By Janice Hopper

With the holidays looming many Scots are booking up those sought after hotels and guest houses, but dog owners often wish to take their treasured pup along for the ride. Finally dog-friendly accommodation is coming to the fore, and there’s a wide choice of properties that not only welcome dogs but go that extra mile for man’s best friend.

Whisky Lovers - Craigellachie Hotel, Morayshire
Craigellachie is within walking distance of some of Scotland’s finest distilleries. Not only does it boast a whisky bar that stocks over 900 malts, its doggy credentials are remarkably high. Four-legged guests receive treats upon arrival and dog beds are provided. Throughout the hotel, stylish dog prints adorn the walls by British artist, Hugo Guinness. And the name of the hotel’s bar and its house whisky is Copper Dog, revealing that pups are at the heart of the establishment.
Style: Snoop Dog
Dog Charge: Free
craigellachiehotel.co.uk

Whisky Lovers can also consider Meldrum House Hotel in Aberdeenshire. With its 800 year old Cave Bar and exclusive whisky club it also welcomes pooches- a blanket and doggy bowl are provided in the room to make the dogs feel at home.
Style: Cave Dog - Dino from the Flintstones
Charge: £10 per dog per night
meldrumhouse.com

Fine Dining - Cromlix House, near Dunblane
Cromlix House is associated with its owner, Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray. This elegant Victorian Perthshire mansion was transformed into a luxury five-star destination, boasting a Chez Roux restaurant. Delightful for human foodie types it also offers a deluxe dog’s dinner. Pups can enjoy the likes of turkey and sweet potato stew or meatloaf with chicken jelly. These tempting £10.50 meals can be ordered through room service.
Style: Dog’s Dinner (in a good way)
Charge: Free
cromlix.com

Foodies should also consider Douneside House, near Tarland, its tasting menu for humans is magnificent, and its WW2 history is fascinating. Dogs are made welcome in the estate’s apartments and cottages.
Style: British Bulldog
Charge: £20 per dog per stay
dounesidehouse.co.uk

Family Friendly - Crieff Hydro, Perthshire
Crieff Hydro invites pooches to explore its 900-acre estate. Take them to the Clubhouse for a bite to eat, and check into any of the self-catering lodges, cottages, cabins or executive studios. For dogs who prefer fresh air Crieff Hydro provides kennels, so dogs can sleep outside if preferred.
Style: Paw Patrol
Charge: £10 per dog per night for hotel stays, and £20 per dog for guests staying in self-catering less than a week, or £35 for those in self-catering for a week or more. Two dogs maximum.
crieffhydro.com

Those seeking the family vibe can also consider Banchory Lodge Hotel situated on the banks of the River Dee. The ground floor terrace rooms are ideal for nipping out for a morning walk along the riverbank. When guests enter the bar accompanied by their beloved pet, the pup is offered a bowl of water and doggy biscuits.
Style: Corgi - Well, it is Royal Deeside
Charge: £10 per dog per night
banchorylodge.com

VIPs (Very Important Pooches) - Auchrannie Resort, Isle of Arran
Auchrannie staff know a VIP when they see one. Pups discover a doggy treat in their room/lodge and fluffy towels await them at the VIP entrances. Guests can dine with their pup at the Waterside Bar, or in the dedicated space adjacent to Brambles Seafood Grill.
Style: Posh Poodle
Charge: £10 per dog per night, capped at £30. For lodges, VIP rates are £30 per stay for one VIP and £40 for two. Two dogs maximum.
auchrannie.co.uk

Another VIP option is the Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square. In the heart Scotland’s capital, this recently restored and refurbished, five-star, dog friendly hotel offers pets their own water bowl, a comfy bed and welcome snacks.
Style: Skye Terrier
Charge: £30 per dog per stay
phcompany.com/principal/edinburgh-charlotte-square

The Great Outdoors - Cringletie House, Peebles
Local doggy residents, Molly and Monty, will tell new pups on the scene the lowdown on Cringletie. Cringletie House offers water bowls and biscuits, special menus from the cook book ‘Dinner for Dogs’ and blankets and cushions on request. Doggy Walk Maps have been drawn up to make the most of the 28-acre grounds, featuring woods, moorland and streams. And when guests return to the hotel, a hose, tap and towels are available to get the pooches pristine. 
Style: Border Collie
Charge: Free
cringletie.com

Reiki for Dogs - Trigony House Hotel, Dumfries and Galloway
Trigony House Hotel has thought of everything. Pets receive a welcome pack upon arrival including a map of walks in the area, and a selection of gourmet doggy treats. Dog-sitting can be arranged, free dog beds, towels and bowls can be provided on request, and visiting dogs can pal about with the Trigony pack that includes a Golden Retriever, Miniature Dachshund and Yorky Pug.
Admittedly it’s the Dog Reiki at Trigony that turns heads. Guests can book a relaxing dog reiki session for their canine companion whilst they undergo their own treatment.
Style: Pampered Pooch
Charge: £9.50 per night, but dogs receive a Trigony Dog Passport, and after four stays the fifth stay is free.
trigonyhotel.co.uk

History & Heritage - National Trust for Scotland Accommodation Portfolio
As well as owning and maintaining some of the most fascinating buildings in Scotland, the NTS has also enabled guests to stay in many of them. Several of these quirky properties welcome four-legged friends including: Harmony Cottage at Melrose; North/South Stables at House of Dun; the Apartments at Mar Lodge; North Mains, South Mains and Steading Cottage at Craigievar; Courtyard Cottage at Drum Castle; the East Lodge at Crathes Castle; Ferry or Craggan Cottage at Balmacara; Beaton’s Croft on the Isle of Skye; Glen or Stalker’s Cottage at Torridon; Lydia Cottage/Paye House at Cromarty; and the Brodie Castle properties.
Style: Scottie Dog
Charge: £15 charge per dog, two dogs maximum.
nts.org.uk/Holidays

The Great Escape - The Caledonian Sleeper
Train travel always has an air of romance about it, and for guests travelling in a Caledonian Sleeper room, they’re welcome to bring their pets with them. Dogs or cats are the most typical pets, but the Sleeper will consider carrying other beasts. Visiting Scotland with dogs has never been such a dream, you could do it in your sleep.
Style: The Cats (and Dogs) Pyjamas
Charge: £30 cleaning fee for the room. Two dogs maximum.
sleeper.scot/ticket-type/pet-tickets

Looking Forward - DogHouse, Aberdeenshire
Brewdog is due to open its first UK hotel near Ellon in 2019. The craft beer giants started their journey with two blokes and a dog. They are known for allowing staff to take their dogs to the office, and pups are allowed in all their bars. The new 26-room hotel will not only feature beer taps in the rooms, a built-in shower beer fridge, and rooms overlooking the brewery itself, but a dog friendly vibe for those who love beer as much as they love their pets.
Style: A Chocolate Labrador (the original Brewdog)
Charge: Free
brewdog.com