Stunning Country House, Inverurie

Stunning Country House is a large self-catering property in the countryside just outside Inverurie, and its main asset for anyone travelling with a dog is simply space. There is a field directly out the front that dogs get the run of, the house absorbs a big group without anyone tripping over each other, and the setting is rural enough that the walking starts where the driveway ends.

It suits the kind of trip where several households travel together. Groups have brought two dogs alongside eight adults and a couple of children without the place feeling crowded, and guests travelling with pets list the dog-friendliness among the reasons the house worked for them rather than treating it as a box ticked. Inside there is a cinema room, a games room with a pool table and a hot tub outside, so there is plenty to do on the days the Aberdeenshire weather closes in.

The owner is quick to respond when something needs sorting, which is worth having in a property this size. A few practical notes from previous stays: the hot tub can take up to a day to reach temperature after arrival, the towel rails were not switched on for at least one group, and the area around the hot tub is dark after nightfall, which is worth a torch if you are letting a dog out last thing. One of the bedrooms has a bathroom beside it with no shower, so sleeping arrangements need a little thought when the group is at full capacity. Pet terms are not published on the listing either, so confirm the number of dogs and any charge with the owner when you book.

Best suited to extended families and groups of friends who want a rural base with room for the dogs to stretch out, within easy reach of Aberdeen and the Aberdeenshire castle country. It earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.