There is so much to see in Scotland that you definitely should visit at least once in your lifetime. From the rolling countryside to dramatic scenery, and the abundance of wildlife and cosy villages to explore, it really makes for the perfect UK staycation trip. With the endless natural beauty surrounding every corner, you will want to keep visiting so you don’t miss out on some of the most glorious national parks, lochs, and cities. So what are you waiting for…
Take a look at my top picks of places to stay when you visit Scotland and get planning your next staycation today.
Glendye Cabins and Cottages
Wake up to Wilderness in a private estate of around 30,000 acres. The Glendye cabins and cottages sit right in the heart of this beautiful estate and are surrounded by forest and moorland. They do offer some delightful cottages to stay in, but we are only interested in the quirky stays of The Sawmill at Glen Dye and North Lodge & River Cabin. The Sawmill is a great mix of luxury and nature. They use a 1955 Airstream Safari caravan and multiple wood cabins to house your kitchen, 2 bedrooms, an outdoor shower, and a wood-fired hot tub. As a guest of the accommodation, you get full access to The Glen Dye Arms, a BYOB pub that has a roaring log fire. You also get to use the amazing wood-fired sauna and can have endless vegetables and eggs from their own garden.
Gleneagles Hotel
This charming country estate is a wonderful staycation no matter who your travel companion is, as Gleneagles has it all. From a family adventure, a luxurious escape for friends, or a cosy couples’ retreat, it really is a home from home. With 205 rooms and 28 luxury suites to pick from you will find the perfect place to stay for a night or two. Gleneagles is so much more than a hotel though, they are the culinary destination with some of the top restaurants in Scotland located on-site, so prepare for foodie heaven. If you are looking for some fun activities then why not have a round of golf on one of the most prestigious courses that have hosted The Ryder and Solheim Cups. If golf isn’t your thing then there is a fabulous choice of country activities to have a go at from shooting, fishing, or an equestrian school.
Inver
If you are looking for foodie heaven stay then this one is for you. Inver is a fabulous restaurant on the shores of Loch Fyne, which offer its guests a contemporary take on traditional and forgotten Scottish dishes. For people having dinner, they welcome you to come and stay in one of their luxury bothies that are adjacent to the restaurant. The bothies have contemporary interiors and floor-to-ceiling picture windows which overlook the loch. All the accommodations have a super king-size bed for the perfect night’s sleep and three of the bothies have a fabulous bath and the fourth features a spacious wet room and walk-in shower. The best thing about staying overnight is the delightful breakfast you receive the next morning to your bothy. You will get a picnic basket that includes a range of traditional Scottish breakfast pastries, sourdough bread, and juices from their gardeners’ fruit and vegetables.
Inverlonan
Tucked away by Loch Nell and surrounded by ancient oak trees are two off the grid, beautifully designed bothies. Inverlonan offers you seclusion and a chance to disconnect from the modern world and connect back to the nature surrounding your home. The cabins are only accessible by boat, foot, or buggy so you will start your stay off as you mean to go on. So you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home, they can also supply you with food provisions that can be delivered straight to your door. Each cabin has a private deck, open fire pit, and outdoor wood-fired pizza oven so you will be able to cook up your meals outside. You’ll also have a private eco-toilet and outdoor shower but why not bathe in the lake to really immerse yourself in the bothy experience.
Killiehuntly Farmhouse
Set in the wilds of Cairngorm National Park in the heart of Scotland sits Killiehuntly. It’s an easy-going, friendly guest house, and has self-catering cottages. If you choose to stay in the main farmhouse, there are four cosy bedrooms to stay in which sleep up to 8 guests. This home from home has a touch of Scandinavian charm and you can also enjoy a well-stocked honesty bar. If you decide to stay in one of their self-catering cottages, you can pick from either Killiehuntly Bothie or Geordie’s Cottage. The Bothy is a cosy hideaway which is the perfect place for families as it has a double room and a twin bunk-bed room. Geordie’s Cottage is larger and comes with wonderful views of the mountains and forest. The Cottage has room for up to five adults staying in a double room, a twin room and a cosy single room.
Newhall Mains
Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and near the North Coast 500, is a new luxury bolthole. Newhall Mains can sleep up to 28 people across five individually-themed cottages and four double suites. Whether you decide to travel with friends, family, a loved one, you will find the most beautifully designed and luxury room that is right for you. The estate has gone through a 3 year renovation to bring the original charming details back to life and mixed them effortlessly in with 21st-century comforts. The property used local craftsmen to help restore the buildings and used traditional materials to bring them back to their glory. Bespoke furniture and furnishings have been added throughout, from natural sheep wool quilts to velvet sofas, and have been paired with bold patterned wallpaper and an eclectic paint palate to mix the old and new.
Pilot House
This unique aluminium cabin for two is set in the stunning Scottish Highlands and comes complete with views over the Sound of Mull. The Pilot House makes for a perfect retreat if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of normal life and be in a secluded setting. To make use of the spectacular views, you will find a cosy double bedroom and shower room downstairs. At the top of the spiral staircase, there is the breathtaking lounge, dining area, and well-equipped kitchen. The Pilot House also has an incredible wrap around balcony where you can enjoy the sunshine and panoramic view from early morning to late evening. The place is filled with aviation-inspired memorabilia so you will feel like you have traveled a million miles away while relaxing in the lounge but with the added benefit of a roaring fire and a bottle of wine to hand.
Treehouse at Lanrick
High up in the trees, is a luxury experience in the country that really is the perfect “get away from it all” retreat. The Treehouses at Lanrick are 5 eco-friendly treehouses that are all set within a stunning and private woodland where you can connect back to nature and live amongst the trees and a wide variety of birds and wildlife. All the treehouses can sleep 2 adults and can accommodate 2 children if needed. Two of the properties are connected via a rope bridge, so if you plan to travel with a large group, they can be connected. All the treehouses come with cosy log burning stoves, a treetop terrace, and outside baths so you have all the comfortable features of home but with added luxury too.
For the ultimate guide to Edinburgh, read the article here.
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