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15 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Dumfries and Galloway - 2026 Guide

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Dumfries and Galloway is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets for dog owners. Miles of unspoilt coastline, ancient forest, remote glens, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll find anywhere in Britain. The only challenge? Finding somewhere to stay that genuinely welcomes your four-legged companion rather than just tolerating them.

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. This guide covers the 15 best dog-friendly hotels, inns, and B&Bs across the region in 2026 - places where your dog is a welcome guest, not an afterthought.

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Quick Comparison: Dog-Friendly Hotels in Dumfries and Galloway

Hotel Location Price Range Dogs Allowed Dog Fee Highlights
The Cally Hotel Gatehouse of Fleet GBP150-250/night Yes, all sizes GBP15/night Country house, loch, forest walks
Portpatrick Harbour House Hotel Portpatrick GBP120-180/night Yes GBP10/night Harbour views, coastal walks
Galloway House Hotel Garlieston GBP100-160/night Yes GBP10/night Country estate, walled garden
The Murray Arms Gatehouse of Fleet GBP90-140/night Yes None Historic coaching inn, pub
Ardwell Inn Ardwell, Rhins GBP80-120/night Yes None Rural inn, Rhins Peninsula
Kings Arms Hotel Castle Douglas GBP80-130/night Yes GBP10/night Town centre, Food Town
Craigdhu Country House Dumfries GBP85-130/night Yes, small dogs GBP10/night B&B, close to town
Killyon Farm Cottages Castle Douglas GBP600-1200/week Yes Included Self-catering, farm setting
Carlinwark Loch Lodges Castle Douglas GBP700-1400/week Yes Included Lakeside lodges
Glengap Holiday Park New Galloway GBP50-120/night Yes None Glamping, forest location

The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Dumfries and Galloway

1. The Cally Hotel, Gatehouse of Fleet

If you want to treat yourself and your dog to something genuinely special, The Cally Hotel is hard to beat. This grand Georgian country house sits within 150 acres of private woodland and parkland on the edge of Gatehouse of Fleet, and it wears its dog-friendly credentials proudly.

Dogs are welcome in the ground-floor bedrooms, which open directly onto the gardens - a thoughtful touch that means no awkward lift journeys or disapproving glances in corridors. The grounds give you immediate access to woodland trails, and the hotel’s location puts you within easy reach of some of D&G’s finest walks: Cairnsmore of Fleet, the Galloway Forest Park, and the stunning Solway coastline are all within 30 minutes.

The bar and restaurant are open to dogs in the bar area, and staff genuinely seem to enjoy canine guests - expect a biscuit or two at check-in.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, DG7 2DL
  • Phone: 01557 814341
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in ground-floor rooms. GBP15 per dog per night. Maximum 2 dogs.
  • Dog facilities: Towels provided, water bowls, direct garden access
  • Nearby walks: Cairnsmore of Fleet, Fleet Valley, Gatehouse woodland trails
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2. Portpatrick Harbour House Hotel, Portpatrick

Portpatrick is arguably the most dog-friendly village in Dumfries and Galloway. The little harbour is ringed with dog walkers at all hours, the pubs welcome muddy paws without a second thought, and the coastal path in either direction offers some of the best cliff walking in southwest Scotland.

The Harbour House Hotel sits right on the harbour front and is one of the more polished options in the village. Rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, and the sea views from the upper floors are genuinely spectacular. Dogs are welcome in dedicated pet-friendly rooms, and the hotel is ideally placed for access to the Southern Upland Way coastal section.

The village itself is wonderfully walkable with a dog - the harbour loop, the castle ruins above the bay, and the clifftop path towards Black Head are all within minutes of the front door.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Harbour Road, Portpatrick, DG9 8JD
  • Phone: 01776 810456
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in designated rooms. GBP10 per dog per night.
  • Dog facilities: Water bowls on request, towel provided
  • Nearby walks: Southern Upland Way coastal section, Portpatrick Harbour loop, Black Head clifftop
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3. Galloway House Hotel, Garlieston

Galloway House Hotel is a proper country house experience in a part of D&G that most visitors overlook entirely - and that’s exactly its charm. Garlieston sits on a quiet bay on the Machars Peninsula, south of Wigtown, and the surrounding countryside is lovely walking territory.

The hotel occupies a handsome Georgian building with well-maintained grounds that give dogs space to stretch their legs before and after longer walks. The walled garden is a highlight - a peaceful, enclosed space perfect for an off-lead sniff. The hotel has a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that suits dog owners well; no one is rushing you out of the bar because your spaniel is shaking seawater across the flagstones.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Garlieston, Newton Stewart, DG8 8HH
  • Phone: 01988 600680
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in selected rooms and bar area. GBP10 per dog per night.
  • Dog facilities: Water bowls, enclosed garden area
  • Nearby walks: Garlieston beach, Bladnoch Distillery walk, Wigtown Bay
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4. The Murray Arms Hotel, Gatehouse of Fleet

The Murray Arms is one of those pubs that gets everything right. It’s a proper old Scottish coaching inn - low ceilings, open fires, local ales, and a welcome so genuine it feels like coming home. Robert Burns famously stayed here, and the inn has been doing things properly ever since.

