100 best places to take your dog in Scotland

Scotland offers countless breathtaking destinations perfect for adventures with your dog. From vast open countryside and serene lochs to dog-friendly beaches and castles, Scotland has something for every kind of dog. Here are 100 of the best places in Scotland to take your dog:

1. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

A beautiful national park with many trails, lochs, and hills for dogs to explore.

2. Cairngorms National Park

Home to mountains, forests, and rivers—perfect for active dogs and owners alike.

3. Ben Nevis

The UK’s highest mountain is a challenging climb for dogs and their owners.

4. Arthur's Seat (Edinburgh)

A hike in the city offering stunning views and plenty of space for your dog to run.

5. Holyrood Park (Edinburgh)

An expansive green space with hills, lochs, and plenty of wildlife.

6. Loch Ness

Explore the famous loch with its scenic walks and peaceful setting for dogs.

7. Glen Coe

A picturesque valley with dramatic landscapes, ideal for an outdoor adventure with your dog.

8. Smoo Cave (Durness)

An impressive cave near Durness, great for exploration with your canine companion.

9. John Muir Way

A long-distance walking route through East Lothian, perfect for long dog walks.

10. The Hermitage (Perthshire)

A lovely woodland walk featuring waterfalls and rivers for your dog to splash in.

11. Loch Morlich (Cairngorms)

A sandy beach by a loch in the heart of the Cairngorms, perfect for a doggy paddle.

12. Kelvingrove Park (Glasgow)

A dog-friendly park with open spaces, rivers, and walking paths in the heart of the city.

13. Galloway Forest Park

Miles of trails and woodlands, ideal for an active day out with your dog.

14. Beecraigs Country Park (West Lothian)

A country park with woodland, lochside walks, and a dog-friendly environment.

15. Loch Leven Heritage Trail (Kinross)

A circular walking trail around the loch with stunning views and plenty of dog-friendly stops.

16. Pentland Hills Regional Park

Close to Edinburgh, this area offers wide open spaces and hiking trails for you and your dog.

17. Fife Coastal Path

A scenic walk along the coast with beaches and wildlife to explore.

18. Loch an Eilein (Cairngorms)

A peaceful loch with surrounding trails, ideal for dog walks.

19. Culzean Castle & Country Park (Ayrshire)

A dog-friendly estate with coastal views and extensive grounds.

20. Brodick Castle (Isle of Arran)

Explore the dog-friendly grounds and gardens of this historic castle.

21. Sandwood Bay (Sutherland)

One of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, perfect for a coastal adventure with your dog.

22. Roslin Glen (Midlothian)

A woodland walk near Rosslyn Chapel, full of history and natural beauty.

23. Crathes Castle (Aberdeenshire)

Dog-friendly trails through forests and gardens surrounding the castle.

24. Loch Tay (Perthshire)

A scenic loch with walks and picnic spots that are perfect for dogs.

25. Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Part of the Trossachs, this park offers dog-friendly trails and wildlife to enjoy.

26. Pollok Country Park (Glasgow)

A large country park with woodland walks and open spaces for your dog.

27. Dores Beach (Loch Ness)

A great spot for dogs to run and swim along the shores of Loch Ness.

28. Glen Affric

Often called the most beautiful glen in Scotland, Glen Affric offers scenic walks through ancient forests.

29. Balmedie Beach (Aberdeenshire)

A long sandy beach perfect for letting your dog off the leash.

30. Ben Lawers (Perthshire)

One of Scotland’s Munros, with spectacular views and paths suitable for dogs.

31. Greyfriars Kirkyard (Edinburgh)

Famous for Greyfriars Bobby, this historic graveyard is dog-friendly and rich in history.

32. Loch Katrine (Trossachs)

Take your dog on a walk around this beautiful loch or hop on the dog-friendly steamship.

33. Moray Coastal Trail

A stunning walk along the Moray Firth with beach sections ideal for dogs.

34. Pittenweem (Fife)

A charming coastal village, perfect for a leisurely stroll with your dog.

35. Lunan Bay (Angus)

A stunning sandy beach, great for long walks and letting your dog run free.

36. Drumlanrig Castle (Dumfries & Galloway)

Explore the vast grounds of this impressive castle, with plenty of space for dogs.

37. Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve (East Lothian)

A coastal nature reserve with wide open spaces for dogs to explore.

38. Ben Lomond

A popular Munro with scenic views, suitable for experienced dogs and their owners.

39. Knockhill Racing Circuit (Fife)

While events take place here, the surrounding area offers great walks for dogs.

40. Dunrobin Castle (Sutherland)

Beautiful gardens and walks around the castle grounds that are dog-friendly.

41. Fort George (Inverness)

This historic military fort offers scenic coastal walks and dog-friendly areas.

42. Loch Ard Forest (Trossachs)

Dog-friendly forest trails with plenty of fresh air and natural beauty.

43. Blair Castle (Perthshire)

Enjoy walks around the extensive castle grounds with your dog.

44. Eglinton Country Park (Ayrshire)

Woodland trails, a loch, and open fields make this park a great day out for dogs.

45. Tentsmuir Forest (Fife)

A beautiful coastal forest with plenty of trails and a dog-friendly beach.

46. Falls of Dochart (Killin)

These dramatic falls are surrounded by scenic walking paths suitable for dogs.

47. Loch Rannoch (Perthshire)

A remote loch with peaceful trails ideal for a quiet dog walk.

