Are you going to visit Scotland soon? Are you planning a romantic weekend getaway for your partner or are you planning a road trip with the whole family in the Scottish Highlands? In this travel blog, you are in the right place for travel inspiration regarding castle hotels, bed & breakfasts, pods and other quirky accommodations in Scotland!
Scotland is a wonderful destination to visit. This hilly country has a rich history, impressive landscapes & wildlife, old cities and of course whisky and Haggis (local dish). Scotland is a perfect destination for road trips, city-trips, but also very pleasant for back-to-nature escapes. Scotland is also used as decor in my favourite television show: Outlander! If you haven’t seen the episodes of Outlander, make sure you watch this show before you visit the Scottish Highlands!
Besides highlighting quirky places to stay, this blog also provides 5 cool things to do in Scotland. These fun things to do are perfect activities for the whole family. Make sure you don’t miss these typical Scottish sights and top attractions!
12x the most unique hotels Scotland: Castle hotels and B&B’s!
In this blog, we share unique and quirky places to sleep in the Scottish Highlands. You will not find standard hotels here. We have made a special list of hotels in Scotland with excellent reviews. These accommodations are often surrounded by nature, off-the-grid, far from civilization and therefore well suited for woodland escapes. However, some castle hotels and B&Bs are in a short distance from the major cities Edinburgh and Glasgow. Therefore, ideal hotels for a weekend getaway!
This hotel selection, spread throughout Scotland, has something for everyone. You are practically spoilt for choice; stylish interiors, sweeping coastlines, Scottish countryside and thick forest in the Highlands. We have selected 5 beautiful castle hotels for a romantic stay. Do you prefer the countryside? Consider staying in log-cabins (pods) in the Scottish Highlands or stay in a cosy bed and breakfast close to great hiking tracks. After all, a beautiful stay at Loch Ness or another remote accommodation among the Scottish coastline cannot be missed!
Map of Scotland with all hotel locations mentioned in this blog
For convenience, we have made a map of Scotland with all the hotels mentioned in this blog. This gives you a good idea of where the accommodation is and which top attractions of Scotland you can find nearby. The numbers behind the names correspond to the hotels.
Mega budget tip: currently the campervan rental company Spaceships had an Early Bird discount deal which gives you 10% discount on renting a campervan when you travel before the 20th of June 2023. Click here for more information and to book directly!
5x the best castle hotels in Scotland!
If you wonder where to stay in Scotland, consider sleeping in a boutique castle. Sleeping in an old castle is a dream come true for interior-lovers and people who are keen on architecture. You can spend the night in a traditional castle in Scotland from €113 per night. Below 5 great castle hotels for a unique experience:
1. Boclair House Hotel (Glasgow)
Boclair House hotel is 5 miles away from Glasgow. The castle and design of this hotel is beautiful. Every detail has been thought of. Thus, every room in this 4-star hotel is decorated differently. From €125 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
2. Carberry Tower Mansion Hotel (Edinburgh)
Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate are just 8 miles from Edinburgh and a 10-minute drive from the beach. This beautiful 15th-century castle is surrounded by a 16-hectare park where you often see wildlife! From €198 per night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
3. Banchory Lodge Hotel
Banchory Lodge is a Georgian townhouse located 45 minutes drive from Aberdeen. You are here in the middle of nature. From the bridge over the river Feugh, you can even see jumping salmon with a bit of luck! The rooms are beautifully and stylishly decorated. From €169 a night (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
4. Kingsknowes Hotel
Kingsknowes hotel has a fantastic restaurant where you can eat delicious from à la carte menu. The rooms are elegantly decorated and have a touch of the Victorian architecture. From €113 per night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
5. Cornhill Castle
Cornhill Castle Country House is 28 miles from Edinburgh. Extra special is the grand ballroom with golden chandeliers and a large dance floor. Also handy, there is a helipad so you can just come by helicopter ;-)! From €125 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Read more in this blog with Isle of Skye tips!
4x The best log cabins and pods to stay in Scotland
Have you always wanted to sleep in a lodge or log cabin in the middle of nature? This is your chance for a back-to-nature escape. In Scotland, you have many options to sleep in beautiful luxurious log cabins that are fully equipped. The eco pods are situated in some stunning locations. From the middle of the forest in the Highlands to the banks of lochs. Some luxury pods provide extra comforts, such as a sauna or hot tub. Many of these back-to-nature retreats are excellent for a romantic getaway or just an off-the-grid experience.