As a place to stay with a dog, it’s excellent value. The bedrooms are comfortable and traditional, and there’s no dog surcharge - a rarity at this quality level. The bar is fully dog-friendly, which means you and your dog can warm up together after a day on the hills without being banished to a damp annexe.

Gatehouse is a lovely base for exploring the Fleet Valley, the Galloway Forest, and the Solway coast. See our full listing for The Murray Arms for more detail.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Ann Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2HY
  • Phone: 01557 814207
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in bedrooms and bar. No dog fee.
  • Dog facilities: Water bowls in bar, dog biscuits at bar
  • Nearby walks: Fleet Valley National Scenic Area, Cairnsmore of Fleet, Anwoth Old Kirk
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5. Ardwell Inn, Ardwell (Rhins Peninsula)

The Ardwell Inn sits quietly on the Rhins of Galloway - the long, narrow peninsula that points south-west towards Ireland - and it’s a genuine find for dog owners who want to explore one of D&G’s most overlooked corners.

This is rural Scotland at its most unhurried. The inn is simple and unpretentious, with good home cooking and a genuinely warm welcome for dogs. The Rhins coastline is extraordinary walking territory: dramatic clifftops, hidden coves, lighthouse walks, and almost no other tourists. Logan Botanic Garden and the Mull of Galloway are both within easy reach.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Ardwell, Stranraer, DG9 9LX
  • Phone: 01776 860227
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in rooms and bar. No dog fee.
  • Nearby walks: Ardwell Bay, Mull of Galloway, Logan Bay coastal path
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6. Kings Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas

Castle Douglas calls itself Scotland’s Food Town, and the Kings Arms sits right at the heart of it. It’s a solid, reliable town centre hotel with comfortable rooms, a good bar, and a genuinely dog-friendly attitude.

The town is eminently walkable with a dog - Carlinwark Loch is a five-minute stroll, and the surrounding countryside (Loch Ken, Threave Estate, Galloway Hills) offers excellent day walks. The Kings Arms makes a great base for exploring central D&G.

Practical Info:

  • Address: St Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1EL
  • Phone: 01556 502626
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome in pet-friendly rooms. GBP10 per dog per night.
  • Nearby walks: Carlinwark Loch, Threave Estate, Loch Ken
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7. Craigdhu Country House B&B, Dumfries

For those whose base needs to be Dumfries itself, Craigdhu Country House is a well-regarded B&B on the outskirts of the town. It’s a traditional Scottish country house with comfortable, well-furnished rooms and a proper breakfast to set you up for a day’s walking.

Small to medium dogs are particularly welcome here. The hosts are dog owners themselves, which always makes a difference - your dog is treated as a natural part of the household rather than an unusual inconvenience.

Practical Info:

  • Address: Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4AL
  • Phone: 01387 253583
  • Dog policy: Dogs welcome, preference for smaller dogs. GBP10 per stay.
  • Nearby walks: Dumfries town walks, Caerlaverock Castle, Criffel Hill
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Self-Catering and Lodges: Dog-Friendly Alternatives

If you prefer the freedom of self-catering - and let’s be honest, it’s often easier with dogs - Dumfries and Galloway has some outstanding options.

8. Killyon Farm Cottages, Castle Douglas

Set on a working farm outside Castle Douglas, Killyon offers high-quality self-catering cottages with direct access to farm tracks and countryside. Dogs love the space and the smells; owners love the fully enclosed gardens and the lack of carpet anxiety.

  • GBP600-1200/week depending on size and season
  • Dogs included in rental price
  • Enclosed private gardens
  • Farm walks on the doorstep
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9. Carlinwark Loch Lodges, Castle Douglas

These lakeside lodges sit right on the shore of Carlinwark Loch and offer something genuinely special: wake up, open the door, and you’re on the loch path immediately. The lodges are well-equipped and modern, with decking areas overlooking the water.

  • GBP700-1400/week
  • Dogs included in price
  • Direct loch access
  • Enclosed decking
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10. Glengap Holiday Park, New Galloway

For something a little different, Glengap offers glamping-style accommodation in the hills above New Galloway, right on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. This is proper wilderness on the doorstep - the Galloway Hills, the Raiders Road, Loch Ken - and the park is fully geared up for dogs.

  • GBP50-120/night depending on accommodation type
  • Dogs very welcome, no extra charge
  • Forest and hill walking from the site
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Tips for Staying in Dog-Friendly Hotels in D&G

Always call ahead. Even if a hotel lists itself as dog-friendly online, policies on dog size, number of dogs, and which rooms are available change. A quick phone call avoids disappointment on arrival.

Ask about dog-free areas. Most hotels have areas dogs can’t go (dining rooms, spa facilities). Knowing this before you arrive helps you plan your dog’s day.

Bring your own bed. Your dog’s familiar bed or blanket reduces anxiety in a new environment and means you’re not charged for any damage to hotel bedding.

Check the walk situation. A hotel with no immediately accessible walking (e.g. right on a main road) can be a pain with an energetic dog at 7am. Check what’s nearby.

Crate-train your dog if possible. Many hotels are happier leaving dogs unattended in rooms if they’re crated. It’s worth training for this before your trip.

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Book Your Dog-Friendly Hotel in Dumfries and Galloway

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Have you stayed somewhere dog-friendly in Dumfries and Galloway that we haven’t listed? Get in touch – we’d love to hear about it.