Best Dog Friendly Munros – Are we Instagram friends? This is where I share my best tips, videos and everyday life in Scotland!
In July, Angus and I went on a dog adventure to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. We found lots of dog-friendly entertainment, pubs and restaurants, and had a great time enjoying the mountain views at our dog-friendly hostel: Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. Aviemore is a really great place to take your dog on holiday. Read on for our top travel picks to plan your dog-friendly Aviemore adventure.
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The Cairngorms National Park is England’s largest national park, covering 4,500 square kilometers and stretching from Glenlivet and Granton on Spey in the north to Blair Atoll in the south and Ballater in the east.
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Aviemore is the capital on the west side of the park and it’s where we focused our latest dog-friendly adventure in Scotland.
Aviemore is renowned for its outdoor activities – from skiing to kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, from walking to mountain biking, it’s a great place for a variety of activities that you and your dog can enjoy!
We spent two nights at Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel in Glenmore in Glenmore (10 minutes drive from Aviemore) – one of their dog friendly hostels.
Angus is a proud ambassador for Hostelling Scotland and has always enjoyed staying with them, giving the staff lots of biscuits and pats on the back!
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Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel was once a shooting lodge and has recently been impressively refurbished. However, the modern lounge area is easy to confuse with what you would find in a hotel – this hostel retains the charm of traditional and comfortable accommodation.
Step outside and you’ll be immersed in Glenmore Forest Park. Surrounded by mountains with thousands of pine trees, Glenmore is a nature lover’s playground.
The golden sandy beach of Loch Morlich is a short walk from the hostel. Angus and I played a few rounds and watched the sun set over the water.
In the evening we returned to the hostel for a hot meal and each morning I enjoyed a full Scottish breakfast with Angus next to the ham that the hostel staff had prepared for him.
A Dog Friendly Guide To Aviemore [2024]
There is also a large garden behind the hostel where Angus can run around and picnic tables to enjoy the view over the valley. Our cozy private room is located on the edge of the forest and the bathroom with waterfall shower is across the hall.
There are plenty of things to do with your dog in Aviemore, and many of the activities I recommend in this article are close to Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel.
Having a car definitely helps if you want to cover a lot of these places, but if you don’t, I recommend staying at a hostel as many of the activities mentioned start there.
Angus likes to run along the shore on the eastern side of Loch Morlich. Less than 5 minutes’ walk from the hostel is Loch Morlich, England’s highest body of water and home to a golden sandy beach surrounded by mountains and wonderful woodland paths.
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It’s a popular spot for swimming and water sports – and after some coaxing I lured Angus into the water for his first swim!
The easiest way to get to the beach is from the Glenmore campsite, which is accessible to everyone. Parking is also available here – be sure to take coins to pay for parking as there is no mobile signal for contactless payments in this area.
The Loch Morlich Circuit is an easy walk or cycle for everyone, including the dog. I rented a lift from the bottom of Pine Marten Bar at Glenmore Campsite; A half day rental (3 hours) was £20 which gave me enough time to cycle around the lake (you need about 1.5 hours to cycle).
Angus likes to play in rivers and lakes. Make sure your dog stays on the trail as the birds nest on the lake shore.
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Meall a’ Bhuachaile is a moderately difficult walk with panoramic views of Loch Morlich, Munro Cairn, Mount Cairngorm Ski Center and Glenmore Forest.
I recommend walking clockwise from Meillol to Bhuachaile, starting at Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. The easiest option is to climb this Corbett clockwise as it is very steep (like a ladder) as you descend to the east.
If you follow this guide you will also pass Riwoan Bothy and An Loch Uinn (Green Loch).
If you prefer a short, easy walk, the trail to An Loch Uainé (The Green Loch) is a popular choice. You’ll pass ancient Caledonian pines to reach the Lochan, which has an interesting folklore associated with it.
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Lots of people enjoy swimming in this pool, although I don’t think I would be so brave after seeing a leech in the water! It’s a nice walk though.
Rivoane-Boti is a small village located at the foot of Mil-à-Boixaille. If you haven’t heard of either before, they’re essentially open-air mountain shelters with basic amenities. Both were used centuries ago by divers, deer and farmers. Rivoane was a farmer’s cottage abandoned in 1877.
Today, both are popular resorts for rock climbers and climbers. Lovers of active recreation can spend the night in both, or use them as a shelter in cloudy weather.
If you are walking to Loch Uine, you can follow the same path for one kilometer (0.7 miles) to reach Bothy.
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The Strathspey Steam Locomotive is a hidden gem in the Cairngorms National Park and dogs can even ride the steam locomotive!
You can buy return tickets from Aviemore; Currently, a general class ticket for an adult is £16.75 and a child ticket is just £1.
Travel past some of the best scenery in the Cairngorms. The train stops at two stations: Boat of Garton and Broomhill (aka Glenbogle for Monarch of the Glen fans). The Boat of Garten has a great coffee shop that sells delicious slices and an old lady’s lounge that offers a magical glimpse into the past!
Enjoy an easy circular route with your dog and discover the island castle! Loch An Aileen is a body of water reflecting beauty, named after the island on which the 14th century castle of the same name stands.
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Loch an Eileen Castle was probably built by the Bishop of Moray in the 13th century, but was rebuilt in the 14th century by Alexander Stewart, Wulf of Badenoch. He inherited the castle after forcing the widowed heiress Euphemia to marry him. After being excommunicated by the Bishop of Moray, Alexander Stuart regained his possessions, burning the towns and cathedrals of Forres and Elgin.
Now the palace is an overgrown ruin, cut off from the mainland by rising lake waters. This is a stunning example of an island palace.
There is no shortage of dog-friendly restaurants in Aviemore and Glenmore; In fact, the surrounding area is designed to be dog-friendly.
Here are some of my favorite restaurants and pubs where Angus and I have dined. Tip: If you go in the summer, be sure to book a table in advance – I had a hard time getting a table at many of these restaurants.
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The unique Pine Marten Bar is located by the road at Glenmore Campground. This is a rustic ski lodge, the walls of which are lined with souvenirs, including old ski equipment. These are usually campsites full of happy tourists and their dogs.
There is an outdoor area to enjoy a drink on a warm day and a balcony overlooking a peaceful part of Glenmore Forest.
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel also serves hot meals from 17:00 to 20:00. They have a great selection of classics including steak pie, fish and chips and curry chicken.
They’re also licensed, so you can enjoy a beer, glass of wine or cider with your meal – and your dog can join you in the dining room.
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The Boathouse Café is located on Loch Morlich and offers kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards and mountain bikes for hire. It is located on the shore of Lake Morlich.
They offer take-out and on-site food and drinks. It can get busy with lots of beachgoers, but it’s a great place to grab a quick bite or a bite to eat if you’re on the beach.
The Winking Owl and Bothie Bar are located in the center of Aviemore. The main restaurant, The Winking Owl, owned and operated by Cairngorm Brewery, has stunning views of the Cairngorm Mountains. The Bothy Bar is a warm and comfortable bar serving award-winning local beers and delicious food.
If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s a little more charming than a pub, Balavoulin in the center of Aviemore is a great choice. They are the source of many of these things
