30-07-2025
Scottish cities named among UK's dog-friendly hotspots as full list revealed
With 28 percent of UK adults owning a dog, demand for pet-friendly places is rising fast
A Scottish city has been named one of the top dog -friendly hotspots in the UK, coming in third place in a new ranking by outdoor retailer Millets. The study analysed a variety of factors, including the number of dog-welcoming pubs, restaurants, walking trails, parks and pet-friendly places to stay.
The Granite City Aberdeen achieved a dog-friendly score of 8.33 out of 10, placing it ahead of most other UK towns and cities. According to the data, Aberdeen has 36 dog-friendly restaurants and more than 100 accommodation options that welcome pets.
Among the city's most popular dog-friendly restaurants are Shepherds Rest, Ma Cameron's, Brig O'Don, and Café Harmony. Over 6.7 percent of restaurants in the area are dog friendly, placing Aberdeen seventh in the UK for this category.
Aberdeen also has a strong reputation for its pub scene, topping the list of UK locations with the best dog-friendly pubs. More than a quarter (25.3 percent) of pubs in the city welcome dogs, including the OGV Taproom, which offers table service so owners can relax without leaving their pets unattended.
Ma Cameron's is another standout, serving a selection of cask ales from local brewers such as Belhaven Brewery and hearty meals like steak and ale pie, salmon and cheddar fishcakes, and Korean chicken burgers.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the city offers 6.74 parks per 100,000 people and 14.3 percent of its walking trails are dog-friendly. From riverside strolls to woodland walks, there are countless scenic spots where dogs can enjoy a run or a paddle.
Visitors travelling with dogs will also find no shortage of pet-friendly places to stay. Hotels and B&Bs such as the Residence Inn by Marriott, Aspect Apartments, Hilton and Lochnagar Guest House all cater to four-legged guests. The latter, located about 40 minutes on foot from Aberdeen Harbour, is an ideal base for picturesque coastal walks out to the lighthouse.
Also making the top ten was Dunfermline, which tied for fifth place with a dog-friendly score of 7.96.
The Fife town boasts 12.49 parks per 100,000 people and has one of the highest shares of dog-friendly walking trails in the UK, with 20.7 percent of routes welcoming pets.
Around 15 percent of pubs in the town also allow dogs. Dunfermline also ranked among the top ten for dog-friendly restaurants, with 6.2 percent of its eateries accommodating dogs.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Edinburgh secured a strong presence across multiple categories.
The capital ranked fourth in the UK for dog-friendly restaurants, with 8.7 percent of its 1,884 restaurants allowing dogs. It also came second only to Aberdeen for dog-friendly pubs, with 25.1 percent of its 287 pubs welcoming canine visitors.
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Kirkcaldy claimed third spot in the UK for dog-friendly walking trails, with 42.3 percent of its trails rated as suitable for dogs.
Paisley and Hamilton followed behind with 33.3 percent and 31.3 percent respectively. Dundee secured seventh place in the dog-friendly pubs list, with 19.6 percent of its pubs open to dogs.
The study highlights just how important dog-friendly services and spaces have become for both residents and tourists. With around 28 percent of UK adults owning a dog, according to recent figures, demand for places that accommodate pets continues to grow.
Aberdeen's combination of pet-welcoming hospitality, open green spaces and scenic walking routes makes it an ideal destination for dog lovers planning a getaway or looking for a new home base.
