Where to stay in Scotland – from the Highlands to the Islands

The Cairngorms

Here’s where to stay whilst your explore the lochs, glens, and Munros of the Cairngorms National Park.

• Balsporran B&B – fantastic B&B in the Cairngorms
• Lazy Duck – off-grid cabins near Nethy Bridge
• The Queen’s Hut – luxury log cabin on a loch by Aboyne

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Looking for dog friendly accommodation in Scotland?

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Loch Ness and Inverness

Beyond the day tripping tour buses and hoards of Nessie hunters lies the real Loch Ness… Here is where to stay to discover it.

• Eagle Brae – luxury stunning log cabins in beautiful Glen Affric
• The Whitebridge Hotel – lovely friendly hotel on the south side of Loch Ness – dog friendly with great food
• The Lovat – luxury hotel in Fort Augustus – watch the boats on the Caledonian Canal
• Daviot Lodge –  luxury bed and breakfast accommodation in 80 acres of grounds
• Daviot Lodge Luxury Pods – cosy glamping pods with a fantastic view
• Bazpackers Hostel – quirky backpacker’s hostel in Inverness
• Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness – luxury spa hotel in Inverness
• Rocpool Reserve, Inverness – luxury hotel with well regarded restaurant
• Ness Walk, Inverness – newly opened 5 star hotel on the river

Argyll and Bute 

Argyll is one of my favourite regions in Scotland – it is incredibly diverse, has stunning coastal and mountain scenery – here is where to stay to discover this Scotland hidden gem!

• Inverlonan Bothies – off grid, luxury bothies near Oban
• Portavadie Hotel and Spa – a marina and spa hotel with the best pool in Scotland
• The Isle of Eriska Hotel – a luxury hotel and spa on its own private island
• The Loch Melfort Hotel – lovely boutique hotel south of Oban with great food and dog friendly rooms
• King’s Reach B&B in Kilmartin Glen! I could not ask for more!
• Winterton Guest House– a foodie delight with roll top baths
• The Steading at Barmore – self catering with lovely gardens
• Kirnan House – B&B in sits in 500 acres of woodland
• Lochside Log Cabin on Loch Awe has an outdoor hot tub right on the water and accepts dogs

The North Coast 500

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Easter Ross and Sutherland

Driving the NC500? Don’t just drive by – there are lots of things to do on the Black Isle and Easter Ross. Here is where to stay to explore a little slower.

• The Birdwatchers Cabin / Birdwatchers on AirBnB – a luxury boutique cabin on a loch
• Tall Pines Yurt, Helmsdale – quirky glamping in a yurt with wood burner
• Tucker’s Inn, Invergordon – good stop for pub grub in a comfy inn
• Evelix Pods – glamping pods with free wifi near Dornoch
• Forse of Nature – B&B in a character property
• Royal Golf Hotel, Dornoch – luxury golf hotel in Dornoch
• The Steading, Dornoch – beautiful steading accommodation near Dornoch
• Burnside Shepherd’s Hut – stay in a quirky ensuite shepherd’s hut

Caithness

Don’t let anyone tell you the northeast coast of Scotland is boring. Ok, it might not have white sands beaches and fjord-like sea lochs of the west coast but it is beautiful, wild, remote and full of lots of fantastic hidden gems. Here is where to stay:

• Forss House, Thurso – stunning luxury property outside of Thurso
• Braeside Retreats – glamping pods near Thurso
• Dunnet B&B Escapes – modern cabin style B&B near Dunnet Head and John O’Groats
• Strathy Inn – basic Inn accomodation in Caithness with good meals
• Farr Bay Inn – close to the gorgeous Farr Bay
• Wooden Wagon, Oldshoremore – go glamping in a cute wooden wagon
• Skipaflotta – a lovely luxury self-catering property
• Natural Retreats – quirky accommodation at John O’Groats

Lochinver and Assynt

One of my favourite parts of Scotland, and the most dramatic part of the North Coast 500, Assynt is famous for its mountains – and Lochinver for its pies! Stay here…

• Batbox Lochinver – a quirky cabin near Lochinver 
• Kylesku B&B – B&B with gorgeous views near the Kylesku Bridge
• West Coast Hideaways – glamping cabins with terraces and sea views
• North Coast 500 Pods – luxury glamping pods by one of the NC500’s best beaches
• B&B Philosophy – gorgeous B&B near Drumbeg
• Achmelvich View self-catering – cute log cabin in Lochinver
• Summer Isles Hotel – iconic hotel with views across the gorgous Summer Isles
• Acheninver Hostel – a fabulous hostel in a location which needs to be seen to be believed!
• Inver Lodge

Torridon and Wester Ross

Wester Ross is one of the world’s most spectacular, and remote, regions and probably the most beautiful part of the famous North Coast 500. Here is where to book in.

• The Torridon – wonderful luxury hotel 
• An Cois Na Mara Bed & Breakfast – lovely B&B with a great blog!
• Charleston House, Gairloch – B&B in beachy Gairloch
• Torridon Youth Hostel – popular youth hostel in Torridon – great location for climbing the Torridon Munros
• Fisherman’s Cottage, Ullapool -cute 3 bed self-catering cottage
• Westlea Ullapool – fabulous, quirky, luxury B&B in Ullapool

The Lowlands

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St Andrews / Fife 

Voted ‘No 1 outdoor destination’ in Scotland by Scottish Natural Heritage eight years in a row; it’s no wonder I spend a lot of time in Fife. Here’s where to stay:

• Elderburn Lodges – self catering cottages
• The Fairmont St Andrews – luxury hotel near St Andrews
• Craigduckie Shepherds Huts – glamping on a farm
• Newhill Farm Cottages – accommodation for fourteen across three self-catering cottages
• Dreel Cottage – traditional cottage in Anstruther
• Catchpenny Safari Lodges – safari tents on the Fife Coastal Path

Scottish Borders and south Scotland

The Borders and South Scotland has long been off the list of places to visit in Scotland. Let’s change that! Here’s where to stay:

• Allanton Inn – great Scottish inn with gorgeous food
• Neidpath Castle – luxury castle suite
• Barns Castle – family castle hire
• Burt’s Hotel, Melrose – a traditional hotel in the heart of busy Melros
• Auld Cross Keys Inn, Denholm – an inn dating back to the 1800s
• Islay @ Westcote Glamping – stay in a traditional wagon
• Horse and Hound Country Inn – modern inn accomodation near Borchester Bridge
• Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel – quirky lighthouse hotel 
• Blackaddie Country House Hotel – boutique hotel with great food

East Lothian

• The Bonnie Badger, Gullane – restaurant with rooms

Central Scotland

• The Cromlix, Dunblane – luxury hotel
• Gleneagles, Auchterarder – luxury hotel 

Edinburgh & Glasgow

• Prestonfield House – luxury hotel
• The Balmoral Hotel – luxury hotel
• Westside Woodshed – quirky cabin on the outskirts of Edinburgh
• Mar Hall– luxury hotel

Aberdeenshire

• Meldrum House Hotel, Aberdeenshire – luxury hotel
• The Queens Hut, Aboyne – luxury self-catering cabin

Looking for more accommodation in Scotland?

• Need some love? Romantic places to stay in Scotland
• More romantic places to stay – Luxury Hotels and Boutique Hotels
• Get off the grid – Gorgeous Log Cabins in Scotland 
• All my favourite – Fab places to stay in Scotland
• Looking for your own place – self-catering properties in Scotland
• Got a pooch? Dog friendly places to stay in Scotland