Best Dog Friendly Munros – When traveling around Scotland I often like to pack as much as possible. Making the most of your time is important, but checklist trips aren’t always convenient. So when Hostelling Scotland invited me to do a dog weekend in the Cairngors, I knew it was my chance to slow down.
Staying at Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel was a breath of fresh air – literally, the air was fresh. It is visited by many people, from long-distance hikers to those looking for a peaceful holiday in the mountains. Molly and I had a dog friendly private room with our own bath and shower.
Best Dog Friendly Munros
After really two months, we needed to recharge by spending time in nature. That’s exactly what we did!
How To Hike With Your Dog
One of the biggest benefits of a dog-friendly holiday in the Cairngorms with host Scotland is that Loch Morleach is on your doorstep. Obviously, not every dog loves water as much as Molly, but there is something for everyone!
It is the highest sandy beach in Scotland and is perfect for a walk surrounded by trees and mountains. If you want something more adventurous, you can hire dog-friendly boats or canoes from Loch Morleach Watersports. No kelpies or Loch Monsters that I know of…
But you don’t need to get wet! The 6km gentle path loops around Loch Morleach and is well maintained to make it accessible to almost everyone. Just long enough to cook for dinner at the hostel.
Much smaller than Loch Morleach, but Loch Uen or Green Loch is more mysterious. No prizes for guessing its name, but you probably don’t know where its color is. Smart people can tell you things like algae, but storytellers know better. It’s all about fairies!
Don’t Leave Your Dogs Behind, Take Them Woofhostelling
Everyone knows that Scottish fairies always wear green clothes and this is where they wash them. Just like when you put red socks on a white shirt, the color is gone and the water turns emerald green. You might not see anything while you’re here, but legend has it that Donald lives next door to the King of the Fairies!
Depending on how you want to spice up your dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms, there are two options to consider. There is an easy path next to the road that leads directly to the lochen van, bypassing the car barrier. Or there is a more interesting but difficult route that passes through deer centers and hill trees.
If you’re still full of energy after that Loch Oen, there’s something more challenging. Meall a’ Bhuachaille means Shepherd’s Hill and is located above Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. Molly and I are regular Munros hikers but we’re not out of practice so this was a bit of a test.
I’m glad we passed and even at 12, Molly left my slopes in the dust! It took over three hours, including our stop at the lake and a nice long rest at the top. There’s no getting lost on the circuit, so it’s a good introduction to the mountains for the uninitiated.
Bark Air, A New Airline For Dogs, Launches Its First Flight
The views over Loch Morleach and the summit above are magnificent. I can definitely say that the reward far outweighs the effort, I’m sure Molly would agree with me. If you have the weather for it, I highly recommend Meall a’ Bhuachaille for your dog friendly weekend in the Cairngors!
Don’t panic, there are no real wolves to contend with on a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms! This is the wolf of Badenoch you meet in Loch an Elaine, or at least from his past when he died 600 years ago. Go around this forest and soon you will come across Hundisaare Castle.
It was one of several castles owned by Alexander Stuart, the youngest son of King Robert II. As Lord of Badenoch, he gained a reputation for controlling his lands with armed male mercenaries. When his wife sought a divorce from the Bishop of Moray, Alexander flew into a dangerous rage.
His “wild, vicious Highlanders” marched through the countryside, destroying Farris, Pulis Cardon Abbey and finally Elgin Cathedral. This reign of terror did not last long and the Wolves of Badenoch were forced to lick their wounds in their strongholds such as Loch and Elaine Castle. Sit in the trees, look at the dry island, listen closely and you will still hear it!
Dog Friendly Aberdeen
Don’t forget to visit White Craft for great crafts (and dog ice cream)!
Not every dog-friendly activity in the Cairngorms involves a walk in the great outdoors! Head to nearby Aviemore and travel back in time on the Strathspey Railway. Sometimes the trips are done with diesel engines, but the real treat is to experience an old steam engine.
This is a limited schedule every Tuesday through Sunday in July and August and beyond those months. With only three stops, Aviemore – Boat of Garten – Broomhill, it doesn’t go very far, but then it’s about the journey, not the destination. Although the train itself is dog friendly, you are not allowed in the carriage, so be prepared!
There is only one place I would recommend staying in the Cairngorms for a dog-friendly weekend – Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. It’s in a great location, the best bedrooms I’ve ever slept in and the staff were amazing. Dogs are only allowed in the private rooms, but if you are not traveling with a pet, there are plenty of beds in the dorms.
The Chippie Where You Can Also Feed Your Dog From Pooch Friendly Menu In Iconic Scottish Town
Not only is it a comfortable and welcoming place to stay in a beautiful setting, but the place also has a story to tell. Long before it was a hostel, it was a shooting lodge, and with its perfect location in the mountains, you can see why. However, it also hosted Norwegian special forces during World War II.
The hills and trees of the Cairngors were the perfect training ground for Company Ling. This allowed them to practice sabotage in remote locations. Unfortunately, one soldier lost his temper and fired his rifle through the window of the lodge! Here’s a look at the Norwegian flag and stories of the soldiers’ time.
If you’re tired after a day’s walking, you don’t have to go far to go for a swim or cycle on a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms. Cairngorm Lodge Hostel also has its own restaurant where your best friends can join you for dinner!
I can personally recommend the steak pie, fish and chips and cider on ice. You’ll be ready for the morning with a choice of a continental breakfast or a full Scottish breakfast!
Three Stunning Hikes You Can Go On In The Cairngorms With Your Dog
Understandably, you’ll want to go a little further, so here are some other dog-friendly alternatives.
The Old Bridge Inn – Located in Aviemore, this is a great place for a dog friendly dinner!
The Barn in Rothiemurchus – lunches are served not far from the hostel on the Aviemore road.
If you would like to do this trip with an experienced guide, visit Scottish Stories to message me now!
Munro Guest House, Stirling
Looking for more dog weekend ideas? What about the top 10 things to do with dogs in Oban?
This article is part of a paid campaign by Hostelling Scotland, but all details and opinions are my own.
Scottish Stories can help you learn more about Scotland and plan your next trip. My name is Graham and I am a Scottish writer, storyteller and traveller.
Follow my adventures with Molly the Labrador as we try to bring you the best stories from Scotland. We traveled the country, island hopped, climbed mountains and discovered hidden places and captured it all here.
Every One Is Special: Dogs: Munro, Fiona, Hambleton, Laura: 9780744077780: Amazon.com: Books
I’ve wanted to visit Canterbury for years, but somehow it always seemed too busy. After spending some time researching the best things to do for the family in Kintyre 66, I want to read more…
Scotland has an extensive coastline with islands and beaches. It is a dramatic place with a stunning landscape that is said to be home to dangerous monsters. I spend a lot of time in Scotland Read more…
If you’re interested in Scottish heritage, beautiful coastlines, good food and local culture, Murray Speyside has plenty of historic things to do. It’s not a huge area, but it has a lot to offer. Read on…if you need a vacation that gives you a break from real life.
Best dog friendly suv, best dog friendly vacations, best dog friendly hotels, best budget friendly dog food, best dog friendly sectionals, best dog friendly sofas, best dog friendly couch material, best dog friendly flooring, best dog friendly couches, best western dog friendly, best dog friendly rugs, best dog friendly hotels nyc
