Dog-Friendly Self-Catering in Orkney

For the perfect dog-friendly self-catering holiday in Orkney, the islands are hard to beat. There are no blanket seasonal beach bans here, the Ring of Brodgar welcomes dogs on a lead, and the coastal walking is some of the finest in Britain. What there is to navigate is the sheer range of properties that claim a pet welcome: some mean it warmly, others add a laundry list of restrictions. This guide cuts to seven cottages and lodges across Mainland Orkney that offer a genuine welcome for four-legged guests — with the space, gardens and settings to match.

Why Orkney Is Such Good News for Dog Owners

Most of Britain’s most scenic coastline comes with a catch for dog owners: seasonal bans from May to September on the beaches where you most want to walk. Orkney is different. While individual beaches have their own rules and a handful impose seasonal restrictions near nesting birds, the majority of the coast is open year-round, and the — quiet country lanes, farm tracks and cliff paths form a near-limitless network of off-lead territory. Most farm fields are grazed by livestock, so the Code of Responsible Access applies (dogs on short lead near animals), but beyond the fence lines the walking is essentially free.

The heritage sites are welcoming too. Historic Environment Scotland’s unmanned outdoor sites, including the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, allow dogs on a lead at no charge. That means two of the world’s great Neolithic monuments are on the itinerary for dogs as well as their owners.

Seven Dog-Friendly Cottages and Lodges

These seven properties are drawn from the 35 pet-friendly listings on Orkney Stays. They span Mainland Orkney from Stromness in the west to St Margaret’s Hope in the south, and each has been selected for a combination of space, outdoor access and a setup that works properly for dogs — not just a grudging note in the small print. For the full list of places to stay in Orkney, including hotels that accept pets, the Orkney Stays accommodation search filters by pet-friendly.

Switha is the standout luxury pick. A high-specification holiday home on the edge of Stromness with sea views toward Hoy, a private hot tub, a proper enclosed garden and three bedrooms sleeping six. The photos show the open water framed in the main living-room windows, and the garden runs down to the view. Stromness town, with its flagstone streets and the Hoy ferry terminal, is a short walk away. For owners who want a genuinely luxurious base with room for a large dog to settle properly, this is the first recommendation.

The Steading is a beautifully converted agricultural building near Stromness with sea views, a private hot tub and a generous garden. Sleeping six in three bedrooms, it has the same Stromness access as Switha but a more rural feel: the building sits in open country with the fields and sea beyond the garden boundary. For a group that wants coastal walking from the door and a hot tub to come back to, it is a very complete package, and dogs have the run of a proper outdoor space.

Egypt is a coastal holiday home on the East Mainland with the open bay immediately behind the property. Hot tub, sea view, private garden — all three. Sleeping six in three bedrooms, it sits in a quiet rural position with coastal walking accessible on foot. The aerial photographs show the house and the sea together in a single frame, so the "sea view" tag is not aspirational. For a couple or family who want a high-spec coastal base away from the busier pockets of Mainland, Egypt is an easy choice, and the garden gives dogs proper outdoor space.

Scorrabrae at Orphir is the largest property on this list, sleeping up to nine guests. It sits on the south Mainland with views across Scapa Flow, a private hot tub and room for both a big family and a dog to travel comfortably. Orphir puts you on the quieter, southern side of the Orkney Mainland — convenient for the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel, and within easy reach of Kirkwall. For a multi-family group travelling with a dog, the combination of nine-person capacity and outdoor space is hard to match.

Inskeyft in Kirkwall is a four-bedroom holiday home that sleeps seven — the only property on this list with four bedrooms, making it the pick for a multi-family group that needs the extra room. It has a private hot tub and an enclosed garden. Being in Kirkwall puts you within reach of St Magnus Cathedral, the shops and the ferry connections to the inner and outer islands; the garden means dogs have proper outdoor space without needing to drive anywhere. A reliable central base for a week-long Orkney stay.

Kirbister Mill Farm Cottage near Orphir is the pick for guests who want a proper countryside setting rather than a coastal house or a town-centre base. It sleeps six in three bedrooms, has a substantial garden and sits within a working farm landscape — so dogs need to be kept under close control around livestock, but the property itself has good outdoor space. Kitchen, washing machine and parking are all included. For a family that walks its dog in the mornings and wants a traditional Orcadian farmhouse feel, Kirbister Mill is worth considering.

