18 of the best hotels in Scotland, for city breaks, island tranquillity and outdoor adventure
From Edinburgh's city views to a historic castle in the Highlands, there's a Scottish hotel for everyone
Looking for the perfect place to stay for a Scottish staycation? You've come to the right place as we've rounded up the best hotels in Scotland for a UK break.
From the well-traipsed streets of Edinburgh, flanked by neo-classical architecture, to the unspoilt wildernesses of the Scottish Highlands and islands, Scotland has some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in western Europe.
Renowned for their majestic lanscape and untamed beauty, the Highlands are one of the biggest draws for visitors to Scotland. Described as ‘Europe’s last great wilderness’, they comprise mountains, lakes, moors and castles, and are a paradise for walkers, climbers and birdwatchers.
Meanwhile, its cities offer a chance to immerse yourself in culture, history and the buzz of nightlife – and the two magical parts of the country can be explored together by car, train or plane.
The choices of places to stay are just as varied as the landscapes here, but we've picked the best hotels in Scotland to help you squeeze every last drop of magic out of a getaway here. Whether you're after spa hotels in Scotland or luxury hotels in the capital city, we've picked our favourite places to stay around the country.
There's an antique dealer's dream to be found within the velvet-clad walls of the enchanting Witchery by the Castle and a mellow country house designed in 1901 by Sir Edwin Lutyens in East Lothian in the form of Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux.
From regal residences to grand lodges nestled among mountain ranges, these are the best hotels in Scotland.
The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
If you like your hotels on the quirkier side, stays don't get much more unique than this atmospheric retreat in the heart of Edinburgh. Inside a group of old-world buildings on a cobbled street, the velvet-clad walls of The Witchery at the Castle weave round in labyrinth-like fashion, adding to the gothic glamour found around every corner at this unusual hotel.
The Witchery is the kind of place where romance is on the cards, whether you planned it so or not. Each room is draped in sumptuous materials, with large four-poster beds (some made from old church pulpits), antique furniture, paintings and, not forgetting a claw-footed, roll-top bath.
Dining at the candlelit restaurant is a highlight of any stay here – diners can feast on Highland game, Scotch beef and classic dishes such as omelette Arnold Bennett and lobster thermidor.
The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen
This stately stay is the perfect choice for anyone in search of a country-house hotel in Scotland. Housed in a grand Victorian manor house, The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa has an ambience of quintessential Scottish elegance and is just two miles from Gordon Highlanders Museum, three miles from Aberdeen city centre and six miles from Cruickshank Botanic Garden.
Rooms and suites are uniquely furnished in a traditional or contemporary style with antique furniture. The fine dining, extensive wine cellar (with 400 labels) and vast collection of malt whiskies (100 types and counting) will delight both humble foodies and those who err on the side of food snobbery all at once. Dine in the airy conservatory or, if the weather's fine, opt for a seat out on the terrace.
RiverBeds - Luxury Wee Lodges with Hot Tubs, Glencoe
For something that’s not quite a five-star hotel yet not quite camping, try glamping at one of RiverBeds’s "wee lodges" in beautiful Glencoe. It's the Scottish stay for fans of the great outdoors who are not quite willing to brave the Highland temperatures in a regular tent and with no plumbing.
Each surprisingly well-equipped en-suite cabin comes with a hot tub, a kitchenette and a private veranda perched above the river. The cabins are rustic but still luxurious – staying here is ideal for anyone who wants to really connect with nature, albeit with all of their essential creature comforts present and correct.
ABode, Glasgow
If you're headed to Scotland's second city, check in to the
ABode outpost in Glasgow, housed in what was once the childhood home of the first Scottish-born Prime Minister, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. The three-storey Georgian townhouse is every bit as commanding as you would expect.
The only difference? The building now welcomes one and all as a revamped, city-centre boutique hotel. It's a perfect mid-range option. Expect oversized windows – some with stained-glass emblems in them – high ceilings and notes of tartan dotted throughout to remind guests of just where they are.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Torlundy
When it comes to fairy-tale getaways, it's difficult to beat Inverlochy Castle in Torlundy, a small rural community just north of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Queen Victoria stayed here in 1873, writing that she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot” – and you'd be hard-pressed to disagree with her.
