The honeymooners guide to Scotland

Planning a honeymoon in Scotland?

Think honeymoon and you might think luxury hotels, spas and relaxation, but that is not the only way to plan a honeymoon in Scotland. Why not go on a foodie or city break exploring Edinburgh or Glasgow, ferry hop around the Hebridean islands, or an outdoor adventure kayaking the Great Glen? Let’s pick the right honeymoon for you. 

Mini-moons in Scotland 

Looking to plan a mini-moon for your honeymoon in Scotland? A mini moon is a short honeymoon straight after your wedding – usually a long weekend. With so little time to play with you will want to plan the perfect romantic trip. Here are a few ideas to plan your Scotland mini moon:

• Eat your way through the beautiful East Neuk of Fife – from seafood on the beach to Michelin starred restaurants, and hiking the stunning Fife Coastal Path through some of Scotland’s prettiest seaside villages why not stay at Dreel Cottage a traditional cottage in Anstruther and plan a mini-moon in the East Neuk.
• Relax in Highland Perthshire – they don’t call Perthshire big tree country for nothing, so explore the woods, lochs and glens of one of Scotland’s prettiest regions before cosying up in the Old Manse of Blair a luxury hotel with a rather good restaurant or the Dunalastair Hotel Suites fabulous luxury hotel suites in Kinloch Rannoch and plan a mini moon in Perthshire.
• Go whisky tasting on islay – with more than 9 distilleries to choose from, the Isle of Islay might be a paradise for whisky fans, but the island also has stunning beaches, wildlife spotting and beautifully wild walks. Plan a mini-moon on Islay and stay at the Machrie Hotel and Links.
• Explore the mountains and lochs of the Cairngorms National Park – find the stunning Green Lochan, visit Scotland’s highest beach at Loch Morlich, go hiking with Reindeer or hire a bike and cycle the woodland trails – so why not plan a mini-moon in the Cairngorms National Park and stay at Balsporran B&B, fantastic B&B in the Cairngorms or The Queen’s Hut, a luxury log cabin on a loch by Aboyne with a copper bath for two!

Foodie hotels in Scotland for a honeymoon

Food and romance go hand in hand, so why not book your honeymoon in Scotland at a restaurant with luxury rooms, a cute cabin with private dining or head for a Michelin starred restaurant in the heart of the Scottish countryside. Here are my favourites:

• Monachyle Mhor, Perthshire – At the head of spectacular Loch Voil is one of Scotland’s best boutique hotels, Monachyle Mhor. At it heart, Monachyle Mhor is a hotel on a working far and with a seasonal approach, this is sustainable Scottish dining at its best. Look out for Blackface lamb with wild garlic and nettle salsa verde, or go for one of Monachyle’s specialities, oysters and champagne!  

• Inver, Loch Fyne, Argyll – Hidden in Argyll is Inver, one of Scotland’s best restaurants sitting on Loch Fyne. Stay in one of Inver’s shepherds huts or bothies with super king-size beds overlooking the loch. All the bothies get a table in the restaurant which serves up tasting menus with local and seasonal produce. Read more about our stay at Inver restaurant and bothies.

• Inverlonan Bothies – Sitting at the edge of beautiful Glen Lonan, on the banks of Loch Nell, are Uisge (Oosh-ka), Beatha (Bay-ah), and Sitheil (She-Eel) three handcrafted modern Scottish bothies. Book a meat, fish or veggie box to cook over an open fire or have Inverlonan’s chef of the season pick you up (possibly by boat) and whisk you away for your own private dining experience, all cooked off-grid on a live fire before cosying down for the night in your luxury cabin. Read more about Inverlonan.

• The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye –  check into a suite in the House Over By on the Isle of Skye and dine at one of the world’s ultimate destination restaurants. With Scandinavian shabby chic style and bathrooms large enough to live in, the Three Chimneys is a perfect honeymoon hotel – book in for the whole shebang – it’s worth it. 

• Ballintaggart Farm and the Grandtully Hotel – in Highland Perthshire is the lovely Ballintaggart Farm and just down the road, the Grandtully Hotel. With fabulous food and cocktails across both sites, check in for a cooking class at Ballintaggart, a six course tasting supper at the Hotel or a farm to fork dinner in the bar before retiring to your stylish bedroom overlooking pretty Perthshire.
  
