THREE of the UK’s top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Scotland – are they near you

NEXT Friday is International Dog Day 2022 – and to celebrate why not take your furry family member for a day out at the beach?

What dog doesn’t love running full-pelt into the waves, playing in the shallows and getting covered in sand? (owners may feel a little different about that last one!)

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But finding a stretch of golden beach where dogs are welcomed can sometimes prove a little sticky. Not everybody thinks mad-mutts zipping along the shore are fabulous fun.

But luckily for our pups, there are some very dog-friendly beaches – with three in Scotland ranked in the UK’s top ten.

Yellowcraig beach near North Berwick comes in at a very impressive number six and the nearby Seacliffe is only a couple of places behind at number eight.

Bosta Beach on Great Bernera in the Hebrides, was the only other Scottish beach to make the top 10, ranked at ninth best in the UK in the research conducted by ShowersToYou.co.uk

They found the highest-rated dog-friendly beaches, analysing Google ratings and reviews for 151 beaches with no dog restrictions.

Yellowcraig – often referred to as Broad Sands Bay – is popular with families. Your four-legged family member will not only love the sea and sand, but there’s plenty of woodland walks surrounding the beach where they can sniff and wallow until their hearts are content.

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The town of Dirleton is within easy walking distance so if you don’t want to picnic on the sand head there for popular pubs and restaurants which also welcome dogs.

Seacliffe is a genuine hidden gem, lying in a remote part of East Lothian near to North Berwick. It’s a private beach, so you’ll need to pay to access it but it’s worth it when you see the fabulous views of Bass Rock and golden sands giving way to clear seas.

Bosta Beach – or to give it it’s Gaelic name Traigh Bhostadh – is a white shell sand beach set at the far end of Great Bernera – cross the connecting bridge from the Isle of Lewis.

There are lots of islands in the bay which break up the fierce Atlantic swell, making it the perfect place for dogs to paddle or swim.

Durdle Door in Dorset, was found to be the most dog-friendly beach. The famed limestone arch makes a dreamy backdrop to a game of fetch with your four-legged friend.

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Cuckmere Haven Beach in East Sussex ranks second, Dorset’s Man O’War Beach, came third, Three Cliffs Bay in Glamorgan was fourth and rounding off the top five is Longsands in North Tynemouth.

Martin Smith, owner of Showerstoyou.co.uk said: “The beach is synonymous with UK weather, just like BBQs and Pub Gardens. Though a trip to the beach requires some planning, especially if there is a pet in tow!

“With more staycations being taken due to recent travel crises, we might see more beaches accommodating our best friends, since there is certainly a desire for it!”

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