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
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 opens this 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.
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.
Cromlix confirms reopening on 15 May 2026 after major transformation
Andy Murray’s Cromlix hotel near Dunblane has confirmed it will remain closed until 15 May 2026 following the most substantial transformation since the Murrays took ownership in 2013.
The renovations include a new glass-fronted 80-cover main restaurant with a living sedum roof and circular entrance, a separate fine dining restaurant, a new wellness cottage, and three new suites. The main restaurant will serve produce grown in the hotel’s own kitchen garden.
If Cromlix has been on your wish list, May 2026 is the time. Find out more.
Pizza Pilgrims is bringing its Neapolitan-style pizza to Glasgow — the Edinburgh favourite opened on West Nile Street on 27 April
Pizza Pilgrims is set to open its first Glasgow restaurant on 27 April at 19 West Nile Street, following the success of its Edinburgh debut on Rose Street last year. The new 359 sq m pizzeria seats 107 guests indoors and 12 outside, with interiors inspired by the back streets of Naples — an open kitchen, market-stall banquette and walls layered with murals and fly posters.
The menu centres on the brand’s signature 72-hour double-fermented Neapolitan dough and will be led by general manager Antimo Buonocore, who is relocating from London.
Book a table at pizzapilgrims.co.uk.
Laggan Bay Distillery opens on Islay — Ian Macleod’s new distillery filled its first cask in April and joins Fèis Ìle in May
Islay has a new distillery. Ian Macleod Distillers — owners of Glengoyne and Rosebank — officially opened Laggan Bay Distillery on 2 April 2026 overlooking the sands of Laggan Bay. Led by Islay native distillery manager Malcolm Rennie, the team filled their first cask on opening day, with early production focused on a clean, balanced house style. Visitors can experience the distillery for the first time at Fèis Ìle on 31 May, when Laggan Bay opens its doors for a public event as part of the Islay Festival of Music and Malt. Follow updates at lagganbaydistillery.com.
The Dalmore reopened to visitors on 27 April with a reimagined distillery experience on the Cromarty Firth
After several years closed to the public, The Dalmore Distillery on the shores of the Cromarty Firth reopens its doors this Monday with a completely reimagined visitor experience. Rather than a standard group tour, the new brand home offers each guest an entirely private and bespoke visit arranged in advance with a dedicated concierge – a format the distillery describes as “nothing like a typical whisky visitor centre.” Visits include guided tastings of whiskies from the Principal Collection and limited Distillery Select editions, alongside canapés and carefully curated refreshments.
Book your visit at thedalmore.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.
How often is this page updated?
New openings, events and projects are added as they are confirmed, making it a reliable source for what’s new in Scotland.
Kate – Love from Scotland x