Dog Friendly Holidays in St Andrews

BritStays lists 23 dog friendly stays in the St Andrews area, and every one of them is marked Pet Friendly. The real choice is what kind of stay suits you and your dog. This guide uses what the listings tell us so you can narrow things down before you start comparing dates.

What kind of stays are available

Caravan parks make up almost half the set, with 11 of the 23. There are also 6 campsites and 6 hotels. If you are travelling with a dog, that mix is useful. Caravanning and camping usually give you your own front door and outdoor space. A hotel suits a shorter break where you want someone else to handle meals.

The facilities that come up most often are worth knowing:

• Pet Friendly: all 23
• WiFi: 16
• Parking: 14
• Restaurant: 14
• Toilets: 13
• Laundrette: 13
• Disabled Access: 11
• EV Charging Nearby: 8

WiFi and parking are common but not universal, so don't assume either. A laundrette at 13 of the stays is handy for muddy towels and dog bedding. If you drive an electric car, fewer than half mention EV charging nearby, so check that one carefully.

Choosing where to base yourself

St Andrews itself has the most choice, with 10 stays. They include Sauchope Links Holiday Park, Monturpie Caravan Park, Foresterseat Caravan Park, Elliot Caravan Park and The Open Arms. Staying in town keeps you close to the St Andrews Museum, the Wardlaw Museum and the St Andrews Castle Visitor Centre.

The listings also reach well beyond the town. Montrose and Dundee each have 2 stays. Kirriemuir, Lundin Links, Dunbar, North Berwick and Shell Bay have one each. The example stays include places in Forfar, St Monans and Tayport too. So you can pick a quieter base and travel in for the day.

The listings don't tell us which stays sit right by the beach or out in open countryside. Use each stay's map on BritStays to check the setting before you book.

What the example stays tell you

Families with children. Look at stays with play areas and on-site food:

• Lochlands Leisure Park in Forfar has a restaurant, cafe and playground.
• Larick Campsite in Tayport offers the same mix.
• Elliot Caravan Park in St Andrews lists evening entertainment.
• St Monans Holiday Park has a swimming pool, spa and bar.
• South Links Holiday Park in Montrose pairs a spa with a restaurant and takeaway food.

Couples. A few stays lean towards a more relaxed break:

• Glen Clova Hotel in Kirriemuir has a hot tub, bar and restaurant.
• Largo Law and Woodland Gardens Caravan & Camping in Lundin Links both list a hot tub and indoor areas. Indoor space helps when the weather turns.

Simple, practical stays. Travelodge in Dundee lists a restaurant, disabled access and Pet Friendly. It is a straightforward option for a night or two. Forth House in St Andrews notes disabled access, toilets and a gift shop.

Food on site. If you'd rather not leave your dog to go out for dinner, look for stays with a restaurant. Monturpie Caravan Park and Foresterseat Caravan Park in St Andrews both list one, and Monturpie adds a cafe and takeaway food. The Open Arms lists a restaurant too. Check whether dogs are allowed in the dining area itself, as that varies.

Things to do once you're there

The area has plenty of history. Landmarks include Glamis Castle, Broughty Castle, Tantallon Castle, Earlshall Castle, Ethie Castle and Tyninghame House. In Dundee you'll find the Dundee Science Centre, the Tayside Medical History Museum and a wakeboarding track.

Dog access at museums and heritage sites is something you'll need to confirm with each venue. Indoor attractions often restrict dogs other than assistance dogs. Grounds and outdoor areas may have different rules from the buildings. If you're visiting as a group, you can take turns inside. Don't leave your dog in a parked car.

When and how to book

Pet Friendly on a listing doesn't always mean unlimited dogs or no extra charge. Before you pay, ask:

• How many dogs are allowed, and are there size or breed limits?
• Is there a pet fee, and is it per stay or per night?
• Are dogs allowed in all accommodation types on site, or only some pitches and units?
• Can dogs go into the restaurant, bar or indoor areas?
• Are there rules about leads or leaving dogs alone in the accommodation?

On timing, school holidays and summer weekends are usually the busiest times for caravan parks and campsites. Dog friendly units can be a smaller share of what a park offers, so book early if you need specific dates. Outside the main holidays you'll generally have more choice. If you need disabled access, EV charging or a pitch close to facilities, mention it when you enquire and get confirmation in writing.