Looking for fabulous places to stay in Scotland to get away from it all? From romantic cottages to luxury log cabins, boutique hotels to campsites here are my picks of the best places to stay in Scotland. Looking to plan the perfect Scotland staycation? We’ve tried and tested all of them so you are guaranteed a great choice of places to stay in Scotland.
My favourite places to stay in Scotland:
- The Boathouses, Loch Tay – scandi-style boathouses on the banks of lovely Loch Tay
- The Birdwatcher’s Cabin, Golspie – a gorgeous log cabin over looking Loch Fleet
- Eagle Brae, Glen Affric – fabulous cabins in the heart of Glen Affric
- Glen Dye, Aberdeenshire – hipster hangouts in the heart of the Aberdeenshire hills
- Lazy Duck, Nethy Bridge – off grid cabins in the Cairngorms
- The Torridon, Wester Ross – Scotland’s luxury highland hotel
- Eastside Cottages, Edinburgh – wonderfully renovated spaces on a working sheep farm in the Pentland Hills
- Brucefield Estate, Clackmannanshire – luxury cabins in a 3000 acre regenerative estate
- The Three Chimneys and House Over By, Isle of Skye – foodie heaven on the Isle of Skye
- The Taybank, Dunkeld – cool boutique rooms above a live music bar on the River Tay in cool Dunkeld
- The Mash Tun, Aberlour, Speyside – the ultimate whisky destination in Speyside
- The Queen’s Hut, Aboyne – a wonderfully luxurious cabin on its own loch in Deeside – with the ultimate bath
- Inverlonan Bothies, Oban – off grid cabins above the bustling town of Oban
- The Whitebridge Hotel, Loch Ness – a cool and quirky hotel on the quiet side of Loch Ness
- Inver, Loch Fyne – Scotland’s only green Michelin star – stay on site in Inver’s lovely bothies.
The Boathouses, Loch Tay
‘Osprey’, ‘Oyster’ and ‘Dipper’ are beautiful Scandinavian-style Loch Tay boat houses, perched on the edge of Loch Tay. Hidden down on the loch side, this is romantic seclusion at its very best. With your own loch side beach for a candle-lit bbq and red squirrels visiting for breakfast, I promise you won’t want to leave.
The boathouses are perfect for just relaxing by the fire, cooking delicious meals (we picked up some great Aberdeen Angus steaks from a butcher in Aberfeldy), lighting all the candles, pouring lots of glasses of fizz and just staring at the ever-changing views over the loch. For hours and hours… ahh a perfect for your romantic getaway in Scotland.
Book the Boathouses
The Birdwatcher’s Cabin, Golspie
The North Coast 500 might be right outside your door, but hidden on its own beach, the silence at the Birdwatcher’s Cabin is only interrupted by the whistling cry of an osprey taking flight over Loch Fleet’s endless stretch of sand dunes, mudflats, and 100-year-old Scots pinewoods.
This is cabin living at its best – there is a super comfy bed, a tiny but complete kitchen and all the scandi chic you need. Nearby visit the fairy tale, Dunrobin Castle, to explore the gardens and watch the daily falconry display, visit the waterfalls at the Big Burn, and if you are feeling energetic there are mountain bike trails on Ben Bhraggie – or you could climb to the top for a view!
Eagle Brae, Glen Affric
If you are looking for true luxury accommodation in the Scottish highlands, then let me introduce you to Eagle Brae, a small and exclusive village of 7 beautiful self-catering cedar log cabins.
Hidden deep in Inverness-shire, close to Glen Affric, Scotland’s most beautiful glen, Eagle Brae offers incredible scenery, five-star accommodation and genuine warmth in welcome. Look out for the resident red stag, goats and a Bernese Mountain Dog!
Book: Eagle Brae
Glen Dye, Aberdeenshire
At the heart of a beautiful 15,000 acre Aberdeenshire estate which rises up from the River Dye to the peak of local icon Clachnaben, are Glen Dye cabins and cottage.
Offering up rural Highland adventures with a large dollop of luxury, at Glen Dye you can book into one of eight luxury holiday cottages alongside more adventurous glamping options including a 1950s airstream, a converted sawmill and a ‘garden camp‘.
My favourite is the North Lodge and River Cabin, a pretty three-bed self catering cottage which comes with its own fabulous cabin in the woods, an off grid hot tub and even its own stretch of the River Dye for wild swimming.