• Saorsa 1875 – Scotland’s first full vegan hotel, Saorsa 1875 is to be found in Pitlochry and shows that there is life without animal products. With dramatic rooms, a cocktail bar and a daily changing 5 course vegan set menu they also have a onsite bar. 

• Peat Inn, near St Andrews, Fife – a luxuriously cool and stylish restaurant inside a traditional inn. Dine a la carte on East Neuk wood pigeon with smooth liver parfait, spiced mallard is served with lentils and figs, and moreish blackberry and chocolate ganache before retiring to the lounge for a cocktail in front of the real fire. Make a night of it by booking into one of The Peat Inn’s 8 suites.

• The Kylesku Hotel – Driving the North Coast 500 around the far north of Scotland is on most people’s honeymoon bucket lists, and Kylesku and its dramatic bridge is a popular stop. Down in the tiny hamlet beneath the bridge sits the Kylesku Hotel which serves up incredible seafood. Book into the hotel for a romantic foodie feast. Visit the Kylesku Hotel.

• Meikleour Arms Hotel  – Built in 1820 as a coaching inn for those travelling from Edinburgh to Inverness, the Meikleour Arms Hotel now has 11 romantically decorated bedrooms in the main hotel, quirky bolt-hole style cottages in the stables and steading, and a lovely French-Scottish farm to fork restaurant. The hotel is a great spot from which to explore eastern Perthshire on your honeymoon in Scotland. Book the Meikleour Arms.

A city break honeymoon in Scotland

Prefer a bit of urban luxury? Why not head to Glasgow or Edinburgh for your honeymoon in Scotland?

Honeymoon in Edinburgh 

The capital city of Scotland needs no introduction. With designer shopping, cute cafes, cocktail bars, grand Georgian new town streets and the characterful old town, Edinburgh is a great place to spend a honeymoon in Scotland. Looking for somewhere to stay? For romance choose The Witchery by the Castle or the Prestonfield House, for cocktails Tigerlily, for drama House of Gods, the beautiful Gleneagles Townhouse, or the Edinburgh Grand.

Honeymoon in Glasgow 

Forget everything you thought you knew about Glasgow. With a lively music scene, great shopping, fantastic old man’s pubs and cocktail bars, a huge art community and people who can make a party out of anything, Glasgow has a natural vibrancy which most cities dream of which makes it the perfect destination for a honeymoon in Scotland. Plan your trip to Glasgow with my guide and book into Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, or the stunning Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, the funky Z Hotel in Glasgow.

Luxury hotels for a honeymoon in Scotland

Looking for a luxury honeymoon in Scotland? why not book into one of Scotand’s best boutique hotels or choose a spa hotel in Scotland for total luxury and relaxation. Here are our favourite luxury hotels in Scotland.

• The Gleneagles Hotel –  the classic Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire is the height of traditional Scottish luxury and romance. Book into the Royal Lochnagar Suite with its four poster bed, an estate room in the main house or book a luxury self catering Glenmor Lodge. On site there is a world class spa and golf course, French/Scottish fine dining at the The Strathearn restaurant, or two-star michelin from Andrew Fairlie, and after dinner cocktails in the 1920s style American bar – pure romance! Book the Gleneagles Hotel.

• The Torridon – On Scotland’s wild west coast, underneath imposing mountains, is the tiny village of Torridon. Sitting on the edge of the deep sea loch is the Torridon Hotel – a luxury hotel in the most dramatic of locations. With its own herd of highland coos, and a frankly incredible whisky bar, the hotel also runs its own activity centre – fancy canoeing on Loch Torridon, gorge scrambling, archery on the lawn, or shooting clays out across the bay? It is the highlands of Scotland version of a spa! Book the Torridon.

• The Fife Arms – in the heart of Braemar, famous for its Highland Games is the truly dramatic Fife Arms. One the most romantic hotels in Scotland, The Fife Arms is all Scottish drama at its best. Check into the Royal Suite or a four poster in a Victoriana Suite. Outside your door is all the mountain scenery you could wish for. Book the Fife Arms.

• The Isle of Eriska – set on its own private island, the Isle of Eriska Hotel and Spa can be found near Oban. With traditional country house hotel style, each room is unique. There is a spa and all the leisure facilities you need plus a fine dining restaurant. Boat trips can be booked from the hotel, and it has its own island golf course. Book the Isle of Eriska.

