The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Town proving a paradise for pampered pooches.
Canine friends are well catered for in Crieff
A Perthshire tourist town has gone doggy daft as almost all of its cafés and restaurants are now offering a threecourse canine menu.
Hounds can now enjoy the same luxuries as their owners when they visit Crieff, thanks to 10 businesses signing up to the “Doggy Dining” scheme.
Two-thirds of the town’s cafés and restaurants are offering the locallysourced food for dogs, and a further three allow animals inside while their owners eat, as part of the initiative by Discover Crieff to create a unique selling point for the gateway to the Highlands.
With seven choices, from bones and buffalo ears to coffee and cake, there is something on the menu for even the fussiest of pups, starting at 10p per item.
While other places in Scotland offer food for dogs, it is believed Crieff is the only town with so many eateries on board.
Discover Crieff marketing manager Michele Bilsland hopes the initiative will attract dog owners from across the country. “Our four-legged friends are undoubtedly an important member of the family and they love to feel part of the pack,” she said.
“Most owners are anxious at the thought of leaving their best friend behind in a kennel, only to then suffer the additional guilt when they see the doggy heaven of Crieff’s spectacular hills, rivers, forests and parks.
“Despite having an abundance of scenery and walks, along with plenty of dog-friendly accommodation providers, Crieff really needed to do something that bit extra that no other town does and here it is.”
As well as supporting local businesses by sourcing all dog-friendly ingredients within the town, an additional walking service is on offer for pups who need a toilet break after their meal, while comfy beds are provided for those who prefer an after-dinner snooze. Participating cafés and restaurants have a “We Do Doggy Dining” sign in their window and visitors can check ahead of their visit on the Discover Crieff Facebook page.
When it comes to eating out in the picturesque Perthshire town of Crieff it’s a real dog’s dinner — and that’s official. In a bid to broaden its appeal, the popular tourist trap is offering a guaranteed gourmet experience to pampered pooches.
Those behind the new initiative are so confident they are even promising hungry hounds “the best welcome in the world” – thereby ensuring every dog has its day.