs and lets them stay in some of the bedrooms and also hang out in the bar. They love their "fur fix" – and have also been known to host ferrets, cats and even goldfish. "We smother dogs," they say, "with attention, and offer our famous bottomless water bowl and biscuit basket." An ideal base for a dog walk along Rosemarkie Beach or some dolphin spotting.
3 Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Culcabock Road, Inverness
SatNav: IV2 3LP
Web: www.kingsmillshotel.com
Tel: 01463 237166
A short walk from Inverness town centre, surrounded by four acres of grounds, Kingsmill loves nothing more than a visiting doggy and likes to pride itself on being “one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Scotland”. Their patio rooms which open out on to private outdoor areas, welcome dogs at a small additional cost, and they provide a bowl, poop bag and dog biscuits. Dogs also have access to their gorgeous gardens straight from the room. One of their tips for those with dogs wanting to explore, is to hop on one of the cruises on Loch Ness, where the boats are happy to take on four-legged friends. Or you can head for the town centre and explore the Ness Islands ... a wonderful, out-of-the-way spot amid the hustle and bustle.
4 Muckrach Country House Hotel
Dulnain Bridge, Grantown-on-Spey
SatNav: PH26 3LY
Web: www.muckrach.com
Tel: 01479 851227
At the edge of the Cairngorms, just beside the River Spey, and surrounded by 10 acres of grounds, in which a couple of photogenic Highland cattle roam, is a former Victorian shooting lodge that just keeps racking up the awards, including this year’s Prestige award for Best Country House Hotel in Scotland. Their five Garden rooms, and also a three-bedroomed lodge, are all dog-friendly. In the main building of the hotel dogs are allowed in the comfortable library at any time of day and guests can dine there together with their canine companion. Resident hotel dog is Murphy, a Labrador puppy who lives on site with the management and loves, they say, to come over to the hotel and welcome guests – particularly those who have left a doggy friend behind.
5 The Fife Arms
Mar Road, Braemar
SatNav: AB35 5YN
Web: www.thefifearms.com
Tel: 01339 720200
The Financial Times described it as Scotland’s hottest hotel. Strange, surreal, eclectic, with 200 works of taxidermy on the back stairs alone and a flying stag floating above the public bar, the whole aesthetic of the Fife Arms, created by interior designer Russell Sage, feels like it was made to be inhabited by some grand hound. And, in fact, the big, beautiful Bruno, who belongs to the hotel’s owners, international art dealers Iwan and Manuela Wirth, can often be found napping in the lobby, along with fellow mutt Rosie.
This extraordinary boutique hotel, right in the historic village of Braemar within the sweeping landscape of the Cairngorms welcomes dogs in seven of the bedrooms and suites and all its communal spaces – just notify the hotel beforehand. Everything about the place seems to go that little bit further than most – and that includes its approach to dogs. It has partnered with award-winning pet accessory company Dogrobes to supply the hotel’s canine guests with specialist tartan drying coats, perfect after a long muddy walk. Found in the hotel’s Boot Room and sold in the gift shop, they dry dogs in around thirty minutes.
6 The Cock & Bull Inn
Ellon Road, Balmedie, Aberdeen
SatNav: AB23 8XY
Web: www.thecockandbull.co.uk
Tel: 01358 743249
It’s no cock and bull story that this cosy inn, not far from the long, board-walked and dune-backed sweep of Balmedie beach, is dog friendly – it really is. Named Gastropub Of The Year three times, with spacious rooms that are great for both humans and dogs, welcoming canines with no extra charge, it’s an ideal haven near Aberdeen. They even have a dog menu in their restaurant, which is free, though any donation you choose to give goes to the New Arc animal foundation.
7 Ballathie House Hotel
Kinclaven, Perth
SatNav: PH1 4QN
Web: www.ballathiehousehotel.com
Tel: 01250 883268
A traditional four-star Scottish country house hotel offering two AA Rosette dining, Ballathie sits in its own private estate, overlooking the River Tay. Its resident Labrador and trained gun dog, Murphy, has his own blog and hashtag, and shares whole page of pics of doggy friends called “Murphy’s Mates”. Various room types are available for dogs at a cost of £20 per dog per night and dogs are not permitted in the restaurant or bar. For those keen on a local stroll, there are plenty of walks in the area and reception can provide tips and maps.
