Heading north toward the beautiful Scottish Highlands the Cairn Lodge Services have been our destination stopover for a number of years – however usually in the spring and summer when we could sit outside with Mr Arthur Weasley, our faithful collie. Now heading for a short stay at The Four Seasons Hotel in Crieff, Saint Fillans, what would we do this autumn as the gentle rains began to fall?
With the opening of the Dog Café in Westmorland’s Rheged Visitor Centre, there was hope that the Cumbrian family business would have rolled out their dog-friendly welcome at their other services outside the county – and we weren’t disappointed.
The newly refurbished Cairn Lodge service on the A74(M) proudly displayed their dog friendly status on the entrance doors and the foyer area has been transformed into a touch down desk work area ad dog café.
The work to create the new dining experience was underway last summer when we called in on our way home from the Isle of Mull. Now the work inside has been completed creating a beautiful, modern and quality stopping point.
The outside area has also been transformed with the introduction of more tress and seating, so we look forward to sitting out there in the sunshine in summer 2020!
It is great to see a Cumbrian family firm expanding outside the region – creating their own unique and friendly services. I was so impressed by the opportunity for people to pay £10 to park their campervans and mobile homes for 24 hours. What a sensible offer, especially when the facilities include lovely showers, farm shop deli and café.
Meanwhile, we have enjoyed the freshly prepared, local produce from the café area and been able to recharge our phones and get 10p a litre off petrol at their services by buying lunch in the café – and we got double Westmorland loyalty points on our coffee card which we use at Rheged, by using our reusable cups! It’s been a win, win all round.
What’s your favourite stop off place on your journey’s north of Cumbria? We’d love to share your recommendations int he comments box below – especially for dog-friendly places.
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By K & Mr Arthur Weasley.
