We are always looking for places we can take our dog for a weekend away from Edinburgh; and the Scottish Borders has become a favourite for us. With history, quaint villages, and cozy inns; a weekend in the Scottish Borders with your dog will be a welcome recharge.
Where to stay in the Scottish Borders
We have stayed in various hotels in the Scottish Borders. But the one that we keep coming back to is the dog-friendly Buccleuch Arms Coaching Inn in St Boswells. Dog-friendly hotels can be hit or miss, but this friendly inn is a great bolt-hole for a weekend away with your furry friend. They have dedicated dog-friendly rooms, so be sure to book ahead and request one.
Getting to the Scottish Borders
There are many routes down from Edinburgh and Glasgow down to the borders. There are some lovely little villages and historic sites to see along the way. The Borders is full of historic houses, abbeys, castles and gardens; and now with the rejuvenation of the Borders Railway, there is now a new way to explore this great area of Scotland.
Things to do in the Borders
Melrose Abbey
We particularly enjoy visiting Melrose and the beautiful Abbey ruins. This gothic monastery was the seat of the Cistercian monks until the Reformation. Thanks to Historic Scotland you can visit for a small fee.
Scott’s View
To appreciate the rolling hills of the borders, I recommend taking the back roads off the A68 at Earlston. You can take a walk to the Wallace statue. Then stop off at Scott’s View, which affords a fantastic view over the Borders countryside and the River Tweed.
Leaderfoot Viaduct
Another point of interest is the old Leaderfoot Viaduct, which used to be a working railway line, but is now an A-listed historic site. Nearby are the Trimontium Roman ruins, an important defence between Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall. You can take guided walks with the Trimontium Trust from Melrose during the summer months.
Jedburgh Abbey
I highly recommend a jaunt down to Jedburgh to visit the vast Romanesque Augustinian Abbey (entry for a fee). There is also a rich history of mills and textile production in the Borders. NB: dogs aren’t allowed inside most historic monuments, so we generally take turns to go inside.
St Mary’s Loch
One of my favourite places to visit in the Borders with our dog is St Mary’s Loch. This beautiful lake is perfect for kayaking, picnicking or playing with your pooch.
Where to eat
After such a long day out in the wilds of the Scottish Borders, there is nothing better than retiring to the comfortable bar at the Buccleuch Arms. Our dog enjoyed the fact he could stay at our feet all night in the bar area, where we could also eat (although he did attempt to swipe many a plate of food from passing servers). We have eaten at the Blue Coo several times, and you can really taste the quality of the local produce used.
Disclosure: We received a complimentary bottle of wine on one visit to the Buccleuch Arms; however we have visited many times on our own dime, and all my opinions are my own.
After a hard night of beautiful food and drink, you had best grab a nip of whisky; and set yourself up in the Buccleuch’s perfect little parlour (or ‘snug’ as I like to call it) next to the fire. In the morning, we were served breakfast in the bar area so that our dog could accompany us (dogs aren’t allowed in the breakfast room). It’s these little gestures that we feel make a place truly dog-friendly.
A (dog-friendly) weekend in the Scottish Borders
Scotland is so much more than just the big cities, the highlands, and the NC500. The Border towns are rich in industrial history and beautiful landscapes. If you live within striking distance, or have time to work it into a Scottish road trip, I would recommend a weekend in the Scottish Borders.
Scotland is the perfect road trip country – Edinburgh, Falkirk, and dog-friendly ideas galore!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III; and an iPhone6s.
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