8 Tigh Na Leigh Guesthouse
22-24 Airlie Street, Alyth
SatNav: PH11 8 AJ
Web: www.tighnaleigh.com
Tel: 01828 632372
Karen and Graham, who took over the five-star Tigh Na Leigh last year, say that when dogs arrive they like to treat them as if they were their own. This multiple-award-winning guesthouse, providing bed and breakfast and dinner and serving up the likes of scallops and chorizo with cauliflower puree or rack of Scotch lamb with sweet potato, rosemary and red chill mash, allows dogs in certain bedroom and the communal areas, as long as they are kept on a lead. However, they are not allowed in the dining area. Walks locally include the woodland and gorge at Den of Alyth and Alyth Hill, and the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the wonderful Angus glens (just ask hotel staff if you want tips on where to take your pooch). There’s also an extensive, enclosed garden for your canine companion to run around in.
9 Malmaison
44 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee
SatNav: DD1 4AY
Web: www.malmaison.com
Tel: 01382 339715
The Malmaison chain has long been marvelous with mutts and the Dundee hotel makes an ideal dog-friendly resting place from which to explore one of Scotland’s most in-fashion cities. The new V&A might not let dogs inside, but you and your pooch can certainly admire this architectural wonder from the plaza outside, before going on for a stroll at Slessor Gardens. Malmaison say they love all their guests “including the canine ones” and welcome well-behaved dogs to all their properties so long as they are notified in advance. Dogs, however, apart from guide and assistance, are not allowed in the food service areas, including lounges. While you’re in town, check out Sit & Stay Dundee, a map of dog-friendly places in the city, created by designer Ryan McLeod.
10 The Lodge At Perth Racecourse
Perth Racecourse, Park Place, Perth
SatNav PH2 6BB
Web: www.perthlodge.co.uk
Tel: 01738 252466
At this modern, bright, budget hotel, set in the perfect doggy playground of Scone palace parklands, dogs are allowed in bedrooms on the ground floor, as well as the bar area, though not the restaurant. Good food, great value, comfortable, simple decor and staff who genuinely love dogs – the owner has four Labradors. You could even take your dog for a day out at the races, where they are permitted in any enclosure, though need to be on a lead.
11 Atholl Arms
Tay Terrace, Dunkeld
SatNav: PH8 0AQ
Web: www.athollarmshotel.com
Tel: 01350 727219
This family-run 19th-century inn is full of character, offering log fires and locally sourced food, and if you're looking for a base from which to explore the wonders of Perthshire, there really are few better placed than this. Top tip is The Hermitage a couple of miles up the A9, where giant trees, astounding views, beautiful waterfalls and miles of walks make it a must-visit for human and dog.
Dogs are welcome in all the Atholl's rooms and incur a pet charge of £15 per dog per night. But they really do get treated well, and provided with bowls, blankets, poo bags and biscuits. Four-legged friends are also welcome in the lounge, bar and Meeting Place but not the Riverview restaurant. They must be kept on a leash.
12 Deeside Inn
13-15 Victoria Rd, Ballater
SatNav: AB35 5RA
Tel: 01339 755413
Web: www.crerarhotels.com
This cosy, open-fired Victorian inn deep in royal tourist country is known for its lively music scene, welcoming bar and quality homemade food. It’s full of characterful period features including wooden beams and “Queen Victoria’s famous wooden toilet”. It also loves its doggy visitors and can accommodate a maximum of two dogs per room – though they do say that if you want to bring more you should call to discuss further options. “Well-behaved, quiet dogs,” they advise, “are most welcome in public areas, providing food service areas are avoided.” An ideal base for outdoor activities and the River Dee, one of the top four British salmon rivers. Or head south into the wilds of Glen Muick and, if you're a bit of a Munro-bagger, why not tackle the not-too-strenuous slopes of Lochnagar?
Read more articles in our dog-friendly Scotland series:
- How Scotland welcomes our four-legged friends
- Alison Rowat: Why we love our dogs – even if we don't always deserve them
- 14 dog-friendly days out and destinations in Scotland
Dog-friendly cafes
- The 12 best dog friendly cafes in central Scotland
- The Best Dog Friendly Cafes: North East
- 12 best dog-friendly cafes in The Borders and South of Scotland
Dog-friendly pubs
- Dog-friendly pubs in the Borders and south of Scotland
- Dog-friendly pubs in Central Scotland
- 12 dog-friendly pubs in the North, West and Islands
- Dog-friendly pubs in Aberdeenshire and the East of Scotland
Dog-friendly hotels
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