Dog information & services that we offer

Your dog is a key member of your family and is also on holiday!

Dogs should not be left on their own in the Bothy whilst you are out and about, as some dogs can become quite distressed if they are left alone in an unfamiliar environment and this can manifest itself in different ways. They may be brilliant in your home, where they feel utterly at ease, but remember that we can take up to 200 dogs a year, so we need to manage the bothy carefully!

We have had occasions in the past where this has resulted in damage to the property, including little scenting widdles – which mean we need to get walls carefully cleaned or curtains dry cleaned!

If you have a suitably sized dog crate, then you can leave your pet as long as it has access to water but not for longer than 3 hours.

If you do not have a crate, but want to go out for the morning, afternoon or evening without your dog, we can offer the following dog minding service:

Dog minding service (open / available between 0800 and 2030)

  • We charge a minimum fee of £25 for up to two hours. Subsequent hours are charged at £12.50 per hour / part hour. This includes, dog walk (on lead – extendable lead).
  • We will sit with your dog to keep it company.
  • Feed your dog (you provide food).
  • Enable your dog to access the Bothy back garden.
  • Any other special requests within reason!

Payment can be via cash, bank transfer or Paypal. If you wish to take advantage of our dog minding service, please complete the booking form in the bothy dog folder on arrival and let us know in advance so that we can plan into our day. Payment details are also on the form.

We are of course happy to work around your requirements.

What to bring with you

Your dog is on holiday too, so it’s really important that you consider their needs etc. If you are bringing your dog with you, please bring your own: 

  1. Dog bed. Their own dog bed provides comfort and familiarity. They may also have their own special blanket[s]
  2. Dog toys. If you dog has a chewy toy or ball that it loves – bring it along to reinforce familiarity.
  3. Dog towels. When your dog comes back after walks they will need washing down. Bringing your own towels means that you can dry them off.
  4. Poop scoop bags – preferably environmentally friendly / biodegradable ones to clear up after your dog.
  5. Dog lead and/or extendable dog lead.
  6. Collar.
  7. Initial supply of food.
  8. Dog identification tag.
  9. Any medication your dog may be on or need.

As part of our commitment to best practice, we provide a doggy emergency box which comprises:

Bucket and sponge to wash your dog
Holiday dog tags
Kennel area
Pet food fork
Scoop bags
Spare lead
Emergency towel to wipe down dog
Torch for dog walking
Water bowl bowl and mat
Emergency dog food.
Dog shampoo		We also provide:
Dog walk information included in ‘what to’ do leaflet.
Information on all year dog friendly beaches nearby.
Information on local dog grooming service.
On site and nearby off lead walks.
A dog sitting and feeding service in case you want to be out and about without your wee friend.
Information about vets provided within welcome pack.
Dog walks available from the door [no need to drive].
Dog friendly outdoor seating areas.
Access to water

Dog Friendly Pubs and Restaurants

  • The Failford Inn [Failford, near Mauchline, postcode KA5 5TF. Tel: 01292 540 117]. 22 mins drive from Doonbank. A dog friendly pub and resturant on the banks of the River Ayr, which can be walked from its source to the sea, via the River Ayr way. The Failford also brews its own beer on-site in its Windie Goat Brewery!
  • The Balgarth Pines [8 Dunure Road, Ayr, KA7 4HR. Tel: 01292 442441. 3 minutes drive from Doonbank Cottaqe.
  • Sorn Inn (35 Main Street Sorn, East Ayrshire, KA5 6HU). 35 minutes drive from Doonbank.
  • Anchorage Dunure. 9-17 Harbour View, Dunure, Dunure, United Kingdom. Tel: 01292 502826. 15 minute drive from Doonbank in lovely harbour overlooking Isle of Arran.

If you are a local restarurant or pub that welcomes pets, please let us know and we will add you to this list. We would also welcome up-to-date-menus and prices. You can email them to : [email protected]. We carry more up-to-date information in our Bothy folder for guests. We strongly recommend that you ring in advance to check opening times and availability.

Local Vets

Hollow Park Vets [8-10 minute drive from Doonbank Cottage]. Maybole Road, Alloway. Tel: 01292 445 678 

Dalblair Veterinary Surgery 52/54 Dalblair Road, Ayr, KA7 1UQ. Tel: 01292 263744 or 264778 

Collier and Brock Vets 153, Whitletts Road, Ayr, KA8 0JG. Telephone: 01292 611838 

Dog Friendly Beaches

Doonbank is within easy reach of numerous dog friendly beaches, making up 60 miles of South Ayrshire coastline. Beaches include (but obviously we are on the coastline). We have dog walks available via our doggy folder in the Bothy.

 Day Kennels

There are a number of day kennels nearby, and which also supply other services. These are well shown via a google search ‘day kennels, ayr’.