Whitley Bay Caravan park is in Tyne and Wear and is a caravan park overlooking…
Dog friendly places to visit around Wemyss Bay
This list of dog friendly places to visit around Wemyss Bay will allow you to enjoy a day out with your doggy friend.
Recently we took a short break at Parkdean Wemyss Bay. One of the main reasons for choosing a caravan break was that it was dog friendly. We were able to bring our dog, Eddie with us. The caravan park was a lovely place to stay. Set on the top of the hill overlooking the Firth of Clyde it had stunning views across the bay.
There was plenty to do on site and it would have been easy to just stay on site and relax. When we go somewhere we do like to visit the surrounding area and explore. Wemyss Bay is not far from Glasgow and Loch Lommond which is a scenic area to visit.
I have put together a list of dog friendly places to visit around Wemyss Bay. After all it would have not been nice to leave our dog in the caravan whilst we explored.
Dog friendly places to visit around Wemyss Bay
Visit the beach
All dogs love a walk so why not take your dog for a walk on the beach. The beach is a fifteen minute walk from the caravan park or a five minute drive. The caravan park is on a steep hill so expect a long climb back up if you do walk. Turn right and go past the ferry port and you will see a private road a little further along that leads to the beach. You will spot plenty of sea birds and maybe even a seal in the water.
Apparently a concrete beach was created at Wemyss Bay in the second world war. You may be able to spot the concrete area where amphibious vehicles could transition between land and sea.
Visit one of the Scottish Islands.
From Wemyss Bay you can easily the Isle of Bute or the Isle of Arran. You can catch the ferry to Bute from Wemyss Bay. The ferry runs regularly and the trip is about twenty minutes. If you want to go to Arran you need to travel about sixteen miles along the coast to Ardossan. You can bring your dog on the ferry for free.
Dog friendly activities on Bute
- The ferry lands at Rothesay which was a popular Victorian seaside town and the capital of Bute. You can wander around the town which also has a castle.
- Five miles to the west of Rothesay you will find another beach, Ettrick Bay, where you can take your dog for a run.
- You can also visit Mount Stuart house which is situated on the island. This was the ancestral home of the Stuarts of Bute. It contains the world’s first heated pool in any house, and was the first home in Scotland to be lit by electricity. There are large gardens with an incredible collection of both exotic and native flora as well as a wildflower meadow and a shore walk. Dogs are welcome in the gardens and there are designated dog walking routes.
- Take a visit to Ardencraig Gardens. These are large walled gardens with greenhouses. There are also aviaries with exotic bird species. Dogs are allowed on leads.
Visit the Victorian seaside town of Largs
The town of Largs is about four miles from Wemsy Bay and the views across the Firth of Clyde are stunning. Largs has a Viking festival every Summer and was where the last battle with the Vikings took place. If you are interested in Viking history you can visit Vikingar which is on the seafront. It is part of a leisure centre. Inside you can experience the Viking adventure first hand. Dogs are not allowed however.
You can park on the seafront at Largs and be watched over by a giant Viking. Parking costs £3 for the day and there are amusements as well as a lovely beach.
Kelburn Castle and Estate
Kelburn Castle is a 13th Century Castle with an estate covering over 3500 acres. There is plenty to do at the castle, from mountain biking to pony treking and estate walks. Why not visit the Secret Forest and take a woodland walk full of surprises. You can also do the adventure walk with high walkways and rope swings. If you are feeling less adventurous you can sit by the waterfalls and enjoy the wildlife. Dogs are welcome on leads and poo bags are provided.
Finlaystone Country Estate
If you don’t mind driving a bit further you can visit Finlaystone Country Estate. This is a large estate with woodland trails, play areas for the children and tea rooms. You can also take part in ranger led activities and a falconry centre will be opening soon. Dogs are welcome on leads.
As we were only at Parkdean Wemyss Bay for the weekend we did not manage to fit in all these activities but hope to go back to try some of the ones we missed soon. It was lovely to be able to find dog friendly places to visit around Wemyss Bay as it meant that Eddie enjoyed our holiday as well.
Have you ever been to Wemyss Bay? Do you know of any other activities I may have missed? Let me know below.
Fede Pastabites says
Looks so beautiful. One of the first website I ever worked on (decades ago) was Mount Stuart…! But i have never had a chance to visit.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
What a strange coincidence. We did get to Bute but not Mount Stuart. It is on my list for next time
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Awwh, I bet dogs just love being able to run around there.
Suze - Luxury Columnist says
I love the look of that Viking statue at Largs!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It is really impressive, really large and imposing
Sarah Christie says
I keep saying we will take Toby to the beach but its such a treck when we have gorgeous hills nearby, butI know he will love it x
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Eddie loves the beach but he does not like the sea or water at all
Lisa Purdon says
Inverkip to lunderson bay is a lovely walk with dogs near the caravan park
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I will have to try that when we visit again
Karen says
Hi
I’ve been reading about wemyss which we are visiting September/October. It was lovely reading about dog friendly places of interest not even thinking about taking our 13 year old Labrador Lucy with us but after reading your account of wonderful places to visit we are bringing her with us.
Thankyou Alison
(Lucy thanks you too!!!)
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Thank you. I hope you all have a lovely time