Edinburgh with a dog

[GingerFoxInAT0phat]

I’m currently spending a few days with family near Inverness, tomorrow we’re travelling to Edinburgh and spending a night in a hotel before going home to Yorkshire on Friday.

Does anyone have any recommendations of things to do/places to go in Edinburgh that are dog friendly? There will be me, dh and 2 sons 12 and 8. It looks like it’s going to rain but don’t really want to be all cooped up in a hotel room for a day and night.

Think I’ve got my days mixed up Travelling home Thursday not Friday!

The Meadows
Arthur's Seat
Walk along the Water of Leith - Stockbridge to Murrayfield is particularly pretty
Portobello beach (most of the cafes / bars along the prom are dog friendly)
Blackford hill and Hermitage of Braid
You can take dogs on the local buses www.lothianbuses.com which might be easier than taking the car into the city if you're not staying within walking distance.
A "small well behaved dog" on the HOHO bus city-sightseeing.com/en/frequently-asked-questions
The "dugs in pubs" website might be useful for cafes etc.

Thank you, will look into those, just a bit concerned that it will be raining whilst we are there.

Was contemplating cancelling and doing the 8 hour journey in one because we’re all sick of the sight of each other to be honest But we would still need to pay in full at the hotel so will grin and bear it!

The dogs a bit of a knob too, he’d be a pain in the backside on a bus

I can't think of any indoor attractions that will allow a dog in :(
There's an amusement arcade on Portobello prom which might allow them in, or at least 3 of you could keep dry for a time.
Ninja Warrior has spaces available Wed & Thurs afternoon if the dog would be ok in the car for a while. ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/edinburgh/bookings/
If you want an evening walk then Kirkliston just out past the airport has some great Christmas lights up around the village.
Dobbies garden centre & cafe if you get desperate! www.dobbies.com/edinburgh

@GingerFoxInAT0phat

The dogs a bit of a knob too, he’d be a pain in the backside on a bus

I'd love your dog to be on my bus!!

Dogs are (rather ill advisedly IMHO) allowed into the new St James shopping centre.

You could couple that with a walk around Carlton Hill.

Most of the shops on George st are dog friendly as is John Lewis

And yes portobello is mostly dog friendly including the lovely bookshop and various boujee outlets

Whereabouts is your hotel ? That might help with the recommendations.

ooh yes, I'd forgetten about the new shopping centre! The kids might like the Lego shop.

There's a dog grotto at St James

We’re staying at Melville Castle, I did think it was quite close to the centre but looking again I don’t think it is.

I think we will set off from Inverness, drive straight to Edinburgh centre, have a look at the Christmas lights and look for somewhere ok to eat, then head to the hotel before setting off home the next morning.

I’m all planned out, the kids are sick of walking, the dog is a ball of anxiety and whines (but is ridiculously cute and my little angel)

We’re on the way to do a boat tour of Loch Ness - I’ve put the wrong post code in and we’ve ended up in Inverness city centre, now having to wait around for the next one - tensions are high

Thanks so much for all the recommendations - I’ll go over them all properly when we’re settled tonight!

OK Melville Castle isn't anywhere near the city centre!
Does this work as a plan.....
If you arrive late afternoon then I'd stop off at Kirkliston for a walk to see the lights. Put EH29 9AJ into your satnav and park in any of the streets off the main Queensferry Road. Some of the best lights are in that north side of the Village.
Head round the bypass and get dinner for heading to Melville Castle. Suggestions for dinner:
Melville Inn (Vintage Inns chain) www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/scotland-northern-ireland/themelvilleinnlasswade/mainmenu?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-menu
Eldinhaugh Farm Carvery www.farmhouseinns.co.uk/pubs/midlothian/elginhaugh-farm/menu/main-menu
Justinlees pub (dogs definitely allowed) www.emberinns.co.uk/nationalsearch/scotlandandnorthernireland/the-justinlees-dalkeith/tablebooking
If breakfast isn't included in your hotel package then head to Dobbies cafe. EH18 1AZ.
Have a mooch round Dalkeith Country Park the next morning and then head home. EH22 1ST
I would forget about trying to go into Edinburgh if you're staying out there, it's just a lot of faff with tired / grumpy children and a dog! There's no such thing as driving straight to Edinburgh centre, it's a nightmare when you know the roads and parking is ridiculous.

We stayed in Leith with our dog, and walked up to Calton Hill, shame about the rain but we found that part of the joy of Edinburgh haha, we loved it!

You are super close to Dalkeith country park which has great dog walks but also a posh things for posh people shop and decent cafe for lunch. Dog isn’t allowed in the posh things for posh people shop but could prob sleep in the car after a good walk

Carberry tower also has a decent bistro and a good dog walk

I feel like I'm always recommending the Camera Obscura on these threads but they're dog friendly and open really late if you want to have a purpose for a trip into the town centre. Lots of pubs are dog friendly, check dugs in pubs for a list. I'd book a pub for dinner, get views from the castle esplanade and do the camera Obscura.

Oh @ImperfectTents Dalkeith country park is such a good shout. I do love the posh shop with posh things too , also they used to do lovely fish tacos from a stall, although might be a bit nippy in December.

I agree with @emmathedilemma absolute faff parking and driving in Edinburgh city centre ( plus extortionate parking fees). Her plan seems good.

Pentland Plants at Straiton allow dogs in the garden centre and cafe.

@emmathedilemma That sounds perfect, thank you!

Will be jotting down all other recommendations because I’m sure we’ll be be back, it’s the second time coming to Scotland and we love it!

Come without the dog and the car to do the city properly but Melville castle will be great to break the journey south.

Think Dalkeith are doing a light trail thing, no idea about availability or the dog situation. They also have a Go Ape and an adventure playground. The Dobbies garden centre is one of those mahoosive garden centres. You're well placed for both.