Dog Days – A Canine Guide to Edinburgh

We have a pawesome guest blog post for you by Gareth who runs Edinburgh Expert and his furry companion Monty! They will be sharing some of their best dog-friendly places to visit in Edinburgh, so keep reading for some pawtastic tips! (Sorry couldn’t resist the puns…)

Edinburgh Expert’s ‘s Top 5 Pawfect Places to Visit in Edinburgh

As a city with a wealth of independent and locally managed businesses, Edinburgh is remarkably dog-friendly. As well as accommodation providers (such as Dickins!) welcoming guests with their pets, many bars, restaurants and attractions also welcome you and your furry friends.

I run Tours With Paws, providing private walking tours of Edinburgh with my co-guide Monty the French bulldog, and we can tailor a tour to you and your dog, showcasing some of our favourite places to walk, visit and eat. But here are our top tips for ‘pawfect’ places to visit while you’re in town!

Cranachan and Crowdie

A purveyor of artisan foodstuffs and gorgeous Scottish gifts on the Canongate in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Cranachan and Crowdie have a puppy of their own! Pop in with your pooch to say hi to Callie, the shop’s resident shortbread quality control manager, and check out their range of Scottish giftware. We asked the owner a few questions last year – read more about it here.

The Royal Bank of Scotland

Dundas House on St Andrew Square is one of the city’s finest examples of Georgian grandeur. Built at the start of the New Town development in the 1760s, this villa housed one of the richest families in the city, before it became the RBS headquarters. Today you can take a peek inside and marvel at the architecture and design, all for free, and with no need to leave the dog outside.

Five Degrees Cafe

Not merely dog-friendly, Five Degrees also offers Edinburgh’s only dedicated dog menu! As well as a fine array of coffee, sandwiches and cakes, dogs can choose from a range of special lunch options, including biscuits with vegetables, or yoghurt with fruit! A great place to relax before heading up to browse the shops at Bruntsfield, or to run on the Links.

Summerhall

The former buildings of the Royal Dick Vet school near the Meadows has reinvented itself as a multifaceted social hub, with many of its public spaces welcoming dogs and their owners. Inside Summerhall you’ll find a bar, restaurant, gallery and performance spaces, a distillery and microbrewery, and an escape room attraction (with its mascot, Dexter the dog!).

Arthur’s Seat

Simply the largest open space in the city, Holyrood Park, at the foot of the Royal Mile, is a haven for dog walkers. Take it easy strolling on the grassy expanses at the foot of the extinct volcano, or follow any of the well-marked paths and trails up to the summit of Arthur’s Seat itself. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city, and a dog who will be tired enough to sleep like a log afterwards!

For a private walking tour of Edinburgh, contact Gareth at www.edinburghexpert.com.

Images by Edinburgh Expert.