This luxury hotel lies in the foothills of Ben Nevis, next to a private loch, and features 17 bedrooms and suites, each with views over the spectacular grounds and classic country-house decor of striped wallpaper, tartan throws and draped beds. It’s the place to stay for those who appreciate a bit of grandeur in both their natural surroundings and their accommodations. More sites of note nearby include Glencoe, the monument at Glenfinnan and the falls at Glen Nevis
Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux, East Lothian
A delightful country house designed in 1901 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, 17 miles east of Edinburgh, the Greywalls Hotel boasts a six-acre walled garden, as well as a tennis court, a croquet lawn, beehives and free-roaming hens (whose eggs you're likely to enjoy for breakfast).
The lodges on the other side of the imposing gates have been transformed into a handful of self-contained cottages. In the main house, there are 17 bedrooms overlooking the greens and fairways of Muirfield golf course. At the Chez Roux restaurant, guests can enjoy everything from elegant afternoon teas to lengthy dinners that champion Scottish produce in dishes such as East Coast crab salad, grouse with turnips and game chips, and salt-baked onion with woodland mushrooms.
The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Your taxi driver from the station is sure to tell you that The Balmoral Hotel is the most sought-after address in all of Edinburgh, and they'd be right. This landmark hotel has been an iconic part of culture here since it was built on Princes Street over a century ago.
The hotel has maintained the same sense of timeless elegance and glamour, both in the public areas and the rooms, each designed with reverence for the past and thoughtful additions of modern comforts.
Expect hearty Scottish charm, a concierge service with more knowledge than any tourist could possibly need during a single stay, and an amazing spa.
And the dining options are impressive, too: Number One provides a fine-dining menu, while Brasserie Prince offers an informal dining atmosphere. Palm Court features afternoon tea and the Bar Prince serves innovative cocktails in a relaxed setting, while the aptly-named Scotch offers over 500 varieties of whisky.
Fonab Castle Hotel, Pitlochry
This five-star hotel and spa, on the banks of Loch Faskally, boasts stylish rooms in a peaceful surrounding. The grand baronial country pile was built in 1892 and was used by the British Red Cross during the First World War.
Fonab Castle Hotel's façade might look historic, but once you're inside, you'll discover more modern amenities, including a spa with a 15-metre swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, and a steam room and sauna – plus two two on-site restaurants, and a terrace overlooking the loch, which makes for an unrivalled alfresco dining spot on warm summer days. When you're ready for something a little more active, set out white-water rafting, canyoning or fishing.
Marmalade Hotel, Isle of Skye
Marmalade was once the home of an enthusiastic marmalade maker known as the Honourable Iona MacDonald, who would make her preserves in the courtyard. These days, though, this Georgian manor house now makes a contemporary escape in the wilds of Skye.
The location is tranquil and beautiful, but only five minutes' walk from the centre of Portree, which it looks out over. Head out and conquer part of the oh-so scenic Quiraing Walk or take a dip in the Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle, before settling down for dinner in Chargrill, the hotel's modern Scottish restaurant, where the chefs place a particular emphasis on working with high-quality local producers.
Gleneagles, Auchterarder
This Perthshire playground is less than an hour north of both Edinburgh and Glasgow, but it is a million miles from any sense of urbanity. The vast estate that is Gleneagles offers several opportunities for grown-ups to be big kids, with zip-lining and off-roading just some of the activities available. It’s also an excellent Scotland hotel for a gourmet getaway – Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles is the only Scottish restaurant to hold two Michelin stars, and that’s just the start.
Other dining options include the Birnam for delicious pasta dishes; and the Dormy, perfect for lunch before or after a round of golf. Even the shortbread at the tea station in your room will be the best you’ve ever tasted.
Forss House, Thurso
Scotland has lots of stately piles and this turreted retreat near Thurso all the way up north is another classic country-house hotel for lovers of luxurious lodgings. Reminiscent of a French chateau, Forss House sits on the banks of the namesake river and benefits from the 20 acres of woodland that surrounds it.
It's a favourite of those who enjoy country pursuits such as fishing. The hotel is around a half hour's drive from the remote Highland village and one of the most northerly points of mainland Britain, John O'Groats. After days spent enjoying the great outdoors, evenings here end with a glass of top-notch whisky and hearty food. Expect traditional style, a warm welcome and brilliant views from whichever window you peer out of.
