Did you know that it is paw-sible to take your canine companion to most of the castles, abbeys, brochs and kirks managed by us?
Well behaved doggos are welcome to explore many of our historic sites. It’s a great way to spend your howl-idays. And, of course, assistance dogs are welcome everywhere.
We spoke to some good girls and boys to find out their favourite attractions. Turns out there’s nothing better than having a good sniff around Scotland’s historic places!
In-fur-mation about visiting with your dog
It might sound a bit ruff, but unfortunately we don’t allow dogs to visit all of our sites. When you’re on our website, look out for the “no dogs allowed” icon.
Dogs must always keep their human on a lead, but that’s not too difficult. Who knows what your human might get up to if left free to roam?!
Even at sites where dogs are welcome, access to some areas might be cur-tailed. Places like visitor centres and roofed (woofed?) areas are usually out of bounds.
If you’re planning to bring your dog to one of our sites and aren’t sure what to expect, you can always get on the old dog-and-bone to speak to our site staff in advance of your visit. The telephone numbers for our staffed sites are on the “Getting here” tab of our property pages.
Many of our sites are located in rural areas, and you may need to cross fields where livestock are present to reach them. In these places, it’s essential that dogs are kept on a lead and under close control at all times. Even the most well-behaved dogs can cause distress to livestock, especially during lambing season. If you’re planning a visit, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code has excellent guidance for dog walkers, including how to enjoy the countryside responsibly while keeping everyone safe.
Skye at Blackness Castle
Skye the Scottie dog absolutely adores her visits to Blackness Castle. With her little paws pattering across the cobbled courtyard and her nose twitching at the salty breeze from the Firth of Forth, she’s in her element. After exploring the castle it’s off to the beach for a sniff along the shoreline.
Image credit: @thatmuseumgirl_ on Instagram.
Tucker at Tantallon
Tucker the Double Doodle absolutely loved his visit to Tantallon Castle. It’s the perfect place to blow the cobwebs away! And there’s a lot of lovely beach walks nearby if you fancy a bound along the coast after your visit.
Bambi and Luna at Spynie Palace
Bambi and Luna enjoyed a regal romp around the ruins of Spynie Palace, once the grand residence of the Bishops of Moray. The peaceful setting, nestled just outside Elgin, offers plenty of space to stretch out and explore. Navigating the spiral staircase up the tower was a bit much for the duo, who opted to lounge at the bottom of the tower while their humans took it in turn to admire the view.
Image credit: @heather.and.the.hounds on Instagram.
Malcolm at Craigmillar Castle
Malcolm the Golden Retriever is one of the bestest boys around. Of course, he’s always smiling. But he had an extra big smile on his day out to Craigmillar Castle.
Image credit: @amyvictoria_johnson
Findlay at Cairnpapple Hill
Findlay the lurcher had a pawsitively ancient adventure at Cairnpapple Hill. As a sighthound, he is built for admiring the panoramic views that stretch for miles across the Bathgate Hills and beyond.
Image credit: @grandeurinthisviewoflife
Hester and Pinta at Balvenie
Rescue dogs Hester and Pinta recently visited Balvenie Castle, just north of Dufftown in Moray. This dynamic duo love their Historic Scotland membership because it gives them lots of new places to explore. They can be a bit nervous of other visitors, so they enjoy getting out to explore our quieter sites. Built in the late 13th century by the powerful Comyn family, the castle is one of Scotland’s oldest stone fortresses. This dog-friendly site offers visitors (both two- and four-legged) a chance to connect with over 700 years of Scottish history.
Image credit: @adventurous_reactiverescues on Instagram
The Antonine Wall: the ulti-mutt day out
If you enjoy going Roman with your pooch, look no further than a walk along the Antonine Wall. This UNESCO World Heritage site was built under the Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius. Building began in AD 142 and the completed wall stretched from Old Kilpatrick on the west coast to near Bo’ness in the east. It’s still paws-ible to explore sections of the remains of the wall. These remnants provide an intriguing glimpse of this former frontier.
Teeko and Luna soaking up the sights at Rrrrrrruff Castle.
Rough Castle might be the second-smallest fort on the wall, but it’s in the best state of preservation!
Climbing to Clackmannan Tower
Just as well Elsie enjoys a scramble! Clackmannan Tower occupies a commanding position on top of King’s Seat Hill and stands on a site rich with royal connections. The tower was built by descendants of Robert the Bruce and remained in the family until the late 1700s.
This might sound far-fetched, but Rabbie Burns once enjoyed a day out here too!
Tam and Billy at Dirleton Castle
This grey-garious pair are bast pals. In between zoomies and monopolising the family sofas, they love to get a-hound and do some history hunting. With its lovely gardens and impressive ruins, Dirleton Castle is a greyt day out.
Reggie goes to Huntingtower
This aristocratic pup likes to flaunt his regal connections. The long and the short of it is that Reggie the Highland Dachshund had a great time at Huntingtower Castle where Mary Queen of Scots and her new husband Lord Darnley stayed during the Chaseabout Raid.
Image credit: @reggie_highland_dachshund
Noseying around the Novantae
Around 2,000 years ago, this corner of Dumfries and Galloway was inhabited by a tribe known by the Roman occupiers as the Novantae.
Barsalloch Fort was probably a well-protected farmstead which was likely home to a minor chief.
Elsie was disappointed to discover that there are no longer guard dog services required at this former high security compound.
Just along the road at Rispain Camp you can find another fortified farmstead of the Novantae people.
Bramble is pretty sure there used to be some roundhouses here.
Going for a dook at Doune Castle
Meet Bonnie. This wee pupper has been learning to swim in the Ardoch Burn at Doune Castle. Although Bonnie isn’t able to visit the castle itself (sorry Bonnie!), there’s loads for her to do around and about. She can find lots to explore on the woodland walk, take a dip in the burn, enjoy a good sniff around the site of a Roman fort and scamper across the new pedestrian bridge.
A fantastic fox at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is out of bounds to most canine companions, but this streetwise urban fox clearly doesn’t play by the rules!
Image credit: Jamie Prendergast
We understand that it can be frustrating for dog owners to find out that dogs aren’t allowed at Edinburgh Castle. It’s such an iconic spot, and it’s natural to want to share the experience with your four-legged friend. But the rule is in place for good reason. Edinburgh Castle (like some of our other sites where dogs aren’t permitted) can get very busy. Narrow staircases, bustling rooms and enclosed museum spaces can be overwhelming or unsafe for dogs. Plus, not all visitors are comfortable around animals, especially in tight quarters. While assistance dogs are welcome, the policy helps protect the site, the wellbeing of all visitors, and the comfort of your pup too.
Love history and walkies?
Fancy exploring more historic sites with your pup? Become a Historic Scotland member now, and get access to Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, and create unforgettable memories with your four-legged friend.
Note: This blog was refreshed with new content on 25 August 2025.
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