What’s new in Scotland: stay, eat, do, read

Looking for the very latest in Scottish travel and culture news?

Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest openings in Scotland, from new hotels, distilleries and whisky releases, restaurant launches, things to do and new reads.

This guide brings you everything new and noteworthy.

> Please get in touch with any news you’d like included in the update!
> You can find all the forthcoming events and festivals in Scotland in my dedicated guide.

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Latest news from Scotland

Keep up to date with the very latest news from Scotland:

• Scottish Thistle Awards 2025 winners announced – celebrating the best in sustainable stays, restaurants, festivals, and rural experiences, award winners include the best hotel experience going to Kildrummy Inn, nr Aboyne, best unique stay going to Loch Ken Eco Bothies and the best eating experience going to Ninth Wave Restaurant, nr Fionnphort. Find out more about the Scottish Thistle Awards.
• Ballintaggart X Newport Bakery Partnership – Perthshire’s Ballintaggart Farm have announced that they are taking over The Newport Bakery shops in Dundee, Broughty Ferry, and Newport, from Wednesday 26th November. The partnership will bring Ballintaggart’s produce to the shops, while continuing to serve the Newport Bakery favourites.
• Major Islay whisky makers join forces for peatland restoration with RSPB Scotland – Laphroaig, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Port Ellen and Ardbeg will collectively contribute £1.6 million to restore approximately 1,000 hectares of peatland at The OA on Islay, helping to secure vital habitat for wildlife and store carbon. Find out more about this project with RSPB Scotland.
• New distillery! Castletown Mill in Caithness to open as Stannergill Distillery – Dunnet Bay Distillers (Rock Rose Gin) have completed the restoration of Castletown Mill into a distillery which will produce a new Highland single malt. Find out more about Stannergill Distillery and how you can visit as part of your trip around the NC500.
• 8 Hotels in Scotland receive national recognition at the 2025 “César” awards – Eight Scottish hotels have been awarded at the annual Good Hotel Guide’s “César” awards, including the Best Hotel in Scotland going to The Meikleour Arms.
• Brown’s of Leith – a new collaborative food / drink / arts space is opening on the 27th November in a refurbished former steelworks at the Shore, Leith. Opening are Haze, a new all day venue from the team behind Timberyard, Shuck Bar – a new seafood bar, a new outpost of popular pizza spot Civerino’s, and Woven – a blending studio that sources single malt and grain whiskies from across the world. Find out more.

New places to eat in Scotland + more food & drink news

Scotland’s food scene is evolving fast with new gastro-restaurants, cafés and food experiences are opening all over the country. Here are the freshest food and drink launches to add to your “to-visit” list.

Flavour Isle of Harris – an intimate fine-dining restaurant and chocolate shop in Tarbert, Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Showcasing hyper-local island produce through creative, seasonal cooking led by chef Chris Loye, Flavour, Isle of Harris offers an eight-course tasting menu where every table functions as a chef’s table. Find out more – and book.

Three new Scottish restaurants added to the Michelin Guide in October 2025 – Barry Fish by Barry Bryson and Dùthchas which serves a Scotland-led tasting menue to just six tables, both restaurants are located in Leith, Edinburgh. Over in Perthshire, the Coorie Inn in Muthill near Crief in Perthshire is an award winning restaurant with rooms.

Cottonrake Bakery – new branch – Popular independent Glasgow bakery has announced its third location, a large production kitchen + café on Commerce Street which opened 3 Nov. Find out more – Cottonrake Bakery.

Sugo – second location teased – Glasgow Italian pasta restaurant brand has teased a second location in the city’s west end by placing new signage. The original site opened in 2019. Find out more – Sugo.

Pinkfoot Trailer Cafe – loch‑side café opening – a new Airstream‑trailer café has opened on the banks of Loch Leven (edge of Kinross House estate). The café emphasises local produce, foragers’ involvement and is perfect for and walkers/cyclists. Find out more Pinkfoot.

Auld Hag, The Shoap, Edinburgh – bringing a London cult favourite north, opened on the 1 November 2025 at Studio Skua on St Stephen Street. The pop-up celebrates Scottish breakfast traditions – think tattie scones, square sausage, and house-made condiments. Get yourself a square sausage and tattie scone roll from Auld Hag.

SOBR. Scotland’s first alcohol-free bar opened in Aberdeen on the 22 October, a 20-seat alcohol-free bar serving zero-ABV cocktails, wines and beers. Go alcahol free at SOBR.

Lannan Pantry, Edinburgh – following the acclaim of its original bakery, Lannan opens Lannan Pantry opened on the 28 October 2025 – part café, part provisions store – fresh pastries beside curated local produce. Get in the queue at Lannan Bakery.

Geamair, Craigellachie – a new fine-dining restaurant named GEAMAIR opened at Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside on 8 October 2025, led by “single malt chef” Pawel Sowa. Book a table or stay over night with one of their stay and dine packages.

The Kelvin, Glasgow – a new restaurant & bar called The Kelvin has opened on Great Western Road in Glasgow, serving up traditional Scottish cuisine alongside cocktails and whisky.