• Fonab Castle and Spa – a five star hotel in Pitlochry in Perthshire, Fonab is the perfect honeymoon in Scotland destination if you want to stay in a castle. Why not book Fonab Castle’s flagship Penthouse Suite, book into the hotel’s Woodland Spa, and dine at Sandemans, the hotel’s 3 AA Rosette Award-Winning restaurant? Book Fonab Castle.

• Portavadie – offering up a hotel and apartments all set around a 260-berth yachting marina in Argyll, choose from luxury townhouses complete with saunas, lodge-style hotel rooms, cute family cottages or two couples retreats. With two restaurants and a cafe on site and a £10m spa and leisure complex with one of Scotland’s best pools complete with an utterly incredible view, you could arrive at Portavadie and never want to leave. Book Portavadie.

• The Fairmont St Andrews – Located just outside the famous town of St Andrews and with an incredible view of the castle, cathedral and across to the Firth of Tay is the Fairmont St Andrews. Offering up two golf courses, a spa and six restaurants, the Fairmont St Andrews is something a little special. With comfy leather sofas in front of huge fires, a very accommodating cocktail bar, lots of spots to curl up and relax and not to mention a gorgeous supercar to greet you at the front door – perfect for a luxury honeymoon in Scotland. Book the Fairmont St Andrews.

Honeymoon in a castle

Fancy staying in a romantic castle in Scotland on your honeymoon? Here are my favourites:

• Dalhousie Castle – a luxury castle hotel near Edinburgh, Dalhousie Castle is a 13th-century fortress with elegant rooms, fine dining in two restaurants and it even even an aqueous spa.
• Crossbasket Castle – a meticulously restored 17th-century castle, Crossbasket Castle is located near Glasgow and has stunning interiors.
• Fonab Castle at Pitlochry – this contemporary castle hotel boasts luxurious rooms and overlooks the picturesque Loch Faskally.
• Cringletie House – a beautiful country house hotel dating from 1861, Cringletie House is set in 28 acres of gardens and has 4 Gold Stars.
• Mingary Castle on the Ardnamurchan peninsula is a restaurant with rooms in a 700 year old tower house.
• Kincraig Castle – 20 miles from the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, is Kincraig Castle. Originally built in 1800, the castle has fabulous original features.

More castles to stay in Scotland

Road tripping around Scotland on your honeymoon

Scotland is one of the world’s best countries for a road tripping honeymoon. Planning your itinerary for your Scotland honeymoon road trip? Why not drive the North Coast 500? Scotland’s most famous road trip takes in 500 miles around the north coast of Scotland taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

From Inverness to Dunnet Head, Durness to Applecross, the North Coast 500 is a road-tripping route which takes you around the far north of Scotland. With beautiful coastal scenery, gorgeous turquoise blue seas, dramatic driving roads, castles, and distilleries – this is one honeymoon in Scotland you won’t forget.

Read more:  10 incredible Scotland road trip routes to drive on your honeymoon in Scotland.

Luxury Honeymoon cottages in Scotland for you honeymoon

Looking for book a self catering hideaway for your honeymoon? Why not book one of the best cabins in Scotland? My favourite romantic cabins in Scotland are:

• The Birdwatcher’s Cabin, Golspie – The North Coast 500 might be right outside your door, but hidden on its own beach, the silence at Birdwatcher’s Cabin is only interrupted by the whistling cry of an osprey taking flight over Loch Fleet’s endless stretch of sand dunes, mudflats, and 100-year-old Scots pinewoods. Massages are available in the cabin, along with luxury foodie packages and nearby visit the fairy tale, Dunrobin Castle, to explore the gardens and watch the daily falconry displays. 
• Eastside Cottages, Pentland Hills, near Edinburgh – romantic bolthole hunters, the Washhouse and the Cartshed at Eastside Cottages are for you. Perfectly formed inside a farm’s steading, these two Eastside Cottages have been imaginatively designed to be perfect spaces for a romantic retreat – away from kids and pups! With sharp interior lines, dramatic use of colour, gorgeous wood notes, and huge windows framing the gardens and hills beyond, both cottages offer style and substance. Outside you have access to your own farm spa, with sauna yurt and spring water plunge pool.  
• Eagle Brae, Beauly – If you are looking for true luxury honeymoon accommodation in the Scottish highlands, then let me introduce you to Eagle Brae, a small and exclusive village of 7 beautiful self-catering cedar log cabins. Hidden deep in Inverness-shire, close to Glen Affric, Scotland’s most beautiful glen, Eagle Brae offers incredible scenery, five-star accommodation and genuine warmth in welcome. Look out for the resident red stag, goats and a Bernese Mountain Dog!

