Dog-Friendly Edinburgh: Walks, Parks, Beaches and Pubs

Edinburgh is a good city to have a dog in. There’s a hill in the middle of it, a river path that runs out to the Pentlands, beaches at Portobello and Cramond, and plenty of pubs that let dogs in. In council parks the rule is close control rather than a lead, except near play areas, and in spring keep dogs close at heel when birds are nesting. The castle, the zoo and the Botanic Garden don’t take dogs. Checked in October 2026.

Walks and parks

Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat. Dogs are welcome; just clean up after them and follow any signs asking for a lead in nesting season (Historic Environment Scotland). Part of the Radical Road is closed because of falling rock.

Water of Leith Walkway. About 12¾ miles from Balerno to Leith along the river (Edinburgh Outdoors). It’s shared with cyclists and horse riders, so keep your dog close on the narrow bits.

Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill. Woodland, a burn and a hill with views, all a local nature reserve on the south side.

The Meadows and Inverleith Park. Big open grass in the city. Both have play areas and sports pitches where dogs aren’t allowed, so pick your spot.

Pentland Hills. Real hills at the edge of the city, and sheep everywhere. If you’re not completely sure your dog will come back when called, keep it on a lead around livestock. The Regional Park says dogs are shot there every year for worrying sheep, and the low fields are used for lambing (Pentland Hills). There are highland cattle above the ski slope too.

Beaches

Portobello. The city beach. We couldn’t find an official seasonal dog ban; guides disagree, so read the signs when you arrive and keep your dog clear of sunbathers in summer.

Cramond. A foreshore walk with a causeway to Cramond Island at low tide. Check the tide before you cross: it’s easy to get cut off. Text CRAMOND to 81400 for safe crossing times, and if you get stuck call 999 and ask for the Coastguard (Edinburgh Reporter, Apr 2025).

Pubs and cafes

Places that say they welcome dogs:

• Brewhemia, Old Town: dogs welcome until 8 pm (Brewhemia)
• The Stockbridge Tap, Raeburn Place: a dog-friendly bar with local cask beer
• Hendersons, Bruntsfield: the vegetarian restaurant says it’s dog friendly
• Mowgli Street Food, Hanover Street: dogs welcome in the restaurant (Mowgli)
• Black Ivy, Bruntsfield, and The World’s End, Old Town
• Nobles, Leith: in from Constitution Street; one 2025 guide says until 6 pm
• Teuchters Landing, Leith: dogs welcome throughout

Visit Edinburgh keeps a longer dog-friendly list. Festival venues set their own rules, so ask before you take a dog to a Fringe show.

Where dogs can’t go

• Edinburgh Castle: assistance dogs only (Edinburgh Castle)
• Edinburgh Zoo: no pets; guide and registered assistance dogs only
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: no pets in the gardens or buildings (RBGE)
• Play areas and “dog free” areas in council parks, and sports pitches when they’re in use

The rules

• Close control in council parks, and close at heel or on a short lead near young farm animals and in the nesting season, April to July, in woods, grassland, moorland and on the shore (Edinburgh park rules).
• Scotland’s outdoor code: keep your dog out of fields with lambs or calves, and on a short lead in fields with farm animals. If cattle come at you, let the dog go and get yourself to safety (Scottish Outdoor Access Code).
• Pick up the poop: £80 on the spot, anywhere public, from pavements to back greens (City of Edinburgh). Any bin will do.
• Microchip by 8 weeks old, with your details kept up to date, under Scotland’s own rules, and a collar tag with your name and address in public. No licence is needed in the UK.
• Professional walkers: the council suggests no more than six to eight dogs at once.

Scotland’s rules differ a little from England’s, and London’s park orders don’t apply here. For England, see dog parks in London.

Getting around

• Trams: dogs ride free, on a lead and off the seats (Edinburgh Trams).
• Lothian Buses: dogs on a lead, never on seats; the driver can refuse a dog that’s causing trouble.
• Trains: up to two dogs free, on a lead and off the seats, under the national rail conditions.