Dog friendly accommodation in Scotland

Few countries suit a dog holiday like Scotland. Access rights open up an extraordinary network of hills, forests, and coastal paths, most beaches welcome dogs, and a soggy spaniel drying by a pub fire is practically part of the national furniture.

What to check when booking. The details vary more than the "dog friendly" label suggests: how many dogs are welcome, whether there is a charge per dog, whether the garden is enclosed, and any house rules about sofas and bedrooms. Each listing here links to the owner's own policy, and it is always worth confirming for more than two dogs.

Out and about. Scotland's outdoor access code lets you take a dog almost anywhere on foot, provided it is under proper control. The obligations that matter most: keep dogs on a short lead around livestock, be especially careful during lambing in spring and ground-nesting bird season in early summer, and check local signs on the handful of beaches with seasonal restrictions. Start the browsing with our cottages and lodges and cabins pages if you want a particular style of stay, and note that some hot tub stays welcome dogs too.