With its rugged coastlines, mystical lochs and wild landscapes, Scotland is one of the most breathtaking places to holiday in the UK.
But if you’re a little overwhelmed with where to stay in this magical country, we’ve got some chic suggestions, whatever kind of Scottish holiday you’re after.
From city breaks in boutique hotels to a luxury B&B in a castle, and remote highland cottages to your own private island, here’s where to stay in Scotland.
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House of Gods Hotel, Edinburgh
This gothic-themed hotel in Edinburgh city centre believes ‘beige is blasphemy’, so interiors are unapologetically extravagant. With 22 quirky rooms, choose from Orient Express-inspired Cabins, Classic rooms are modelled on Versailles, or stay in a Suite with four poster bed and freestanding bath. Feel like pushing the boat out? Book the ‘Treat Me Like I’m F***ing Famous’ package and live like a rock star for the night. Extras include on-call butlers to champagne-filled bathtubs – but if you’ve got the cash, ask for anything you want. For late night debauchery, head to the hotel’s newly opened Casablanca Cocktail Club.
Prices start from £169.50 a night
Book a stay at House of Gods, Edinburgh
Other Edinburgh favourites include: The Dunstane Houses, Tigerlily, Native Edinburgh, Rock House, The Witchery by the Castle, The Scotsman Hotel
The Old Manse, Highland Escape, Loch Ness
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of ‘Nessie’ on your Scotland holiday, Highland Escape on the banks of Loch Ness is the best place to do it. This luxury six-bedroom house sleeps 12 guests, and is just across the water from where the infamous photo of the alleged Loch Ness Monster was captured in 1934. Bedrooms have en-suites with rainforest showers or freestanding slipper baths. There’s a large kitchen, Loch view dining room, drawing room, snug, and real open fireplaces, making it the perfect escape for large groups. It can be booked self-catered or fully catered.
Rooms start from £575 a night, with a minimum 2 night stay
Book a stay at The Old Manse, Highland Escape, Loch Ness
Other Loch Ness favourites include: Foyers Lodge, Loch Ness Lodge, Ness Walk Hotel, The Highland Club, Kilchuimen House, The Scriptorium Apartments
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow
This five-star Georgian hotel is one of the most glamorous places to stay in Glasgow. From the moment you walk in, decor is luxurious with high ceilings, chandeliers, solid oak panelling and marble fireplaces. Eat dinner in the Art Deco-inspired Bo & Birdy restaurant, sip cocktails in The Salon bar, or relax in the award-winning thermal spa. Dogs are also welcome. In a Scottish first, you can now forest bathe in the heart of Glasgow if you book the hotel’s La Chambre Verte Experience, a luxury stay in a botanical room combining guided meditation, sound therapy and CBD rituals.
Rooms start from £152 a night
Book a stay at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow
Other Glasgow favourites include: Native Glasgow, One Devonshire Gardens Hotel, CitizenM Glasgow, Malmaison Glasgow, ABode Glasgow, The Alamo Guest House
Kilmartin Castle, Argyll & Bute
If you’ve always dreamed of staying in a Scottish castle, they don’t come much better than this luxury B&B on the west coast of Scotland. The 500-year-old Kilmartin Castle has been lovingly restored by owners Stef and Simo, born out of their want to stay in a castle that ‘felt like a castle’ inside. Bedrooms have walk-in rainfall showers or copper bathtubs, while furnishings are an eclectic mix of old and new. The castle’s own fruit and vegetables are grown in the gardens and there are regular pop-up chefs to cook for you.
Rooms start from £220 a night
Book a stay at Kilmartin Castle, Argyll & Bute
Other Argyll & Bute favourites include: Brambles of Inveraray, No.26 By The Sea, The Lodge on Loch Goil, Isle of Eriska Hotel, Loch Melfort Hotel, Airds Hotel & Restaurant
Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, Aberdeenshire
Glen Dye in Aberdeenshire is a 30,000 acre private estate surrounded by ancient woodland, now home to a collection of luxury cabins and cottages. Stay in the converted outbuildings and ancient stone cottages, which were once part of the original farm. There are also quirky caravans or a converted hay loft with incredible views over the land to lay your head. Whatever you choose at Glen Dye, you’ll get a piece of rural luxury in the shape of wood-fired hot tubs, outdoor kitchens and custom-built saunas. This place even has its own on-site pub.
