The Selkirk Arms Hotel
Kirkcudbright is rightly known as the artists’ town, its colourful High Street and historic harbour long beloved by painters and visitors alike. At its centre stands the Selkirk Arms — a handsome Georgian hotel with a proper claim to literary history and a genuinely warm welcome for dogs.
The Burns Connection
The Selkirk Arms is where Robert Burns is said to have written the Selkirk Grace — the short, witty blessing that is traditionally recited before Burns Suppers across the world. The story goes that Burns composed it extempore at the dinner table here during his 1794 tour of Galloway. Whether or not the exact details are apocryphal, Burns certainly stayed in Kirkcudbright during this period and the hotel’s connection to Scotland’s national bard is part of what makes it worth seeking out.
The Bar
The bar at the Selkirk Arms is comfortable and well-stocked, with a good range of Scottish ales and a menu that takes Galloway’s excellent local produce seriously. Dogs are welcome throughout the bar, with water bowls on hand. The staff are accustomed to four-legged guests and treat them accordingly.
Kirkcudbright
The town is one of D&G’s most rewarding places to visit with a dog. The harbour area and the coastal path along the estuary are easily accessible on foot from the hotel, and the town’s famous Maclellan’s Castle is a short walk away. The steep, colourful streets of the town centre are good for an amble, and several of the town’s independent cafes also welcome dogs.
Staying Over
The Selkirk Arms offers accommodation with dog-friendly rooms available, making it a convenient and characterful base for exploring the eastern Galloway coast. Brighouse Bay, Balcary Bay, and the Kippford/Rockcliffe area are all within easy driving distance.