Day Trips With Dogs Scotland – When people visit Scotland from abroad, they are often surprised to find how dog-friendly Edinburgh is! I’ve lived in Scotland’s capital for almost ten years with my Labrador, Molly, and I know her better than most people. I thought it was time to share my ultimate dog friendly guide to Edinburgh!
Edinburgh is one of the greenest cities in the world, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of parks to visit, but that’s just scratching the surface. There are plenty of other things to do with your dog in Edinburgh, some of which may surprise you, like St. Giles’ Cathedral! With this guide, you can stop wondering “is Edinburgh dog-friendly” and start planning the perfect day out with your best friend!
Day Trips With Dogs Scotland
Starting with the most obvious choice, any dog-friendly trip to Edinburgh will include time spent in the park. You have tons of options, with around 150 options spread across the city! Here are some of the most popular central parks in Edinburgh where dogs are allowed:
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Princes Street Gardens – The most central green space between the old and new parts of Edinburgh is Princes Street Gardens. Although this is a dog-friendly Edinburgh park, it is not the park where I look after Molly. Princes Street Gardens is very narrow and usually packed with people at lunchtime. If your dog is like Molly, those sandwiches might be a little too tempting!
The Meadows – The Meadows is one of Edinburgh’s largest dog parks and is perfect for jogging. It’s still centrally located, easily accessible from the old town, and in the summer you’ll see beautiful cherry blossoms everywhere.
London Road Gardens – On the quiet side of Calton Hill, at the foot of the Royal Terrace, you’ll find London Road Gardens. This was Molly’s favorite walk in Edinburgh, probably because there are so many trees! Even though it’s a busy road, the dirt road through the forest is so far away you barely notice!
Dunbar Close Gardens – Close to the Canongate section of the Royal Mile, Dunbar Close is considered a hidden gem. Today it’s more famous, but it’s still a small green paradise in the heart of the city. It’s not really a park, but there is a small fenced-in grass area in the back.
Purfect Dog Friendly Edinburgh Activities
Holyrood Park – If you’re looking for a dog-friendly Edinburgh park, Holyrood Park is definitely the place to be. You’ll find locals taking fitness classes, walking their dogs and enjoying the scenery. You can’t miss it, it’s at the bottom of the Royal Mile, next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and right in the middle is Arthur’s Seat!
Which leads us to another dog-friendly thing to do in Edinburgh – climb one of the city’s seven hills! Arthur’s Seat is not as high or difficult as it looks from the bottom and takes about an hour to reach the top. There is plenty of room for dogs at the top of the mountain, as are all the hills around Edinburgh.
Calton Hill is another popular destination and is easily climbed by stairs from the end of Princes Street or from the corner of London Road. From there you can enjoy the best views of the city. Another dog-friendly hill is Blackford Hill, and while Brad Hill isn’t as pretty, the Hermitage of Brad below it is a great option!
If you plan to walk all seven of Edinburgh’s hills, remember that the route is approximately 27 kilometers long and has 700 m of climbing. This should only be attempted by the smartest dogs!
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Perhaps the most unusual dog-friendly thing to do in Edinburgh is a visit to St. Giles’ Cathedral! All dogs are allowed in the church, but please remember it is still a place of worship. Any loud noises or unpleasant bumps and you may be asked to leave.
St. John Craig was an early reformer of the Church of Scotland and a colleague of the famous John Knox. Craig had escaped execution in Rome for heresy and was left penniless and in dire straits. Suddenly, a black dog rushed up and dropped a bag of gold at the missionary’s feet!
When John Knox heard the story, he assured St. John.
There’s another place in Edinburgh where you might not want to spend a dog-friendly day. The Camera Obscura near the castle is great for the whole family, including our adorable pets! Please note that there are many stairs in the resort, spanning five floors. If you need water (or have an accident) don’t worry, they’ll be happy to help.
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Expect some exciting optical illusions, test your dog’s natural insulating abilities with a thermal camera, and watch them pass by you in the AMS room. Dogs can also be included in photo shows as long as other spectators feel comfortable.
After some indoor activities, it’s time to stretch your legs. Getting to Edinburgh’s beaches takes some effort, but luckily all buses are dog-friendly! Portobello Beach is by far the most popular beach and as you can imagine it can be busy but there is plenty of space for dogs to swim.
For a quieter spot, head to Wardy Bay in the north of the city. Its beach is small but popular with snorkelers and has good shelter. With Clean Water Certification, you can ensure your dog enjoys only the best parts of the ocean!
If your pet is more interested in the river than the sea, don’t worry, there’s something for every dog in Edinburgh. The Water of Leith Walkway is a wonderful little paradise that stretches 13 miles through the city. Don’t feel like you need to do it all, the loop has many short sections to climb and descend.
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Following the river from Leith to St Mark’s Park is a better route than the city streets. My favorite place to go with Molly is on the Water of Leith between Dean Village and Stockbridge. It passes through a deep ravine and makes you feel like you are far away from the city.
You’ll pass through St. Bernard’s Well and end up where Stockbridge Market is held! If you’re visiting on a Sunday, this is Edinburgh’s premier pet-friendly venue and there’s often a stall selling treats. It does get busy here though, so don’t miss it if your dog is nervous about crowds.
Edinburgh’s regular public transport is not only dog-friendly, but bus tours are also available! Hop aboard an Edinburgh City Tour bus and see the sights while keeping your four-legged friend comfortable. These lines all start at Waterloo Bridge, but your ticket allows you to hop on and off anywhere along the way.
Walk along Princes Street and into Grassmarket, surrounding Edinburgh Castle. You will pass the National Museum and as you walk along Canongate you will have the opportunity to stop at my favorite museum in Edinburgh. These dog-friendly Edinburgh bus tours are also kid-friendly and feature a Traveller’s Tale style audio guide!
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If you’re visiting Edinburgh with your dog, they may want to pay their respects to Edinburgh’s most famous dog. On the corner of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Street stands a statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the most loyal dog in the world. In the mid-19th century, Bobby refused to leave his master’s grave for 14 years and became a local celebrity.
The first grave you will see at the entrance to Greyfriars Kirkyard is Bobby’s. Many guests leave trees as gifts, so make sure your dog doesn’t help them! While many dog-friendly Edinburgh tour guides mention that dogs are not allowed at Greyfriars, this rule changed a while ago. Just bring them up!
Edinburgh also has an often overlooked dog statue. In St Cuthbert’s Square at the end of Princes Street you will find a statue of the bomb. He was such a beloved dog in San Diego that after the two cities merged, they gave each other statues of famous dogs!
For those who want their pets to accompany them everywhere, Edinburgh has another lesser-known pet-friendly attraction. Why don’t you take them to the cinema?
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The Cameo Picture House in Tollcross, off Lothian Road, loves dogs so much that they put on special shows just for them. Although the first show I heard about was titled “Isle of Dogs,” they also show other movies that have nothing to do with animals! You’ll need to plan your time as these shows don’t happen every day and tickets are limited so there’s room for everyone.
Edinburgh is one of them
