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Best Ways to Spend Holidays in Scotland
If the only ‘getaway’ you’ve had recently is when your Wi-Fi disconnected for five minutes, then you’re in dire need of a magical Scottish vacation. Good thing we created a list of the best ways to spend holidays in Scotland!
From eco retreats to coastal stays, Scotland offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural wonders. Join us as we explore the best holiday experiences this bonnie land has to offer.
Go on an eco-retreat
Venue: Brockloch Eco Retreat Treehouse
Website: http://www.brockloch.co.uk/
Address: Brockloch Farm, Castle Douglas DG7 3HU, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1556 650249
Amenities: Small Kitchen Area, Two-Ring Gas Hob, Small Fridge, Normal Flushing Toilet, Skylight, Built-In Double Bed
Terms & Conditions: No Pets, No Smoking
Nearby Attractions: Cream O’Galloway, Mabie Farm Park, The Chocolate Factory, Galloway Activity Centre, Cally Gardens, Logan Botanic Garden, Threave House and Gardens, Broughton House and Garden, Threave Castle, 7 Stanes, Larch House
Price: £400 a night
We think booking a stay at the Brockloch Eco Retreat Treehouse is a perfect way to spend a holiday in Scotland. Nestled in its private Bluebell wood, it’s an off-grid haven, where you can disconnect and truly relax.
Inside, you’ll find a small kitchen with a gas hob and fridge, a flushing toilet, and a bathtub with a skylight for stargazing. The built-in double bed features a skylight too, letting you drift off to sleep under the canopy of treetops and stars.
Heat is provided by a Hobbit log burning stove, with wood included. There’s no TV or WiFi, just the rolling countryside and abundant wildlife to enjoy.
| Pro tip: Take advantage of the serene woodland setting by packing a pair of binoculars and a birdwatching guide. The native broadleaved trees around the treehouse are home to a variety of bird species! |
Book a coastal guesthouse
Venue: Coastal Carriage
Website: https://downonthefarm.net/coastal-carriage-aberdeenshire/
Address: Milestone House, Rosehearty AB43 6JY, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7954 989737
Amenities: Wood-Burning Stove, Hot Plate, Cupboards, Single Ring Gas Stove, Shower Room, Composting Toilet, Tap Water, Lanterns, Candles, Cool Box, Basket Full Of Board Games, Magazines
Terms & Conditions: Minimum Two Night Stay
Nearby Attractions: Trailer Tours, Lambing Tours, Sheep Shearing Tours, Photoshoots, Moray Firth Coast, Beaches and Cliff Walks, Castles, Whisky Tours, Golf
Price: £90 a night
10% discount for stays of four nights or more
Reserving a getaway in the Coastal Carriage is another idyllic choice for a Scottish holiday. This charming and unique retreat offers a romantic escape in the unspoiled Aberdeenshire countryside.
It’s an ideal base for exploring the hidden gems of the Banffshire Coast while inside the carriage, a crackling stove, a sumptuous double bed, and a cosy ambiance await. You can enjoy evenings with board games, a dram, or a good book by candlelight.
Overlooking the Moray Firth on a family-run farm, we believe this vintage rail carriage is a labour of love, offering a warm retreat after days of coastal exploration.
| Pro tip: Due to its exposed spot, the Coastal Carriage can experience significant winds and chilly temperatures. It’s very cosy inside, but please bring warm clothes for getting out and about. |
Reserve a shepherd hut
Venue: Skye Shepherd Huts
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SkyeShepherdHuts
Address: Torr Gorm, Heast, Isle of Skye IV49 9BN, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7580 559745
Amenities: Free Parking, Kitchen, Paid Breakfast, Game Room, Fridge, Shower
Terms & Conditions: No Smoking, Not Wheelchair Accessible, Minimum Two Nights, Car Needed, Pet-Friendly
Nearby Attractions: Armadale Castle, Bla Bheinn, Loch Coruisk, Dunscaith Castle, Caisteal Maol, Camasunarym Loch Hourn, Cill Chriosd Church, Beinn na Caillich
Price: £90 a night
Skye Shepherd Huts near Broadford on the Isle of Skye is another holiday spot we recommend. With a delicious breakfast served daily and a warm welcome for canine companions, it’s an ideal location for a peaceful country break.
