Dog Friendly places to visit

Dog walks to get you started

Ardersier & immediate area

I recommend turning right from the cottage then following the shore path towards Fort George, this is a nice level path with lots of poo bins for the first part of the walk.  Once you get past the houses, you reach Ardersier Common, dogs can be let of the lead as you have the common on one side and the sea on the other, lots of rabbits here so very exciting scents for dogs!  Ardersier Common is designated a National Nature Reserve and is especially good for butterflies and moths such as the Dingy Skipper, Grayling and Small Blue. You can walk right up to Fort George (payable entry) http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk  Dogs allowed in grounds, or explore the paths and boardwalks in the Common before returning the same route.

Nairn  (7 miles away)
East of Ardersier lies the Victorian seaside town of Nairn, a favourite holiday destination of Charlie Chaplin.  The harbour here was built by Thomas Telford. Nairn has miles of sandy beaches that are dog-friendly. Culbin Forest has lots of lovely walks and crested tits, red squirrels and deer can sometimes be seen here.

For birdwatchers, park at the Maggot near the harbour, walk up the river on the East bank, there are numerous bridges so you can make this walk any length you want, then return down the west bank of the river, this walk gives you a good mixture of seabirds and freshwater birds including dippers.  – No Sheep, lots of dog poo bins. Dog-friendly places in Nairn include Jacko's bar diner Restaurant, IV12 4NU,  Havelock House Hotel, IV12 4NV, The Sundancer on the seafront allows dogs in their downstairs Café IV12 4PH, Café Nairn IV12 4PH, Café One Two IV12 4DE.

Brodie Castle (14 miles) is well worth a visit, especially in Spring when all the daffodils are in bloom.  Lovely gardens and loch walk.  http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Brodie-Castle/ Dogs allowed in grounds

Culloden Battlefield (9 miles away) the award-winning visitor centre is a must. The site of the last pitched battle on British soil and the final defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie on 16th April 1746.  The excellent visitor centre and exhibition at Culloden battlefield is an essential destination for anyone with an interest in the Jacobite Uprisings.  Here you can discover the sights and sounds of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s last stand against the Duke of Cumberland’s Hanoverian forces.  Dogs on a lead are allowed on the battlefield but not inside the visitor centre.  http://www.nts.org.uk/culloden/

Inverness – about 7 miles away
A lovely city, nice walks around Ness Islands – a series of islands in the River Ness liked by suspension bridges, poo bins at regular intervals, you can sometimes see seals this far up the river, but usually dippers, mergansers, gulls, kingfishers.  Have seen otters here too.  Another walk is around the canal basin and to the Merkinch nature reserve, make a point of visiting the Clachnaharry Inn that does good food, real ale and allows dogs in the bar. Other dog-friendly pubs are the Heathmount Hotel and The Blackfriars. Black Isle Bar and Cafe Nero on the High Street, allows dogs in.

Reelig Forest, Moniack near Beauly Grid Ref NH558431  Lovely circular walk, Reelig Glen is a narrow, steep-sided gorge, cut by the rushing waters of the Moniack. The woodland is a mixture of old conifer and broadleaved trees, but its real glory is a stand of Douglas Fir trees that are well over 100 years old. They soar above you to a height of about 170 feet (50 metres). 

One old giant measured over 200 feet (64 metres) in the year 2000 – the tallest tree in Britain at the time. After a local competition, it was named Dughall Mor – Big Douglas! The main walk is quite short, but there are further extensions from the car park to upper Reelig. The Old North Inn, Kirkhill, Inverness, Inverness-shire IV5 7PX sits in the small village of Inchmore on the A862 on the way back to Inverness. Your dog is welcome to accompany you into the bar area. A handy stop for lunch after a walk, Also, nearer Inverness is the Clachnaharry Inn which is very dog friendly and does good food IV3 8RB.