6. Chalet Skeabost View Pods Skye
These pretty pods are 5 miles away from Portree, centrally located on the Isle of Skye. The log cabins are small but very cosy. In the evening you can enjoy the fire pit and stay warm. From €114 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
7. Aos Sí Lodges (Glencoe)
The Aos Sí Lodges are located in the Scottish Highlands, near Glencoe. All lodges have a fireplace and a large comfortable bed. Perfect for a romantic weekend away! Although you pay a bit more for this experience. From €269 a night (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
8. Loch Shin Luxury Pods:
You can relax completely in these quirky cosy log cabins. These luxury pods are fully equipped, there is even a small kitchen. Ideal for a family holiday and pets are also allowed. From €79 a night (2 persons). Book on time!
Click here for more information.
Chalet Skye Cabins
These boutique pods are situated in a unique location: in a beautiful spot on the water in the Isle of Skye. It is an oasis of peace with lots of privacy. Activities in the area include hiking, horse riding and fishing. From €123 per night (2 persons).
All about money, expenses and prices on travelling can be found in our Scotland budget blog!
The best bed and breakfasts in Scotland: 2 B&Bs with excellent service!
Is friendliness and hospitality of the accommodation important to you? Then stay in a bed & breakfast and experience Scottish hospitality! One B&B is situated close to Loch Ness and the other one is located near the Coastline of Aberdeen.
9. Binnilidh Mhor B&B (close to Inverness)
Binnilidh Mhor B&B is located in the peaceful Scottish Highlands. Shelia and Alan are fantastic hosts and think about everything. The bedrooms are fully equipped and there is a fireplace in the lounge. From €148 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
10. Bayview Bed and Breakfast (near Aberdeen)
This laid-back b&b overlooks a picturesque bay near the coastal town of Stonehaven. Every day you get a breakfast consisting of local products and fair trade ingredients. From €137 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Two very remote hotels in Scotland: 2x quirky lodges far from home
Are you looking for remote and quirky accommodations in Scotland? Say no more. We picked two very beautiful and unique locations where you enjoy the privileges of privacy and have all the nature for yourself. These x hotels are far away from cities or larger villages. One is right located on the coast near a steep cliff and the other is beautifully situated in the woods.
11. Salmon Landings:
Salmon Landings has a unique location right on the coast, near cliffs. This peaceful spot is located 177 km from Inverness. You can fully enjoy nature here. Not suitable for children. From €125 a night including breakfast (2 persons).
Click here for more information.
12. Alladale Wilderness Reserve
Alladale Lodge is an old Victorian country house situated in the Scottish Highlands. A perfect environment for hiking, mountain biking and off-road driving (4wd). From €170 a night (2 persons). Also suitable for groups up to 18 people.
Are you planning on making a road trip through Scotland? Then check out this Scotland itinerary for 1-2 weeks!
5 Cool things to do when visiting Scotland
Wondering what you can do in Scotland? For your inspiration, we created a list of 5 fun activities that are typical for a visit to the land of the kilts. Most of these activities are suitable for the whole family and extended family.
Map of Scotland with all sights and top attractions
The map below shows some of the highlights and top attractions that Scotland has to offer. Isle of Skye, Glencoe and Cairngorms National Park made a big impression on us. The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are also worth a visit. As you can see Scotland has more than enough to offer!
Tip: do you know that you can also come to Scotland by ferry. This way you can bring your own car. There is a daily ferry from IJmuiden to Newcastle from where it is only a few hours drive to Edinburgh. Click here for more information!
1. Must-do in Scotland: a whisky tour and tasting!
One of the highlights of our tour of Scotland was a visit to a whisky brewery. Scattered throughout the country are whisky breweries where you can do tastings. Looking for a fun whisky tour in Edinburgh? Click here for more information. Book your tickets here for Glasgow and visit the beautiful Clydeside Distillery, a distillery of Single Malt Scotch Whisky in the centre.
2. Hiking in the Highlands of Scotland.
This was really the main reason for us to visit Scotland. Walking through the beautiful nature. A multi-day walk on, for example, the West Highland Way route is, of course, the best. But making a day hike is also more than worthwhile. Do you prefer to walk together in a group? Day tours are organized from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Click here for a day tour from Glasgow. Click here for more information on walking in the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh.
3. Boat trip on one of the magical Scottish lakes.
Scotland is known for its many lochs and lakes. The best way to admire a lake is by boat. Are you already excited to cruise and discover the famous Loch Ness Lake? Click here for more information.
4. A guided tour through the Celtic football stadium!
Have you always wanted to know more about the history of the successful football club Celtic? A cool activity in Glasgow is to visit the Celtic stadium. Click here for more information.
5. Visit one of the many historical castles in Scotland
Scotland has a rich history of clans, battles and castles. The cultural legacy that we still see today in the landscape of Scotland are the many castles. For example, visit the famous Edinburgh Castle. Click here for more information. Or how about a tour of the famous Stirling castle? Book your tickets here and skip the queue.
Tip: Would you like to arrange your transport from the airport to the city without any hassle? Then book your bus ticket online. Click here for more information.
Click here for more Scotland blogs!
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