16 Lifechanging Things Every Dog And Their Owner Must Do In Scotland

Don't leave your best friends at home, take them sea kayaking instead.

1. Visit a horse and donkey sanctuary.

World Horse Welfare

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Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire is a World Horse Welfare rehoming centre, home to dozens of adorable horses and donkeys. They have a bistro, as well as picnic locations, and your dog is welcome as long as he or she is kept under control.

2. Take a distillery tour.

annandaledistillery.com

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Annandale Distillery was founded in 1836, closed for a while, and then was re-founded in 2014. It's fully dog-friendly, and you can take your constant companion in the restaurant area as well for a post-tour snack and tipple.

3. Stay in a lovely shepherd hut on the Isle of Skye.

Facebook: SkyeShepherdHuts

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These pet-friendly glamping retreats are part of a working croft, so if you stay there you’ll be sharing a field with hens, sheep, and two donkeys called Gilbert and George. Breakfast for you and your pet is included in the £90 per-night rate.

4. Or a lighthouse.

lighthousehotel.co.uk

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Corsewall is a luxury lighthouse hotel in Dumfries and Galloway. The A-listed 1800s lighthouse overlooks the sea and Loch Ryan, and still functions as a warning to approaching ships. It's set in 20 acres of grounds and is dog-friendly.

5. Visit a haunted jail.

inverarayjail.co.uk

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This creepy jail in Argyll was built in 1820, and it's now a really cool museum. Conditions were dire for the prisoners, and ghosts are rumoured to haunt the jail. The museum is 100% dog-friendly, so your BFF can join you on your ghost hunt.

6. Go paddleboarding.

Facebook: sup.in.scotland

7. Or explore the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail.

Wilderness Scotland / Via wildernessscotland.com

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Water-loving dogs love a trip out on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) just as much as their owners. Paddle Surf Scotland hire out boards if you don't have your own. It's a good idea to invest in a doggy lifejacket for your pet before you go.

Instagram: @paddlingdogs

You'll need to be a good kayaker to take on this sea kayak trail, which stretches from Gigha in the south to the Summer Isles in the north. There are plenty of dog friendly hotels along the trail, though most people prefer to wild camp.

8. Charter a luxury motor yacht in Largs.

Twitter: @LAMARINE_UK

L.A.Marine @LAMARINE_UK

Got a VIP onboard today, meet Lola the labradoodle #Largs #Scotland #Labradoodle #dog #boat #yacht #trip

11:57 AM - 31 May 2015

Hiring one of L.A. Marine's fancy boats is a great way to celebrate a special occasion, but what kind of special occasion would it be if you couldn't bring your best pal? The company allow dogs, and also provide them with life jackets too.

9. Or take a scenic boat tour around Edinburgh.

maidoftheforth.co.uk

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At £13 a ticket, this boat tour to Inchcolm island on the Maid of the Forth ferry is a bit cheaper than a luxury yacht, and it's almost as fun. You'll probably see lots of wildlife, including seals, and you can visit beautiful Inchcolm Abbey too.

10. Have a treetop adventure in the Scottish Borders.

goape.co.uk

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Go Ape in Glentress Forest in Peebles is completely dog-friendly (within reason), but as you can't strap your dog to your safety harness or take them on zip slides, you'll have to have a helper at ground level to hang onto them.

11. Take a day coach-and-ferry tour to Orkney.

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John O'Groats Ferries run a completely dog-friendly day tour of Orkney. After getting off the ferry, you and your pet are ushered onto a coach to visit prehistoric Skara Brae, the cute village of Stromness, the ancient stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness, and the beautiful Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm.

12. Visit a National Trust for Scotland property.

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The National Trust for Scotland allow dogs in all of their properties and gardens as long as they are are well behaved, like Visit Scotland's new "ambassadog" Casper the Westie (top), who visited gorgeous Culzean Castle and its gardens.

13. Or Dryburgh Abbey in the Borders.

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This majestic ancient abbey, built in 1150, is arguably the most beautiful sight in the Scottish Borders, so it's great that you can take your dog into the complex with you and get them to pose for photos, like Alfie the labrador here.

14. Climb Ben Nevis.

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Ben Nevis might be the highest mountain in Scotland, but as it has a relatively gradual ascent and tourist paths, it's also safe to take your dog all the way to the summit. They'll have to be fit and healthy though, and so will you.

15. Visit a Norse settlement on Shetland.

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Jarlshof is a truly amazing settlement in Sumbergh, Shetland. Neolithic people founded the village in around 2700 BC, it was later used by Viking settlers, and it remained in use until the 1600s. And (as you can see) dogs are very welcome.

16. Walk the West Highland Way.

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If you want to take on the ultimate challenge with your dog, why not take them for the longest walk ever? This 96-mile route passes truly iconic sights like Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Rannoch Moor, and takes about a week to complete. Oh, and it ends at Ben Nevis, so you can cross that off your doggy bucket list too.

This information was correct at the time of writing, but it's always a good idea to call ahead to check nothing has changed, and that your dog will be welcome.