A tour of Loch Ness

Visit the world famous Loch Ness- take a cruise with Jacobite Cruises – 5 star Scottish Tourist Board visitor attraction. There is a choice of 7 different tours ranging from 1 hour to 6.5 hours, www.jacobite.co.uk . Dogs allowed on board.
Drumnadrochit itself is a lovely village with a pleasant village green and a really dog-friendly, real ale bar at the Benleva Hotel which is also home to the Loch Ness Brewery. http://www.benleva.co.uk  Note this is worth doing on a Sunday as the Benleva does a roast Sunday lunch usually pork or beef. (get there early 12:30 ish).  Usually as many dogs as humans in this bar/hotel.
Onwards to Fort Augustus where the A82 crosses the Caledonian Canal via a swing bridge. Stop and watch the boats going up and down the flight of five locks. Visit the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre showcasing the history of Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal – free admission. Dogs not allowed but a small exhibition so one of you could wait outside while the other one takes a look. Dog-friendly pubs in Fort Augustus are the Lock Inn and The Bothy.
Return either the way you came or by the scenic south shore route via the spectacular 100ft waterfall of the Falls of Foyers – good area for red squirrels. Dores Inn and the Whitebridge Hotel are both dog-friendly.

Black Isle

At Fortrose make sure you go to Chanonry Point for a close up view of the dolphins when the tide is right – an hour after low tide is usually good.  The Allangrange at Munlochy is dog-friendly and does good food, The Anderson Hotel in Fortrose is also dog-friendly and serves good food and real ale but usually opens late afternoon.  Walks along Rosemarkie beach and Fairy Glen are highlights here. The Beach Cafe at Rosemarkie allows at the outside benches.

Glen Affric
Favourite photographers’ excursion especially for the Autumn colours. Justly renowned for the glory of its woodlands, this classical blend of natural forest, shimmering loch and rugged hill has inspired many Victorian artists, and notably the 'Monarch of the Glen' painted by Landseer was set amidst this fine panorama. (There will be deer and sheep in Glen Affric but not likely along the paths)

Note:  All beaches are dog friendly in the area all year round.

Dog-friendly places to eat, drink and shop – by direction from Dolphin View Cottage,

East

• The Abbey Inn, Findhorn Rd, Kinloss, Forres IV36 3TX gets great reviews for friendliness, good food and being pet friendly.
• The Mosset Tavern, Gordon St, Forres, Morayshire IV36 1DY - has outdoor seating and ample parking and is located in the heart of Forres in the peaceful setting of the tranquil Rose Garden and the Mosset duck pond. a dog friendly public bar at the Tavern which serves food all day with a traditional bar menu and changing daily specials, usually have 4 real ale taps on too
• Kimberley Inn, 94 Findhorn, Findhorn IV36 3YJ, for good, hearty pub grub. They serve wonderful seafood and great desserts. You are welcome to take your dog into the bar and they also have outside seating.
• The Captain's Table Cafe, Findhorn Boat Yard, Findhorn, Forres, Morayshire IV36 3YE offers a wide range of meals and snacks served throughout the day, now open from 9am - 9pm. Looking for a latte and a cosy corner then look no further! Pet friendly.
• The Cawdor Tavern, Cawdor, by Nairn allow behaved dogs in the bar and in the outside patio area.
• The Havelock Bar in Nairn.
• Jacko's, Harbour Road, Nairn, Very good reasonably priced food and very friendly hosts. Dogs welcome

North

• The Old North Inn, Kirkhill, Inverness, Inverness-shire IV5 7PX sits in the small village of Inchmore on the A862 just 7 miles from Inverness. Your dog is welcome in the bar area. A handy stop for lunch after a walk around Reelig wood.
  Please note however that children are not allowed in the bar.
• Coul House Hotel, Contin, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire IV14 9ES. Once in Contin, the entrance to the hotel driveway is the third right (approximately 200 yards) after the petrol station. The hotel is located up the hill at the end of the half-mile gravel driveway and is adjacent to miles of walks in Torrachility forest to waterfalls with trails marked out. Well behaved dogs are allowed in the bar and lounges but not in main dining room. The afternoon tea is an experience not to be missed.
• The Coffee Shop, 1 Cromartie Buildings, Strathpeffer IV14 9DG - a great place to go for coffee, home-baking and ice cream after taking a walk in Blackmuir Wood, Strathpeffer. Open 7 days a week - they also serve soups and light lunches – including open sandwiches, homemade pâté and savoury tart. Rona at The Coffee Shop tells us ' We absolutely accept dogs. We always have to check that other patrons are ok with it but find, generally, that most people are accepting of dogs. We also have outside seating which people with dogs tend towards in good weather anyway.
• The Cottage Bar, Hood Street, Maryburgh, Ross-Shire IV7 8EB welcome dogs in the bar where they also serve food and in the beer garden where if you prefer, they have outdoor seating.

