Staying with a dog in Aberdeenshire can mean a castle hotel on Deeside, a clifftop lodge or a farm cottage with its own dog field. The catch is that dog fees, limits and room rules vary a lot. Figo and I read each venue’s own website, or the National Trust for Scotland’s page, and only listed places that state a dog policy. We haven’t stayed at any of them. Fees and rules change, so confirm them when you book.
Hotels and inns
Fife Arms, Braemar (AB35 5YN, 01339 720200). The hotel’s dog page says £30 per dog per night, up to two dogs per room, and dogs are accepted in every room category. Dogs must be on a lead and aren’t allowed in the Clunie Dining Room, Elsa’s Bar, the Drawing Room or the spa. A bed, bowl and treats wait in the room, and there’s a dog-wash area.
Balmoral Arms, Ballater (13-15 Victoria Road, AB35 5RA, 01339 755413). Its website says £25 per dog per night, up to two dogs per room (call if you have more), and that many rooms are dog friendly. Dogs should be on a lead in public areas, and the hotel advises against leaving them alone in the room. Assistance dogs stay free.
Thainstone House, Inverurie. The hotel says £25 per dog per night, with all rooms dog friendly. Standard doubles take one dog and the dog rooms take two. Well-behaved dogs only, on a lead in public areas and the 44-acre grounds, and it isn’t recommended to leave a dog alone in the room.
Meldrum House Country Hotel, Oldmeldrum (AB51 0AE, 01651 872294). The dog policy page says £25 per dog per stay, and only a selection of the Stables bedrooms take dogs, so ask for one when you book. Each dog gets a bed, bowl and treats. In the 240 acres of grounds dogs must stay on a lead, on paths and away from the golf course.
Lodges, cottages and campsites
Dalriada Luxury Lodges, Stonehaven coast. Pets are accepted in six of the eight lodges, up to two per booking, and mustn’t be left alone. The lodges’ FAQ says £15 per pet per night, but the dog-friendly page states no fee, and the FAQ also says pets aren’t allowed in bedrooms or on furniture while the dog page suggests bringing your own bed. Please confirm those points with the lodges. Guests get bowls, poo bags and treats, plus dog-wash kit and clifftop walks nearby.
Logie Newton Lodges, near Huntly (AB54 6BB, 07793 765918). The site states no dog fee. It allows up to two dogs in Bennachie Lodge and four in Woodland Lodge (contact them for more). Dogs must be on a lead at all times because it’s a working farm. There’s a free bookable enclosed dog park, and bowls, towels and treats in the welcome hamper.
National Trust for Scotland holiday cottages. The trust lists dog-friendly cottages at Craigievar near Alford, Crathes (East Lodge), Drum (Courtyard Cottage), Fyvie (Preston Tower Apartment) and Mar Lodge Estate near Braemar. Dogs must be under proper control and aren’t allowed in historic buildings, play parks or fruit and vegetable gardens. That page states no fee or dog limit, so check each property’s own page. Mar Lodge notes livestock on the estate.
Ballater Caravan Park, Anderson Road, Ballater (AB35 5QW, 013397 55727). The park’s FAQ says dogs are welcome, must be on a lead at all times and owners must clean up. It states no fee or dog limit on that page.
What we left out
Banchory Lodge welcomes dogs in its bar but its page only says to ask about overnight dog stays, so it’s on our pubs and cafés page instead. We left out places we could only find on review or listing sites. Accommodation inside Aberdeen City is on our Aberdeen accommodation page.
What to confirm before you book
Ask about the fee, how many dogs are allowed, which rooms take dogs, whether your dog can be left in the room and where dogs can eat. Pack their bed and a favourite blanket, and a calming bite is a complementary feed some owners bring for a new place, though for ongoing anxiety, speak to your vet. For walks near your stay, see our Aberdeenshire dog walks guide and our Aberdeenshire dog services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Aberdeenshire hotels charge for dogs?
Among the hotels we checked, the Balmoral Arms, Thainstone House and Meldrum House state £25 and the Fife Arms £30, per dog per night or stay. Check the hotel’s own page when you book, as fees change.
Is there a place to stay with a private dog field?
Logie Newton Lodges near Huntly say they offer a free bookable enclosed dog park. We haven’t visited, so confirm the details with them.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
