25 Harbour Inn
18 South Crescent, Garlieston, Newton Stewart
SatNav: DG8 8BQ
Web: www.the-harbour-inn.co.uk
Tel: 01988 600685
Characterful traditional coastal inn which dates back to the 1700s and overlooks the harbour.
The family-owned bar has fantastic sea views and the food is traditional pub grub with a selection of fish and meat dishes, plus vegetarian options. Vegan and gluten-free fare is also available.
Dogs are welcome throughout the inn and often enjoy some gravy bones from the kitchen.
If you're planning to visit at the weekend it's advisable to book as the carvery can get very busy with both locals and tourists alike.
For a tasty tipple try the local brew – Harbour Inn Gold.
26 Buccleuch Arms
High Street, Moffat
SatNav: DG10 9ET
Web: www.buccleucharmshotel.com
Tel: 01683 220003
"Your dogs are our friends and are more than welcome to be with you even if you choose to dine in the bar," so says the pub. "When we say we are dog-friendly it is not just a statement. It is an absolute."
If you've been delving around in the Devil's Beef Tub (a 150 metre deep, dramatic hollow in the hills three miles north of Moffat), this Georgian coaching inn is the place to stop by for some refreshment.
Resident pub dog Guinness will welcome you to the hotel bar, which dates from 1760 and retains some old world charm.
Special dishes have been developed for coeliac disease sufferers and the chef's "creations menu" changes every month. Highlights include a venison, brie and cranberry burger and sweet and sour pork burger.
Owner Dave has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the area so is well-placed to offer tips on where to go next.
27 Kings Arms
29 High Street, Lockerbie
SatNav: DG11 2JL
Web: www.kingsarmshotel.co.uk
Tel: 01576 202 410
Using locally sourced ingredients and beer from the brewery in Lockerbie, this is a spot well worth stopping off for.
Portions are generous – although you can ask for smaller ones – and fish and chips and roast beef are firm favourites.
The coaching inn dates back to the 1600s and retains much of the old character inside and out.
Dogs are welcome in the main bar.
28 The Anchor Inn
Kippford, Dalbeattie
SatNav: DG5 4LN
Web: www.theanchorhotelkippford.co.uk
Tel: 01556 620205
If you've been out enjoying the local beaches and walks, the Anchor welcomes weary walkers and worn-out dogs. This traditional coaching inn was built in the 1800s and prides itself on cooking fresh food, sourced locally.
The Anchor is nestled on the banks of Urr Water as it makes its final journey into the Solway estuary and on a clear day you can see the spectacular peaks of the Lake District.
There's a fairly extensive menu with a variety of seafood dishes plus traditional pub favourites and a light bites menu for when you just want a quick snack.
Once you've had your fill, there is a great short walk down the coast road to the south which is easy and highly recommended after a meal.
29 Salmon Inn
54 Bank Street, Galashiels
SatNav: TD1 1EP
Web: www.salmoninn.co.uk
Tel: 01896 752 577
Good, honest pub grub is the order of the day at the Salmon Inn, with their sticky chicken salad a favourite with customers. Take your pick from sticky, chilli or mango chicken – or play it safe with good old fish and chips or a burger.
The family-run inn offers biscuits and water to dogs – and they often get served before their owners!
The Salmon Inn is popular with visitors and locals alike so it's often busy. There are usually around three real ales on offer.
For a more adventurous tipple, try a passionfruit martini or the strawberry gin.
30 The Tipsy Ghillie
11 WoodMarket, Kelso
SatNav: TD5 7AT
Web: www.thetipsyghillie.co.uk
Tel: 01573 225354
The Tipsy offers something new for Kelso. If you want a pub, it’s there. If you want a bistro, it’s there.
A great selection of food with Scottish tapas, cosy atmosphere and friendly staff.
If you and your dog have been exploring the streets of Kelso, the Tipsy Ghillie is centrally placed and looks out on to the cobbled streets of Market Square and over to Kelso Abbey.
It was a traditional pub for many years but now has a new fresher look and serves a range of beers, spirits and cocktails.
You can enjoy a quick bite with soup and sandwiches on the menu or burgers and salads.
Saturday night is live music night with performances from visiting bands creating a lively atmosphere and real buzz.
31 Kings Arms
High Street, Melrose
SatNav: TD6 9PB
Web: Find on Facebook
Tel: 01896 800335
Set in the stunning countryside of the Scottish Borders, the Kings Arms has all the warmth and charm you would expect from a 300-year-old coaching inn.
Centrally located in the beautiful town of Melrose, it is the perfect place to stay to explore the history and sights of the area.
The Kings Arms is three minutes' walk from Melrose Abbey medieval monastery and six miles from the William Wallace statue in Bemersyde Estate so there are plenty of places to explore with your dog nearby.