St Clair House in St Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay is the pick for the southern islands. A three-bedroom holiday home sleeping six with a proper garden and parking, it puts you on the peaceful southern tip of the Orkney Mainland, linked to the north by the Churchill Barriers road. The Hope, as locals call St Margaret’s Hope, is a handsome village with a handful of good restaurants and pubs, and it is the terminal for the Pentland Ferries crossing to Gills Bay if you are driving up from the south. A quieter, more village-based alternative to a Kirkwall or Stromness stay.

Travelling to Orkney with Your Dog

The main route to Orkney for dog owners is the NorthLink Ferries service from Scrabster in Caithness to Stromness, a 90-minute crossing. NorthLink takes dogs in three ways: in your car on the vehicle deck (no charge and no need to book); in a heated, ventilated kennel off the car deck (book in advance; kennels fill early in peak season); or in a pet-friendly cabin where your dog travels with you in the cabin for a supplement of £15 per pet. On MV Hamnavoe, which operates the Scrabster–Stromness route, there is also a dedicated dog lounge where pet owners can take a free space. Dogs must be kept on a lead on NorthLink ferry property and are not permitted in the ship’s internal public areas, except guide and assistance dogs.

A second ferry option, NorthLink’s overnight service from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (approximately six hours), follows the same pet policy. The Pentland Ferries service from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope (one hour) is a useful alternative for drivers coming from the south; their pet policy allows dogs in vehicles.

Dog Walking in Orkney: Beaches, Cliffs and Heritage Sites

Orkney’s coastline is the main draw for dogs and their owners. A few walks stand out for variety and quality:

• Scapa Beach, Kirkwall — the easiest dog walk from Kirkwall. A long, sheltered beach on Scapa Flow that is open year-round and usually quiet, with a clear track from the car park.

• Yesnaby sea stacks, West Mainland — dramatic sandstone cliffs and a sea stack rising from the Atlantic. The cliff path is unfenced in places, so keep dogs on a lead at the edge. A short drive west of Stromness.

• Brough of Birsay coastal walk — a long clifftop circuit on the north-west corner of Mainland. The tidal causeway to the Brough itself is only crossable for a few hours either side of low tide, and dogs must be kept on lead around nesting seabirds in summer.

• Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness — both Historic Environment Scotland outdoor sites welcome dogs on a lead at no charge. A combined visit takes around an hour and adds two UNESCO World Heritage monuments to your week.

Orkney’s best dog-friendly pubs and cafes are detailed in the guide to eating and drinking in Orkney, including the pubs in Stromness and St Margaret’s Hope that welcome dogs in the bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take dogs on the ferry to Orkney?

Yes. NorthLink Ferries welcomes dogs on all its Orkney services. Your dog can stay in your car on the vehicle deck, travel in a heated kennel off the car deck (book in advance), or join you in a pet-friendly cabin with a £15 supplement per pet. On MV Hamnavoe (Scrabster–Stromness) there is also a free dog lounge. Dogs must be on a lead throughout and are not permitted in internal public areas except assistance dogs.

Are there dog-friendly beaches in Orkney?

Yes, and Orkney has fewer seasonal restrictions than most of Scotland or England. Scapa Beach near Kirkwall is open year-round and is probably the most popular dog-walking beach on Mainland. Most of Orkney’s coastline is open for dogs year-round; a handful of beaches near important nesting seabird colonies impose a seasonal lead requirement in spring and early summer, so check locally at those specific sites.

Can dogs visit the Ring of Brodgar?

Yes. The Ring of Brodgar is an unmanned Historic Environment Scotland site, and dogs are welcome on a lead throughout. The same applies to the Stones of Stenness nearby. Neither charges an entry fee for dogs or their owners. Dogs should be kept well away from livestock on the surrounding farmland.

Is Orkney good for dog walking?

Orkney is excellent for dog walking. The island has miles of undisturbed clifftop paths, sandy beaches, quiet farm tracks and open moorland, all with very little traffic. The main consideration is livestock: Orkney has active farms, and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code requires dogs to be kept on a short lead when near sheep and cattle, particularly during lambing (March to May).

Do Orkney self-catering cottages charge a pet fee?

This varies by property. Some charge a flat cleaning supplement (typically £20–£50 per stay), others include dogs at no extra cost, and a minority limit the number or size of pets permitted. Check the individual property’s listing before booking, and if in doubt, contact the host directly to confirm the pet policy and any fee.

What is the best time of year to visit Orkney with a dog?

Late May, June and early September are generally the best balance of good weather, long daylight hours and quieter beaches. July and August are warmer on average but busier. Winter visits have their own appeal for dogs: almost empty beaches, storm-watching from the cottage, and virtually no crowds at any of the heritage sites. The key restriction in spring (March to May) is nesting seabirds at some coastal sites, which requires dogs on leads in those areas.