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Dog-Friendly Places to Go in Inveraray

Did you know that around 27% of adults in the UK have around 10 million dogs between them*?!

But owning a pet no longer needs to be ‘tying’ - there are so many places to visit in Scotland and especially here in Inveraray where you and your four-legged family will be made very welcome.

We have lots of dog-friendly things to do here in and around Inveraray including pet-friendly activities, lots of great walks, cafés, restaurants and places to stay.

Read on for some great local tips on taking your dog for a grand day out or for a Scottish staycation in Inveraray!

Only an hour and a half from Glasgow or Stirling, two hours from Edinburgh and an hour by car from Oban or Dunoon, Inveraray is an ideal base for exploring this beautiful part of the world without subjecting your furry friend to a long car journey.

Scottish Citylink coaches accept trained assistance dogs on board but only allow carriage of small animals if they are contained in a carrier.

Dog Walks in Inveraray

After your journey you may want to stretch everyone’s legs or head off for a picnic with a view on one of the wonderful countryside walks we have here.

Although dogs are not permitted entry to Inveraray Castle and its gardens, there are a number of designated walking routes around Inveraray Estate where dogs are welcome.

This handy little map shows the Dun Na Cuaiche Woodland Walk to the hill-top folly with views down to Loch Fyne and to the hills and glens in the east and the map also sets out a more gentle walk to the Sweetie Seat. Please do check in advance that your chosen walk is open as work on the estate sometimes necessitates closing paths.

The Inveraray Forest Circuit Walk is a 6 mile stretch around the town itself and a lengthy forest walk behind Inveraray town where you can tire out your energetic pets before heading for some tasty food in one of Inverary’s dog-friendly eateries.


Dog-Friendly Things To Do

Explore the unique Highland farm township of Auchindrain where you can walk with your dog on a lead (there are hens, sheep and cats around!) through the well-preserved stone settlement and learn about the lives of the people who lived and worked on the land.

Your pet will also be guaranteed a great welcome at Inveraray Jail - our most recent visitors have included a Maine Coon cat and TikTok superstar Bertie the Frenchie.

Dog-Friendly Cafés and Restaurants in Inveraray

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll find there are lots of cafés, bars and restaurants that will welcome well-behaved dogs including Brambles Café, the bar and beer garden at The George Hotel and Ocho Inveraray which is a breakfast and brunch restaurant that even has a bed next to the fireplace for its four-legged guests!

Inveraray Dog-Friendly Places to Stay

The George Hotel has been given a five paw 🐾rating by DogFriendly.co.uk for their doggy welcome and the Inveraray Inn and Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa will be delighted to have your dog to stay.

There are also plenty of pet-friendly self-catering cottages and apartments in the area as well as B&B’s where your fur baby will feel most at home.

Arkland Self-Catering welcomes dogs by prior arrangement and is just a hop from Inveraray town centre and ideally-placed for many walks nearby. The Ploughmans Cottage in nearby Furnace is exclusively for couples but allows dogs to enjoy the facilities, too - they’ll even provide the dog bowls.

Powdermills B&B welcomes house-trained adult dogs who will be happy to meet the owners’ own two boxer dogs and enjoy the gardens around the property. The 17th Century Killean Farmhouse is a short walk from Inveraray town centre and even has its own secure dog paddock(!) where your dogs can safely and securely run free.

We hope you and your best friend will enjoy this particularly dog-friendly part of Scotland!

*2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report