South

• The Red Squirrel Cafe and Pine Marten Bar at Glenmore. Also the bar at Glenmore Lodge. 
• The Old Bridge Inn Aviemore.

Around Loch Ness

• Whitebridge Hotel, Whitebridge, Stratherrick, Nr. Inverness IV2 6UN is a long established Highland Hotel amid the foothills of the Monadhliath Mountains, approximately 3 miles from Loch Ness. The area abounds with wildlife and is a haven for bird-watchers and naturalists alike. Meals are served in the Main Bar and Wee Bar every day from 12 until 2pm, and from 6pm until 8.30pm and the proprietors welcome your well-behaved dogs. Real Ale.
• The Waterfall Cafe, Foyers, Inverness IV2 6XU is open daily and offer a Breakfast and Lunch menu. They also offer a wide selection of hot and cold drinks and all menu items (and drinks) are available to take away during opening hours. You are welcome to bring your dog with you into the cafe. There is also a large outdoor decking area in front of the cafe for customers to sit and enjoy the pure air of the Highlands and possibly spot a Red Squirrel in the wooded area opposite. (Note: the cafe closes at 3pm on a Sunday)
• The Dores Inn, real ale and good food.
• The Camerons Tea Room and Farm Shop, Foyers, South Side Loch Ness, Inverness IV2 6YA are dog friendly - open 7 days a week.  (It is only a quarter of a mile from the famous Falls of Foyers waterfall. Look out for the sign to Camerons Holiday Cottage and the highland cattle in the fields.) The Farm Shop offers fresh seasonal produce as well as local crafts, cards and gifts. Paintings and prints on the walls by local artists are for sale.
• Benleva Hotel Drumnadrochit, brew pub with food. dogs allowed in bar

Black Isle

• The Allangrange Arms, Millbank Road, Munlochy, Ross-Shire IV8 8NL, 3 miles off A9 on B9161, just in Munlochy Village. Open for coffee & breakfast (eat-in /takeaway) from 7 to 11, with food normally available, throughout the day until 9pm sometimes later. The menu has a good selection of quality food including Vegetarian options.  Well behaved dogs are welcome inside, but should be kept to the bar - a max of 4 dogs at any one time.
• The Anderson Hotel Fortrose, dog-friendly, real ale and food.
• Beach Café Rosemarkie beach.  Only allows dogs at outside tables.
• Culbokie Inn is dog friendly
• Cromarty Arms
• The Plough Inn, Rosemarkie

West

• Cluanie Inn
• Argyll Hotel Ullapool
• Ferry Boat Inn, Ullapool
• The Old Inn Gairloch

Inverness.

• The Cathedral Cafe, St Andrews Cathedral, 11 Ardross St, Inverness, IV3 5NS The café is dog friendly. There is a designated dog-friendly table adjacent to the door. In the summer there may be seating outside but this will depend on the weather. It is open Monday to Friday from May to September and is a place where visitors and locals alike can enjoy home baking, freshly made tea, coffee and sandwiches and especially a bowl of piping hot home-made soup. There is where you will also find the Cathedral Shop.
• The Gellions Bar, 14-17 Bridge Street, Inverness, IV1 1HD is the oldest pub in our highland capital and allow dogs into Montys, that's a wee snug through the back, and in the courtyard.
• Heathmount Hotel in the Crown area of the town.  
• Jammy Piece, 91b Telford Street, near canalside Crown Vets, coffee & cake.
• Jacobite Cruises Ltd offer Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle Cruises. Dogs are welcome onboard the Reflection, Contemplation, Enchantment and Inspiration tours. 

• The Crown Court Hotel, Southside Road, Inverness welcome your well-behaved dog in the bar area and are soon to open an outside area.
• The Clachnaharry, Inverness is an award-winning 'dog-friendly' pub and proudly displays 'dugs welcome' sticker on their website. Real ale, food, coffee and snacks.
• Cafe Nero, 54-56 High Street, Inverness IV1 1JE are happy for you to take your well behaved dog into the cafe.
• Scotch & Rye Bar Diner, 21 Queensgate, Inverness. Food, cocktails, wine.
• Black Isle Bar, 68, Church Street, Inverness, draft beer with wood-fired pizza oven.
• The Royal Highland Hotel and the Fluke Inn are also dog friendly