Scotland leading on dog tourism | Holiday & Travel | Lifestyle | News

Scotland is emerging as one of the top destinations for UK pet-lovers this autumn and winter, according to new data from the national tourism organisation, VisitScotland. 

Recent findings from VisitScotland’s UK Resident Holiday Sentiment Tracker* reveal that one in ten visitors planning a Scottish getaway later this year intend to bring their pets along. For Scotland-based visitors, the trend is even more pronounced, with one in seven planning to include their furry companions on their domestic overnight trips. 

The research also indicates that families are more likely to travel with pets and tend to take longer trips, highlighting the growing popularity of pet-friendly tourism in Scotland. Dog ownership has been steadily rising for over a decade, with an estimated 28% of UK adults now owning a dog**.

It is estimated that approximately £350million is spent in Scotland’s visitor economy from overnight visitors that bring their dog. The recent findings provide a welcome boost to Scotland’s pet-friendly tourism businesses, especially as the traditionally busier summer period winds down. 

Earlier this year, the Scotland Visitor Survey 2023*** found that last year, 11% of visitors holidayed in the country with a pet, and 89% were repeat visitors. Domestic tourism remains a vital part of Scotland’s visitor economy, accounting for 106 million visits in 2023 and generating £7 billion in visitor spend. 

However, the cost of living continues to pose challenges, with some UK visitors spending less, taking fewer nights away, and seeking cost-effective activities due to fuel costs. To ensure that the next trip to Scotland gets tails wagging, there are various dog-friendly accommodation and experiences available. These include: 

Cromlix, Dunblane – Located in the beautiful Stirlingshire countryside, this Scottish Thistle Award-winning country house hotel is set within 34 acres of secluded woodlands and landscaped gardens. Cromlix offers luxurious accommodations for both guests and their pets, including a doggy welcome hamper and a turndown treat. 

Nevis Range, Fort William – Home to the UK’s only Mountain Gondola, the Nevis Range also allows dogs to ride the gondola for free. Dogs can take a leisurely walk with their owners along one of the picturesque viewpoints before stopping by the Pinemarten Café, Snowgoose Restaurant or Nevis Range Bar, which all welcome well-behaved dogs. Four-legged friends should be kept on leads when exploring the mountains out of respect for wildlife.

Douneside House Hotel, Aboyne – Choose from dog-friendly apartments and cottages at Douneside House Hotel in Aberdeenshire. Enjoy a stay in Casa 21 or Alpha Cottage, both offering luxurious accommodations with beautiful views of the surrounding grounds. 

Cromars Fish and Chip Shop, St Andrews – A chip shop calling itself ‘Scotland’s first dog-friendly chippy’ launched a menu aimed at dogs in 2024, which includes beef sausages and puppucinos, with 50% of all sales generated donated to the Scottish SPCA. 

Portobello beach, Edinburgh and Newhailes, Musselburgh – The capital’s Portobello beach is a dog’s dream, with plenty of beach for running around, as well as the nearby promenade for walks and dog-friendly cafes. Nearby, the NTS property Newhailes offers a great walk around the estate and local woodland as well as dog-friendly events and a monthly market offering tasty treats for owners and their dogs. 

Dog-friendly cabins on NorthLink Ferries – Heading to Orkney and Shetland, there are dog-friendly cabins to pre-book for the trip.  Dogs don’t require a boarding pass and travel free of charge. Although only support dogs are permitted in the ship’s internal public areas, for the 90-minute sailing between Scrabster and Stromness, owners may book a free space in the dog lounge or take their dogs to the outside deck. On all ships, dogs may stay in their owner’s vehicle. 

Dogs are also welcome on all Scotrail trains and can travel for free, although must be kept on a lead. Jacqui Souter, Senior Marketing Insight Manager at VisitScotland, said: “Pets are a huge part of family life nowadays, so it’s important that visitors can include them in their holiday plans.

“It’s really encouraging to see the growing trend of dog owners considering exploring Scotland at different times of the year. This presents an exciting opportunity for the Scottish tourism and events industry to highlight their dog-friendly products, amenities, and offerings to potential visitors.” 

“Pet-friendly tourism is a lucrative and rapidly growing market. Scotland is the perfect must-visit, must-return destination for pet owners, with its rugged mountains, diverse walking routes, beautiful parks, and award-winning beaches providing an ideal environment for furry friends year-round.” 

One tourism business already embracing pet-friendly tourism is Cromlix, a luxury country house hotel near Dunblane owned by Andy and Kim Murray. Recently named Best Hotel Experience 2023 at the Scottish Thistle Awards, Cromlix is well-known for welcoming four-legged visitors.

Their Very Important Pup package offers guests traveling with dogs a luxurious experience, including a dog bed and bowl in the room, a doggie welcome hamper, and a turndown treat, with the option of a room service breakfast menu for pets. Barry Makin, Cromlix General Manager said: “We’re fortunate to be based in a part of Scotland with stunning scenery to explore year-round, and it’s even more enjoyable with a dog.

“More people prefer to travel with their pets these days, and we aim to provide a relaxing environment for both our human and canine guests. Our owners, Kim and Andy Murray, are dog lovers, and they were keen to ensure the hotel is as dog-friendly as possible.

“The rise in dog ownership, particularly post-lockdown, has contributed to the demand for pet-friendly accommodations. We’ve been proactive in promoting our Very Important Pup package, and Scotland’s widespread provision of dog-friendly facilities makes it an ideal destination for pet owners.” 

Samantha Livingstone, originally from South Africa and now living in West Lothian, has made it her mission to explore more of Scotland with her four-year-old rescue dog, Sven. Since adopting Sven in 2021, she has taken him on numerous adventures, including her mini-moon along the NC500.

Samantha and her husband are planning several getaways with Sven in the coming months, including trips to Marykirk in Aberdeenshire, Aviemore around Christmas, and Ayr in February. She shared: “As a rescue, we know Sven may not have had the best life, so we love taking him on as many adventures as possible.

“Exploring Scotland with Sven has given us even more reason to discover dog-friendly destinations and enjoy the beautiful scenery and endless countryside walks. We prefer traveling during the autumn and winter months, not only for the cost savings but also to avoid the heat for Sven.”