20 great pubs to take your pupper for a pint
SINCE lockdown began last March, dog ownership has soared across Scotland, with everyone and their granny getting a four-legged friend. But with our pubs now reopen and life getting back to seminormality, how can you ensure that your dog isn’t abandoned while you return to socialising? Fortunately, Scotland has plenty of pubs and bars across the country which will welcome your pooch with open arms. Here’s 20 of the best.
SUGAR BOAT, HELENSBURGH 30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh
Probably the trendiest bistro in Helensburgh, the Sugar Boat restaurant/ café/bar secured a place in the Michelin Guide for its “appealing, pared-down dishes” which feature “just a handful of ingredients”. Owner Will Smith (not the one you might be thinking of) ran several high-end restaurants in London before opening Sugar Boat in 2017 and it has already become a firm favourite with locals. Despite its gourmet menu, though, the restaurant is dog-friendly both in its beer garden and outdoor terrace as well as in certain areas inside. Well worth a visit, even if you don’t live locally. www.sugarboat.co.uk
THE ESPY EDINBURGH 62-64 Bath Street, Portobello
Portobello is a dog’s dream come true. With a huge sandy expanse of beach to run along, the sea to splash around in and a dog-friendly promenade with plenty of spilled ice cream just waiting to be hoovered up … your pooch will be in heaven. And once you’ve got your dog suitably tired out, you can take a short stroll along the beachfront to reach The Espy on Bath Street, a popular pub with locals and visitors alike. It has a special “doggy lounge” area for four-legged visitors and when your dog is snoozing you can sit back and enjoy the food and drink on offer.
THE BOAT INN, ABOYNE Charlestown Road, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
On the banks of the River Dee, the tranquillity of the Boat Inn provides the quintessential country pub experience. Fresh, locally-sourced produce is served daily, along with a range of local ales, spirits and whiskies – and Cream o’ Galloway ice cream to finish off. The log-fire-warmed rooms give a great welcome whatever the weather, but if it’s sunny there is seating outside with a fine river view. The staff are happy to welcome dogs, but if you do book ahead then be sure to let them know you are bringing one along so you can be seated at a suitable table. www.theboatinnaboyne.co.uk
WEST HOUSE, DUNDEE 2 West Port, Dundee
Cocktails are the star attraction at West House, with regular, slushy or pitchers available and a range of inventive flavours to choose from. On a sunny day the outdoor courtyard is very busy, but if you and your dog fancy a quieter drink then inside is also dog-friendly. Food-wise, you can’t go wrong with the West House Pasta’ featuring chicken, chorizo, pepperoni and red peppers. www.thewesthouse.co.uk
SIX°NORTH, ABERDEEN
6 Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen
The name of this pub references the fact that it is located six degrees north of Brussels – where founder Robert Lindsay fell in love with Belgium’s beer culture and traditions. When he returned home to the north east he began brewing his own beers, with dozens of different Six°North beers available on tap or in bottles in the bar (as well as a wide selection of Belgian beers, naturally). Non-beer lovers are well catered for as well, with plenty of whisky, gin and wine, as well as a menu full of “comfort food” and “soul food”. Dogs are welcomed with open arms by the staff who will offer to “distract (borrow) your wee pal while you tuck in to your tipple”. www.sixdnorth.co.uk
LEGEND OF SAUCY MARY, SKYE
Main Street, Kyleakin, Skye
Located just 500 metres from the Skye Bridge, Saucy Mary’s Lodge is a perfect starting point for exploring the island. Even better, its restaurant and pub (which are dog-friendly) have recently been fully refurbished for the 2021 summer season. Original features have been restored, the dual fuel-burning stove has been spruced up, and the interior fitted out with locally sourced wood to make the most of the stunning panoramic views, overlooking the shores of the Loch Alsh and surrounding mountains. For food, don’t miss the steak pie, made with Isle of Skye Ale. www.saucymarys.com
