Pet-Friendly Rentals in the Scottish Borders
If you have a dog, the Scottish Borders might just be the best place in Britain to live. With miles of riverside paths, open hillside, forest trails, and a countryside culture where dogs are welcomed rather than merely tolerated, this is a region made for dog owners. Here's how to find a pet-friendly rental and make the most of Borders life with your pet.
The legal position
Under Scottish tenancy law, there's no automatic right to keep pets in a rental property. However, the Tenant Fees Act prevents landlords from charging extra deposits or fees specifically for pets. If your landlord agrees to pets, they can't charge you more for the privilege.
The good news is that Borders landlords tend to be more open to pets than their city counterparts. Many rental properties here are houses with gardens — a very different proposition from a third-floor the Scottish Borders tenement flat. Rural landlords often have pets themselves and understand the reality of countryside living with animals.
Tips for finding a pet-friendly rental
- Use the filter: on Rent in the Borders, use the "Pets allowed" filter to find properties where the landlord has already agreed.
- Ask even if it's not listed: many landlords don't specifically advertise as pet-friendly but will consider a well-behaved dog. Contact the agent and explain your situation.
- Offer a pet CV: a brief document with your pet's photo, breed, temperament, vaccination record, and a reference from a previous landlord can reassure a hesitant owner.
- Look for houses with gardens: landlords are far more likely to accept dogs in properties with enclosed gardens than in upstairs flats.
- Rural properties are your friend: farmhouses, cottages, and village houses are often the most pet-friendly options, with space for dogs to roam.
- Be upfront: never sneak a pet into a property. It's grounds for eviction and will make future renting harder.
Best towns and areas for dog owners
Everywhere in the Borders is good for dogs, but some places are exceptional:
- Melrose: the Eildon Hills are right on your doorstep — three distinctive peaks with well-marked paths offering everything from gentle walks to proper hill days. The town itself is dog-friendly, with many pubs and cafes welcoming well-behaved dogs.
- Kelso: the meeting of the Tweed and Teviot rivers provides superb riverside walking. The Cobby Riverside Walk is a local favourite, and Floors Castle grounds are open for walking.
- Peebles: the Tweed Walk runs through town, and Glentress Forest is minutes away — perfect for longer adventures. The Tweed provides miles of easy, flat walking in both directions from the town.
- Innerleithen: tucked between hills with forest trails radiating in every direction. Quieter and cheaper than neighbouring Peebles, with a real outdoors community.
- St Boswells: a village on the Tweed with direct access to riverside paths and the St Cuthbert's Way long-distance route. Nearby Dryburgh Abbey is surrounded by beautiful woodland walks.
The best dog walks in the Borders
A few highlights to look forward to:
- The Eildon Hills, Melrose: a 4-mile circular walk to the summit of Eildon North with panoramic views across the entire Borders region. The path starts from the town centre.
- The River Tweed, Kelso to Floors Castle: a flat, easy riverside walk through parkland. Perfect for daily walks year-round.
- Glentress Forest, Peebles: Forestry and Land Scotland trails through beautiful Sitka spruce and mixed woodland. Dogs can be off-lead on most trails.
- St Cuthbert's Way, Melrose to Lindisfarne: a 62-mile long-distance trail you can do in sections. The first few miles from Melrose along the Tweed are flat and accessible.
- The Teviot, Hawick: follow the River Teviot through and beyond the town. Quieter and less well-known than the Tweed walks, and all the better for it.
Search pet-friendly properties in the Scottish Borders now, or explore our neighbourhood guides for more on each town and area.