We always try to get away for a dog-friendly break with some friends for my birthday, and 2021 was no exception!
We took a dog-friendly holiday in Scotland, it had no limit on the number of dogs you could take!
Yes, this is good for me as the crazy dog lady, and as my friends with their dogs come along too.
But you can go with one, eight, or more dogs so read on for more information.
So where was our dog-friendly holiday in Scotland
This holiday we visited Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holidays. and absolutely loved it.
They consist of 3 lodges set in a very rural location near Castle Douglas, Scotland.
Each lodge is set in its own secure area, you drive your car in, shut the gate, and can relax!
No stress about getting the dogs out in an unfamiliar location, just let them out to sniff and stretch their legs with no worries.
The owners of Balmaghie have dogs, and rescue dogs of their own, and were so lovely when they welcomed us to the lodge.
And the lodge we stayed in, Squirrel’s Lodge, we can confirm was secure for our stay, with 8 dogs including 3 romies (Romanian rescue dogs), 2 spaniels, and 3 crazy collies for the stay, we think it was a pretty good test!
Then completely stalked the perimeter for any signs of escape or weakness and none was found even for midnight weewees!!
The Lodge
So not only was the lodge dog-friendly eg. fully cleanable floors, rugs, mats, sofa coverings.
But fully comfy and equipped for the humans too!
Comfy sofas, with covers provided, tv, board games and DVD’s provided.
The one we stayed in had 3 bedrooms, one was en-suite and a family bathroom.
They were spacious, clean, and tidy, and the absolute silence of the area is amazing!
Private Enclosed Wood
There is also a free-to-use enclosed 18-acre woodland area included for your stay, only a 30-second walk from the lodges.
It is only for the use of the owners and the three lodges. There’s no timetable to use the woodland area, each lodge has a padlock, you go to the woodland and if it is open i.e. not padlocked, it’s not in use, and it’s yours! You enter and padlock yourself in, so no risk of your dogs running into other dogs, or anyone letting your dogs out.
This is a great addition for any nervous, reactive, dogs not great off lead, etc.
Reia (my big Romanian rescue dog) loved the woods, she zoomed around like a loon! I actually panicked for a second as she ran off through the trees, but then I remembered it was completely enclosed so I let her have a good run and some fun. I did use it as a recall training session but only once she had let off some steam, and she was rewarded with being allowed to go play again absolute doggy heaven.
Local Amentities
Although the lodges themselves feel very rural, there are big supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways, towns, and beaches approx 15 minutes drive away. The best way to be rural, be close to local shops! I am told there are takeaways that deliver too (leaflets provided) but we took some ready meals and desserts with us to be lazy on holiday.
The down sides
What? There were downsides! Well a minor one, there was no wi-fi! Was probably good for me otherwise, I would have done some work, instead of just enjoying the break, like writing this while we were there, but for some wi-fi is a must, we survived, we had mobile signal so it’s not completely cut off,
Score out of 10
For me, Balmaghie Dog Friendly Holidays scores 10/10
The benefits definitely outweigh the one downfall of no wifi!! Probably not if you have teenagers but the peace, quiet, space, and tranquility were amazing and it is on the list to go back, that is a huge recommendation from me.
We visited on fireworks weekend 2021 and can confirm we did not hear or see any fireworks! Fabulous if your dog is scared by them, but my top tip is to book early, they are an amazing placed and are booked well in advance, but do it, I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
Do you take your dog on holiday with you?
I would love to hear your holiday tails, recommendations, and stories, or see some of mine here.
Drop me an email to [email protected] with yours and be featured in our Dog News and receive some treats as a thank you.
Do you want to be the first the see the new goodies, hear the dog news and get exclusive discounts?
This looks like an amazing vacation spent with your dogs. I hope someday to make the trip from Canada across the pond to England and Scotland. If I do, this is exactly the type of place that I will look for! Thank you Sarah
Definitely let me know when you do x
I’m not usually one for commenting on blog posts but this one popped up in my inbox back at the start of Jan and it stuck in my head. Within a day of reading it we’d booked a stay at this place for the end of Jan and just got home yesterday.
Just wanted to say thank you, if it weren’t for your blog post I’d never have thought of looking for a place like this and your post was spot on. The lodges were perfect, the place wonderfully quiet and that secure wood was amazing. Seeing my usually lead and muzzled reactive dogs running free was so amazing and a few incredible walks through the nearby Galloway forest wasn’t bad either.
I am so happy you and the dogs had a lovely time, and thank you so much for commenting, I loved that it helped you. I struggle with booking dog-friendly holidays as when we go away it’s usually with 8-10 dogs!! So yes dog-friendly is a must, I love recommendations and will continue sharing any I find.