These cosy, well-appointed huts offer modern comforts in a compact and charming setting. Situated on the edge of the quaint village of Heaste, they provide a tranquil escape with breathtaking views of towering mountains and the distant Isle of Rum.
Each hut accommodates two guests in a comfortable double bed, and a well-equipped kitchen allows for self-catering. While there’s no Wi-Fi, you’ll enjoy good 3G/4G reception.
| Pro tip: If you’re an animal lover, don’t forget to say hello to Gilbert and George, the friendly donkeys on the croft. |
Stay at a yurt
Venue: Great Glen Yurts
Website: http://www.greatglenyurts.com/
Address: Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SP, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1397 702888
Amenities: Free Parking, Kitchenette, Barrel BBQ, Bike Shelter, Open Air Fire Pit, Private Shower Shack With Flushing Toilet, Hot Water, Gas Rings, Toaster, Kettle, Fridge
Terms & Conditions: Pets Allowed, Three Night Minimum Stay
Nearby Attractions: Great Glen, Ben Nevis And Glen Nevis, Glenfinnan, Loch Linnhe And Glen Spean, Hillwalking, Mountain Biking, Touring, Kayaking, Rock Climbing
Price: £90 – £100 / night
£450 – £550 / week
If you prefer a serene and immersive escape, stay at Great Glen Yurts near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Built in a wildflower meadow, these Mongolian yurts offer cosy interiors with fluffy bedding, sheepskin rugs, lanterns, and candles.
For families, there’s a spacious yurt that accommodates up to five guests. Situated near Torlundy village, this idyllic spot boasts panoramic views of Ben Nevis and is close to world-class mountain bike tracks at Nevis Range.
We suggest exploring woodland and riverside walks, foraging for wild treats, and spotting wildlife along the 3-mile stretch of the Lochy River.
Plus, each booking contributes to planting a tree on the farm, making your stay not only relaxing but eco-friendly too.
| Pro tip: Marvel at the farm’s vibrant residents, including Highland cows, Hebridean sheep, Highland Ponies, and even a pet pig named “Nicoletta.” |
Sleep in a hobbit house
Venue: Craighead Howf
Website: https://www.craigheadhowf.co.uk/
Address: Braco, Dunblane FK15 9LP, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1786 880321
Amenities: Private Shower, Compost Toilet, Star Gazing Window, Candles, Gas Camping Cooker, Kitchen Facilities, Cooking Equipment, Crockery, Outdoor Open Fire, BBQ Pit, Initial Wood Supply, Beer Fridge, Fridge/Freezer, Binoculars, Bird Book
Terms & Conditions: No Visitors, No Pets, No Hen/Stag Parties
Nearby Attractions: Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, The National Wallace Monument, Blair Drummond Safari And Adventure Park, Drummond Castle Gardens, Deanston Distillery, Dunblane Cathedral, Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, Argaty Red Kites
Price: £135 / night
Lord of the Rings fans would love Craighead Howf in Perthshire. This hobbit-inspired haven is part of a quirky range of accommodations, each perched in the tranquil Perthshire countryside.
The Burrow, with its enchanting round door and cosy underground design, is perfect for tired adventurers seeking comfort. Handcrafted from natural stone and wood, it blends seamlessly with the hillside and wildflowers that bloom over its roof in spring.
