Church on the Hill named Scotland’s most dog-friendly pub after nationwide Rover survey

# What happened Rover ran a nationwide search of 110 UK pubs to find the best places for dogs and their owners. In Scotland, Church on the Hill — 16 Algie Street in Shawlands, Glasgow — came top of the list for 2026. Reviewers evaluated venues with people and dogs attending together to judge how well pubs work for four-legged visitors.

# Hill won Rover's testers rated pubs across practical factors: booking systems, pup accessibility, staff communication, canine facilities, pet safety, and the overall experience for dogs. Church on the Hill scored highly on multiple fronts:

• Dogs are allowed throughout the spacious venue rather than being limited to an outdoor corner.
• On-site provisions include fresh water, treats, beds, blankets and poo bags.
• The pub offers dog-friendly drinks and has a clearly marked dog station outdoors.
• A sheltered, large, secure outdoor area lets dogs wander safely while owners stay.
• Staff make a visible effort to welcome dogs, creating a relaxed atmosphere for pets and owners.

Those practical amenities and a layout that gives dogs space and comfort contributed to the venue leading the Scottish rankings.

# How pubs were assessed Rover used an organised Tavern Test involving reviewers and their dogs. Key assessment criteria were concrete and operational: how bookings work for dog owners, how accessible spaces are for leashed or off-leash dogs, staff interactions and communications with canine visitors, available facilities for dogs, and visible measures for pet safety. The approach focused on the dog's experience rather than general pub popularity.

# Other Scottish pubs highlighted Perth were named among other highly praised Scottish venues. They were singled out for offering strong dog-focused amenities and welcoming atmospheres, showing that dog-friendly options are spread across the country, not limited to Glasgow.

# Context: dog culture in Scottish pubs Rover's report cites wider trends: many owners treat pubs as social spaces they visit with dogs. The story notes that around 81 dog-friendly drinking venues exist in Glasgow according to Dugs N Pubs. Rover also reported survey findings that 47% of owners said their dog is on first-name terms with pub staff, and 50% said they know other dogs' names at their local even if they don't know the owners' names. Those figures illustrate how integrated dogs have become in pub life.

# What this means for owners and pubs For owners: look for venues that provide basic dog provisions (water, treats, blankets), space for pets to settle, and clear outdoor areas. For pub operators: practical investments — a dog station, accessible indoor space, staff training on handling dogs — can make a venue more attractive to the growing group of patrons who bring pets.

# Takeaway Church on the Hill won Scotland's top dog-friendly pub title because it combined accessible indoor space, dedicated outdoor facilities, practical dog provisions and welcoming staff. Rover's testing shows a clear checklist that other pubs can follow if they want to be genuinely dog friendly.