I get several emails each month asking about cottages and unique places to stay in Scotland. I think it is time that I shared some of this fun information for all to see. Whether you are planning a trip to Scotland in the near future or just wanting to live vicariously there are so many interesting places to stay in Scotland. Why choose a traditional hotel? I wouldn't even dream of it.
A 3 bedroom self-catering apartment and is located in the picturesque Victorian Stable Courtyard at Lochinch Castle, the private home of the Earl and Countess of Stair.
The surrounding area is full of scenic treasures, including deserted sandy beaches, exotic gardens, rolling hillsides and open estuaries. The Southern Upland Way is located close by as is the River Luce which offers excellent fly fishing. Stranraer town is just three miles away with a wide range of pubs, restaurants, shops and activities including cinema, swimming and a museum. Other local attractions include a whisky distillery, Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Wigtown Book Town and the picturesque sea-side village of Port Patrick where guests can enjoy excellent seafood restaurants, village stores and pubs. They even have bicycles available for use!
Location:: Lochinch Castle, Stranraer, Galloway
Prices:: start at £390 per week
Type:: Self Catering
Rating:: 4 stars Scottish Tourist Board
A charming and beautifully appointed holiday property located on the grounds of the stunning Fasque House Estate. Our two-bedroom cottage easily adapts to stays for families or friends. A calm retreat to rest and restore energy levels, ready for tomorrow.
Fasque’s four hundred acres are the natural home to a host of Scottish wildlife.
There’s also the peaceful pleasure of wide, open spaces, from wild expanses to riverbanks. As if the Estate isn’t enough, your quiet country retreat has much to enjoy right on its doorstep. An easy drive opens up a world of activities to try and historic sites to explore. From golfing, family activities, castles and whiskey distilleries.
Location:: Fasque House Estate, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire
Prices:: start at £240 for 2-3 nights
Type:: Self Catering
Rating:: 4 Stars Scottish Tourist Board
Breath taking scenery of one of Scotland's best kept secrets, the Buchan Coast, the lighthouse is less than an hours drive from Aberdeen. With miles of empty beaches, some of the best Golf Courses and Surfing in Britain, and within easy reach of Castles and Whisky.
Location:: Skerry Cottage, Buchan Ness Lighthouse, Boddam, Aberdeenshire
Prices:: start at £216 per short weekend!
Type:: Self catering
Rating:: No rating from the tourist board yet
Raise your spirits with a peaceful and uplifting stay at Parrandier - a rural Scottish church set in 2 acres of gardens, close to the sea at the Moray Firth and to the Grampian Highlands.
Location:: Parrandier, Meft Road, Urquhart By Elgin, Moray
Prices:: start at just £33 per night
Type:: Bed and Breakfast {dinner available upon request}
Rating:: 4 stars Scottish Tourist Board
Glenapp Castle is a Scottish Baronial castle set in 36 acres of stunning gardens and woodland, offering true exclusivity. It is ideal for a relaxing break or to hire on an exclusive use basis for a wedding, family gathering or corporate event.
Guests may spend rewarding moments strolling through the terraced formal gardens or play croquet on the lawn, or in more energetic mode, tennis on the all-weather tennis court. Dining in our award winning restaurant each evening at the castle is a peerless experience with the finest cuisine created by a skilled and professional team and complemented by carefully selected wines from the castle cellars.
The surrounding Ayrshire and Galloway countryside is ruggedly beautiful with many places of interest for guests to visit as well as numerous activities to enjoy either in the castle grounds or nearby.
Location:: Ballantrae, Ayrshire
Prices:: start at £235 per night
Type:: Hotel
Rating:: 5 Stars Scottish Tourist Board
Kilmeny is situated on a working farm just at the edge of Ballygrant Village only a few miles south of Port Askaig Ferry Terminal on the Hebridean Island of Islay.
Location:: Isle of Islay, Argyll
Prices:: start at £125 per night {breakfast included}
Type:: Guesthouse
Rating:: 5 stars from the Scottish Tourist Board
The Lint Mill offers 4 star luxury bed & breakfast on a delightful traditional smallholding farm in the rolling countryside of Scotland’s Southern Uplands. Situated only 45 minutes from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference to a trip away and at The Lint Mill the home produce, the fresh flowers, home-made cakes and bookshelves stacked with games, jigsaws, novels and maps all make this a special place to stay.
Whether you choose to snuggle in front of the cosy wood-burner in the chilly winter evenings or relax in the pretty walled cottage garden on a summer afternoon, The Lint Mill is charming in all seasons.
There are plenty of footpaths all around the smallholding, choose from a brief stroll along the river in the river paddock, a walk along the old drovers road or serious all day hike in the lovely Scottish Borders.
Location:: Carnwath, Lanark, Lanarkshire
Prices:: start at £40 per night
Type:: Bed and Breakfast
Rating:: 4 stars Scottish Tourist Board
Luxury glamping cabins on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Stunning coastal location on a working alpaca farm at the edge of the Atlantic. Hebridean Huts are in the perfect location to enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged Lewis coastline. A break in this rural idyll is much more than a holiday - it is the chance to unwind surrounded by nature, seascape and landscape - to truly escape the 9 to 5 and live on island time.
Location:: Isle of Lewis, Western Isles
Prices:: start at £85 per night
Type:: Self Catering Camping Pods
Rating:: no rating yet
A cruise aboard Scottish Highlander along the Great Glen as you admire some of Scotland’s finest scenery will be unforgettable.
Location:: Fort Augustus, Inverness
Prices:: £375 per night
Type:: Canal Narrowboat Barge Hotel
Rating:: no rating yet
Exceptionally beautiful, secluded, romantic stone cottage for two, located right on the edge of one of Skye's grandest sea lochs. Views are to the Cuillin mountains, the Outer Hebrides as well as to the otters on the rocks below.
Location:: Snizort, Isle of Skye
Prices:: £1200 per week
Type:: Self catering Boathouse
Rating:: 5 stars Scottish Tourist Board
Aldourie Castle is a unique and inspiring place to relax, indulge and enjoy good times with family and friends. Set within a private estate guests take exclusive hire of the 13-bed castle as their own home for a holiday. It is available for exclusive hire throughout the year for guests to take over as their own castle for their holiday, short break or special event.
Location:: Inverness, Inverness Shire
Prices:: start at £12,000 for 2 nights
Type:: rental of the whole castle
Rating:: 5 stars Scottish Tourist Board
*prices were correct at time of publication.
*before booking be sure to check out customer ratings at
Trip Advisor
So, which would you stay in?
