Day Trips With Dogs Scotland – When people from abroad visit Scotland, they are often surprised at how friendly Edinburgh’s dog is! Having lived in the Scottish capital for almost 10 years with Molly the Labrador, I know more about that than most. I think it’s time to share my stuffed dog with a friend from Edinburgh!
With Edinburgh being one of the greenest cities in the world, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of parks to visit, but it doesn’t make it to the top. There are plenty of other things to do with your dog in Edinburgh, some of which may surprise you, like St Giles Cathedral! With this book you can stop asking ‘who is Edinburgh’s dog friend’ and start planning a great day out with your best friend!
Day Trips With Dogs Scotland
Of the obvious options, dog walking in Edinburgh includes time in the park. You have many options in comparison. 150 of them spread throughout the city! Here are some of Edinburgh’s most popular dog parks:
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Princes Street Gardens – Edinburgh’s largest green space, between the Old and New Towns is Princes Street Gardens. Although this is Edinburgh’s dog park, it’s not where I’d take Molly for a run. Prince Street Gardens are small and often packed with people having lunch. If your dog is anything like Molly, these sandwiches might be a little tempting!
The Meadows – One of Edinburgh’s largest dog parks, The Meadows is perfect for jogging. It’s still very central, easy to get to the old town, and in the summer you can see beautiful cherry blossoms everywhere.
London Road Gardens – On the quiet side of Calton Hill, just below the Royal, you’ll find London Road Gardens. This is Molly’s favorite walk in Edinburgh, probably because it’s full of stick-drop trees! Even though it’s off the beaten track, there are trails that wind through the woods so you can’t see!
Dunbar Close Gardens – Close to the Canongate section of the Royal Mile, Dunbar Close is considered a hidden gem. It’s more popular these days, but it’s still a small, green space in the heart of the city. It’s not quite a garden, but there is a small enclosed area of grass at the back.
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Holyrood Park – If you’re looking for Edinburgh’s largest dog park, then you can’t go wrong with Holyrood. You’ll find locals walking their dogs, taking fitness classes and people-watching. You can’t miss this one, located at the end of the Royal Mile, right in the middle next to Holyrood Palace and Arthur’s Seat!
Which leads us directly to the next thing to do in Edinburgh dog grooming – climbing one of the city’s seven floors! Arthur’s seat is not as high or difficult as it looks below, it can take an hour or more to the top. There are lots of dog kennels up there and one goes up all the hills around Edinburgh.
Calton Hill is another popular spot, an easy climb from the end of Princess Street or the corner of London Road. You’ll find one of the city’s best at the top. Another great hill for dog walking is Blackford Hill and although Braid Hill isn’t quite as good, Braid Hermitage is a great alternative here!
If you’re planning to walk all seven Edinburgh hills, just be aware that the route is 27km long with 700m of ascent. Only experienced dogs should try it!
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Perhaps the most unique dog activity in Edinburgh is visiting St Giles Cathedral! All dogs are welcome in the church, but please remember that this is a place of worship. You may be asked to leave any loud or fun accidents.
The reason why St. Giles is a dog’s friend comes from a man who lived 500 years ago, an early reformer of the Church of Scotland, a colleague of the famous John Knox. Having escaped execution for heresy in Rome, Craig was penniless and in dire straits. A black dog walked nowhere and sprinkled gold at the feet of the evangelists!
When John Knox heard the news, he promised that St. Giles would always be a dog in gratitude for his friend’s life!
Here’s another place you wouldn’t expect on Dog Day in Edinburgh. Camera Obscura around campus has room for the whole family and includes our favorite animals! Be careful that there are many stairs inside and the drawer extends to the floor. If you run out of water (or have an accident), don’t worry, they’ll be happy to help.
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Expect optical illusions, test your normal dogs with a fire chamber and see if they excel in the Ames room. The dog is the one holding the camera and everyone else is fine with it.
After some homework, it’s time to stretch your legs and catch up. It takes a bit of effort to get to Edinburgh’s beaches, but luckily the buses are dog friendly too! Portobello Beach is the most popular, you can expect it to be busy, but there is more than enough room for dogs to swim.
Very quiet place, head north of town to Rose Island. It has a very small beach but is popular with swimmers and has plenty of accommodation. With a clean water guarantee, you can be sure your dog is enjoying only the best of the ocean!
Don’t worry if your pet is more into the river than the sea, there’s something for every dog in Edinburgh. The Water of Leith Walkway is a spectacular sight that runs for 13 miles through the city. Don’t feel like you have to do it all, there are plenty of short stretches to jump over.
Dog Friendly Days Out
Following the river from Leith to St. Mark’s Park is a much more beautiful route than the city streets. My favorite place to walk with Molly near the Water of Leith is between Dean Village and Stockbridge. It runs through a long tunnel that makes you feel miles away from the city.
You’ll pass St. Bernard’s Well and eventually exit Stockbridge Market! If you visit on a Sunday, this is Edinburgh’s dog park, often with a food stall. It will still be very active, so if your pooch is nervous around people, skip it.
Not only are people usually transported by dog in Edinburgh, but also by bus! Hop aboard the Edinburgh Sightseeing Bus and see what’s on offer while giving your four-legged friend a break. It all starts at Waterloo Bridge, but you can walk and stop anywhere with your ticket.
Head down Princes Street and around Edinburgh Castle down to the Grassmarket. You’ll pass the National Museum and on your way down to Canongate you’ll have the chance to stop at my favorite area, the Museum of Edinburgh. Dog-friendly Edinburgh bus tours are also kid-friendly with an awesome audio guide!
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If you are planning to visit Edinburgh with your dog, they can pay homage to the famous Edinburgh Dog. On the corner of George IV Bridge and Candlemaker Row stands a statue of Greyfriars Bob – the world’s most loyal dog. In the middle of the 19th century, Bobby refused his master’s grave for 14 years and became a local celebrity.
Just inside the gates of Greyfriars Kirkyard, the first grave you see is Bobby’s. Many guests leave him a stick as a gift, so make sure your dog doesn’t help him! Although Edinburgh’s dog-loving authorities claim that greyhounds are not allowed, that rule has since changed. Just keep them going!
There is another dog statue in Edinburgh that is often overlooked. At the end of Princes Street, in St. Cuthbert’s Square, you’ll find the Boom statue. He was a beloved pet dog from San Diego, and when the two cities merged, they created famous dog statues!
For those who want their pet to take them everywhere, there are other great dog attractions in Edinburgh. How about taking them to the movies?
Dog-friendly Things To Do In Scotland
Cameo Cinemas in Tollcross, off the Lothian Road, love dogs so much that they even organize special screenings for them. Although the first show I heard was a good one called Isle of Dogs, they also make other movies about animals! You have to plan things carefully because these shows are not every day and tickets are limited, so there is room for everyone.
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