A Dog-Friendly Travel Guide To Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is easy to fall in love with. Despite being heavily bombed in the Second World War, the city is nowhere near as pretty as Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. As a result, Glasgow is less of a tourist attraction and more of a 'home away from home.'

The city is as well-known for its green spaces and impressive architecture as it is its vibrant nightlife. It's a lively place filled with everything from museums to comedy clubs to whisky bars and restaurants. Residents are overwhelming friendly, especially if you have a dog with you. So be prepared to chat to strangers!

From one industrial city to another, I travelled from Birmingham to Glasgow for a long weekend away with my companion. This travel guide collates all the best dog-friendly things to do in Glasgow including where to stay and what to eat.

Dog-Friendly Hotels in Glasgow

There are several pet-friendly hotels in Glasgow ranging from budget chains to luxury boutiques. Another option is self-catering accommodation including dog-friendly cottages and pet-friendly AirBnBs. No matter where you stay, there will be rules you'll need to follow. Learn more about travelling the UK with a dog and staying in a dog-friendly hotel.

If you're looking for a luxurious stay, I highly recommend Kimpton Blythswood Square. The hotel is in the heart of the city centre, placing it in the ideal location for exploring the city on foot. The hotel not only allows dogs, they welcome them with open arms.

Travelling With A Dog In Glasgow

Glasgow is a very walk-able city, particularly in the city centre. The grid system makes navigating the streets effortless so it's hard to get lost. Although be prepared for hills, especially to get to the best views! Public transport in Glasgow is excellent too. All the city's buses, trains, and taxis are dog-friendly but the subway is not.

Dog-Friendly Walks in Glasgow

A great way to explore the city of Glasgow is via one of the many walking trails. Some will uncover street art within the city centre while others take you along the River Clyde and through woodlands. Even just walking through the streets will uncover hidden gems from street art to historic monuments.

Dog-Friendly Parks in Glasgow

Glasgow lives up to its name, The Dear Green Place, with over 90 parks and gardens — ideal when you're travelling with a dog. The closest green spaces in the city centre are Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow Green. Both walkable within 30 minutes. The others may take twice as long so are better accessed via public transport.

Dog-Friendly Attractions In Glasgow

A few small yet interesting attractions in Glasgow's city centre (some more dog-friendly than others) include the Fossil Grove, St. Valentine's Bones, the Botanic Gardens Railway Station, and the Glasgow Sherbet Factory Ruins. Other dog-friendly Glasgow attractions may require a little more travelling.

The Botanical Gardens are not to be missed. Although dog's aren't allowed inside the glass houses. The surrounding grounds as well as the nearby Kelvingrove Park make a beautiful place to spend the day. The walk to the top of the Glasgow Necropolis will reward you with some of the best views of the city.

Dog-Friendly Pubs and Bars In Glasgow

It won't be difficult finding somewhere to go for a drink as most pubs in Glasgow are not only dog-friendly but will treat them like royalty. Be aware though, many of the bars are small with limited seating. They may get too busy for a dog in the evening.

If you're whisky drinker, there are two bars not to be missed: The Ben Nevis and The Pot Still. The staff and patrons were super friendly, and the dog was fussed over by everyone.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants In Glasgow

All the following restaurants have vegan options on the menu and allow dogs to dine with you indoors; ranging from sharing plates to woodfired pizza to classic scran. Prefer street food? Head to Big Feed, Dockyard Social, or Platform.

I cannot recommend Gloriosa enough. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired sharing dishes alongside craft wine. When we asked for vegan options, the staff provided us with an adapted menu complete with adjusted prices. We ordered one of everything and it was all delicious.

Dog-Friendly Cafes and Coffee Shops In Glasgow

There are so many dog-friendly cafes and coffee shops in Glasgow it was hard to pick which ones to include! For lunch, Mono and Singl-end Cafe and Bakehouse are top picks. Head to Tantrum Doughnuts for coffee and a sweet treat. The following are the best of the best when it comes to grabbing brunch or a coffee in Glasgow city centre.

Dog-Friendly Shops In Glasgow

Finding dog-friendly independent shops in Glasgow is tricky. It's more of an ask on the door situation as very few list their status online. We were surprised to find the M&S Simply Food inside Glasgow Central Train Station was dog-friendly!

If you want to do some shopping, the Glasgow Fort and Silverburn shopping centres are dog-friendly. But very few shops will let them inside other than the big names, like Apple, Lush, IOLLA, Wilkinsons, and selected Waterstones.

Photographs by Jack Spicer Adams.

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