Paws Unleashed

You'll find Paws Unleashed just outside Lanark, a proper dog lover's destination that takes the whole pet experience seriously. It's a working space dedicated to canine training and behaviour, though what draws visitors is the chance to see working dogs in action and learn how they're trained for real jobs - not the sanitised theme park version.

The setup is refreshingly no-nonsense. There's none of that saccharine 'experience' padding you get elsewhere. Instead, you're watching genuine trainers work with dogs on actual tasks, which means the pace is set by the animals, not a timetable. Some days it's electric; other days you're watching more contemplative training sessions. That's the reality of working with dogs.

It works best for people who actually care about canine behaviour rather than just wanting photos with cute puppies. Kids will find it interesting if they're genuinely dog-mad, but there's no playground or faffing about - it's educational stuff. Dog owners especially get a lot from understanding how working dogs develop their skills.

If you're staying at Ecosse Glamping nearby, this makes a solid half-day addition to a South Lanarkshire break. The Lowlands have decent walking country around Lanark itself, so you could easily combine it with outdoor time. Check ahead before visiting though - opening hours and admission aren't well publicised, so a phone call is worth your time.