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Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Scotsman
Scotland is home to three of the most dog friendly destinations in the UK
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now The idea of the UK being a nation of dog lovers is far from a new one, with 36% of households in the country home to canine companions1. For the vast majority of dog owners their pets are part of their family, which means taking them into consideration when it comes to family holidays. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... While there's always the option for pet sitters, leaving them with family, or putting them up in a kennel, some can't bear to leave them behind. In fact, there's 11,000 searches for 'dog friendly holidays' every month in the UK2. It's clear that many want their dogs to be a part of their getaway, which is why it's important that the holiday caters to your four legged friends too. But which locations in the UK make for the most dog friendly holiday destination? That's exactly what cottage holiday providers set out to discover when creating their Dog Friendly Staycation Index, ranking towns across the country on these six categories: Accredited veterinary practices Reported lost and stolen dog Average traffic flow Dog friendly eateries Harmful plants sightings Accessible green spaces dog friendly destinations The Puppies of Penzance Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taking the top spot with a winning score, Penzance, Cornwall, is officially the most dog friendly holiday spot in the UK. The standout stats for the area include a grand total of zero harmful plants sightings and a tied for highest 15 accessible green spaces, giving you plenty of parks and trails for your dog to enjoy safely! Sites like Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Trengwainton Garden are filled with art, history, and floral displays for you to immerse yourself in, while your dog gets to experience sights and smells that will provide them with plenty of enrichment. Dumfries is for the dogs Placing second with a score of 96.79 is the historic town of Dumfries, Scotland, with its scenic beaches, lush forests, and green spaces making for an ideal family getaway destination. Dumfries is home to the highest number of accredited veterinary practices on the list, so you can be safe in the knowledge that there's a number of good hands nearby, if they're needed. The town also tied with Penzance for the highest accessible green spaces, with areas like Drumlanrig Castle being surrounded by beauty for both you and your dog to explore. Dumfries wasn't the only Scottish location on the list either, with Pitlochry and Fort William taking the 9th and 10th spots to cement the country as a dog friendly hotspot. Whitby welcomes all Rounding out the top 3, Whitby, North Yorkshire, is one of the most iconic coastal towns in the UK. Most famously known for the abbey ruins along with being one of the key locations in Bram Stoker's Dracula, it should now be known as a haven for family holidays with the dog. Whitby plays host to 43 dog friendly eateries, more than anywhere else on the list, giving you plenty of options when it comes to deciding dinner plans or even just stopping off for a snack! Coffee lovers can relax with their canine companions in locations like Sherlocks Coffee Shop, while chippies like Mister Chips allow you to experience Whitby's famous cuisine with your dog by your side. Peak your interest The Peak District may not have topped the list, but it did manage to take two spots in the top 10 overall. Matlock and Bakewell are both staycation favourites, and it turns out that these two destinations are also amazing choices when it comes to bringing the family dog along too! Both scoring highly for dog friendly eateries, green spaces, and average traffic flow, these towns are the perfect place to reconnect with nature alongside your faithful companion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pets Let's Travel3 has shared his top tips for spotting a dog friendly location: 'When planning a staycation with a dog, owners should choose destinations with secure, pet-safe environments, think enclosed gardens, nearby parks, and accessible vet services. Not all 'dog-friendly' accommodations are equal, so it's important to ask about restrictions, fees, and on-site amenities like dog beds or fenced areas. Reading reviews can help identify truly pet-welcoming spots near dog-friendly trails, beaches, or restaurants. Apps like "Bring Fido" or tips from local vets and online communities are great resources for discovering places that welcome dogs. To keep dogs comfortable, maintain familiar routines and bring comforting items like a favourite toy or blanket. Packing essentials, portable bowls, vet records, calming sprays, and a basic first-aid kit, helps prevent stress and emergencies. Owners should avoid overestimating their pet's stamina and stay alert to environmental risks during outings. Ideal activities include relaxed hikes, beach paddles, and visits to dog-friendly cafés, ensuring the experience is safe, fun, and enriching for both dog and owner.' To find out more about the staycation spots you can visit with man's best friend, be sure to visit selection of dog friendly cottages and visit
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Scotsman
Scotland is home to three of the most dog friendly destinations in the UK
The idea of the UK being a nation of dog lovers is far from a new one, with 36% of households in the country home to canine companions1. For the vast majority of dog owners their pets are part of their family, which means taking them into consideration when it comes to family holidays. