Dog Friendly Holidays in Scotland
with Big Sky Campers dog friendly campervan hire
Dog friendly campervan hire in Scotland means you can take a Summer break without having to leave your pet behind. Scotland has so much to offer you and your dog. There are wonderful parks in the cities and natural parks in the wilds. There are beautiful remote beaches, historic monuments and places of interest, friendly cafes and pubs, all dog friendly. With Covid travel restrictions coming to an end, many people are returning to holidaying abroad this year but, for British dog owners, life isn’t quite that simple. Pet passports issued in Britain are no longer valid for travel to Europe. So there are now a few hurdles to overcome if you want to holiday with your pet. But not if you come to Scotland.
Big Sky Campers dog friendly campervan hire, Scotland
Big Sky Campers is a dog friendly campervan hire company in Scotland, based just outside Edinburgh. If you love your dog as much as we love ours then we know it is hard to go away and leave them in kennels. So we’ve done everything we can to make our campervans dog friendly. Unlike some other campervan hire companies, you can bring one dog with you in most of our vans entirely free of charge.
Once you have picked up your campervan we can provide you with a seat belt strap to connect to your dogs lead or harness as well as a metal stake to use at campsites where dogs aren’t allowed off their lead. You can skewer it into the ground and then attach your dog’s lead so they can’t wander off while you are enjoying a sundowner! We’ll also supply your dog with a water bowl and food bowl to save you the trouble of bringing a ton of doggy accessories with you.
What’s included in our dog friendly campervan hire
Big Sky Campers will supply:
Seat belt fitting for lead or harness
Campsite stake and long line
2 bowls, one for water and one for food
Treats
You need to bring your own dog blanket, dog bed and doggy towel.
Campervan Hire Dog Policy
So we don’t have to add additional charges, we do have a few rules to stick to:
One well behaved dog is allowed in the campervan. No bigger than a medium dog so please, no giant breeds!
Please remember that not everyone loves dogs so we ask that you return the van with no traces of your dog left behind.
Please keep your pooch off the bedding and upholstery. We will supply a seat belt attachment which you can link to your dog’s lead or harness. If they need to travel on the seat (not advised) then please bring a blanket for them to lie on.
Any chewing and I’m afraid you will be charged for the damage.
We do keep a few of our campervans dog free for people that have allergies so please check that you are hiring one of our dog friendly vans when booking.
Responsible tourism when travelling with dogs in Scotland
We are a responsible tourism provider so we ask all our customers with dogs to make sure you are up to date with the Outdoor Access Code guide to dog walking in Scotland. There are a lot of wild animals in the mountains including deer, goats, hare and birds. If your dog is likely to chase then it is best to keep them on the lead.
We also advise you to keep dogs on a lead in open spaces if they may chase wildlife for their own protection. It is easy for them to get lost in unfamiliar areas. You will soon find out how wide-open Scotland’s wide-open spaces are when searching for your dog.
Please be considerate of other people enjoying Scotland’s walking, beaches and landscape and pick up your poop and take it away with you.
Dog Friendly Holidays in a Campervan in Scotland
Dog friendly campsites in Scotland
You will find many of the campsites in Scotland are pet friendly. However, some are better than others in terms of facilities, access to suitable walks and how welcome dogs are made. We have compiled a list of our favourite dog friendly campsites here.
Dog friendly Edinburgh
A good way to start your trip is with a night or two in Edinburgh. Edinburgh has been nominated the most dog friendly city in the UK. I can’t think of a bar where your dog isn’t welcome and the list of eateries that are dog friendly is growing all the time. The Pitt Market covers all bases, a great selection of street foods, craft beers, wines, baked goods and icecreams. It is easy to while away an afternoon or evening at the Pitt and your pooch will receive plenty of attention.
In the centre of Edinburgh is Arthurs Seat, a long dead volcano which is an amazing park for humans and dogs to enjoy. If you manage to reach the peak you will be able to see Berwick Law in the South. Sometimes it is possible to see the legendary mountain of Schiehallion in the North, as well as across to Fife. Don’t forget to go and visit the memorial to Greyfriars Bobby. The story goes that Bobby belonged to an Edinburgh nightwatchman John Gray. When his owner died in 1858 Bobby spent the next 14 years, until he died, sitting by his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirk in the Old Town of Edinburgh.
Places to visit in Scotland that are dog friendly
Dunkeld
There are beautiful parks and walks just about everywhere you go in Scotland. On the way north from Edinburgh, you can stop in Dunkeld, stock up on snacks from the local bakery, Aran Bakery and then take the dog for a walk along the Hermitage and Black Linn Falls.
Aviemore
Aviemore is a busy hub of shops and cafes, the majority of which are dog friendly including the Winking Owl. This is a great spot for a craft beer and good food. Or try Mambo’s Cafe for sandwiches, coffee and cake.
Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich
Stay at dog friendly Glenmore Campsite and you’ll be able to enjoy a long walk along the sandy shores of Loch Morlich. It’s best to walk early if the weather is good as this is a popular spot and the beach soon fills up! Also head to Glenmore Forest Park for a good walk and some wonderful views.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond National Park is always a popular stop and Cashel Campsite is great for dogs as it sits on the Loch’s edge. A number of lovely walks start from the campsite . On the other side of Loch Lomond another great walk is up to the Sloy Dam.
Dog friendly historic buildings and sites of interest
National Trust Properties
The National Trust of Scotland has a number of dog friendly sites and welcomes them in most of their outdoor spaces on a lead! You can find a list of their dog friendly sites here.
Castle and Gardens of Mey
There are a number of other wonderful historic buildings and sites that are open to people with dogs, including the Castle and Gardens of Mey in the very north of Scotland. You can visit the late Queen Mother’s beautiful rose garden as long as you have your dog on a lead.
Fort George near Inverness
Fort George was built in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden in 1746 as a secure base for King George II’s army from which to fight the Jacobites. It took 22 years to complete, by which time the Jacobite threat had subsided. Nevertheless, it was used as a British army base for the next 250 years.
Gairloch
Laide Community Wood near Gairloch is really special natural site and popular with extremely popular with dog walkers.
Dog friendly beaches in Scotland
On your travels you will pass many open sandy bays and it is pretty safe to take your dog down for a walk if you spot one that tempts you. However, remember that cattle and sheep also like a beach as they are quite keen on seaweed so just keep your eyes peeled! Here are four of our favourite spectacular, dog friendly beaches:
Other useful information when campervanning with your dog
Dugs Welcome is a great site that will tell you, amongst other things, where you can find dog friendly pubs. It lists most of the places happy to provide a bowl of water for your pooch as well as a welcome beer for you.
Dog Friendly Campervan Hire
Scotland
If you are thinking about a dog friendly camping holiday in Scotland, Big Sky Campers are here to help you every step of the way. We are very happy to help you choose one of our dog friendly campervans and help you plan a dog friendly itinerary. If you have any questions, or simply want to hire one of our dog friendly campervans, please get in touch via our website. You can also book directly on our site.
Got a question? Give us a call.
+44 (0)7768 973804