Glencoe House, West Highlands
The Highlands are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain and one of its must-visit spots is Glencoe, famous for its mountains and volcano-formed valleys. Historic Glencoe House, once the home of Lord Strathcona, has views of the Pap of Glencoe from some of the suites for those who don’t fancy climbing it.
Days can be spent hiking or even skiing; and after nightfall, you can stargaze from the comfort of a hot tub. Also nearby is the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, which should be especially appealing to Harry Potter fans, though we can't promise sightings of the Hogwarts Express sadly.
Isle of Eriska, Argyll
This classic country-house hotel, which is on a private isle near the Morvern Mountains in West Argyll, was built in 1884. These days, Isle of Eriska is as grand as ever, with four-poster beds, roll-top bath tubs and fireplaces. Guests can indulge with fine-dining meals or dine at the more laid-back bistro, which overlooks Loch Linnhe.
Accommodation options range from the more traditional rooms in the main house, spa suites with private hot tubs in the gardens, two-bedroom cottages that are perfect for friends or families, and loch-facing suites on the hilltop.
Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
If there’s one thing that hotels in Scotland do well, it’s golf – and the Old Course Hotel near St Andrews is no exception. The hotel is located alongside the championship course’s 17th hole, with the Jigger Inn offering sustenance at the 19th.
But it's not just keen golfers who will be glad to find refuge here. Spa-seekers can book in for some pampering at the Kohler Waters Spa, which is the brand’s only foray outside of the USA. And for gourmands, there is a host of restaurants and bars to work your way through.
Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire
In Scotland’s south-west, Glenapp Castle is a fairy-tale retreat on the Ayrshire coast, surrounded by gardens, forests and the shore, with the uninhabited isle of Ailsa Craig in the distance. The period details and Scottish Baronial architecture have been perfectly preserved, with all of the turrets, towers and sandstone battlements you could wish for. The luxurious hotel was a recent star of the BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby series.
The estate also has a tennis court, croquet lawn and Victorian glasshouse. To venture further afield, guests can go salmon fishing on the River Stinchar and deer stalking, or visit nearby whisky distilleries.
Whispering Pine Lodge, Spean Bridge
Perched on the banks of Loch Lochy, Whispering Pine Lodge offers a heavenly escape to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. After a romp around the Great Glen, retreat to the hotel's private pebble beach and watch the sun set over the village of Spean Bridge. Alternatively, kick back with a massage in the petite spa.
Dinner is served in the loch-side brasserie, which has a prime spot overlooking the water. After your meal, enjoy a wee dram by the fire in the the cosy Burns Bar, which pays homage to the great Scottish poet. Rooms have a delightfully Highland aesthetic: rich plaid walls, polished oak furnishings and acres of tartan. Our favourites have four-poster beds and views over the loch.
Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
As station hotels go, Glasgow's Voco Grand Central is a pretty opulent affair. Built by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson – who also designed the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland – in 1883, this grand landmark hotel has seen everyone from Winston Churchill and the Beatles to Bing Crosby and Charlie Chaplin grace its hallowed halls. After a day of exploring the city, relax with a glass of fizz in Champagne Central, the hotel's beautiful bar, which overlooks the bustling station floor.
Rooms offer a quiet retreat from the busy city below. They're light, airy and designed with a more contemporary vibe that the building is used to – expect a palette of blues, oatmeals and brass fittings. Our favourites are the suites on the fifth floor, which have high ceilings and plenty of space to relax in.
Skeabost House Hotel, Isle of Skye
Skeabost House Hotel began life as a Victorian hunting lodge in 1871. The grand manor is located in a scenic spot, with sweeping views over Loch Snizort. There are plenty of picturesque walking routes right from the front path, so bring your hiking boots and explore this heavenly corner of the Isle of Skye. And once you've worked up an appetite, sate it on Skye's abundant fine produce in the Pier View restaurant overlooking the loch.
There are various types of rooms at Skeabost, depending on your mood, but all are plushly decorated in rich tones with accents of leather and polished wood. The garden rooms are a real treat – these are more modern in style and some have their own terrace; our favourites have views over the loch.
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