Scotland with a dog – 18 days of freedom on four paws

Can you travel around Scotland with a dog and truly enjoy a relaxed holiday? After 18 days, a ferry crossing, tiny houses, cottages, a yurt and countless walks, our answer is a definite yes. In fact, it turned out to be one of our most beautiful trips.

Why Scotland – and why take your own car?

Scotland had been on our travel wish list for a long time. Not because of one particular sight, but because of the overall feeling: wild landscapes, narrow roads, small fishing villages, mysterious lochs and that special mix of freedom, tranquillity and adventure. Add cosy pubs, warm and welcoming people and an incredible variety of scenery – sometimes the landscape changes completely within just a few miles.

If you travel to Scotland, however, don’t expect sunshine every day. The weather is part of the experience: sunshine, wind and rain can alternate within a matter of minutes. But it’s precisely this ever-changing light that makes the Highlands look different time and time again. Good clothing is therefore far more important than a perfect weather forecast.

We drove our own car from Luxembourg to Amsterdam and took the ferry from there to Newcastle. Travelling with our own car was definitely the right decision for us: we could take everything we needed, didn’t have to worry about luggage restrictions and remained completely flexible throughout the trip. Especially when travelling with a dog, that’s a huge advantage – from her familiar bed and food to rainwear and hiking boots, there was plenty of room for everything.

Next time, however, we would plan the long ferry crossing differently. Although the Amsterdam–Newcastle route is convenient, spending so much time on board was less enjoyable than we had expected – especially with a dog. On our next trip, we would probably take the shorter ferry from Calais to Dover and plan an overnight stop somewhere in England instead. It makes the overall journey a little longer, but allows you to break it up into more relaxed stages – and you might even discover your first beautiful place along the way before Scotland has officially begun.

There is one thing, however, that we would do exactly the same again: travel with our own car. Juno knew her usual place, we could stop whenever we wanted, and from the moment we arrived in Scotland, we were completely independent.

And yes: in Scotland, you drive on the left. Surprisingly, you get used to it quite quickly. The narrow roads – the famous Single Track Roads – require far more attention. But they are all part of the experience too – especially when you turn a corner to suddenly find sheep standing in the road, or when the view opens up onto a remote loch.

For us, one thing quickly became clear: Scotland isn’t just about the destination – it’s about everything you discover along the way.

Our highlights: Scotland just the way we love it

What is the most beautiful thing about Scotland? For us, it’s almost impossible to answer that question with just one place. What we loved most was the incredible variety: lively cities and peaceful coastlines, vast mountain landscapes, small fishing villages and roads where the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Still, there are a few places that have stayed with us more than others.

Port Seton and Edinburgh: coastal tranquillity meets city life

We spent our first few days in Port Seton on Scotland’s east coast. This small coastal village was a wonderfully peaceful place to settle into our trip, while also providing the perfect base for visiting Edinburgh.

It was exactly this contrast that we loved: on the one hand, the relaxed pace of life by the sea; on the other, Scotland’s lively capital with its impressive architecture, historic streets and unique atmosphere. We could spend the day exploring Edinburgh and return to the quieter coast in the evening – for us, the perfect combination.

Cairngorms National Park: Scotland from above

Around Aviemore, Scotland showed us its wild, mountainous side for the first time. Cairngorms National Park was one of the most impressive landscapes of our entire journey: vast, unspoilt and always a little rugged.

One of our absolute highlights was the Cairngorm Summit Walk. The climb itself was a real experience, and once we reached the top, we were rewarded with an incredible sense of space and freedom. It’s in moments like these that you understand exactly why you came to Scotland: standing in the middle of a powerful landscape, with the wind on your face, everyday life suddenly feels very far away.

The Black Isle: a peaceful contrast

The Black Isle also surprised us with its own very special atmosphere. Away from the main tourist routes, the peninsula feels wonderfully peaceful and unspoilt in many places. Small coastal villages, sweeping views across the water and an abundance of nature make it a wonderful stop on the journey north.

