Best Dog Friendly Munros – Often when I travel around Scotland I like to pack as much as I can. It’s important to make the most of my time, but trips with a checklist aren’t always the most relaxing. So when Hostelling Scotland invited me to enjoy a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms, I knew it was my chance to downsize.
Staying at Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel was a breath of fresh air – the air literally felt fresher. There were a variety of people who frequented it, from long-distance hikers passing through to those looking for a quiet weekend in the mountains. Molly and I have a private dog friendly room with bathroom and shower down the hall.
Best Dog Friendly Munros
After a few very busy months, we need to recharge by spending time in nature. That’s exactly how we did it!
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One of the biggest benefits of spending a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms with Hostelling Scotland is that Loch Morlich is on your doorstep. Of course, not all dogs love water as much as Molly, but there’s something here for just about everyone!
It’s the highest sandy beach in Scotland, so it’s perfect for paddling, surrounded by trees and mountains. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you can hire dog-friendly boats or canoes from Loch Morlich Watersports. As far as I know, there are no algae or lake monsters lurking in the depths…
No need to get wet though! A 6km leisurely path runs around the perimeter of Loch Morlich and is well maintained to be accessible to almost anyone. Just the right length to work up an appetite for your lunch back at the hostel.
Much smaller than Loch Morlich, but much more mysterious is An Lochan Uaine or The Green Lochan. No prizes for guessing where it got its name, but you might not know where it got its color. Smart people can tell you about things like algae, but storytellers know better. It’s all because of the fairies!
A Dog Friendly Weekend In The Cairngorms
Everyone knows that Scottish fairies always wear green clothes and wash them here. Just like wearing red socks with your white shirts, the color has overflowed and turned the water an emerald green. You may not see anyone when you’re here, but legend has it that Donald the Fairy King lives nearby!
You have two options to get here depending on how active you want your dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms to be. This is an easy roadside walk that takes you past the car barrier and straight to An Lochan Uaine. Or there is a much more interesting, if more challenging, route that climbs past the deer center and through the hillside forest.
If you’re still energized after An Lochan Uaine, something a little harder is next. Meall a’ Bhuachaille means Shepherd’s Hill and overlooks Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. Molly and I were regular hikers of the Munros but we were out of practice so this was a bit of an ordeal.
I’m happy to say we hit it off and even at 12 Molly was leaving me for dust on the slopes! It took just over three hours, including our stop at the lake and a good, long break over the best wine. It’s almost impossible to get lost on the circular route, so it’s a good introduction for inexperienced walkers.
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The views of Loch Morlich and the higher peaks are spectacular. I would confidently say that the reward far outweighs the effort, I’m pretty sure Molly agrees with me. If the weather is convenient, I’d recommend including Meall a’ Bhuachaille in your dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms!
Don’t worry, there are no real wolves to contend with on a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms! The Wolf of Badenoch you can meet in Loch an Eileen or at least his ghost as he died over 600 years ago. Walk through these woods and you’ll soon find one of Ynys y Blaidd’s forts.
It is just one of a number of castles owned by Alexander Stuart, the younger son of King Robert II. As Lord Badenoch, he gained a reputation for ruling his land with bands of hired gunmen. After his wife asked the Bishop of Moray to grant her a divorce, Alexander flew into a devastating explosion.
His “wild, wicked Highlanders” marched across the countryside, destroying ditches, Pluscarden Abbey and finally Elgin Cathedral. This reign of terror did not last long and the Wolf of Badnoch was forced to lick his wounds in his strongholds such as Locke and Castle Aileen. Sit in the trees, look towards the island like, listen carefully and you might hear it still out there somewhere!
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Be sure to visit The White Croft where there are amazing crafts (and dog ice cream) for sale!
Not all dog-friendly activities in the Cairngorms have to involve outdoor walks! Head to nearby Aviemore and you can travel back in time by taking a trip on the Strathspey Railway. There are occasional diesel powered trips, but the real treat is experiencing the old steam engine.
It’s every Tuesday to Sunday in July and August and a more limited schedule outside of those months. It doesn’t get far with only three stops, Aviemore – Boat of Garten – Broomhill, but it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Although the train itself is dog-friendly, you won’t have access to the dining cars, so come prepared!
There is only one place I recommend you stay for your dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms, Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel. It’s in the perfect location, has some of the best hostel beds I’ve ever slept in, and the staff were fantastic. Dogs are only allowed in private rooms, but if you’re not traveling with a pet, there are plenty of beds in dormitories.
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Not only is it a comfortable, welcoming place to stay in beautiful surroundings, but even this place has a story to tell. Long before it was a hostel, it was a shooting lodge, and with its ideal location in the hills, you can see why. However, it also hosted Norwegian special forces during World War II.
The hills and trees of the Cairngorms were the perfect training ground for Kompani Linge. This allows them to carry out sabotage in the surrounding area. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers was carried away and fired his weapon through a hut window! Keep your eyes open for the Norwegian flag and soldier-era storyboards here.
If you’re exhausted after walking, swimming or cycling all day on a dog-friendly weekend in the Cairngorms, you don’t have to go far. Cairngorm Lodge Hostel even has its own restaurant where your furry friend can join you for dinner!
I can personally recommend the steak pie and fish and chips along with an ice cold cider. You’re also set in the morning with continental or full Scottish breakfast options!
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Understandably, you might want to go a little further, so here are some dog-friendly alternatives.
The Old Bridge Pub – located in Aviemore, this is a great place for a dog friendly lunch!
The Pub in Rothiemurchus – not far down the road from the hostel to Aviemore, they offer a wide variety of lunch specials.
If this tour sounds like something you’d like to do with an experienced guide, message me now to book a Scotland’s Stories tour!
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Looking for more ideas for a dog-friendly weekend? How about the top 10 things to do with dogs in Oban?
This article is part of a paid campaign with Hostelling Scotland, but all details and opinions are my own.
Scotland’s Stories is here to help you learn more about Scotland and plan your next trip. My name is Graham and I’m a writer, storyteller and tour guide from Scotland.
Follow my adventures with Molly the Labrador as we aim to bring you the best stories Scotland has to offer. We’ll be traveling across the country, island hopping, climbing mountains and exploring hidden valleys and capturing it all here.
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