National Puppy Day on Saturday 23 March is a good excuse, if you need one, to go for a walk with your dog (or borrow someone else’s dog).
To make it easy to pick a route Eat Drink Meet has set out some inspiring ideas.
Eat Drink Meet, know about pubs and restaurants, and have compiled a suggestion list of Edinburgh’s top dog walks and trails, which not only offer amazing views and stunning sights but also provide dog-friendly pubs for owners and pups alike to enjoy a refreshment at the end of a long walk.
Eat Drink Meet’s brand-new planning website allows users to filter the pubs in their area to view only the ones that are dog friendly. Using AllTrails, they identified the best dog walking routes that start and/or end at one of those pubs in the area.
A spokesperson at EDM said: “National Puppy Day is the perfect chance to appreciate the companionship offered by our furry friends. Finding pubs that are dog-friendly can be tricky, especially those that are suitable for younger dogs, and coupled with searching in a new location this can feel like trial and error and could make an otherwise wholesome day quite stressful. For those new to owning a dog, finding a place where the pup can feel relaxed can be a daunting prospect.
“Our new planning website that allows users to filter the pubs in their area (or an area they’re looking to visit) based on what they’re looking for is designed to help exactly this problem. We want our puppy-owning customers to enjoy time with their pups, knowing they don’t have to worry about finding a spot for lunch at the end – with Eat Drink Meet, they’ve already planned their stops. Because, really, there’s no better way to finish a walk than resting in a relaxing pub with a hot drink or refreshing lager.”
1. Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is an Edinburgh landmark. Home to Arthur’s Seat, it offers stunning views of the capital. Arthur’s Seat is the remains of a volcano where stone and flint tools were located, revealing human activity dating back to 5000 BC.
Within Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat there are several walks to try out, perfect for walking your furry friends.
Walks include:
· Arthur’s Seat: the 4.2km trail climbing 251m to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. Considered moderately difficult to complete this trail takes 1 hour 41 minutes to complete.
· Holyrood Park Circular: located beside the Holyrood Palace and Scottish parliament buildings, this walk circles round the park and passes Dunsapie Loch and St.Margaret’s Loch. 5.6km in distance it takes approximately 1hour 32 minutes to complete. Located on the outer edge of the park is the Sheep Heid Inn – a dog friendly pub making a perfect end point.
· Arthur’s Seat and St Anthony’s Chapel: this walk avoids the steeper routes up the hill, perfect for dog walks. At 3.2km in distance, it takes 1 hour 21 minutes.
· Queen’s Drive around Holyrood Park: 5.3km in distance, it takes 1 hour 27 minutes. This walk loops round the park and can be shortened or lengthened thanks to the adjacent paths along the walk.
Dog friendly pub near to Holyrood Park: the Sheep Heid Inn
2. The Meadows
The Meadows bordered by the University of Edinburgh campus (George Square Campus) offer plenty of open space lined with trees and also an excellent view of Arthur’s Seat.
Walks include:
· The Meadows Perimeter Walk: an easy 2.3km that takes only 29 minutes to complete. Less than a 10-minute walk away from the Meadows is Salisbury Arms, a great dog friendly pub.
· Jawbone, Coronation, Boys Brigade, Borough Loch Walks: this is a slightly longer version of the standard perimeter walk, taking 37 minutes to complete.
Dog friendly pub near to Holyrood Park: Salisbury Arms
3. Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle
Princes Street Gardens is more than 37 acres of grassland dividing the Old and New Town. The gardens were first designed in 1770 but were established in 1820.
Recommended walks include:
· West Princes Street Gardens and Calton Hill: this 5.6km walk with an elevation gain of 152m takes approximately 1 hour 32 minutes to complete. The walk climbs Calton Hill (either by steps or road) which offers panoramic views of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, Leith and the Royal Mile. A perfect pup-friendly pitstop (If a little distant) is Deacon Brodies Tavern, on the Royal Mile. There are other options in St James Quarter or in Waterloo Place and Leith Street which are much closer.
· Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace: another walk is an out-and-back route, 3.2km which takes 53 minutes to complete walking on the often busy Royal Mile. Best done in the early hours.
· Edinburgh Walking Tour: this 7.4km walk takes 1 hour 51 minutes to complete, offering the perfect opportunity to see Edinburgh’s most famous attractions. Located on the route is The Last Drop, a perfect stopping point for a drink (and is dog friendly).
4. Water of Leith
The Water of Leith starts in the Pentland Hills flows through the heart of Edinburgh and into Leith itself. The river is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. Also look out for the Gormley’s en route – a set of six life size sculptures standing in the river at intervals.
The Walkway (the route following the river), passes through several interesting locations: Saughton Gardens, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Dean Village and Stockbridge. It is suitable for walking and cycling but can be a bit muddy in wet weather.
Recommended walks include:
· Water of Leith Walkway: starting from Balerno, weaving through the city to the Firth of Forth at Leith, the walkway is a popular route for walking and cycling. This 19.6km walk takes 4 hours 43 minutes to complete. The trail winds through some of Edinburgh’s most famous areas – Leith, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Stockbridge and Dean Village. Located on the route, Hector’s pub is an option for a pit stop in Stockbridge. Good Sunday lunches.
· Water of Leith: Currie to Balerno: for a shorter walk, this 4.7km out and back trail takes 1 hour 4 minutes to complete.
5. South Queensferry
The Royal Burgh of South Queensferry was ranked the second prettiest town in the UK in 2023. The town looks out on the three bridges over the Forth and is close to landmarks and attractions such as Barnbougle Castle just outside, Eagle Rock and then Cramond Causeway on the way back to the city.
Recommended walks:
· Hound Point: at 5km in distance and takes roughly 1 hour to complete. Starting at South Queensferry it follows the coast to Hounds Point and back. Forth Bridges offers fantastic views year-round. Located directly next to the Start/Finish point is The Hawes Inn, a dog friendly pub offering food all week.
· Forth Road Bridge: this 5.8km walk takes 1 hour 16 minutes to complete. The route starts in South Queensferry, advancing over the Forth Road Bridge to North Queensferry where there are also hotels and pubs. (And if you get tired you can get the train back.
· Cramond Island via River Almond Walkway: this 8km out and back trail starts on land. If the tide is right, walk to Cramond Island but pay attention to the warnings about timing.
· Fife Coastal Path: North Queensferry to Aberdour: this 13.5km walk takes 3 hours 10 minutes to complete. The Fife Coastal Path links the Forth and Tay Estauries.
For more information on dog-friendly pubs near your area, visit the Eat Drink Meet website: https://www.eatdrinkmeet.co.uk/#/
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