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The idea of the UK being a nation of dog lovers is far from a new one, with 36% of households in the country home to canine companions1. For the vast majority of dog owners their pets are part of their family, which means taking them into consideration when it comes to family holidays. While there's always the option for pet sitters, leaving them with family, or putting them up in a kennel, some can't bear to leave them behind. In fact, there's 11,000 searches for 'dog friendly holidays' every month in the UK2. It's clear that many want their dogs to be a part of their getaway, which is why it's important that the holiday caters to your four legged friends too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But which locations in the UK make for the most dog friendly holiday destination? That's exactly what cottage holiday providers set out to discover when creating their Dog Friendly Staycation Index, ranking towns across the country on these six categories: dog friendly destinations Accredited veterinary practices Reported lost and stolen dog Average traffic flow Dog friendly eateries Harmful plants sightings Accessible green spaces The Puppies of Penzance Taking the top spot with a winning score, Penzance, Cornwall, is officially the most dog friendly holiday spot in the UK. The standout stats for the area include a grand total of zero harmful plants sightings and a tied for highest 15 accessible green spaces, giving you plenty of parks and trails for your dog to enjoy safely! Sites like Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Trengwainton Garden are filled with art, history, and floral displays for you to immerse yourself in, while your dog gets to experience sights and smells that will provide them with plenty of enrichment. Dumfries is for the dogs Placing second with a score of 96.79 is the historic town of Dumfries, Scotland, with its scenic beaches, lush forests, and green spaces making for an ideal family getaway destination. Dumfries is home to the highest number of accredited veterinary practices on the list, so you can be safe in the knowledge that there's a number of good hands nearby, if they're needed. The town also tied with Penzance for the highest accessible green spaces, with areas like Drumlanrig Castle being surrounded by beauty for both you and your dog to explore. Dumfries wasn't the only Scottish location on the list either, with Pitlochry and Fort William taking the 9th and 10th spots to cement the country as a dog friendly hotspot. Whitby welcomes all Rounding out the top 3, Whitby, North Yorkshire, is one of the most iconic coastal towns in the UK. Most famously known for the abbey ruins along with being one of the key locations in Bram Stoker's Dracula, it should now be known as a haven for family holidays with the dog. Whitby plays host to 43 dog friendly eateries, more than anywhere else on the list, giving you plenty of options when it comes to deciding dinner plans or even just stopping off for a snack! Coffee lovers can relax with their canine companions in locations like Sherlocks Coffee Shop, while chippies like Mister Chips allow you to experience Whitby's famous cuisine with your dog by your side. Peak your interest Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Peak District may not have topped the list, but it did manage to take two spots in the top 10 overall. Matlock and Bakewell are both staycation favourites, and it turns out that these two destinations are also amazing choices when it comes to bringing the family dog along too! Both scoring highly for dog friendly eateries, green spaces, and average traffic flow, these towns are the perfect place to reconnect with nature alongside your faithful companion. Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pets Let's Travel3 has shared his top tips for spotting a dog friendly location: 'When planning a staycation with a dog, owners should choose destinations with secure, pet-safe environments, think enclosed gardens, nearby parks, and accessible vet services. Not all 'dog-friendly' accommodations are equal, so it's important to ask about restrictions, fees, and on-site amenities like dog beds or fenced areas. Reading reviews can help identify truly pet-welcoming spots near dog-friendly trails, beaches, or restaurants. Apps like "Bring Fido" or tips from local vets and online communities are great resources for discovering places that welcome dogs. To keep dogs comfortable, maintain familiar routines and bring comforting items like a favourite toy or blanket. Packing essentials, portable bowls, vet records, calming sprays, and a basic first-aid kit, helps prevent stress and emergencies. Owners should avoid overestimating their pet's stamina and stay alert to environmental risks during outings. Ideal activities include relaxed hikes, beach paddles, and visits to dog-friendly cafés, ensuring the experience is safe, fun, and enriching for both dog and owner.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'most dog friendly' holiday destinations named ahead of summer
Scotland's "most dog-friendly" holiday destinations have been named. Three areas around the country have been ranked among the best for four-legged friends in the UK. Pets are part of the family for the vast majority of dog owners, which means you need to take them into consideration when it comes to family holidays . While there is always the option for petsitting or putting them up in a kennel, some can't bear to leave them behind. Cottage holiday provider has put together a list of the most dog-friendly UK holiday destinations, combing through the data on everything from accredited veterinary practices to accessible green space. The three Scottish destinations on the list are Dumfries, Pitlochry, and Fort William. Dumfries, home to scenic beaches and lush forests, places second on the overall list with a total score of 96.79 out of 100. According to the experts, the market town and former royal burgh has five accredited veterinary practices, 34 dog-friendly eateries, and 15 accessible green spaces. Meanwhile, it was also found that there are currently six dogs in Dumfries that are reported as lost or missing. There have also been four sightings of harmful plants within a five-kilometre radius of the town. Following behind in second place for Scotland, and ninth overall, is Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross . The town, which is known for its easy access to many picturesque hikes, received an overall score of 45.17 out of 100. According to there is one accredited veterinary practice in Pitlochry, three dog-friendly eateries, and nine accessible green spaces. There is one dog currently reported as lost or stolen and five sightings of harmful plants within a five-kilometre radius. Finally, Fort William follows behind at number 10 on the list. Often referred to as a gateway to Ben Nevis, it was assigned an overall rating of 42.17. Fort William was found to be home to one accredited veterinary practice, three dog-friendly eateries, and nine accessible green spaces. According to the experts, there are three reports of lost or stolen dogs in the town and three harmful plant sightings. Elsewhere, topping the overall list with a perfect score of 100 is Penzance in Cornwall. It was praised for