Book: North Lodge and River Cabin
Lazy Duck, Nethy Bridge
If you dream retreating to a tiny log cabin in the woods, then I have the perfect spot for you. With an 8-bed hostel, a beautifully quiet 4-pitch campsite and three romantic eco huts, the Lazy Duck is a little piece of off-grid heaven.
Check into the Woodman’s Hut, a tiny house for two made out of a 260-year-old Scots Pine, recycled from where it fell. With a little house on the prairie interior, complete with cabin bed (at a height perfect for viewing the hills), a skylight for stargazing at night, and two old, overstuffed armchairs in front of the fire – it instantly transports you back to a much simpler time.
Read more and book: The Lazy Duck
More places to stay in the Cairngorms National Park
The Torridon, Wester Ross
The The Torridon Hotel is a luxury hotel in the most dramatic of locations. With its own herd of highland coos, the friendliest staff (ever!) and a spectacular location on the loch, the Torridon Hotel makes for a destination which invites you to check in, and not check back out.
There is a gorgeous restaurant, a whisky bar with over 350 drams to try, activities including clay pigeon shooting on site, and Munros to bag in all directions.
Book The Torridon
Eastside Cottages, Edinburgh
Hidden beneath the peaks of the Pentlands – the shapely Kips and towering Scald Law – is Eastside, a working free-range Scottish Blackface sheep farm which has been in the Cowan family since 1850. Eastside is home to five luxurious self-catering holiday cottages, perfectly located for exploring the surrounding hills or making forages into the bright lights of nearby Edinburgh.
Choose from one of three architectural gems – the stylish Cartshed and the Wash House and over the valley, the Westside Woodshed, which are perfect for couples – and for families and groups (and muddy pups) the Steading Cottage and Byre Cottage. Across the farm, Eastside Cottages can accommodate 12 if you want to bring the whole family!
Book: Byre Cottage (2 bedroom), the Wash House (couples), the Steading (2 beds), and the Westside Woodshed (couples)
Brucefield Estate, Clackmannanshire
Underneath The Ochils mountains with pretty Dollar to the north and historic Culross to the south sits the 1000-acre Brucefield Estate, home to three gorgeous luxury Scandi-style eco cabins – Tod, Mertrick and Brock – the Schenbothies.
Outside the cabins, the fields, meadows and woods here at Brucefield are ancient – the estate is pepper potted with towering 300 year old Scots pines, gnarled oak trees and moss covered stone walls. Regeneration of the estate is under way everywhere you look. Beyond the Brucefield Estate is lovely little Clackmannanshire, one of Scotland’s hidden gems. If you can tear yourself away from your cabin, there is lots to do.
Book Brucefield Estate
The Three Chimneys and House Over By, Isle of Skye
With a six-hour drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow and three hours to the closest airport, you need to make an effort for your dinner at The Three Chimneys. However, on arrival at this string of tiny whitewashed croft cottages perched on the banks of Loch Dunvegan, your efforts are seriously rewarded.
You truly have reached somewhere quite special. Suites in the House Over By have views over the loch, Scandinavian shabby chic style and a bathroom large enough to live in – and the 2018 UK restaurant of the year was just across the way… Read more and book: The Three Chimneys
The Taybank, Dunkeld
Whilst Perthshire has long been famed for its big trees and stunning autumn colours, it is the village of Dunkeld which is now giving this most gentile of Scotland’s regions a rather large dose of cool.
On the banks of the River Tay in the heart of Dunkeld sits The Taybank – a contender for your new favourite hotel, bar and restaurant in Scotland.Alongside its popular bar and huge beer garden, The Taybank is a super cool and stylish boutique hotel. Upstairs from the bar and restaurant are five individually designed bedrooms – all of the rooms (and throughout the hotel) are dog friendly.
With fabulous food, stylish rooms, that brilliant beer garden and live music bar – as well as as all the brilliant Dunkeld on your doorstep – why would you go anywhere else?
Book The Taybank
The Mash Tun, Aberlour, Speyside
In the heart of Speyside sits the pretty village of Aberlour and the iconic Mash Tun – a riverside inn and whisky bar.
Whether you are visiting Speyside for whisky tasting and touring the distilleries, walking the Speyside Way or practising your ‘Spey cast’ in the hope of landing a salmon, the Mash Tun offers up fabulous food, a warm Moray welcome and stylish Aberlour accommodation.
