Dog Friendly Places To Visit In & Around Oban

Dog Friendly Restaurants & Things to do

Oban (from the Gaelic for ‘Little Bay’) is a beautiful seaside town in Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland. Situated on the Firth of Lorne, it’s the perfect place to explore and admire the views across to the islands of Kerrera, Mull and beyond.

Make it a family adventure and explore the west coast of Scotland with your four-legged friend. There’s no better way to explore everything that Oban has to offer than with your dog! We think all areas of Oban are ‘pawesome’ for exploring, but we’ve listed our favourite things to do in Oban with a dog. As a bonus, we also included a list of dog friendly restaurants and pubs in Oban.

Dog Friendly Walks near Oban

With miles of coastal scenery to discover, we’ve put together a list of our favourite walks near Oban making the perfect dog friendly activity to keep you and your pooch active. Oban even offers access for jumping in the car with your pup, and heading north to Loch Etive or Glencoe, via the Connel Bridge by Oban Airport. With endless hills and lochside walks, the Highlands is one of the best places to explore with your dog.

Couple Walking Dog Through Oban Woods staying at Pet Friendly Hotel

Dunollie Woodland Trail

Located just behind our hotel, the Dunollie Woodland Trail will lead you into the Witches Wood. The deeper you adventure into the forest, the older it becomes. Over time the trees in the forest have become twisted and resemble witch-like shapes from the fierce and continuous coastal winds. The Witches Woods surround Dunollie Castle giving your furry friend plenty of space to run around and explore.

Guests at No. 26 By The Sea are able to access the Dunollie Woodland Trail directly from our Fernery Garden. Some other popular dog-walks around Oban include the coastal paths down by Ganavan Sands and up to McCaig’s Tower.

Island-Hopping Through the Western Isles & Hebrides

Oban is known as the gateway to the isles, and for good reason, Oban Harbour is a busy port. This means there are so many more dog-friendly activities to discover, using Oban as an island-hopping base for adventures with your canine companion.

The great news is that with Oban’s largest ferry operator, CalMac, pets and dogs are free to bring with you in the car. If you’re on foot they will need a ticket, but even better, that ticket is free! Find more information about pet-friendly island hopping from Oban here.

Dog Friendly Loch Etive

One of Scotland’s most picturesque sea lochs and almost 20 miles in length, Loch Etive is surrounded by mountains often with snow peaks, you won’t want to miss out on these views during your Oban holiday. Especially with wildlife such as seals, golden and sea eagles, deer, otters and even basking sharks. To get the best chance of spotting this wildlife you need to either take your binoculars, or take a closer look courtesy of Etive Boat Trips. Etive Boat Trips offer tours of Loch Etive by boat, launching from Dunstaffnage Harbour in Oban.

Dog friendly: Dogs are permitted on board private charters and single group bookings.

Dunstaffnage Castle Dog Friendly Thing To Do In Oban

Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel

Boasting a view of Loch Etive and located where the loch meets the Firth of Lorn, this partially ruined castle is a piece of Scotland’s history, and perfect for a visit with your dog. Dunstaffnage Castle is a 13th century castle with its own chapel. The castle was once besieged by Robert the Bruce, and is known for holding prisoner Flora MacDonald, after she helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the battle of Culloden.

Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed in to Dunstaffnage grounds, castle ruins and chapel, but are not allowed in roofed areas, and must be kept on their lead and attended.

Ardchattan Priory ruins and gardens

Ardchatten Priory contains the ruins of a church founded in the 13th century by the Lord of Argyll. Gardens have been at for over 700 years, and a visit to the gardens and ruins makes for a lovely thing to do with a dog in Oban.

Dog friendly: According to dogfriendly.co.uk dogs are welcome, but should be kept on their lead and cleaned up after.

Ardchatten Priory Gardens Ruins naer Dog Friendly Hotel Oban

Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace

Bonawe Iron Furnace is a historic attraction a short drive along the A85 from Oban in Taynuilt, Argyll. According to Historic Environment Scotland, Bonawe Iron Furnace is…

“the most complete charcoal-fuelled ironworks in Britain. Founded in 1753, it ceased firing only in the 1870s. Today, displays show every stage of how pig iron was made – as well as cannonballs for use in the Napoleonic Wars.”

Dog friendly: Dogs are allowed on leads, but not allowed inside roofed buildings and need to be attended.

Dog Friendly Restaurants and Pubs in Oban

Oban whisky is well known in Scotland, UK and across the globe, try the speciality whiskies at one of the dog friendly pubs in Oban. The area is also famous for its fresh local produce, particularly seafood coming in to Oban Harbour. Sample some of the local specialities food, and take your best friend with you thanks to our list of dog friendly restaurants in Oban.

The Lorne Bar, Stevenson Street, Oban

The Lorne is an Oban pub where you can choose from a fantastic selection of ales and lagers as well as whisky. But our favourite part is that it’s dog friendly place to eat and drink, not only that, but they even have a special pet friendly menu. To see their menus, visit their website.

Cuan Mor, George Street, Oban

One of our favourite dog-friendly spots to recommend is the Cuan Mor, a brilliant restaurant and bar found in Oban’s town centre.

The name ‘Cuan Mor’ derives from the Gaelic language, translating to ‘Big Ocean’. Once you visit and are witness to the delightful views across Oban Bay, you’ll understand the meaning behind the name.

Markie Dans, Corran Esplanade, Oban

Markie Dans is a dog friendly pub in Oban, with a large beer garden, pool table, as well as fantastic sea views over Oban bay. The pub is also a dog friendly place to eat in Oban serving pub food, and is family friendly, too. You can also see live music events, sample the selection of ales, cocktails, or what they claim is one of the largest selections of single malt whisky in Argyll.

Coasters Bar, Corran Esplanade, Oban

Coasters Bar on the Esplanade offers food, seating, table service, TV and even free WiFi. And yes of course, they are a pet friendly pub in Oban, according to reviews the staff are very welcoming to dogs, even offering water to rehydrate your furry friend while you have a drink yourself. Visit their website here.

Oban Seafood Hut, Calmac Pier, Oban

Yet another claim to fame, Oban is known as ‘Scotland’s Seafood Capital’. Oban Seafood Hut is a casual seafood shack, where you can sample the fresh seafood delights brought into Oban Harbour during the fishing season. This seafood shack refers to itself as a ‘pet-friendly joint’, and is the only one of this list to be featured on the Bring Fido website featuring dog friendly restaurants in Oban.

MacGillivray’s Seafood, Railway Pier, Shore Street, Oban

Last but not least is MacGillivrays Seafood, this lovely outdoor food trailer has seating, and is the perfect place to take a break with your dog after exploring Oban. Be careful though, as with the Oban Seafood Hut, opening hours are seasonal! Find out more about their dog friendly shack in Oban on Visit Scotland.

Book direct for our best available rate with a glass of fizz on arrival, a complimentary breakfast during your hotel break, and a luxury Gordon Castle product to take home with you.

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