Finlaystone is super dog-friendly
It’s been a few years since I’ve walked dogs in Finlaystone Country Estate but today I had to revisit, after finding out the main walking trail (the yellow trail) has been extended through their woodland, making it a much longer and more scenic walk. They’ve also added a fully enclosed dog park just behind the Old Laundry building. It’s ideal for dogs with less-than-perfect recall, featuring ramps, large tyres, a seating area, and plenty of space to run and chase a ball. It’s the perfect spot to sip a takeaway coffee from Finlaystone’s Cafe (now under new ownership!) while the dogs play – they do great takeaway coffee!
Finlaystone has always been dog-welcoming, but now it’s even more so.
Since it’s new, I just took a small pack to check it out, so on the walk is my Brodie, a dachshund named ‘Perfect’, and Minnie the whippet.
Check out the gallery to see what’s new!
Just out the car and we are heading for this new enclosed dog play area
After passing the Old Laundry building we cross a small bridge
And here’s the new dog park
A sign to let other’s know if they are welcome to join you or not
Minnie and Perfect bounding about
Minnie and Perfect love to play
Brodie checking out the ramp
A giant tyre
Lots of room, Minnie goes after the ball
Minnie with ball
A sitting area inside the dog park
This is the Old Laundry building as seen from the dog park
After a while we go to inspect the work the Yellow Trail has received
Always keep an eye out for the signs directing where to go
Up this path, I remember this path from years ago
Minnie and Perfect lead the way
These steps are new and lead to a bench
Another Yellow Trail sign
I remember this bench from years ago , I think the last time I took a pic of it was 2015
Brodie waiting for me to catch up
Minnie leads us through the trail
Happy Minnie
I think this is new, I don’t remember this long stretch between the trees
Perfect jumped up on this log and I knew this was a ‘treat spot’, and it is, she gets a treat with her owner when they get to this spot.
We follow the signs and they are taking us to the new extension of this trail
We cross the driveway and this is all very new and quite open
A brand new bridge to cross a burn
It’s quite open with lots of room for the dogs to run
This is the Finlaystone waterfall, there’s no water at the moment, not enough rain
And we’ve finally reached the end. We’ve been out walking way over an hour!
One of the best things about Finlaystone is how peaceful and spacious it is. In summer, it can get lively with kids during the day, but they are in the kid play areas, leaving the trails quiet, but outside those peak times, it’s wonderfully calm with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. If you haven’t visited Finlaystone in a while—or ever—take your dog for a walk there soon. You’ll love it!
