Dog Guide
Welcome on board!
We are proud to offer pet-friendly travel options on board all our vessels, opening up the islands for pet owners to enjoy.
Orkney and Shetland are famous for their dramatic landscapes, expansive green spaces and beaches – so you’ve chosen the ideal place to spend time with your pooch. What’s more, there are several dog-friendly cafés and restaurants to relax in after or during a day of exploring.
Unsure where to start? Some of our recommendations overleaf are bound to have tails wagging.
Dog friendly cafés and restaurants:
Orkney
- Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall – This hotel offers dog-friendly stays, and welcomes pooches inside its Skippers Bar.
- Daily Scoop, Kirkwall – Choose from a wide array of cakes and ice cream, and you can even get dog friendly ice-cream for your furry friend.
- Murray Arms, St Margarets Hope – This hotel and seafood restaurant is dog friendly, so you can enjoy some local produce before relaxing for the night.
- Judith Glue and The Real Food Cafe and Restaurant, Kirkwall – At the back of Judith Glue’s shop, this spot is an Aladdin’s cave situated opposite the iconic St. Magnus Cathedral.
Shetland
- The Dowry – this café and bar located on Commercial Street, Lerwick, serves quality local produce, artisan coffee, beers and spirits and dogs are welcome.
- The Peerie Shop Café – with a dog-friendly outdoor seating area, this spot is great if you’re looking to refuel or relax while out in Lerwick town centre.
- The Cornerstone Cafe – based in Scalloway, you can enjoy a drink or bite to eat with your pooch if kept on a leash, indoors or in the outdoor seating area.
Dog friendly Walks:
Orkney
- West Shore of Stromness, from the Point of Ness to Warbeth – Enjoy a scenic shoreline on the outskirts of the town of Stromness, and with dramatic views of Hoy.
- The Gloup and Mull Head Nature Reserve, Deerness – Visit the Gloup, a collapsed sea cave, and enjoy the spectacular cliff scenery of Mull Head Nature Reserve.
- The Brough of Birsay – Explore this lovely beach, and cross to the Brough when the tide is low. There are superb gentle coastal walks nearby.
- Crantit Trail and Scapa Beach – This walk isn’t far out of Kirkwall town centre yet feels like being in the countryside.
Shetland
- Banna Minn, West Burra – Adventurous explorers and their energetic dogs can enjoy a walk down to a stunning sand tombolo called Minn beach.
- Fladdabister – There’s a cluster of ruined croft houses and water mills next to the burn and a lovely shingle beach. You’ll enjoy spotting sea caves, wildflowers and birds.
- Sumburgh Head – Witness seabirds in the summer, and spectacular seas in the winter on the walk up to the dramatic lighthouse in the southern tip of Shetland.
- The Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick – This walk takes around 30 minutes and offers fantastic views of the town, passing Clickimin Broch and Staney Hill.
Our Responsible Visitor Charter
The Northern Isles of Shetland and Orkney are breathtakingly beautiful with stunning nature, scenery, and history that you won’t find anywhere else.
We’re delighted that you’re exploring these islands and ask that you take a few easy steps to support and safeguard our local area while you’re here:
Respect our culture and heritage: When you visit Shetland and Orkney, you follow in the footsteps of Neolithic people and Viking warriors. We’re home to some of the oldest sites in the country – please be respectful to our archaeological monuments to help us protect them.
Be mindful of wildlife and livestock: Shetland and Orkney are rich in wildlife. Birds and animals might live in places you don’t expect, so tread lightly and try not to disturb wildlife when you are exploring.
Agriculture is one of the main industries in Shetland and Orkney, and you will see sheep, cattle and ponies grazing in the landscape. To prevent livestock from coming to harm, it is very important to keep your dog on a lead unless directed otherwise, use footpaths where possible, and don’t litter.
Support local businesses: The islands are home to some mouth-watering food and drink, so take time to sample the produce, and enjoy the local shops and accommodation.
Be environmentally conscious: Where possible, leave the car and walk, cycle, or use public transport to get around the islands. Make use of the many recycling bins dotted around when disposing of litter and enjoy our fresh tap water instead of buying bottled water.