Cosy Country Cottage, Moffat

A one-bedroom cottage at Beattock, a couple of miles south of Moffat, that has quietly become a favourite overnight stop for people driving to and from the Highlands. It sits close to the main route north, so it is easy to reach late, but the setting is farmland rather than roadside - cows in the next field, some of the darkest skies in southern Scotland overhead, and a wood burner laid ready in the sitting room.

The garden is why dog owners keep coming back. It is walled, fenced and gated, so a dog can be let straight out to stretch its legs after a long drive without a lead. Guests arriving with two dogs regularly mention how quickly they settle, and there is enough grass for a proper run around rather than a token patch. It is worth walking the boundary yourself on arrival, though: a few guests have found gaps at the bottom of the hedge nearest the road, and brambles growing across the path, so the enclosure is not always as complete as it looks.

Inside, the cottage is small but genuinely well equipped - a comfortable bed, a good shower, an air fryer and slow cooker in the kitchen, and heating switched on ahead of a cold arrival. The owner is quick to answer questions and leaves milk and tea out ready. Moffat, ten minutes up the road, has pubs that welcome dogs and is the nearest place for shopping.

A few practicalities to plan around. There is no freezer, which matters if you feed raw. The wifi is poor and the mobile signal patchy. There are no shops within walking distance. You can hear the road and the railway from outside, though not from indoors - fine for a night, more noticeable over a week.

Best suited to couples travelling with one or two dogs who want a secure garden and a warm cottage to break a long drive, or a quiet base for walking in the Annandale hills. It earns a 4.8/5 paw rating.