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In July, Angus and I went on a dog-friendly adventure to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. We discovered lots of dog-friendly activities, pubs and restaurants and really enjoyed soaking up the mountain views at our dog-friendly accommodation, Cairngorm Lodge. Aviemore truly is the perfect place to take your dog on holiday; Read our best travel tips for planning your dog-friendly adventure in Aviemore.
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Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the United Kingdom, covering 4,500 square kilometres, stretching from Glenlivet and Granton-on-Spey in the north to Blair Atholl in the south and Alter in the east.
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Aviemore is the capital on the west side of the park, and this is where we based our latest Scottish dog adventure.
Aviemore is known for its many outdoor activities, from kayaking to canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, from hiking to mountain biking; It’s the perfect starting point for a variety of activities that you and your dog can enjoy!
We spent two nights at the Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel, one of Hostelling Scotland’s dog-friendly hostels in Glenmore (a 10-minute drive from Aviemore).
Angus is a proud ambassador for Hostelling Scotland and has loved every stay he has had with them so far, leaving the staff asking for lots of biscuits and cakes!
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Cairngorm Lodge youth hostel was formerly a shooting range and has recently undergone an impressive refurbishment. It’s easy to confuse contemporary lounge areas with something you’d find in a hotel; The inn has retained its traditional, cozy charm.
Step outside and you’ll find yourself inside Glenmore Forest Park. Dotted with thousands of pine trees and surrounded by hills, 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 fetch and watched the sun set over the water.
At night we returned to the inn to re-energise with a hot meal, and each morning I enjoyed a full Scottish breakfast with Angus, which the Pecorina team had graciously prepared for him!
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There was also a large garden at the back of the hotel where Angus could run and picnic tables where he could enjoy the view of the valley. Our comfortable private room is located above the forest and there is a bathroom with a waterfall shower across the hall.
There are lots of fun things to do with a dog in Aviemore, and many of the activities we recommend in this article are within walking distance of Cairngorm Lodge Youth Inn.
Having a car will definitely help if you want to go to most of these places, but if you don’t, we recommend staying in hostels as most of the activities mentioned start from here.
Angus loved to run along the shore at the eastern end of Loch Morlich. Less than a 5-minute walk from the hostel, Loch Morlich is the highest body of water and water in the UK. A sandy beach surrounded by mountains and forest paths that’s fun to explore.
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This is a popular area for swimming and water sports – and after some pushing I persuaded Angus into the water where he went swimming for the first time!
The easiest way to reach the beach is from Glenmore Campground, which is accessible to everyone. There is also parking available; Be sure to bring coins with you 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 bike tour for everyone, including your dog. I hiked under Pine Marten Bar to Glenmore Campground; A half day rental (3 hours) costs £20, which gave me plenty of time to ride the lake (you need about 1.5 hours per cycle).
Angus loves walking in rivers and lakes. Make sure your dog stays on the trail as there are birds nesting on the lakeshore.
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Meall a’ Bhuachaille is a moderately challenging walk that rewards you with bird’s eye views of Loch Morlich, Cairn Gorm munro, Cairngorm Mountain Ski Resort and Glenmore Forest.
I recommend walking Meall a’ Bhuachaille clockwise, starting from Cairngorm Lodge Youth Inn. Walking this Corvette clockwise is the easiest option, as going down east is very steep (like a flight of stairs).
If you follow this guide you will also pass Ryvoan Bothy and An Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch).
If you want a shorter, easier walk, the An Lochan Uaine (Green Walk) route is a popular option. You will pass through ancient Caledonian pines to reach Luchan, which adds interesting folklore.
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People have been known to swim in this bay, but I don’t think I’m that brave because of the leeches I saw in the water! But it’s a nice walk.
Ryvoan Bothy is a small cottage located on the outskirts of Meall a’ Bhuachaille. If you haven’t heard of Shani before, it’s basically an unlocked mountain retreat with basic accommodation. Both were used as drivers, deer hunters and farmers hundreds of years ago. Ryvoan was an abandoned wine merchant’s cottage in 1877.
Today both are popular resting places for hikers and climbers. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend the night in pairs or use it to find shelter during stormy weather.
If you go to An Luchan Oyin, you can reach both by following the same road for one kilometer (0.7 miles).
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The Strathspey Steam Train is a hidden gem in the Cairngorms National Park; Dogs can ride the steam train too!
You can buy return tickets from Aviemore; General section tickets are currently £16.75 per adult, while your pup’s ticket costs just £1.
The journey passes through some of the Cairngorms’ most beautiful scenery. The train stops at two stations: Boat of Garten and Broomhill (known as Glenbogle to Monarch of Glen fans). Boat of Garten has a lovely cafe selling delicious slices and an old women’s waiting room that offers an interesting glimpse into the past!
Enjoy an easy circular route with your dog and explore a castle on the island! Loch an Eileen is a beautiful reflecting body of water, named after the island where a 14th-century castle of the same name stands.
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Loch An Eileen Castle was probably built by the Bishops of Moray in the 13th century, but was rebuilt by Alexander Stewart, Wolf of Badenoch, in the 14th century. He inherited the castle after forcing the widowed heiress Euphemia to marry him. After being denounced by the Bishop of Moray, Alexander Stewart was given the order to burn Forres, the town of Elgin and its cathedral.
The castle is now in ruins, separated from the mainland due to the rising waters of the lake. This is a magnificent example of an island castle.
There’s no shortage of dog-friendly restaurants in Aviemore and Glenmore; In fact, the area around it is for dogs.
Here are some of our favorite restaurants and bars where Angus and I dined. Tip: If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to book a table in advance; I had difficulty finding a table in most of these restaurants.
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The quaint Pine Marten Bar is located on the road to Glenmore Camp. This is a rustic ski lodge, the walls are lined with memorabilia, including old ski equipment. It’s usually full of happy campers and their canine friends coming through the campground.
There is an outdoor area where you can enjoy a drink on a warm day, as well as a terrace seating area overlooking a peaceful area of Glenmore Forest.
Cairngorm Lodge also serves hot meals between 17:00 and 20:00. There’s a wide range of classic dishes such as steak pie, fish and chips and chicken curry.
They’re also licensed so you can enjoy a beer, glass of wine or cider with your meal, and your dog is allowed to sit with you in the dining area.
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The Boathouse Cafe is located at Loch Morlich Watersports, which offers a wide range of rentals including kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and mountain bikes. It is on the banks of Loch Morlich.
They offer to buy food and drinks and sit down. It can get crowded due to the number of beachgoers, but it’s a good place to grab a quick meal or snack while relaxing on the beach.
Winking Owl and Booty Bear are located in the center of Aviemore. Owned and operated by Cairngorm Brewery, Winking Owl is the main restaurant with mountain views of the Cairngorm Ranges. Bothy Bar is a warm and welcoming bar serving award-winning local beers and savory fare.
If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s a little more stylish than a pub, Balavoulin in the center of Aviemore is an excellent choice. They are the source of many