48. Torridon Hills

Rugged and scenic, this area is perfect for experienced hikers and their adventurous dogs.

49. Dunkeld House Tree Trail

A scenic woodland trail along the River Tay, perfect for a dog-friendly walk.

50. Isle of Mull

The whole island is dog-friendly, with beaches, hills, and forests to explore.

51. Loch an Eilein (Cairngorms)

A serene and scenic loch surrounded by dog-friendly walking trails.

52. Killiecrankie (Perthshire)

A beautiful wooded gorge with trails that dogs will love to explore.

53. St Abbs Head (Scottish Borders)

A dramatic coastal walk with stunning views and wildlife to enjoy.

54. Inchcolm Island (Firth of Forth)

Take a dog-friendly boat ride to this historic island and enjoy walks around the ruins.

55. Falls of Bruar (Perthshire)

A picturesque woodland walk with waterfalls, great for adventurous dogs.

56. Dalkeith Country Park (Midlothian)

A park with woodlands, rivers, and dog-friendly trails.

57. Linlithgow Loch

A peaceful loch with scenic walks and wildlife to enjoy with your dog.

58. Kinnoull Hill (Perth)

A short but scenic hill walk with panoramic views over the River Tay.

59. Balquhidder Glen

Explore the glen where Rob Roy is buried, with dog-friendly walks and history.

60. Stonehaven Beach (Aberdeenshire)

A dog-friendly beach with plenty of space to run and swim.

61. Blair Atholl

A beautiful area with walks along the River Garry, ideal for dogs.

62. Crombie Country Park (Angus)

Dog-friendly park with woodland trails and a scenic loch.

63. Knockhill

Known for motorsport, but the surrounding area offers great dog walking opportunities.

64. Loch Fyne (Argyll)

Explore the shores of this long sea loch with your dog.

65. Oban

A dog-friendly town with coastal walks and beautiful views.

66. The Kelpies (Falkirk)

Visit these iconic sculptures and take your dog on a scenic walk along the canal.

67. Threave Gardens (Dumfries & Galloway)

A dog-friendly garden with scenic views and walking paths.

68. Inverewe Garden (Highlands)

A unique dog-friendly garden with subtropical plants and coastal views.

69. Glamis Castle (Angus)

Walks around the historic grounds of Glamis Castle with your dog.

70. Haddo House (Aberdeenshire)

A historic house with expansive gardens and walking trails suitable for dogs.

71. Isle of Skye

With breathtaking landscapes, beaches, and hills, Skye is a dog-friendly paradise.

72. Benmore Botanic Garden (Argyll)

A beautiful garden with woodland walks and dog-friendly paths.

73. Loch Earn (Perthshire)

A peaceful loch with scenic walks and picnic spots ideal for dogs.

74. Pitlochry Dam

A scenic walk with views over the dam and River Tummel.

75. Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre

A family-friendly day out with dogs welcome in outdoor areas.

76. Macduff Marine Aquarium (Aberdeenshire)

While dogs can't go inside, there are lovely coastal walks nearby.

77. Inveraray Castle (Argyll)

Walk the grounds of this historic castle with your dog.

78. Lochaber Geopark

A UNESCO site with stunning landscapes, perfect for dog-friendly adventures.

79. Corrie Fee (Angus)

A scenic glacial valley offering a rewarding dog-friendly hike.

80. Inverness Botanic Gardens

Walk around the dog-friendly outdoor sections of these beautiful gardens.

81. Haddo House & Country Park

Explore the trails and gardens of this historic estate with your dog.

82. Loch Fleet Nature Reserve

A peaceful reserve with trails and wildlife, perfect for dog walks.

83. Torridon

A rugged area with trails and lochs, ideal for an adventurous dog.

84. Bennachie (Aberdeenshire)

A popular hill with dog-friendly trails and stunning views from the top.

85. Montrose Basin

A wildlife reserve with walking trails around a large tidal basin.

86. Loch Oich (Great Glen)

A peaceful loch with walking paths and views, ideal for dog-friendly outings.

87. The Devil's Pulpit (Finnich Glen)

A unique and atmospheric gorge walk near Glasgow.

88. Loch Muick (Cairngorms)

A scenic loch surrounded by hills, ideal for walking your dog.

89. Rouken Glen Park (Glasgow)

A popular park with a mix of woodland, waterfalls, and open fields.

90. Queen’s View (Perthshire)

A famous viewpoint offering stunning views and surrounding trails for dog walks.

91. Loch Long (Argyll)

A picturesque loch with surrounding hills and walks suitable for dogs.

92. Dunnottar Castle (Stonehaven)

Explore the coastal paths around this stunning cliff-top castle with your dog.

93. Portree (Isle of Skye)

A dog-friendly village with coastal walks and stunning views.

94. Pitmedden Garden (Aberdeenshire)

Explore the dog-friendly sections of this beautiful walled garden.

95. Callander Crags

A steep but rewarding walk with panoramic views, ideal for active dogs.

96. Tay Forest Park

Explore the forested areas around Loch Tummel with your dog.

97. Fairy Pools (Isle of Skye)

Beautiful natural pools and waterfalls, perfect for a dog walk and a splash.

98. West Sands (St Andrews)

A famous beach where dogs can run free on the sand.

99. Loch Shiel (Highlands)

A beautiful loch with scenic walks and views, perfect for exploring with your dog.

100. Arbroath Cliffs (Angus)

A dramatic coastal walk with views and plenty of space for dogs to explore.