Surrounded by wildlife and lush greenery, we think it’s an ideal farm getaway from the city’s bustle. You and your family can enjoy fresh eggs from free-range hens and unwind under the stars by a crackling fire or BBQ, sipping a delightful dram.
| Pro tip: The lack of city lights makes this location ideal for observing the night sky, and you might just catch a glimpse of shooting stars or the Milky Way. Don’t forget to bring a star chart or a stargazing app to help you identify constellations and planets. |
Explore Loch Ness
Venue: Loch Ness Lodge Hotel
Website: https://lochness-hotel.com/
Address: Loch Ness Lodge Hotel, Drumnadrochit, Inverness IV63 6TU, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1456 450342
Amenities: Free WiFi, Free Parking, Breakfast, Restaurant, Bar, Wheelchair-Accessible
Terms & Conditions: No Smoking, Kid-Friendly, No Air Conditioning
Nearby Attractions: Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness Centre, Nessieland, Falls of Divach, Beauly Priory, Dores Beach, Kilmorack Gallery, Aigas Field Centre, Corrimony Chambered Cairn, Falls of Foyers
Price: £135 per night
Visiting Loch Ness Lodge Hotel promises a fun-filled holiday in Scotland, right on the shores of the legendary Loch Ness. Dating back to 1740, this charming hotel is nestled in wooded acres, adjacent to the Nessieland family attraction.
Cosy rooms with tartan details offer modern amenities like Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee facilities. Many rooms boast picturesque views of the loch or countryside.
Start your day with a hearty Scottish breakfast, included in your stay. The fine dining restaurant serves Scottish cuisine with garden views, while the bar offers lighter meals and entertainment.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat tour of Loch Ness to enhance your chances of spotting the elusive Nessie. The experience adds an extra layer of excitement to your visit to this iconic Scottish landmark. |
Visit the Borders in style
Venue: SCHLOSS Roxburghe
Website: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/scotland-united-kingdom/schloss-roxburghe/edidr
Address: Heiton, Kelso TD5 8JZ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 1573 450331
Amenities: Free Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Pool, Restaurant, Room Service, Fitness Center, Golf, Spa, Concierge, Meeting Facilities, Laundry, Automated Wake Up Call, Croquet Lawn, Safe, Clothes Press And/Or Iron And Ironing Board On Request
Terms & Conditions: Pet-Friendly
Nearby Attractions: Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, Eildon Hills, The Tweed Valley, The Cheviot Hills, Championship Golf Course With Practice Facilities And Clubhouse, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Fly Fishing Facilities, Hiking, Bikin, Riding
Price: £219 to £267 per night
For those who want to splurge, SCHLOSS Roxburghe is a great way to experience a luxurious Scottish holiday in the beautiful Borders region. Set in a 12th-century manor house, some rooms offer countryside views, 4-poster beds, or fireplaces.
This exceptional country house estate boasts a Championship golf course, a spa with an outdoor heated infinity pool, and a range of outdoor activities. It also offers top-quality cuisine and features two restaurants and banqueting facilities.
From the hotel, you can explore the stunning natural beauty of the Scottish Borders, from the Eildon Hills to the Tweed Valley.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss the chance to visit historic sites like Melrose Abbey and Jedburgh Abbey nearby. |
Secure a seafront cottage
Venue: Pew With a View
Website: https://seafrontcottages.co.uk/
Address: 27 High St, Pittulie, Fraserburgh AB43 7EU, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 7823 620471
Amenities: Free WiFi, Beach Access, Free Parking, Kitchen, Flat-Screen TV, Satellite TV Box, BT TV Box, Unlimited Internet Access
Terms & Conditions: No Smoking, Kid-Friendly, Pet-Friendly
Nearby Attractions: Surfing, Golf, Fishing Trips, Hillwalking, Whiskey Tours, Kinnaird Head Castle, The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Price: £120 a night Sunday to Thursday
£150 a night for Friday and Saturday
£30 a pet per stay
Vacationing at Pew with a View in Scotland is a delightful way to spend a holiday. Wake up to the mesmerising sight and soothing sounds of the sea, basking in breathtaking sunrises through floor-to-ceiling windows or on the garden deck beside a gentle burn.
This 1600s fisherman’s cottage features a modern interior and stands just 5 metres from the sea. With a boathouse and direct access to a boat ramp leading to Sandhaven’s quaint harbour, it’s a haven for boaters, kayakers, and divers.
| Pro tip: Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will adore the frequent visits from dolphins, minke whales, and seals. Pack a pair of binoculars to enhance your wildlife-watching experience, and don’t forget your camera to capture the stunning coastal scenery. |
