Sitting on the River Clyde to the eastern side of Scotland’s central belt, Glasgow is Scotland’s most populous city. While it perhaps lacks some of the period charm of its near neighbour and great rival Edinburgh, it is possessed of a vibrancy and energy that are all its own. Glasgow is one of Britain’s most significant creative hubs and a city in the UK that is an absolute must-visit. It is also a very dog-friendly place so no-one in your family, regardless of their number of legs, need miss out on the trip.
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Dog Friendly Glasgow Must Sees
Glasgow Necropolis
Like a lot of cities in the UK, many of Glasgow’s most notable and historic civic buildings are off-limits to our four-legged friends. However, as long as they stay on their leads, dogs are allowed to visit the spooky surroundings of Glasgow Necropolis, a grand Victorian-era cemetery in the grounds of Glasgow Cathedral. If Gothic splendour and ghost stories are your bag, you won’t be disappointed.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Another place where your hairy pal will need to be kept on their lead, the 8-acre site next to the River Kelvin offers ample places for your dog to explore and play. Unfortunately, they are not allowed in the grand glasshouses that are home to a lot of the most notable exhibits, but hopefully this won’t damage their sense of self-worth too much.
Bothwell Castle
A medieval castle from the 13th Century, located just outside Glasgow on the River Clyde, Bothwell played a major part in the Wars of Scottish Independence, fought against King Edward I of England. A welcome reminder that the relentlessly forward-looking Glasgow also has more than its fair share of history.
Dog-friendly cinema at The Grosvenor
Always a favourite recommendation of ours, a dog-friendly screening is a treat for both you and your furry friend. This is particularly true of The Grosvenor cinema in the city’s achingly hip Ashton Lane, surrounded by restaurants and bars (many of them dog-friendly themselves).
Check your local listings
There’s always something going on for people and their pooches to do together. What’s On Glasgow has helpfully curated a calendar of all the latest pet-friendly events on What’s on Glasgow so that you needn’t miss out on any of them during your stay.
The Best Dog Friendly Walks in Glasgow
Kelvingrove
Perhaps the most famous park in the city, Kelvingrove is one of 90 parks and gardens in Glasgow that your dog can go and explore. Sadly, the museum and art gallery that is also in the park’s grounds is off-limits to dogs, but the 85-acre Victorian park full of grassland, riverbanks and woods will more than make up for that in their eyes.
Glasgow Mural Trail
Glasgow City Centre is home to an astonishingly diverse selection of street art, which almost makes up for the fact your dog wasn’t allowed in the Kelvingrove Museum. You can follow a trail of thirty of these remarkable pieces on the Glasgow Mural Trail, which all told makes for a walk of around three hours
Rouken Glen
Located to the far south of the city, Rouken Glen Park is one of the most popular in Glasgow. Laid out in the Edwardian style, Rouken Glen’s main attraction is a natural waterfall, around which you will find steep woodland, parkland and a large boating lake.
Pollok Country Park
The largest park in Glasgow, Pollok is also the only country park entirely confined within Glasgow’s city limits. It features extensive woodland as well as curated gardens, art installations and exhibits, country houses and even a herd of Highland Cattle – a rare sight indeed within Scotland’s Central Belt.
Glasgow Green
This 136 acre park to the eastern side of the city centre is the oldest in Glasgow, having been first opened in the 15th Century. It is home to a variety of notable buildings and monuments, including The People’s Palace, Doulton Fountain and McLennan Arch. Sat on the banks of the River Clyde, it offers your dog a wide variety of terrains to explore.
Dog-friendly Cafés and Restaurants in Glasgow
William Cafe
94 Queen Margaret Drive, G20 8NZ
Located close to Glasgow Botanic Gardens, your dog will love the William Cafe as much as you. A family-run coffee shop that also does breakfast, brunch and lunch, the William Cafe will cook your dog dishes to order from its menu.
Stravaigin
28 Gibson Street, G12 8NX
Just to the north of Kelvingrove Park, Stravaigin is a speciality Scottish restaurant, using the best of all of the local produce to its full effect. There are some left-field choices on their menu, such as sea urchin, foraged hedgerow herbs and even grey squirrel. The latter of which will no doubt please your furry friend.
Cafe Strange Brew
1082 Pollokshaws Road, G41 3XA
A trendy and spacious location not far from the national football stadium at Hampden Park, which specialises in brunch and a wide variety of coffee options.