Remote and off the beaten track honeymoons in Scotland

Looking to get away from the crowds on your honeymoon in Scotland, then why not visit one of Scotland’s hidden gems.

Ardnamurchan

From the Isle of Skye to Ullapool, Scotland’s west coast is renowned worldwide for its dramatic seascapes and fjord-like sea lochs, however, the Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Ardgour, Moidart, Sunart peninsular are a little bit special. Let me introduce you to one of my favourite parts of Scotland and one of the west coast of Scotland’s true hidden gems.

Visit Sanna Bay, arguably Scotland’s best beach, visit the Visit Nc’Nean Distillery and watch the Jacobite Express go over the Harry Potter Bridge at Loch Shiel. Plan your honeymoon in Ardnamurchan

Ullapool, Lochinver and Assynt

In the far north west of Scotland is Assynt, one of Scotland’s most dramatic and remote regions. With an inedible moon like landscape, heavenly seafood and lovely small hotels, Assynt is the perfect destination for an off the beaten track honeymoon in Scotland.

Plan your honeymoon in Assynt and stay at B&B Philosophy a gorgeous B&B near Drumbeg, Summer Isles Hotel, an iconic hotel with views across the gorgeous Summer Isles or Inver Lodge.

The Cowal Peninsula

Whilst the western bank of Loch Fyne is much visited by those travelling to Islay and the southern Hebrides, the eastern bank of the loch is still mostly untouched by tourism. Forming part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the Cowal Peninsula stretches from the pretty town of Inveraray to the stunning Ostel Bay – and right out to sea. Say hello to our ‘secret coast’.

Visit Puck’s Glen, a dramatic tropical gorge, stroll on Ostel Bay with views of Arran and visit Benmore Botanic Garden. Plan your honeymoon on the Cowal Peninsula and stay at Portavadie Hotel and Spa a marina and spa hotel with the best pool in Scotland.

Luxury honeymoon lodges with a hot tub in Scotland

One of the most romantic places to stay for your honeymoon in Scotland must be a lodge with a hot tub! Here are my favourites:

• The Woodsman’s Hut at the Lazy Duck in the Cairngorms – book their wood fired hot tub for a unique soak in the woods. 
• Culbin Edge, Moray Speyside – a luxury eco cabin with its own wood fired hot tub.
• Westside Woodshed, Edinburgh – scandi chic in the Pentland hills outside of Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond Waterfront – luxury lodges on Loch Lomond with hot tubs.
• Lochside Log Cabin on Loch Awe has an outdoor hot tub right on the water. 
• The Hideaway Experience – luxury honeymoon lodges with hot tubs on a working farm overlooking the City of Dundee.

Outdoor and adventure honeymoons in Scotland

If you both love the outdoors, then Scotland is the perfect place to go on honeymoon – with 282 munros to bag and two national parks to explore, here is how to spend your honeymoon in Scotland outdoors! 

• Head to the The Outer Hebrides – A visit to the Outer Hebrides is an otherworldly dip into Scotland’s island culture. However, the Western Isles are more than Harris Gin, the famous Callanish standing stones, and world-famous beaches. For the outer Hebs are also an incredible adventure playground where you can go horse riding on stunning beaches on South Uist, kayaking around a castle on Barra, and mountain biking in the mountains of Harris. Plan your honeymoon in the Outer Hebrides. 

• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park – spend our honeymoon in Scotland by the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, from Munro bagging to exploring the forests of the Trossachs, SUPing on Loch Lomond, or walking the West Highland Way, why not spend your honeymoon in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park and stay at The Lodge on Loch Lomond – luxury hotel on the lochside with a saunas or the Loch Lomond Oval – a couples retreat with outdoor bath.

Whatever or wherever you choose for your honeymoon in Scotland, you will have a fantastic time!

Love from, Scotland x