Is Knock Castle the most dog friendly hotel in Scotland?
If you’re looking for a spa getaway which also allows you to spoil your four-legged friend, then look no further than Knock Castle.
Nestled on the outskirts of Crieff, Perthshire, the dog-friendly hotel offers a refreshing combination of luxury and historic beauty for both you and your pet.
The breathtaking castle, voted the most romantic hotel of 2019, is exceptionally cosy and the incredible luxury rooms are something else.
I spent a night in the plush Lady MacBayne room, boasting a four-poster bed and jacuzzi bathtub, and my mum spent hers in the spacious Gleneagles room, which offers a stunning window seat with glorious views of the castle gardens and Crieff.
The hotel is split into two sections – the tasteful, older castle building, and a more modern annexe attached to the back.
A separate building, located down steps at the top of the terraced grounds, houses a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym.
My westie dog Maggie was so excited upon arrival at the hotel that we almost lost her running down the spiral staircase to explore some of the magic!
She was also a huge fan of the luxury four-poster bed – which she somehow managed to leap up on, sprawling herself out in comfort in seconds.
The luxury bedrooms are fit for a queen and you almost feel like one when lounging about in your spa robe, sipping prosecco and indulging in the chocolates they kindly leave for you on arrival.
The kind-hearted staff also left us a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a lovely gesture which made our stay even more memorable.
Knock Castle is most definitely a place to relax, and I can see why it’s the most romantic hotel of the year.
Everything is cosy, intimate and luxurious, so it makes the perfect place for a couple and their pet to go to while exploring Crieff in Perthshire.
During our spa getaway, we also dined in the castle’s rooftop restaurant, which offers five star Scottish dining with delectable seafood and meats.
I opted for hand-dived scallops on a bed of white chocolate and herb risotto for starter, followed by beer battered halibut and potatoes for main. Then I just about managed to squeeze in some of the cheese platter, even though I was more than stuffed from the hearty dishes served beforehand.
The food truly was exceptional and the atmosphere is so relaxed you can’t help but want to curl up with a glass of wine or whisky by the bar fireplace.
We had breakfast again in the sky restaurant the following morning and Maggie was allowed to join us for a full English breakfast, which was absolutely delicious and had me full for the entire day.
At the spa, I was given an indulgent, eccentric, hour-long Chocolate experience massage, which involves a relaxing, muscle-easing aromatherapy type massage before I was coated in warm chocolate which when dried, is peeled off the skin to remove baby soft skin.
I loved taking a dip in the heated pool and enjoying a sauna after my pampering spa treatment. It really was just the ticket after a long hard week at work. There’s a small but adequate gym adjoined to the castle if you want to burn off some of the calories from the night before too.
The staff at Knock Castle were friendly, helpful and genuinely welcoming. They also won’t hesitate to give your doggy a clap if you decide to bring him or her along!
Maggie was loving the attention from staff, who made sure she had a bowl of water and plenty of adoring attention throughout her first overnight stay.
Knock Castle is the perfect place for a quiet weekend away if you want to explore the lovely market town Crieff and it’s probably the most dog friendly place I’ve ever visited. Maggie and I can’t wait to return.
COST: Standard rooms from £229 (Midweek) and from £249 (Weekend)
- Suites from £359 (Midweek) and from £339 (Weekend)
Prices based on two people sharing and includes 3-course a la carte dinner and breakfast
Book via http://knockcastle.com/
