Ryder Cup Lodge, Duchally

Ryder Cup Lodge is a privately let lodge on the Duchally Country Estate, in woodland just south of Auchterarder in Perthshire, and its selling point for dog owners is the estate rather than the lodge itself. There is a fenced dog park a short walk from the door, marked dog walking routes with bins around the grounds, and a bar and restaurant on site that takes dogs, so a whole day can pass without putting anyone back in the car.

The lodge sleeps a family across two bedrooms and two bathrooms with a separate living room, and guests get free use of the estate leisure club, with its pool, hot tub and steam room, a couple of minutes' walk away. The grounds themselves are the other draw: mature trees and hedges, a duck pond, chickens and the occasional pheasant wandering through, which most dogs find considerably more interesting than a formal garden would be.

Two caveats matter, and both come up repeatedly. The first is that the lodge's own decked area is not enclosed and has no gate, so despite the dog park nearby there is nowhere at the property itself to let a dog out unsupervised. Guests with dogs have asked for this more than once. The second is housekeeping, which is the weakest point here by some distance. Dog hair left on sofas, carpets and coffee tables by previous guests is a recurring complaint, alongside dust, scuffed paint, burst cushions and broken blind slats. If your dog is a shedder you will not be the first, but you may well arrive to the last guest's.

The pool is also small for the number of lodges it serves, and there is no shop on the estate, so bring groceries with you. For dog owners who want a resort with a dog park, dog-friendly walks and a bar that lets dogs in, the lodge works well. Anyone who needs a secure garden or a spotless arrival should look elsewhere. It earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.