If you are looking for a base to discover the delights of Speyside, then Aberlour is the perfect spot.
Stay at the Mash Tun, Aberlour
The Queen’s Hut, Aboyne
Let me introduce you to your new favourite Highland’s hideaway – The Queen’s Hut, Aboyne. Hidden in the heart of Royal Deeside, near the pretty town of Aboyne is The Queen’s Hut. Sitting on its own tree-lined loch, the Queen’s Hut is a luxury log cabin overlooking the Cairngorm Mountains.
Surrounded by woodlands, and on a rambling path which leads to you a rather nice country pub – the Queen’s Hut is a rural hideaway really worth discovering. Perfectly positioned to explore Aberdeenshire, Deeside and Speyside, wind your way up through the Cairngorms National Park to the Queen’s Hut.
Book the Queen’s Hut
Inverlonan Bothies, Oban
Slow down, light the fire, and experience the ultimate Scottish bothy at Inverlonan.
Usually found in the remotest of spots and only accessed by foot, a Scottish bothy normally conjures up images of rough and ready shelter, off-grid outdoor living, and tales around the fire. However, when you add lots of little luxuries and great food, you get Inverlonan.
Sitting at the edge of beautiful Glen Lonan, on the banks of Loch Nell, are Uisge (Oosh-ka), Beatha (Bay-ah), and Sitheil (She-Eel) three handcrafted modern Scottish bothies.
The three bothies might be just but 15 minutes from the bustling hub of Oban with its ferries to the isles and langoustine devouring hoards, but surrounded by ancient oak trees, at Inverlonan you can be truly remote from the world.
Book Inverlonan
The Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness
Welcome to the Whitebridge Hotel Loch Ness
Visitors to Loch Ness rarely visit its southern banks, instead, they dash from Fort Augustus to Urquhart Castle to all points north. However, they are missing out.
High above the madding crowds of Nessie hunters on the shores of Loch Ness sits The Whitebridge Hotel*. Named after an original (and still standing) 18th century General Wade Bridge, the Whitebridge Hotel was originally built in 1899 on the site of a Kingshouse and has been brought up to date by current owners Lesley and Bella.
The hotel now offers up warm and quirky hospitality in 12 comfy ensuite bedrooms and its popular bar and restaurant on the south side of Loch Ness.
Inver, Loch Fyne
On the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll is Inver, one of Scotland’s best restaurants. The only restaurant in Scotland with a green Michelin star, let’s book into one of Inver’s bothies overlooking the loch for an incredible evening of sustainable fine dining.
Book into one of Inver’s four bothies or two shepherds hut overlooking the loch and the castle. The bothies have super king-size beds and huge ensuite bathrooms, are chock full of Scottish design touches and have picture windows to take in that view. One of the bothies (no4) is dog friendly, and we were lucky to grab it for our visit.
Note – Inver does not take bookings for their bothies and shepherd huts on a B&B basis. All bookings in the bothies and shepherd’s huts come with a booking in the restaurant as standard. To stay at Inver you are required to eat at the restaurant, and dine on the tasting menu. For subsequent nights they do offer a carte menu.
Book Inver
Love from Scotland x
James
Monday 8th of November 2021
If I could add 1 more. The Flodigarry Country house hotel near Staffin / Portree in Skye. You have to experience it.
Alasdair
Tuesday 11th of December 2018
If I can make one addition - Knoydart Hide up in Inverie. That is great hideway luxury accommodation.
Albion
Wednesday 21st of March 2018
Every single one of those looks fantastic--even the camping sites, and I'm not a camper at all! I'll keep these places in mind as we start planning our summer travel.
Kathi
Saturday 17th of March 2018
I love the idea of making an itinerary around the quirky places you want to stay in! Comrie Croft has been on my bucket list since a friend from America told me she had worked there one summer and loved it. Need to plan a camping weekend this summer!!! I also really love the campsite on Rum - perfect getaway and the best views!
Love from, Smidge
Monday 19th of March 2018
I'm already booked into Comrie in July - really looking forward to going back for (i think) our 6th visit.
Skye Class
Thursday 15th of March 2018
Wow, I want to visit everyone of these places. I love boutique hotels, and those house boats look magical! These are all going on my bucket list!