its dog-friendly attractions such as Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Trengwainton Garden. To determine the best dog-friendly staycation locations across the UK, six key factors relating to dog safety and suitability were analysed. These included veterinary availability, the number of lost and stolen dogs, traffic safety, dog-friendly dining options, and proximity to parks and green spaces. The experts also looked at reported sightings within a five-kilometre radius of six plants that are toxic to dogs. These were foxglove, yew, deadly nightshade, lily of the valley, giant hogweed, and daffodils. CEO of Pets Let's Travel Deepak Shukla commented: "When planning a staycation with a dog, owners should choose destinations with secure, pet-safe environments, think enclosed gardens, nearby parks, and accessible vet services. "Not all 'dog-friendly' accommodations are equal, so it's important to ask about restrictions, fees, and on-site amenities like dog beds or fenced areas. Reading reviews can help identify truly pet-welcoming spots near dog-friendly trails, beaches, or restaurants. Apps like "Bring Fido" or tips from local vets and online communities are great resources for discovering places that welcome dogs. "To keep dogs comfortable, maintain familiar routines and bring comforting items like a favourite toy or blanket. Packing essentials, portable bowls, vet records, calming sprays, and a basic first-aid kit, helps prevent stress and emergencies. "Owners should avoid overestimating their pet's stamina and stay alert to environmental risks during outings. Ideal activities include relaxed hikes, beach paddles, and visits to dog-friendly cafés, ensuring the experience is safe, fun, and enriching for both dog and owner." Read on for the full list of the most dog-friendly holiday destinations in the UK. For more information, visit .
Telegraph
23-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Britain is pricing itself out of the holiday market – here's how to get a better deal
Are holiday cottage owners in Britain pricing themselves out of the market, or has our interest in staycations stultified? Although airfares to the Med are currently terrifyingly expensive, my research suggests that advance bookings for holiday rentals in this country remain surprisingly weak – even for the peak school holidays. As I reported last month, the cost of flights during those key holiday dates has rocketed over the last two or three years. Anyone who hasn't already booked an overseas holiday and is looking for flights to the sunbelt on peak dates is – for some destinations – facing return fares of up to £5,000 for a family of four. That's obviously way above what most of us can afford, so it would seem logical that this would be the year when British holidaymakers would be tempted back to our own beaches and national parks. Why pay all that money to fly overseas when there are so many cheaper alternatives on your doorstep? Yet when I checked out the major holiday cottage sites to see how well bookings were going for those same school-holiday pinch points, that logic doesn't seem to apply. Traditionally travel companies are reticent about giving out meaningful figures. It is obviously better for business to imply that it is vital to book as soon as possible. But the great thing about the technology used on these booking websites is that it's very straightforward to see what proportion of the cottages are still available, and how many are being offered at a discount. My check on the website of the biggest supplier, Sykes Cottages, revealed that, at Easter and for the first peak week of the school holidays in July, only about 40 per cent of its cottages in England have been booked. Things are busier for the May half term, but still only at 50 per cent sold. It's a similar story at another of the major companies, where about a third of its properties are booked both for Easter and the school summer holidays, and a little less than half for the May half term. Many properties, even for the summer dates – which are still some five months away – are being offered at varying discounts of up to 20 per cent by both companies. Meanwhile, the upmarket Classic Cottages, which has 1,323 cottages on its books and concentrates mainly on the West Country (though it does have some other options in other parts of the UK), still had 884 available at Easter, 819 at half term and 694 for the first week of the school summer holidays – though it does say that the latter figure actually represents a better performance than this time last year. Even the National Trust, which has some of the most appealing and sought-after properties, still has 156 out of a total of some 500 available at Easter and 128 for the first week of the school holidays. Obviously there is more than one reason behind this contrast between sky-high airfares to Europe and a reluctance to book holidays in the UK. According to both and Classic Cottages, the tendency in recent years for people to commit only at the last minute masks the true strength of interest. says that it sees more and more customers booking only four to six weeks ahead, so the final booking figures will be much stronger. Classic Cottages moots the possibility that the trend towards later bookings for UK holidays might even be driven partly by the fact that airfares to the Med tend to rise nearer departure, whereas cottage prices don't. Indeed, they are more likely to be discounted. The psychological impact of the grim British weather last 'summer' is also surely a part of the story. If your main summer holiday was spent in a rainswept seaside resort, you may well have rethought your plans for 2025. But what these figures also suggest to me is that there seems to be both an oversupply of holiday cottages and – more significantly – that the cost of renting them is so high that it is putting people off. Try and find a good quality house for a family in a popular destination during the summer and you are unlikely to get much change out of £2,000. That may be cheaper than going abroad because you don't have to fly, but does it offer decent value? Perhaps not when you can easily find a sunny villa with a pool in Spain or Portugal for the same money. And especially when you consider the cost of entertainment and eating out in this country. Whichever way you look at it, the lesson seems to be that if you want to pay less for a holiday in the UK this year, don't book until nearer the departure date. There are bound to be plenty of discounted deals.