It may not be the place that appears at the very top of every classic Scotland itinerary – but for us, that was precisely part of its charm. The Black Isle represents those quiet discoveries you don’t necessarily plan for, yet somehow end up remembering most.

Kylesku and the Northwest: wild, remote and spectacular

The further we travelled into the northwest, the more spectacular the scenery became. Around Kylesku, we found exactly the Scotland we had dreamed of: rugged mountains, deep lochs, lonely roads and a new breathtaking view around every corner.

Here, simply being on the road was often the highlight itself. You naturally slow down, stop again and again, and quickly realise that distances in Scotland shouldn’t be measured in miles alone. For us, this was one of the most beautiful regions of the entire trip – wild and remote, but all the more fascinating because of it.

Badachro and Shieldaig: small villages, lasting impressions

Badachro and Shieldaig represent the quieter moments of our journey. Small coastal villages, sheltered bays and landscapes that don’t need major attractions to make an impression.

Here, it wasn’t about seeing as much as possible. It was far more enjoyable to simply go for a walk, look out over the water and embrace the slower pace. Especially with Juno, these days were wonderfully relaxing: plenty of nature, plenty of space and no packed sightseeing schedule. Sometimes, it’s exactly these simple, unspectacular moments that make a journey truly special.

Isle of Skye and Glencoe: Scotland’s great landscapes

The Isle of Skye and Glencoe are among Scotland’s best-known regions – and yet, they certainly didn’t disappoint. Skye captivates with its dramatic coastline, striking mountains and landscapes that seem to change constantly with the weather.

Glencoe felt completely different again: powerful, mysterious and almost awe-inspiring. Surrounded by steep mountain slopes, you suddenly realise just how small you are. For us, the region was a fitting end to our time in the Highlands – and one of those places that look beautiful in photographs but are even more impressive in real life.

In the end, it wasn’t only the famous sights that made Scotland so special for us. It was the combination of iconic landscapes and quieter discoveries, the drives along narrow roads, spontaneous stops and all those moments spent outdoors with Juno. That alone made this journey worthwhile.

Our practical tips for travelling around Scotland with a dog

Check the entry requirements well in advance

Make sure you check the current entry requirements well before your trip – both for yourself and your dog. Travellers from the EU generally need a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation, known as an ETA, to enter the UK.

Additional requirements apply to dogs. These include a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the necessary travel documents. Before entering the country, your dog must also receive a tapeworm treatment administered by a vet and correctly documented. Important: the treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before entering the country. Your chosen ferry connection or travel route must also be approved for travelling to Great Britain with pets.

As regulations can change, always check the latest requirements on the official websites shortly before departure: entry requirements for travellers and entry requirements for pets.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather

The weather in Scotland can change remarkably quickly. Waterproof shoes, a really good rain jacket and several layers of clothing should therefore always be in your luggage – even in summer. We also kept a towel handy for Juno, because wet paws are almost inevitable in Scotland.

Don’t underestimate the midges

Scotland’s tiny midges can be quite a nuisance, especially during the summer months (they are mainly found on the west coast). A suitable insect repellent and perhaps a head net take up very little space but can make a huge difference. Be particularly prepared on damp, windless days and in the mornings and evenings.

Be considerate around sheep and other animals

Although dogs can enjoy plenty of freedom in many of Scotland’s natural areas, they should always be kept on a lead around sheep, cattle and other livestock. Juno always stayed close to us in these situations. This not only protects the animals but also helps prevent potentially dangerous encounters.

Take your time getting used to driving on the left

You get used to driving on the left surprisingly quickly. The narrow Single Track Roads often require much more concentration. Passing places should be used considerately and must never be blocked by parked cars. And most importantly: allow plenty of time. A journey that looks short on the map can take considerably longer than expected in Scotland!

Fewer stops, more Scotland

Our most important lesson when planning the trip: don’t try to fit too much into too little time. Spending two or three nights in one place gives you the freedom to adapt your plans to the weather, go for longer walks or simply stop somewhere spontaneously. Because very often, it isn’t the sights you planned to see but the unexpected stops along the way that make a trip to Scotland unforgettable.