Dog Days AwayGOOD DAYS. TOGETHER.Orkney · Scotland · Village · Coast
St Margaret’s Hope offers a small-village South Ronaldsay base with a gentle arrival outing and the option of visiting Sands of Wright separately. The Murray Arms provides hotel rooms in the village; Myres is a two-person cottage at Grimness outside it. Myres is listed only for May to August, so it is a seasonal option rather than an all-year fallback. Choose the accommodation and island journey first, then build a modest shore day around conditions.
Policies researched 27 September 2026 · Check directly before booking
A BASE FOR YOUR BREAK
Dog access can depend on the room or accommodation you choose. Confirm the exact dog arrangements before you pay.
The Murray Arms explicitly permits pets in its rooms, with charges, limits and restaurant access still to agree. Myres welcomes dogs by prior arrangement but its seasonal dates, rural setting and low doorway change the choice. Confirm the exact booking period and supervision; a restaurant in a dog-friendly hotel is not automatically a permitted meal space.
Back Road, St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney KW17 2SP
A hotel on Back Road in the village. Arrange the room and any meal with your dog directly before booking.
The dog detailsPets permitted in rooms. Confirm specific dog, fee, limits, restaurant access and supervision.
Book directly with the property
Confirm your dog, exact accommodation, minimum stay and total charge before paying.
Myres, Grimness, St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney KW17 2RH
A traditional two-person cottage at Grimness outside St Margaret’s Hope. Current listing offers May-August stays only and notes a low entrance doorway.
The dog detailsDogs by prior arrangement. Confirm fee, limits, supervision and minimum stay; this is a seasonal rural option.
Book directly with the property
Confirm your dog, exact accommodation, minimum stay and total charge before paying.
GOOD DAYS OUT, TOGETHER
Use public village streets for a gentle arrival walk, leaving the complete published circular route for a separate decision.
Keep dogs close beside roads and the harbour, respect residents and follow access signs.
Official visitor information ↗Visit the beach separately or consider the full published circular route only after reading its road and shoreline sections. The photo shows this shore outing.
Check tides and weather; control dogs around birds and livestock. The circular route has a tidal shore section, so do not assume it is passable in all conditions.
Official visitor information ↗AN UNHURRIED COUPLE OF DAYS
Allow for your island journey, arrange supplies or dinner and enjoy a brief village outing. Cottage guests need transport back to their rural base.
Choose a Sands of Wright visit in suitable conditions, or stay with village time. Avoid a tight onward travel connection.
A suggested plan, not a booked itinerary. Adapt it to your dog, the weather and current access.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Its current listing runs from May to August; check availability before planning accommodation around it.
Road walking and a tidal section make it a different commitment from a separate beach visit.
No. Myres is at Grimness, three miles from the village. The Orkney.com listing says well-behaved dogs are welcome by prior arrangement; it does not state a dog fee. Contact the owner before booking and plan on driving for village shops and services.
No. The current listing says its letting season runs from May to the end of August. It is a two-person cottage, so it is a seasonal option rather than an all-year base; check current availability with the owner before planning around it.
Orkney.com lists the circular as 7 km, grade 2 and about 2.5 hours, with 110 m of ascent and descent. Most of it follows quiet single-track roads or vehicle track, with a short shore section. It is more than a village stroll; keep your dog close near traffic or livestock and check local conditions before setting out.
Sources: St Margaret’s Hope Circular - Orkney.com · Scottish Outdoor Access Code - NatureScot
Yes. Pentland Ferries says MV Alfred has a dog-friendly indoor sun-deck lounge and MV Pentalina has an indoor dog-friendly area. Passengers can also sit outside or leave dogs in vehicles on the car deck. The operator says this applies during normal operations; check your sailing’s vessel and current instructions.
The hotel describes its premises as dog-friendly but asks guests to enquire for further information. Its public stay page does not specify a dog fee, room limit or dining-room rule, so confirm the arrangement directly before booking rather than assuming every room or meal area is available.
Sources: Stay - The Murray Arms Hotel
Researched from accommodation operators, property listings and visitor information linked above on 27 September 2026. Prices and policies can change; a stated dog fee is not a room quote or a promise of availability. We have not personally inspected these places. Our day plans are editorial suggestions.
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