M74 junction 16 Services - improved, Scotland
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs 
Photo © Driving with Dogs
Description
An easy stop for caravans and large vehicles, and a dog-friendly motel too. There were issues with cleanliness around the lake but recent reviews (2024) report that the lake path is now cleaner, so that's good news.
Details
GPS coords for car park: 55.2199, -3.4111 What3Words: ///unimpeded.shops.view Usual motorway services, with a choice of restaurants and cafés. Shops. Wi-Fi. Outside patio area. Picnic tables around the lake. Dog water provided, dog poo bins.
Walk
There is a generous amount of exercise space at this service station, although dogs are safer on leads – not only because of the nearby roads but also to avoid confrontations with the resident swans. There is direct access to the loch and exercise area from behind the Days Inn at the far side of the car park. This will bring you to a large grassy area and a short walk around the kidney shaped loch. The volume of fowl droppings close to the water's edge can be unpleasant.
fgammie
Green 40 Points
TZdrojewski
Green 25 PointsGreat leg stretch for the dog
One of the best dog walks I’ve found attached to a motorway services: decent length, grass available for the dog to sniff around and play on. The only negative is the path is not lit at night.
Trundlepup
Pink 235 PointsAll good on a frosty January day
The hotel is now a Days Inn, they charge £10 extra for the dog. It was very comfortable, nice big room and felt like a slight upgrade from the Travelodges we normally stay in. There’s a door straight from the hotel through to the services to save you going outside if the weather’s bad.
There were patches on the path around the lake where it looked like it had been a bit muddy but on a quiet frosty morning it was a really lovely walk. No bird poop though could be very different in the summer but we’d certainly stop here again.
It’s on the southbound side but not a long diversion if you’re heading north.
Dougthedog
Green 15 PointsSadly neglected
Outdoor areas don’t seem to have been maintained for the last 10 years. Path round the lake is a swamp. Dogs not allowed indoors so can’t get a coffee unless there are two of you or you leave the dog in the car.
DwD: We completely agree with you, this isn't the easiest stop. In summer they do seem to make more of an effort with the outside cleanliness.
Driving with Dogs Team
Yuk - don't know what's worse - the dog or goose poo :-(
craigwell
Green 24 PointsThe track around the lake and beaches were THICK with dog faeces - fossilised and fresh - really unpleasant - but at least the dog did get some exercise and we could get a coffee.
Edited: 18th December 2024. The details of this listing may have changed, and though the Driving with Dogs team do our best to confirm the accuracy of every listing, we cannot guarantee that the details are fully up to date and accurate. If you know that any aspect of this listing is incorrect, please suggest an edit to let us know.
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Early August 2023 review
We actually found this a really good stop. Yes, dogs on leads is best, but the paths were dry and clean and it was a pleasant 15 walk around the water. The service station itself was adequate and clean too. I would definitely stop here again.