Dog Friendly Holidays in Inverness

What's available for dog owners

BritStays has 22 dog-friendly stays published in the Inverness region, and every one is listed as Pet Friendly. Most are hotels (12). There are also seven camping options and three caravanning sites, so you can choose between a room with someone else doing the cooking and a pitch where your dog has more space.

Other facilities vary, so read each listing rather than assuming. Across the 22 stays:

• 14 have WiFi and 14 have parking
• 11 have a restaurant and 11 have a bar
• 8 list disabled access, 8 have a laundrette and 8 have toilets

On-site food matters more than you might think with a dog. If you can eat where you're staying, you won't have to leave them alone in a room or find a dog-friendly table in town every evening. Bear in mind that a stay being Pet Friendly doesn't always mean dogs are allowed in its bar or restaurant. Ask before you book.

Where to base yourself

Inverness is the clear centre, with 17 of the 22 stays listed there. If you want the widest choice and the easiest last-minute options, start in Inverness.

The other five are spread out, with one each in Lairg, Inchmore, Skerray, Tongue, Lairg, Nairn and Tain. With only one option in each, there's no backup if your chosen stay is full. Book these earlier and have a second plan ready.

The listings don't say whether a stay is on the coast or in the countryside. If you want beach walks or open hills for your dog, check the description and map on each listing before you commit.

Matching the stay to your trip

The example stays show the range on offer:

• Couples wanting comfort: Kingsmills Hotel has a swimming pool, gym and spa. Heathmount Hotel & Restaurant and the Royal Highland Hotel both list a bar, restaurant and Pet Friendly facilities, which suits a relaxed evening after a long walk.
• Families: Delny Glamping has a hot tub, playground and indoor areas, which helps on wet days. Auchnahillin Holiday Park lists baby changing, toilets and disabled access. Bunchrew Caravan Park offers evening entertainment, a restaurant and takeaway food.
• Self-sufficient trips: Highland Glen Lodges lists Pet Friendly, parking and a laundrette. That's useful when muddy towels and dog blankets pile up.
• Arriving by rail: the Old North Inn at Inchmore is listed as near a train station and has a bar.
• Further afield: Borgie Lodge Hotel (Skerray, Tongue, Lairg) has a picnic area alongside its bar and restaurant. The Royal Hotel Tain lists a bar, restaurant and disabled access.
• Simple overnight stops: Travelodge Inverness City Centre and the Travelodge in Inverness both list a restaurant and disabled access. They're practical for a night either side of a longer trip.

Sango Sands, listed with a bar, toilets and gift shop, and The Bettyhill Hotel, with a bar, restaurant and takeaway food, add more choice for campers and hotel guests.

What to do once you're there

The region is rich in castles and heritage sites. These include Culloden Battlefield, Inverness Castle, Cawdor Castle, Castle Stuart, Kilravock Castle, Kilcoy Castle and Dunrobin Castle. For museums, there's The Highlanders' Museum, The Scottish Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, The Old Court house, Dingwall Museum and Hugh Miller's Museum and Cottage. The Highland Folk Museum and Am Fasgadh are also worth a look.

We don't have dog policies for these attractions. Indoor museums and historic houses often limit dogs, and outdoor grounds may have their own rules. Check each one before you go. Where dogs can't come in, plan to take turns visiting, or pair an indoor attraction with a long walk first so your dog is ready to rest.

When and how to book

With 22 stays in total, and only one in most places outside Inverness, choice is limited. Hotels often have just a few dog-friendly rooms, so they can fill well before the rest of the building. School holidays and long weekends are the obvious pressure points. Book as early as you can for those, especially in Lairg, Nairn, Tain or Inchmore.

Before you pay, confirm:

• how many dogs are allowed, and whether size limits apply
• any extra charge per dog or per night
• whether dogs can go into the bar or restaurant, or stay in the room only
• whether dogs can be left unattended, and for how long
• for camping and caravanning, where you can exercise your dog on site

If you're flexible, base yourself in Inverness. With 17 dog-friendly options there, it's the easiest place to find something at short notice.