Dog-Friendly Attractions in Edinburgh

The esplanade of Edinburgh Castle — the broad, stone-paved approach at the top of the Royal Mile — is one of the most dramatic open spaces in Scotland. Dogs are welcome here on leads. The view from the esplanade down the Royal Mile toward Holyrood, with the Old Town's medieval skyline on each side, is one of Edinburgh's defining vistas. The castle itself sits on a volcanic plug visible from almost every point in the city. This is the natural starting point for a Royal Mile walk with your dog.

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh's volcanic hills, rising immediately to the east of the city centre and topped with a remarkable collection of neoclassical monuments — the National Monument (modelled on the Parthenon), the Nelson Monument, and the City Observatory. Dogs are allowed off-lead at the top, and the 360-degree panorama from the summit is arguably the finest viewpoint in Edinburgh: the Castle, Arthur's Seat, the Firth of Forth, and the New Town's Georgian grid all visible simultaneously. A 10-minute walk from Princes Street.

The Royal Mile is the historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town, running roughly one Scottish mile (approximately 1.8 km) from Edinburgh Castle at the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Park at the bottom. Dogs on leads are welcome the full length of the route. The walk takes you past St Giles' Cathedral, the Parliament buildings, the closes and courtyards of the medieval city, and the Camera Obscura. At the bottom, the transition into Holyrood Park is immediate — within 200 metres of the Palace gates, dogs can go off-lead on the open hillside.