OLD BREWHOUSE, ARBROATH 1-3 High Street, Arbroath, Angus
The perfect cosy pub, the Old Brewhouse in Arbroath is housed in a building that’s nearly 400 years old. You can make a day of it by taking your dog along the spectacular paths at the Seaton Cliffs, a series of otherworldly red sandstone cliffs that comprise a fascinating series of inlets, arches and sea caves. Just be sure to keep your dog on the lead near the steep drops. Then it’s back to the Old Brewhouse Restaurant for its modern Scottish cuisine,
sun-trap beer garden and dog-friendly welcome, where you can enjoy great views of the harbour and the North Sea beyond. www.oldbrewhousearbroath.co.uk
AULDHOUSE ARMS, EAST KILBRIDE 12 Langlands Rd, Auldhouse Rd, East Kilbride, Glasgow
The clachan of Auldhouse, on the outskirts of East Kilbride, is located close to the lovely Langlands Moss Nature Reserve. This makes a lovely springboard for a dog walk, where you can spot butterflies, damselflies and perhaps even crossbills if you visit on a sunny day. Once you and your pooch are suitably tired out, head for the Auldhouse Arms where you will be sure of a warm welcome and a hearty meal. It also does its own range of inventive cocktails – some of which even feature smoke on the top – as well as an impressive selection of whisky. https://www.facebook.com/ theauldhousearms/
THE BUNGO, GLASGOW Nithsdale Road, Strathbungo, Glasgow
There are almost as many dogs as humans in this popular southside bar, where a relaxed vibe and a longstanding dog-friendly policy makes it a bit of a mecca for local dog owners. There’s a huge selection of drinks on offer including highend cocktails as well as an extensive menu full of locally-sourced food. Non-meat eaters are particularly well catered for, with an array of vegetarian options as well as a dedicated vegan menu (and a separate gluten-free one, too). www.thebungo.co.uk
THE MOULIN INN, PITLOCHRY
11-13 Kirkmichael Rd, Moulin, Pitlochry, Perthshire
A short walk from the attractive village of Pitlochry, The Moulin is a lovely old pub with a reliably warm welcome. With plenty of log fires, exposed brick and a dog-friendly policy, it’s the perfect place to chill out after a long day exploring the wonderful Perthshire countryside. It even has its own microbrewery for those who want a pint, plus a wide range of home-cooked pub grub. But, if you want to feel like you’ve really earned your dinner, why not take your dog up nearby Ben Vrackie first? At 841 metres high (around 2,759 feet) it will take at least three hours to tackle but your drink will taste that bit sweeter at the end – and you’ll definitely have worked up an appetite.
GOLF TAVERN, EDINBURGH 30-31 Wright’s Houses, Edinburgh
This traditional pub – first opened in 1456 – boasts an enviable location on the edge of Edinburgh’s popular Bruntsfield Links which are particularly busy in summer. The jovial atmosphere inside makes this exactly the kind of pub you would want to be your local – even more so if you have a four-legged friend. Rather than simply being tolerant of dogs, the Golf Tavern actively welcomes them, with the option to buy a dog-friendly meal or even a canine beer ( Dr Barkington’s Dog Grog is lovingly brewed in-house). A great night out is guaranteed for both you and your fourlegged friends. www.golftavern.co.uk
THE THORNWOOD BAR, GLASGOW
724 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
Since it opened in March 2019, The Thornwood has been one of the most popular pubs on Glasgow’s busy Dumbarton Road – kickstarting the revival of the Thornwood area into the most sought-after in Partick. This popularity is well deserved, though, thanks to a combination of excellent food, stylish décor and a hugely varied selection of drinks. Yet an undoubtedly crucial part of the pub’s appeal is the fact that it is genuinely dog-friendly, allowing you to relax and enjoy your drink while your pooch nestles happily beneath the table. www.thethornwoodbar.com
STEAMBOAT INN, CARSETHORN Carsethorn, Dumfries
As foreign travel is curtailed for a second summer in a row – although some popular sunshine favourites moved onto the Government’s green list this week – many of Scotland’s rural areas have become holiday hotspots, their once-quiet pubs now filled full of tourists and locals alike.