Rooms start from £1,055 for a four night stay
Book a stay at Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, Aberdeenshire
Other Aberdeenshire favourites include: The Fife Arms, Douneside House, Banchory Lodge, Darroch Learg, The Boat Inn, Cults Hotel, The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa
Inver Bothies and Shepherd’s Huts, Loch Fyne
If food dictates how you plan your holiday, book a meal at Inver restaurant on the banks of Loch Fyne and stay over in one of their bothies or shepherd’s huts. These luxury wooden huts are in the woods at either side of the restaurant and feature baths or walk-in showers, king-size beds, and patios where a breakfast picnic basket will be delivered to your door each morning. These rooms are only bookable with a dinner reservation at the restaurant, but it’s no hardship, as Inver was awarded its first Michelin star earlier this year.
Rooms start from £155 a night for a shepherds hut and £225 a night for a bothy
Book a stay at Inver, Loch Fyne
Other Loch Fyne favourites include: Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa, Portavadie Loch Fyne, Thistle Guest House, No9 Inveraray Cottage, Crispie Lodge (comes with its own powerboat!)
Isle of Skye Retreat
For stripped back, Scandi-style luxury, stay in this self-catering crofter’s cottage for two on the idyllic Isle of Skye. Warm yourself by the wood burner, lounge in the double-ended bath tub, and cosy down in the soft warm bed, all while watching the dramatic landscape which surrounds the cottage. An ideal base for exploring the island, this place feels remote, but is just five minutes from the shops and restaurants of the pretty town of Portree with its candy coloured harbour.
Rooms start from £125 a night
Book a stay at Isle of Skye Retreat on Kip Hideaways
Other Isle of Skye favourites include: Abhaig Boutique B&B, Mint Croft B&B, Kinloch Lodge, Cuillin Hills Hotel, Bosville Hotel, Marmalade Hotel, The Three Chimneys House Over-By
Arcadia Glamping, Loch Lomond
If a cabin in the woods is your idea of romance, book a stay at Arcadia Glamping, a collection of hand sculpted cabins hidden in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Inside, each cabin is cosy, with double beds and a small kitchen so you can make your own food. Outside, the private decking area comes with a sunken fairy-lit bath tub for long soaks under the stars. There is also a roaring chiminea to cosy up in front of as you reminisce on the day’s adventures.
Rooms start from £170 a night
Book a stay at Arcadia Glamping on To Wander UK
Other Loch Lomond favourites include: Little Eden on Unique Homestays, Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Cameron House, Auchenheglish Lodges, Lanrick Treehouses
Newhall Mains, Inverness
Newhall Mains is made up of five cottages and four suites, all individually designed with their own country character. A former farm, this family-run estate has been loving renovated over three years, opening its doors for the first time in early 2021. Expect original features and luxury interiors, including wood burners, bowl baths and king-size beds with Edwardian headboards. The surrounding area of the Black Isle is swirled by the sea – and home to some of Scotland’s best distilleries.
Rooms start from £95 a night
Book a stay at Newhall Mains, Inverness
Other Inverness favourites include: Pentahotel Inverness, The Royal Highland Hotel, Heathmount Hotel, Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel, Ardconnel Court Apartments
Eilean Shona, Private Island, West Coast
Experience what it’s like to have your own private island with a stay on Eilean Shona, which means ‘sea island’ in old Norse. A great one for large groups as it sleeps 16, Eilean Shona House combines the luxury of a boutique hotel with the comfort of a family home. It comes self-catered or there’s the option to hire a chef. There’s even a billiards table for when you’re tired from walking the vast grounds. This windswept piece of paradise is car free and about as remote as you can get for a peaceful and secluded break. Smaller cottages on the island are also available to book.
Cottages start from £950 a week, Eilean Shona House rates on application
Book a stay at Eilean Shona House
Other Scottish private islands include: Isle of Rona, Ronay Island, The Isle of Carna, Torsa Isand, Island of Shuna, Dry Island, Sanda Island
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