Just Dogs

More Doggy Friendly Holiday Recommendations

06 Jul 2009

Thanks as always to one of our regular "Doggie Bloggie" contributors, James.  James has recently sent us some more handy dog friendly holiday recommendations to pass on to our doggy daft customers.  The details from James are below and should you wish to add a contribution we would be delighted to get your suggestions.

Inchnadamph Hotel, Assynt.

We stayed at the Inchnadamph Hotel for five days over the summer solstice (a friends 40^th). The hotel dates back about 200 years and it's present owners, Richard and Jamie, are very welcoming to four-legged guests (as well as those of us on 2 legs). Richard has been known to leap the bar to welcome incoming dogs! Well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar (where you can get good substantial meals) and throughout the Hotel (apart from the Kitchens, main Dining room and the Drawing room).

The hotel itself is situated in some of the most spectacular scenery in north west Scotland with too many options for walking to list them all. However, some options are: The bone caves: (about 5 minutes drive from the hotel) – unfortunately no bones left for the dogs now – but a good 4km round walk with plenty of interest. The “instant” river is one to fascinate humans (and provide cooling drinks for the dogs); The walk from the hotel towards further caves and the Munros of Conival and Ben More Assynt – you can go as far as you want and revel in the scenery; short evening walks from the hotel to the shores of Loch Assynt where herds of deer are grazing (may need to keep your dog on the lead if he/she thinks they are the last of the great hunting wolves!). There are plenty of stalkers paths criss-crossing the hills to explore and beaches around the coast (Achmelvich being best known). Several easily accessible “Corbetts” (hills between 2500 and 3000 feet) are within 30 minutes drive and make good short day walks for people and dogs. There are usually plenty of lochans, burns and springs for the dog to cool off in (on hot days) and to get drinking water.

Eating places with outside seating and tables and where dogs are welcome are: The Elphin Tearoom about 10 minutes south of the hotel and the Kylesku Hotel (excellent food !) about 20 minutes north of the hotel. It's also just 30-40 minutes north of Ullapool and in a Geopark with the famous Knockan Crag nearby.

Leckmelm Cottages – Ullapool.

Leckmelm is about 5 miles south of Ullapool on the A835 from Inverness. It's an organic farm and estate with a number of cottages for rent throughout the year. In may this year we stayed in one of three on the loch shore (others are away from the shore).

Dogs are welcome in the cottages and around the farm (though be aware that this is a working farm and you're likely to come across hens, sheep, pigs, horses and so on unexpectedly). Also the shoreline is frequented by otters and sea birds (one of the advantages of staying in one of the “Lochside” cottages).

There are a number of shorter walks around the cottages including one to the nearby Leckmelm gardens, and pleasant evening walks along the shore to the “modern” stone circle on the point! A lengthier walk is to find and follow the old road into Ullapool – this makes a good walk in for lunch and back afterwards. There are forest and hill walks all within 10 miles or so and sandy beaches further away near Achiltibuie.

In Ullapool there are a few places where you can sit outside to eat with your dog (weather and midges permitting): The Arch on the Shore road; The Ceilidh Place; and the Seaforth Inn (which has covered outside seating) are places we have eaten at. The Arch has very good bar food !

If you have a dog you'll probably find yourself involved in lots of conversations as you walk about the town!

We really like Ullapool (having been going for many years in all seasons) and it's great to find a dog-friendly and dog safe place so close to the town.

• By Gemma Johnstone
• Tags: Dog_Friendly, Recommended
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