Vinette (and its basement bar Vivien) – Parisian‑style bar à vin with ingredient‑led plates, and an intimate cocktail below in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge. The venture is by acclaimed chef Stuart Ralston (of Tipo / Noto / Lyla fame) and co-owner Jade Johnston. Find out more about Vinette.

Things to do + more cultural Scottish news

TV: Hebridean Baker: Nordic Islands: @thehebrideanbaker has announced his debut TV series, airing on BBC iPlayer & BBC Alba from 13 November, exploring Nordic island baking traditions. Find out more.

Exhibition: From HOPE to HEALTH, V&A Dundee (opened 2 Oct): design‑led stories of patient care and innovation; timely, thoughtful curation. Find out more.

Balmoral Estate to open during winter 2025/2026 – The estate’s gift shop, café/restaurant and selected grounds will now be open to the public through the autumn/winter months. Find out more Balmoral Castle.

Star of Caledonia sculpture project – located near Gretna on the Dumfries & Galloway border, construction is set to begin in March 2026 on Scotland’s largest sculpture (33 m tall) costing ~£12 million, designed by Cecil Balmond. The site will include a visitor hub and viewing platform – find out more about the Star of Caledonia project.

Exhibition: The Drawing the Italian Renaissance exhibition at the King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse opened on 17 October 2025, featuring 45 works by masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Titian for the first time in Scotland. Find out more.

Exhibition: The Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer exhibition opened on the18 October 2025 at the National Galleries of Scotland’s “Portrait” gallery, focusing on pioneering aerial photographer Alfred Buckham. Find out more.

TV: Summerwater (adapted from the novel by Sarah Moss) set at a remote Scottish holiday-cabin park is coming to Channel 4 this month, featuring a cast of Scottish and international actors.

TV: The Ridge, a six-part psychological thriller set in Scotland and New Zealand, premiered on BBC Scotland and other platforms on 23 Oct 2025.

Event: St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov) – national celebrations with ceilidhs, fireworks, and torchlit processions. Find out more – St Andrew’s Day. One of the biggest events is The Big Hoolie in St Andrews (29th November 2025) with live music & ceilidh dancing.

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

New places to stay in Scotland

Discover the brand-new hotel openings and refurbished retreats across Scotland for 2025/26.

From chic city stays in Edinburgh and Glasgow to secluded loch-side escapes in the Highlands, we bring you the latest places to rest, unwind and indulge.

Here are the latest openings Scotland hotels:

Na Bothain at Raasay Distillery – The distillery’s luxury accommodation (Borodale House) is joined by five new “Bothain” cabins on a hillside overlooking the Isle of Skye’s Cuillin range. Na Bothian makes Raasay the only distillery in Scotland where you can stay overnight in the same building as a working distillery! Bookings now live for Nov 2025. Book Na Bothain.

The Waterside Hotel, West Kilbride, Ayrshire – The Waterside Hotel has unveiled a new 17‑bedroom sea‑view extension as part of a £3 million investment. The gorgeous upgraded rooms feature New England‑style suites, super‑king beds, premium bathrooms and sea‑views to the Firth of Clyde and Isle of Arran; a luxury spa is also in development for early 2026. Book here.

Ardbeg House, Islay – on Islay, Ardbeg House opens this November on the site of the former Islay Hotel in Port Ellen. Each room in this design-led 12-room boutique property takes its cue from the island’s iconic distilleries, there is also a whisky lounge and restaurant. Book Ardbeg House.

Seaton House, St Andrews – Scotland’s newest luxury hotel, Seaton House, has officially opened its doors, bringing traditional Scottish charm and modern luxury to the heart of St Andrews. With 42-bedrooms and the hotel’s restaurant is operated by Scottish favourite Ondine. Book Seaton House, St Andrews.

The Law, North Berwick, East Lothian – after six years of closure and a meticulous £850,000 renovation, The Law reopens this autumn as a relaxed coastal inn in North Berwick. Visit The Law.

Wildland cottages – The company WildLand has unveiled three new cottages on the shores of Loch Ness on Aldourie Estate in the Scottish Highlands. Wildland is restoring 200,000 acres across 13 estates, including opeing up properties for stays. Find out more about Wildland Cottages.

The Resident, Edinburgh – The hotel group The Resident has opened its newest property, The Resident Edinburgh, in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End, offering 164 rooms with views across the city. Book The Resident, Edinburgh.

Murrayshall Country Estate Pods – this country house hotel near Scone is opening 22 pod-style cabins, built by Scottish firm, Armadilla all with super king sized beds and a jacuzzi. Book Murrayshall Country Estate Pods.

Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort – has undergone a £25m refurbishment with a complete overhaul of all guest rooms and public spaces, including the gallery, restaurant, bar, private event rooms, reception and main entrance, whilst also integrating new additions such as an exclusive members’ lounge, private cinema, and billiards room. Book Mar Hall.

Coming soon:

TARKA Edinburgh, Scotland – opening in summer 2026, Tarka will be a 7 storey capsule hotel with 242 private ‘pods’s and a rooftop Japanese-inspired bar, just beside St Andrews Square,

Jack’s Alt‑Stays on the Isle of Cumbrae is expanidng their site of 8 themed hot-tub cabins – new cabins are due to open in early 2026. They are also offering 20% of all autumn stays.