Gusto and Relish
729-731 Pollokshaws Road, G41 2AA
A cafe and delicatessen in the city’s achingly hip Strathbungo area, just to the south of the River Clyde. Gusto and Relish specialise in brunch, soup and artisanal sandwiches made with their own cured and smoked meats.
Rose and Grants
27 Trongate, G1 5EZ
A classic cafe setting in the heart of the city’s merchant district, you won’t be disappointed by Rose and Grants. It serves a wide and hearty selection of breakfast, brunch and lunch options with a similarly impressive array of gluten-free and vegan alternatives.
The Butterfly and The Pig
151 Bath Street, G2 4SQ
The quirky, shabby chic stylings of the Butterfly and Pig give way to reveal a seriously versatile venue, with a bar, restaurant, tea rooms and even a live music venue. The Sunday roasts are particularly recommended.
Dog Friendly Pubs in Glasgow
The BrewHaus
182 Queen Margaret Drive, G20 8NX
A popular and welcoming haunt in the city’s North Kelvinside area, The BrewHaus features a wide and diverse menu of European beers, a hearty food menu and one of the city’s largest beer gardens.
Inn Deep
445 Great Western Road, G12 8HH
A craft beer pub with an arched wooden ceiling, large drinks menu and an American-style food selection. Comes highly recommended.
The Belle
617 Great Western Road, G12 8HX
Located not far from either Glasgow Botanic Gardens or Kelvingrove Park, The Belle is an understated high street pub with a wide variety of beers, wines and spirits to choose from and a coal fire.
The Bungo
Nithsdale Road, G41 2AL
A bar and restaurant in the hip and happening Strathbungo area. The Bungo offers a variety of beers, wines and spirits as well as cocktails, food made from local ingredients and even a pub quiz. Whether or not your dog is of any use at pub quizzes is likely to be of limited importance.
Brel
37-43 Ashton Lane, G12 8SJ
We’ve already recommended Ashton Lane as a great place to spend the day with your dog in Glasgow, so here is a further suggestion. Brel is a bar and restaurant in the mews with a Belgian theme and an outstanding cobbled beer garden area.
Saint Luke’s and the Winged Ox
17 Bain Street, G40 2JZ
A lively bar and kitchen not far from Glasgow Green which serves up beer, cocktails and a variety of traditional pub grub and soul food, as well as serving as a live music venue.
Dog Friendly Shops in Glasgow
Meat & Treats
525 Victoria Road, G42 8BH
A one-stop pet boutique near Queen’s Park station, Meat & Treats offer toys, food and accessories for furry friends of every stripe.
Tiso
129 Buchanan Street, G1 2JA
Close to the Museum of Modern Art and its permanently traffic cone-adorned statue of the Duke of Wellington, Tiso is an outdoor store. Why are outdoor stores so popular in Glasgow? It’s because the local weather is liable to change every 20 minutes, and the people who live there have learned to be prepared for anything.
The Yarn Cake
148 Queen Margaret Drive, G20 8NY
An award-winning local store, The Yarn Cake sells everything you might need for your knitting as well as an exciting variety of German-style cakes and sweet treats at its in-house cafe.
Cru Specialist
534 Great Western Road, G12 8EL
A pet store which specialises in raw feeding. The ideal spot for dogs who are planning on making a lifestyle change once their holiday in Glasgow has come to an end.
Dog-friendly Glasgow: Where to Stay
If you’re looking to stay in a dog friendly hotel in Glasgow, here’s our recommendations:
Hotel Novotel
181 Pitt Street, G2 4DT
Hotel Novotel is a four-star hotel located not far from the city centre.
Voco Grand Central
Glasgow Central Station, G1 3SF
Located in the very impressive surroundings of Glasgow Central Station, Voco Grand is an ideal base to explore the city centre.
Sherbrooke Castle Hotel
11 Sherbrooke Avenue, Pollokshields, G41 4PG
A luxurious four-star red sandstone castle hotel, Sherbrooke Castle Hotel is located just to the north of Pollok Country Park.
The Coach House
Netherlee Road, G44 3YU
An impressive modern stable conversion located in the south of the city, not far from Linn Park. The Coach House is a fine example of the kind of private let accommodation that you can find all over the city, sleeping five with one dog, for £259 per night.
Travelodge
Our old friend Travelodge also have you covered if you want to take your dog on a trip to Glasgow, with two city centre locations:
Glasgow Queen Street, 78 Queen Street, G1 3DS
Glasgow Govan, 16 Linthouse Drive, G51 4RZ