The Field, Inverness
Just over four acres of fenced grass, twenty minutes from town. A sensory area for the sniffers, agility kit for the show-offs, and three shelters for when the Highland weather makes its mind up.
What you're hiring
Just over four acres of fenced field — about 280 metres from the front gate to the back, so plenty of space to lose yourself in. A private carpark inside the same fence line, so the dog stays secure from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. Three shelters, two park benches, and a picnic table dotted around the field, all giving you a view of the lay of the land and somewhere to sit when the rain decides to start.
By the entrance gate there's a toy box — bring your own, but if you've forgotten, there's plenty in there to borrow. It doubles as our lost and found and houses two first aid kits (one for dogs, one for humans), an accident book, and a list of local vet numbers. Call us if you've had a mishap so we can top it up.
The Sensory Area
First part of the field you walk through, and the slowest. Built for sniffing, not sprinting. The whole area is designed for mental enrichment — a game of sprinkles, a check of the pee-mails, a wander through unfamiliar textures. Perfect for senior dogs out for a stroll at their own speed, for new pups and rescues working their way through a socialisation list, and especially for our much-loved passport pooches.
Try out the textures underfoot on the Dancefloor. Have a dig in the sand boxes. Practise crossing the wee purple bridge, climbing the steps, or walking under them. Sniff the planter boxes — every plant in there has been thoroughly researched and is safe to nibble. We've ruled out common herbs (linalool's toxic, if your dog's a muncher) and a few others that can be dodgy with underlying conditions. Plant tags are still on, so you can look anything up on your phone.
The Adventure Zone
Halfway up the field on the left. Two parts to it, and you can do as much or as little as you like.
The agility jumps
Kennel Club approved, bright orange and white (you can't miss them). If your pup is still growing, getting on a bit, or starting to develop underlying conditions, drop the poles to the ground and use the stands. Same brain workout, no vet bill later.
The fun zone
A large tower with four low-slip ramps, a zig-zag walkway for balance work, a log bump walkway with different textures underfoot, a ramp jump for the more adventurous, and a ramp-raised-walkway-ramp for confidence at height. All the equipment is professionally built, sturdy enough for the biggest dogs and low enough for the little ones. Some of it's reminiscent of the physio exercises vets give to dogs in recovery. Can you complete the circuit?
Somewhere to sit, somewhere to shelter
Three shelters, two park benches, one picnic table, spread the length of the field. Shade for the dog on warm days, a roof when it rains, and an elevated point of view for surveying the lay of the land. Useful for the humans too — four seasons in one day in the Highlands, and The Field sees them all.
As secure as we've been able to make it
It's up to you to decide if the field is secure enough for your dog. We've put in a ton of security features and we think we've covered everything, but there's always a chance of a dog who'll outsmart us — so please walk the perimeter on your first visit, especially if you have a highly-skilled Houdini.
The fenceline is roughly 2 metres high, with coyote-style rollers on top — if a climber makes it up, they won't get purchase and they'll roll back in. Top to bottom is lined in rabbit fencing, so even small paws can't grip. Every corner and angled beam is wrapped behind rabbit fencing so they can't run up them. The rabbit fencing is dug in underground to thwart diggers. There are logs under every gate, closing the gap between the bottom of the gate and the ground. Anything that could act as a springboard is positioned so the worst-case escape lands them in the carpark, which is fenced to the same standard.
The carpark has the same safety measures as the field itself. Lock both gates behind you and no-one else can get in — unless you've invited them.
Finding us
what3words: spurring.nipping.tooth — that drops you right at the gate. [CONFIRM — full postcode for the satnav-shy.]
Book a slot
Hourly slots from 5:45am to 10pm, seven days a week. £10 covers up to three dogs, £2 per extra dog after that, up to ten. Book up to 60 days ahead, cancel up to 24 hours before. Pin codes for the gates arrive by text and email two hours before you arrive.
Book a playdate