PLEASE TURN OVER
But while areas in the north of the country face an influx of holidaymakers, the quiet corner of Dumfriesshire around Southerness remains blissfully peaceful. And in the Steamboat Inn, in the village of Carsethorn, you and your dog will be able to enjoy the best of traditional country pub hospitality. The beer garden – with its own private beach – offers wonderful views out over the Solway Firth, where your dog will love digging around on the sand while you enjoy a drink. But if the weather isn’t playing ball, then dogs are also welcome inside, where the menu includes a truly outstanding seafood spaghetti. www.thesteamboatinn.co.uk
BLACK ISLE BREWERY, INVERNESS 68 Church Street, Inverness
There aren’t a huge amount of dog-friendly venues in Inverness, but the Black Isle Brewery will welcome them with open arms. This Church Street bar is well stocked with a range of craft beer (including its own, brewed across the water at an organic farm on the Black Isle) as well as wines, whiskies and spirits. Particularly popular is its range of wood-fired pizzas – made using homegrown ingredients from the brewery farm – with the Stornoway black pudding and goats cheese version a particular standout. www.blackislebrewery.com
THE BRUNCH CLUB, GLASGOW
67 Old Dumbarton Road, Glasgow There’s lots to like at the Brunch Club. Whether it’s the impeccably-presented, reliably-delicious food, the refreshing cocktails, friendly staff, funky soundtrack – or the fact that they go out of their way to make four-legged visitors feel welcome. Your dog will be given its own dedicated water bowl, a blanket to lie on to help them feel at home, and several treats and biscuits from their cheery staff. www.thebrunchclub.co
LION AND UNICORN, THORNHILL
Main Street, Thornhill, Stirling
If you closed your eyes and imagined an archetypal cosy pub, then the Lion and Unicorn would probably be it. Located in the quiet village of Thornhill, this traditional country pub is the perfect place to hunker down by a roaring fire after exploring the nearby Trossachs. You could even make a day of it, taking your dog for a walk up Ben Ledi, Ben A’an, or perhaps just around Loch Venachar, before making the short journey to the Lion and Unicorn for a hearty meal and a well-earned drink. www.lion-unicorn.co.uk
THE ARCH INN, ULLAPOOL
10-11 West Shore Street, Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty
Some visitors – wrongly – view Ullapool as a mere stopping point. It becomes somewhere to kill time before continuing up the coast as part of the North Coast 500, or hopping on the ferry across to Stornoway, but Ullapool is well worth a visit in its own right. The town’s combination of picturesque views, wonderfully dramatic scenery and a buzzing food and drink scene (with a surprisingly high concentration of pubs) makes it a destination worthy of a longer stay. One of the best Ullapool venues is the Arch Inn, a highly-regarded gastropub that specialises in locally-caught scallops, langoustines, lobster and oysters. Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub and you’ll both be happy to chill out in such lovely surroundings. www.thearchinn.co.uk
THE STABLES, KIRKINTILLOCH Glasgow Bridge, KirkintillochEast Dunbartonshire
This family-friendly pub on the outskirts of Kirkintilloch is the perfect place to end a long dog walk. One option is to take a wander down the Forth and Clyde Canal, where the Stables was first built in 1812 to offer refuge for the horses that used to pull the boats along the water. Nowadays it is dogs, not horses, that will be able to rest their weary legs in the pub, where the staff will offer them water and treats to make them as comfortable as possible. The (human) menu includes a range of traditional pub grub, with a hearty roast available on Sundays. www.vintageinn.co.uk
FAILFORD INN, AYRSHIRE Mauchline, East Ayrshire
Recently refurbished, the Failford Inn is a real hidden gem of a pub. It offers an impressive menu that includes a wide range of seafood options (the langoustines are particularly good) as well as a whole host of gins and high-end spirits. Your dog will particularly enjoy watching the world go by from the pub’s waterside beer garden, which offers excellent views of the River Ayr and is the perfect place for a pint on a sunny day. www.facebook.com/FailfordInn/
THE ALTNAHARRA HOTEL, SUTHERLAND by Lairg, Sutherland
As the only pub for miles around, the Altnaharra Hotel is popular with both locals and visitors. Plenty of those drinking in the bar will be those staying in the rooms upstairs, but even if you aren’t a hotel guest it is well worth making the trip. The staff are reliably friendly and will go out of their way to make you feel at home, while the local patrons are likely to strike up a conversation with visitors from far and wide. Dogs are warmly welcomed in the cosy bar, where you can also order food from the surprisingly haute cuisine menu. www.altnaharra.com