Must-see hotels in Scotland

  • Glenuig Inn

    West Highlands

    Set on a peaceful bay, halfway between Lochailort and Acharacle on the A830, the Glenuig Inn is a great place to get away from it all. As well as offering…

  • Mackays Hotel

    Caithness

    Hospitable Mackays is Wick’s best hotel by a long stretch. Attractive, mostly refurbished rooms vary in layout and size, so ask to see a few; prices are…

  • Mhor 84

    The Trossachs

    At the A84 junction, this 18th-century inn has been given a modern-retro revamp and is an upbeat place with bags of facilities, simple, good-value rooms…

  • Taversoe

    Orkney

    Two miles west from the ferry pier, Rousay's only hotel is an attractively low-key place, with renovated rooms offering excellent bathrooms – one suitable…

  • Lochranza Hotel

    Arran

    A village stalwart, this cordial spot has somewhat overpriced but comfortable rooms: it's well worth paying the extra few pounds for a larger front room,…

  • Four Seasons Hotel

    Lowland Perthshire & Kinross

    The historic Four Seasons (the Beatles stayed here while on tour in 1964) has been given a classy modern makeover. Two beautifully appointed lounges and…

  • Loch Melfort Hotel

    Oban, Mull & Tiree

    In a fantastic location by the water 10 miles south of the turnoff to Seil, this hospitable country hotel makes an appealing stop. Though most of the…

  • Harbour Inn

    Islay

    The plush seven-room Harbour Inn, owned by Bowmore Distillery, offers friendly service, a good restaurant, a snug bar and prime location a few steps from…

  • Rua Reidh Lighthouse

    Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh

    Three miles down a narrow private road beyond Melvaig (11 miles north of Gairloch), this simple yet excellent lodge gives a taste of a lighthouse keeper's…

  • Philipburn House Hotel

    Borders Region

    On the edge of town, this former dower house has a jazzy 21st-century look that hasn't ruined its historic features, as well as appealing renovated rooms…

  • Seabank

    Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh

    On the water and centrally located, but still a little removed from the main-street bustle, this tranquil spot has two very sweet rooms with dormer…

  • Royal Hotel

    Southern Highlands & Islands

    Historically Campbeltown's best address, this reddish sandstone hotel opposite the harbour is looking swish again. It caters mostly to yachties and…

  • Craigellachie Hotel

    Moray

    The Craigellachie has a wonderfully old-fashioned, hunting-lodge atmosphere, from the wood-panelled lobby to the opulent drawing room where you can sink…

  • Scourie Lodge

    North & West Coast

    Enjoy substantial comfort and hospitality in this gorgeous building overlooking the bay. The welcoming owners make an effort to run it along sustainable…

  • Tiroran Hotel

    Mull

    Secluded comfort and elegance are the key concepts at this hotel, which feels a world away from anywhere. Set 4 miles off the Craignure–Fionnphort road,…

  • Apex City Quay Hotel

    Dundee

    Though it looks plain and boxy from the outside, the Apex sports the sort of stylish, spacious, sofa-equipped rooms that make you want to lounge around…

  • Douglas Park

    Southern Highlands & Islands

    In Dunoon you'll certainly want to be on the long, pretty waterfront promenade, and this spot fits the bill. It's in a quieter area, just over a mile from…

  • Point A

    Glasgow

    Offering urban comfort without frills, Point A concentrates on doing the basics well, offering very comfortable beds and reliable showers in minimalist,…

  • Ashleigh

    Pitlochry

    Genuine welcomes don’t come much better than Nancy’s, and her place on the main street makes a top Pitlochry pit stop. Two comfortable doubles share an…

  • Breiview Guest House

    Lerwick

    On a hill a little removed from Lerwick's centre, this is a fine option with some water views. Rooms – some in the house next door – are spacious, light…

  • Loch Katrine Camping

    The Trossachs

    Just beyond the ferry pier on Loch Katrine, this is a pleasing new place to stay, offering tent and motorhome pitches as well as cute camping pods with a…

  • Tigh an Eilean

    Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh

    With a lovely waterfront position in the pretty village of Shieldaig, this is an appealing destination for a relaxing stay, offering old-style rooms that…

  • Lime Tree

    Fort William

    Much more interesting than your average guesthouse, this former Victorian manse overlooking Loch Linnhe is an ‘art gallery with rooms’, decorated…

  • Mabie House Hotel

    Dumfries & Galloway

    Four miles north of New Abbey, this welcoming country-house hotel (built in 1715) is a great base, especially for families, as the farm park and mountain…

  • Smith's at Gretna Green

    Dumfries & Galloway

    A large contemporary hotel close to the Gretna Green complex. Though the blocky exterior won’t delight everybody, the interior is much more stylish; rooms…

  • Brisbane House Hotel

    Southern Scotland

    We're not sure about the modern facade on this genteel old building, but the rooms are quite luxurious, and some – it's aimed at wedding parties and is…

  • Anchorage

    Islay

    Spacious rooms at this four-square white house near the Bruichladdich distillery have super views across Loch Indaal to Bowmore opposite. It's run by a…

  • Lynnfield Hotel

    Kirkwall

    South of Kirkwall's centre, this sizeable yet intimate hotel is run with a professional touch. Rooms are individually decorated, and feature handsome…

  • Stronsay Fish Mart

    Orkney

    Now renovated, this year-round hostel occupies the building that was once the island's herring market, among cottages that used to house the men that…

  • Castlebay Hotel

    Outer Hebrides

    The Castlebay Hotel has spacious bedrooms decorated with a subtle tartan motif – it’s worth paying a bit extra for a sea view – and there’s a comfy lounge…

  • Erigmore Estate

    Highland Perthshire

    Scattered around the wooded, riverside grounds of Erigmore House, the former country retreat of a wealthy clipper ship's captain, these luxury timber…

  • Kerrera Bunkhouse

    Oban, Mull & Tiree

    This charming seven-bed bunkhouse in a converted 18th-century stable is near Gylen Castle, a 2-mile walk south from the ferry on Kerrera (keep left at the…

  • Tongue Hotel

    North & West Coast

    A stalwart of the north coast, this spruce former hunting lodge offers attractive, roomy chambers, including plush superiors with top views, and classic…

  • Heritage Hotel

    Glasgow

    A stone's throw from all the action of the West End, this friendly hotel has an open, airy feel despite the rather dilapidated raised terrace it's located…

  • Alyth Hotel

    Lowland Perthshire & Kinross

    This is a classic rural coaching inn right in the middle of the village. The old-style rooms upstairs are better than the renovated ones, though, with a…

  • Hazelbank Hotel

    St Andrews

    Offering a genuine welcome, the family-run Hazelbank is the most likeable of the pleasingly old-fashioned hotels along The Scores. The more expensive…

  • Braemore Square

    Ullapool to Kyle of Lochalsh

    This striking 19th-century stone mansion 11 miles south of Ullapool is the sort of place you book for a night then wish you had for a week. Three…

  • Grand Central Hotel

    Glasgow

    This handsome Victorian hotel is part of the Central station: some rooms overlook the platforms. High ceilings, vast corridors stretching into the…

  • Camfield House

    Caithness

    A Narnia-style portal leads from central Thurso through a gate and you're suddenly in what feels like an opulent rural estate. The garden is sumptuous and…

  • Fàilte

    Oban

    Solicitous host Thomas knows a thing or two about guest comfort and the thoughtful extras here (powerpoints, disposable razors, real milk in the mini…

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