The latest Scotland news – hotels, restaurants, events & new things to do

Planning a trip to Scotland and wondering what’s new? This page tracks the openings, events and experiences worth knowing about — new hotels and restaurants, distillery launches, festival programmes and exhibitions across Scotland. Updated regularly. If you’re planning a visit in the next year, this is the page to bookmark.

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Latest Scotland news

Fèis Ìle begins this Friday – the 40th anniversary Islay Festival runs 22–31 May with 10 distillery days, new exclusive bottlings and Laggan Bay’s debut

The world’s greatest whisky festival opens this Friday on the Isle of Islay for its landmark 40th anniversary edition, running until Sunday 31 May, one day longer than usual thanks to the addition of Laggan Bay Distillery and Islay Ales as new participants on the final Sunday. Every distillery on the island holds its own open day with free general entry, exclusive festival bottlings, live music and masterclasses.

Plan your visit at feisile.co.uk

Campbeltown Malts Festival starts today – five days of rare whisky in Scotland’s whisky capital, 18–23 May

Scotland’s smallest whisky region opens its doors today for the Campbeltown Malts Festival, running through Saturday 23 May. Glen Scotia, Springbank and Glengyle (Kilkerran) all host events, tastings and distillery tours across the five-day programme in the Kintyre coastal town often called the whisky capital of the world.

See the full programme at campbeltownmaltsfestival.com.

Islay House — Islay’s historic 1677 Georgian mansion is completing its transformation into a full-service luxury hotel

The Payne-Clark family, California-based descendants of a former Islay House gamekeeper, purchased the historic Bridgend mansion in late 2024 and have been restoring it for a full luxury hotel relaunch. Plans include a dedicated whisky bar, all-day dining, restored Victorian kitchen and walled garden, set within 28 acres overlooking Loch Indaal — minutes from nine of Islay’s distilleries. The property is currently operating as a B&B during the renovation; the full luxury relaunch has not yet been confirmed as open.

Follow progress at islayhouse.co.uk.

Scone Palace opens two new luxury apartments in 2026 — stay inside one of Scotland’s most famous palaces in Perthshire

Scone Palace, the historic seat of Scottish kings in Perthshire where monarchs were once crowned on the Stone of Destiny, is launching two new luxury self-catering apartments in 2026 as part of its expanding accommodation offering. The apartments will give visitors the extraordinary experience of staying within the working palace grounds surrounded by parkland, peacocks and the River Tay.

Follow updates at scone-palace.co.uk.

Flat Iron is bringing affordable steak to Glasgow in 2027 – West George Street site confirmed

London’s beloved steak group Flat Iron has announced its first Scottish restaurant for 2027, taking over the former Yo! Sushi unit at 85 West George Street in a heritage four-storey Renaissance building. The 120-cover, two-floor space will serve the namesake flat iron steak, daily Wagyu specials, bone marrow mash, beef dripping chips and a burger from the group’s own North Yorkshire herd — alongside the complimentary beefy popcorn that’s become something of a cult. At just £15 for the signature cut, it’s one of the most accessible quality steak experiences in the UK. Sign up for updates at flatironsteak.co.uk.

The Cottage at Royal Terrace- Edinburgh’s most magical new restaurant opened on Thursday 1 May in a William Playfair garden cottage

One of Edinburgh’s most genuinely special new openings lands on Thursday: The Cottage at Royal Terrace, tucked inside Royal Terrace Gardens off London Road, occupies a 19th-century stone cottage designed by William Playfair in 1836 as the gardener’s home.

Under director Peter Adshead — whose career spans Michelin-starred kitchens and Edinburgh’s five-star hotels — and head chef Jamie Stapleton, guests arrive through a working kitchen garden, passing the herbs and produce that will feature in their seasonal tasting menus.

Lunch and shorter tasting menus run from midday; the full tasting experience begins at 6.30pm. It’s a short walk from Calton Hill and the Edinburgh Playhouse, making it a natural choice for a pre-theatre dinner or a special-occasion evening.

Book at thecottageedinburgh.com.

Lucky Yu Edinburgh has been added to the Michelin Guide – Scotland’s only April addition to the 2026 guide

Edinburgh’s Asian-fusion restaurant Lucky Yu on Broughton Street has been named in the Michelin Guide 2026, becoming the only Scottish restaurant to be added in the April monthly update. Led by chef Duncan Adamson – formerly of the acclaimed Gardener’s Cottage – Lucky Yu is known for its handmade gyoza, bao buns, yakitori and dirty rice.

The restaurant opened at 53–55 Broughton Street in 2023.

Book at luckyyu.co.uk.

Ottolenghi is opening its first Scottish restaurant on Edinburgh’s George Street this autumn

Yotam Ottolenghi has confirmed that his celebrated restaurant group will open its first Scottish location on George Street in Edinburgh, this autumn. The restaurant at 92 George Street will be led by executive head chef Neil John Campbell, who was born and raised on the Isle of Skye and has worked at Ottolenghi for the best part of a decade, bringing his deep knowledge of Scottish produce to a menu that will be vegetable-forward in the Ottolenghi style, drawing on local fish, seafood and Highland vegetables.

Yotam Ottolenghi said the group had been “dreaming about opening in Edinburgh for years.” Further details on the menu, design and precise opening date will be announced soon.

Follow updates at ottolenghi.co.uk.

Dun Aluinn opens near Aberfeldy as a nine-bedroom Highland hotel

Dun Aluinn, a restored Victorian country house set on 5.5 acres above the River Tay near Aberfeldy in Perthshire, has opened this month as a fully staffed nine-bedroom boutique hotel, welcoming individual guests for the first time having previously operated as an exclusive-use hire venue.

Designed by co-owner and architect Susie Whyte in a pared-back, contemporary style, free of curtains, tartan and hunting trophies, the nine rooms are each named after local trees and include features such as a Japanese cedar soaking tub and a steam room.

Head Chef John Christie leads an evening three-course dinner served each night, with breakfast included. Rooms start from £495 per night.

Find out more and book at dunaluinn.com.

Upcoming events and festivals across Scotland

Scotland hosts a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year, from major cultural celebrations to smaller local and seasonal events.

> Discover all of the events in Scotland in November 2025 in my complete guide to whats on.