The Laurie Arms
The Laurie Arms in Haugh of Urr has earned a reputation that extends well beyond the village: it is one of the most genuinely dog-friendly pubs in Dumfries and Galloway, and the word travels. The landlady’s attitude to dogs is not the careful tolerance of an establishment that has reluctantly updated its policy — it is a real and active welcome, extended to the extent that she has reportedly prepared roast dinners for canine guests. For anyone touring the Solway Hinterland with a dog, this pub is worth knowing about.
The Pub
Haugh of Urr is a small village in the Urr Valley, sitting in the soft agricultural landscape between Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas. The Laurie Arms is the kind of family-run country pub that is becoming rarer in rural Scotland — genuinely independent, tied to the community it serves, and run with the kind of care that chains cannot replicate. The interior is warm and comfortable, the atmosphere unhurried, and the welcome to dogs is, by all accounts, heartfelt.
Real ales are a strength here, with a well-kept selection that changes with what’s available from Scottish and regional breweries. The whisky list does the county justice.
Food
The kitchen at the Laurie Arms takes local produce seriously. The food is proper home cooking done with skill — the kind of menu that makes good use of Galloway beef, local lamb, and seasonal vegetables from the surrounding farms. The roast dinners are widely praised, and the portions reflect a kitchen that understands what walkers and outdoor types actually need at the end of a day. Booking is advisable at weekends.
Haugh of Urr and the Urr Valley
The Urr Valley is one of the quieter corners of Dumfries and Galloway — green, unhurried, and well-suited to gentle walking with dogs along the riverbanks and through the farmland. The Mote of Urr, a large 12th-century motte-and-bailey earthwork, is within easy reach and provides a short, interesting walk with excellent views over the valley. Dogs are welcome on the Mote.
The Mote of Urr — one of the largest mottes in Scotland, just outside the village. A short climb with views down the Urr Valley. Dogs welcome on leads.
Dalbeattie Forest — around 5 miles south, with extensive waymarked trails through managed woodland. A natural pairing with a meal at the Laurie Arms.
Loch Arthur — around 3 miles northeast, a Camphill Community farm with a walking circuit around the loch. Dogs welcome on the path.
Getting There
Haugh of Urr is on the B794, around 5 miles north of Dalbeattie and 8 miles east of Castle Douglas. The Laurie Arms is on Main Street in the centre of the village.
Practical Details
- Address: 11-13 Main Street, Haugh of Urr, Castle Douglas, DG7 3YA
- Phone: 01556 660246
- Dogs: Welcome inside throughout — one of the most dog-friendly pubs in the area
- Food: Lunch and dinner — booking recommended at weekends
- Real ales: Yes