The Wildpack Collective
Tigh na Mara Hotel, a dog friendly coastal hotel in Sandhead1 / 8

Tigh na Mara Hotel

Sandhead, Dumfries and Galloway

Yes. Dogs can stay in 4 dog friendly rooms.

A hotel by the sea in Sandhead, opposite a sandy beach, where dogs stay free of charge and join you by the coal fire in the public bar.

Tigh na Mara Hotel stands in Sandhead on a peninsula in the south west of Scotland, surrounded by coast and mountain views, with a stretch of unspoilt, sandy beach close by. The second generation of one family runs the place, and four of the eight rooms at this dog friendly hotel accept dogs.

Those four come free of any charge; just flag your dog when you reserve, or in the guest comment section online. The bedrooms are spread between the main hotel, three former cottages joined onto it and the Cabin Room out the back, all en-suite, with flat screen digital TV and a tea tray with ample biscuits, and easily accessible rooms are available on request. The dog count per room goes unstated, and the hotel doesn't say anything about a dog staying behind in its room by itself, so raise both before you travel.

The hotel says guests and their dogs can dine together in its public bar and in the beer garden behind the hotel. That public bar is where the roaring coal fire burns, so there's a dram beside it to look forward to. The cooking leans on fresh local produce, succulent Scottish beef and fresh seafood from the West Coast among it, with traditional favourites always on and vegan and gluten free menus too. In 2024 the restaurant won Best Hotel Restaurant at the Food Awards.

Later, the comfortable lounge area is there for an after dinner drink, and the bedrooms have all been refurbished. Sandhead Beach lies directly opposite the hotel, and Portpatrick and the Port of Stranraer are only a short distance away for days out with your dog.

Facts checked October 2026 from the hotel's own website. Details can change, so please confirm anything important, especially the dog rules, with the hotel before you book.

At a Glance: Dogs

Rooms for dogs
4 dog friendly rooms
Dogs per room
The hotel doesn't say
Size or breed limits
The hotel doesn't say
Dog fee
No charge for dogs
Left alone in the room
The hotel doesn't say
In the bar
Welcome
In the lounge
The hotel doesn't say
Eating with your dog
In a dog friendly dining area
In the grounds
The hotel doesn't say
Dog extras
The hotel doesn't say
Walks from the door
The hotel doesn't say
Nearest dog friendly beach
Within about a mile, the hotel says

Where the hotel doesn't say, check with the hotel when you book.

Been here? Check these facts for us

Book your stay

Tigh na Mara Hotel is booked through Booking.com. Tell the hotel you are bringing your dog when you book.

Book now with Booking.com

We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

For You

Views
Mountain views
Parking
Free parking
Children
Children welcome
Awards
Best Hotel Restaurant at the Food Awards in 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Tigh na Mara Hotel dog friendly?

    Yes. Dogs can stay in 4 dog friendly rooms. This comes from Tigh na Mara Hotel's own website. Details can change, so check with the hotel when you book.

  • How many dogs can I bring to Tigh na Mara Hotel?

    The hotel doesn't say how many dogs you can bring, so check with the hotel when you book.

  • Is there a charge for dogs at Tigh na Mara Hotel?

    No charge for dogs.

  • Can I eat with my dog at Tigh na Mara Hotel?

    You can eat with your dog in a dog friendly dining area. Dogs are welcome in the bar.

  • Can I leave my dog in the room at Tigh na Mara Hotel?

    The hotel doesn't say whether dogs can be left alone in the room, so check with the hotel when you book.

Visitor Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.

Write a review

Tigh na Mara Hotel, Sandhead, Stranraer, DG9 9JF

54.8081, -4.9627

Get Directions

Check dates and availability for Tigh na Mara Hotel

Book now with Booking.com

What’s Nearby?

Portpatrick to Killantringan Lighthouse CircularWalk6.7 mi away

Portpatrick to Killantringan Lighthouse Circular

Dumfries and Galloway

Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A clifftop coastal circuit from Portpatrick, giving dogs a long, breezy walk on a lead to Killantringan Lighthouse and its cliff and sea views.

View Listing10.5 km · 3 hr 45 min · Moderate
Ballantrae BeachBeach20.3 mi away

Ballantrae Beach

South Ayrshire

Dog Friendly Rating:6/10

A shingle beach in the R.L. Stevenson village of Ballantrae at the mouth of the Stinchar, with castle ruins above, year-round dog access and dramatic south Ayrshire scenery.

View ListingShingle · Year Round
Wood of Cree Woodland and Scrubland TrailsWalk21.9 mi away

Wood of Cree Woodland and Scrubland Trails

Dumfries and Galloway

Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A bluebell woodland circuit in the largest ancient wood in southern Scotland, with a lead-only path for dogs past waterfalls on the Cordorcan Burn for you.

View Listing3.5 km · 1 hr 30 min · Easy
St Ninian's Cave and Physgill GlenWalk22.4 mi away

St Ninian's Cave and Physgill Glen

Dumfries and Galloway

Dog Friendly Rating:8/10

A short pilgrimage walk down Physgill Glen to St Ninian's Cave, with woodland paths for dogs and a pebble beach at the end.

View Listing3.3 km · 1 hr 10 min · Easy
Kirroughtree Forest: Larg Hill TrailWalk23.8 mi away

Kirroughtree Forest: Larg Hill Trail

Dumfries and Galloway

Dog Friendly Rating:8/10

The longest waymarked walk at Kirroughtree, with dogs free to roam the forest tracks around Larg Hill and down to Bruntis Loch.

View Listing7.0 km · 3 hr · Moderate
Lendalfoot BeachBeach24.7 mi away

Lendalfoot Beach

South Ayrshire

Dog Friendly Rating:7/10

A quiet, remote shingle and sand beach south of Girvan on the A77 coast road with year-round dog access, views to Ailsa Craig and the wild character of the south Ayrshire coastline.

View ListingShingle · Year Round

Dog Friendly Hotels Nearby

The closest dog friendly hotels to Tigh na Mara Hotel. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.

Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

All dog friendly hotels in Dumfries and Galloway