The pub has a great ambiance and that, along with a selection of wines and beers, some local chat and a fabulous team, will ensure you won't want to leave. The food is fresh and informal with daily specials ranging from traditional bar food to gastro pub.
32 Plough Inn
Main Street, Leitholm, Coldstream
SatNav: TD12 4JN
Web: www.theploughinnleitholm.co.uk
Tel: 01890 840408
Just an hour from Edinburgh, this family-run inn is in Leitholm, near Coldstream, and run by husband and wife team David and Sarah, who restored it to its former glory.
Drop in on a Wednesday night for Italian night or on a Thursday lunchtime for the Soup Social – where punters can enjoy a bowl of soup and a chat with others in the pub.
Real ale is stocked – and CAMRA members get a discount – plus a range of spirits and soft drinks. Gluten-free food and beer is also available.
The bar is a bright and comfortable area with a wood burner to welcome you after a chilly walk, or you can sit outside and soak up the sun while enjoying views across the fields.
33 Gordon Arms
Yarrow Valley, Selkirk
Sat Nav: TD7 5LE
Web: www.thegordonarms.com
Tel: 01750 82261
Built more than 200 years ago as a coaching inn, the Gordon Arms nestles in the Yarrow Valley and is said to have been a favourite haunt of James Hogg, Sir Walter Scott and even Robert Burns. William Wordsworth too visited in 1814 so you'll be in good company here.
Now it is well known for its traditional music and real ale, and a warm welcome to walkers, cyclists and all other visitors to the area, including well behaved dogs.
Owners Tommy and Susan believe the pub can tap into the real renaissance in traditional music and hope it can become a centre for live music sessions.
Good-quality pub grub is on offer all day, with Scottish produce celebrated.
Try Tommy’s classic beef pie – a tender, rich stew laced with Merlot and topped with a light, buttery golden flaky pastry. Mature Lockerbie cheddar sets off this comforting classic perfectly with crunchy garlic bread and a fresh, crisp salad on the side.
34 Belters Bar
23 Castle Gate, Jedburgh
SatNav: TD8 6AS
Web: www.beltersbar.com
Tel: 01835 862380
If you're looking for some sustenance after walking the St Cuthbert's Way, you could do a lot worse than here.
Its official name is the Forresters Arms but everyone knows it locally as the Belters Bar.
Very dog-friendly – in the downstairs bar area – with water bowl provided.
Great food, varied menu, including around 25 different home-made burgers loved by the locals. Try a Belters Bad Boy Burger, washed down with a beer from their extensive range.
There's also a children's menu, plus vegan and gluten-free options.
35 Auld Cross Keys
Main Street, Denholm, Hawick
SatNav: TD9 8NU
Web: www.crosskeysdenholm.co.uk
Tel: 01450 870305
The Auld Cross Keys Inn was built in the 1800s as a bakehouse but later became a coaching inn.
Situated in the picturesque village of Denholm, overlooking the village green, the inn is centrally located in the beautiful Borders.
Good-quality home-cooked pub grub with a varied menu and food is cooked on the premises using local suppliers where possible. Pub classics include fish and chips and a beef and ale pie.
Dogs are welcome in the bar area.
36 Argyll Hotel
Bellochantuy, Campbeltown
SatNav: PA28 6QE
Web: www.argyllhotelkintyre.co.uk
Tel: 01583 421212
The beachside Argyll Hotel is 10 miles north of Campbeltown on the beautiful Kintyre peninsula.
Enjoy the white sand beach – rated by Elle Magazine as one of the top five dog-friendly beaches in the UK – and Atlantic Ocean views, and look out on the Inner Hebridean islands of Islay, Jura and Gigha.
This traditional seaside hotel was taken over by Ian and Nick in 2013 who fell in love with the beachside location and the history of the building. It is a family-run business – including two Dalmatians, Struan and Talaidh.
In the bar, there are two local real ales on tap, a malt whisky selection (with a good choice of Campbeltown and Islay malts) and a range of Scottish craft gins.
37 The Crown Inn
109-111 High Street, Biggar
SatNav: ML12 6DL
Web: www.thecrownbiggar.co.uk
Tel: 01899 220116
The Crown at Biggar is a traditional 17th century coaching inn with a warm welcome and traditional cosy charm.
The pub offers a selection of ales and home-cooked food which is served all day from midday.
There is a carvery every Sunday and fine and hearty pub and gastro food throughout the week.
The pub was voted CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) Lanarkshire Pub of the Year 2016 and Glasgow and west of Scotland regional winner in 2017. There is a selection of six real ales on tap – and 68 gins!
The Crown also has a beer garden and can cater for outside events.
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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