HOLIDAY HOUNDS
Going away with your four-legged friend doesn’t mean losing out on luxury. Enjoy great food and high-class accommodation on a dog-friendly break
Scottish Field’s subscribers take their four-legged friends on holiday
REVIEWED BY JULIE AND JAMIE BEAMISH FROM OBAN AND THEIR DOG EBONY
Having lived in Scotland for a number of years but never having visited St Andrews, we set off early for a day exploring this beautiful town and a long walk on the beach to give Ebony a good run before travelling the 20 miles to Balbirnie House. As we made our way along the drive, first impressions were of pristine greens on the golf course on the left and woodland areas on the right all clearly well-tended. As we arrived at Balbirnie, we were stunned by the impressive building, with its majestic columns of stone.
As we entered the hotel we were warmly welcomed. I felt I needed to check we could bring our dog in as the hotel was so luxurious, but we were assured that Ebony was welcome and could go in any room but the dining room (which delighted us). Our room was fabulous, very large, beautifully decorated with a spacious bathroom and superb views of the gardens. There was also plenty of room for Ebony’s dog tent.
Dinner was served in the Orangery. The staff were extremely attentive and the service was excellent; we were served a most enjoyable meal. We decided to have a nightcap in the lounge and brought Ebony down to join us – how she loved the fuss of the other guests and staff! Taking her outside before we retired, we were delighted to see how welllit the grounds were. We visited the Orangery in the morning and enjoyed a cooked breakfast before we began our journey home.
REVIEWED BY ELAINE AND COLIN SEMPLE FROM EAGLESHAM WITH SHEBA THE DOG
After a pretty drive through the rolling hills and small villages by the River Clyde, we arrived in the lovely market town of Biggar. The Elphinstone Hotel is right on the Main Street close to a good array of independent shops and tea rooms. However, there is limited parking right at the hotel. A traditional coaching inn, the hotel features a cosy lounge bar, restaurant, function suite, public bar and 11 bedrooms. The bedrooms are bright, comfortable and well-equipped with TV, tea and coffee and wifi.
With our young black Labrador in tow, we enjoyed a light lunch from the extensive menu in the cosy lounge bar, which was busy with friendly locals. Both the staff and locals were happy to offer good advice on walks close by with a dog. We set off on a five-mile circular walk from the Corn Exchange up to Hillridge and then back into town via Cadger’s Brig. This route offered plenty of opportunity for the dog to enjoy some time off the lead and a paddle in the burn to clean off the mud before getting back to the hotel.
Dinner can be enjoyed either in the dining room or lounge bar. There is a regular menu plus some specials which provide an excellent choice to suit all tastes. We were certainly not disappointed by our choices from the specials. Robert Allen and his son and staff work very hard to ensure their guests have an enjoyable experience at the Elphinstone and we would certainly return again.
REVIEWED BY JAMES STEWART AND FIONA MCKIRDY FROM THE ISLE OF SKYE AND FREDDIE THE DOG
On arrival at Mains of Taymouth we were speedily checked in by the friendly and efficient receptionist. We stayed in Bell Tower Cottage, which sleeps two people. The cottage is decorated tastefully and furnished to a very high standard. It was a refreshing change to have accommodation which was both luxurious and dog-friendly. On the ground level there is an open-plan, well-equipped kitchen, dining area and lounge.
In the centre of the room, there is a log burner which gave a cosy and romantic feel. A large bathroom with a free standing bath, walk-in shower and a sauna is on the first floor and up one level there is a double bedroom with four poster bed and good quality bed linen. A five minute walk from the cottage took us to a picturesque bridge over the River Tay with views looking up Loch Tay. In the area there are many sporting activities to choose from, including golf, fishing, various water sports and safaris.
We took a mountain safari with Highland Safaris near Aberfeldy. Our guide was Andy who was informative and great company and we observed red deer, birds and red squirrels. At the Deer Centre we hand-fed the deer. Our last stop was at the on-site cafe where we enjoyed a lovely lunch then in the evening we took a short stroll to the dogfriendly Courtyard Bar for dinner. The service was friendly and efficient and the meal was delicious. The accommodation was first-class and we are already planning our next visit.
REVIEWED BY MR AND MRS VOY FROM CLYDEBANK AND TAO THE LABRADOR
After a lovely drive through the stunning Perthshire countryside, we arrived at Rannoch Station and our destination, the Moor of Rannoch Restaurant and Rooms. We were met at the door by Scott who along with his wife Steph, own and run the establishment. They welcomed us in with some coffee, homemade shortbread and plenty of attention for our Labrador Tao. Scott emphasised that the whole place was very dog-friendly, and that their own dogs, Stanley the beagle and Wallace the Weimaraner would be making an appearance after dinner.
Our room was spacious with a small fridge which contained some water bottled from the restaurant’s own borehole, there was also a very nice welcome tray with some of Steph’s fantastic homemade salted caramel truffles and a miniature of malt whisky. The area surrounding the restaurant is perfect for dog walking, with loads of paths and trails to follow and lots of mud, peat and water to plough through.
When you return to the restaurant, there is a large pile of towels provided so that you can clean off your dog, and a warm and pleasant lounge to relax in. The dinner menu changes every day and Steph uses locally-sourced produce to create some stunning dishes. We really didn’t want dinner to end. For breakfast, we had the full Scottish and smoked salmon, both were superb, but the best bit for Tao was that he got his own sausage in a wee bowl. We had a fantastic stay!