From chic city hotels to stylish rural retreats, Scotland’s luxury boutique hotels each have something unique to offer.
Award-winning fine dining, loch-side escapism, vast whisky collections and mountain views all give them their own distinctly Scottish character.
Here, the Good Hotel Guide shares 10 of their luxury and boutique hotels in Scotland…
Shieldaig Lodge, Gairloch
This magnificent Highland retreat is set in a 26,000 acre estate and is nestled next to Shieldaig Bay. With all the warmth of its original 19th century origins, it’s all log-fires, snug lounges and an extensive whisky and gin collection.
Winner of Good Hotel Guide’s Editor’s Choice Discovery 2018 Award, interiors are stylish and traditional, the surroundings beckon you to explore, and in the evening it’s the sort of place you might feel inspired to write that best-seller you’ve always dreamt about.
Forss House, Thurso
On the banks of the Forss River and surrounded by woodland, Forss House is a favourite destination amongst fishermen, and those enjoying country pursuits such as shooting, deer stalking and plenty of whisky.
The country house has a traditional style inside, which adds to the warmth of the welcome. Bedrooms have high ceilings and lovely views, and foot has a reputation for excellence.
The Dunstane Houses, Edinburgh
In the heart of Edinburgh, The Dunstane Houses are refined and romantic four and five star properties set across two heritage buildings. Family run, it brings a touch of Orkney into the city with 16 newly refurbished rooms that have a sense of tradition as well as modern style.
Thoughtful details include Noble Isle toiletries and heritage tweed soft furnishings, although we’re particular fans of The Dunstane Suite for special occasions, complete with a copper bath for a really good soak with views of the city outside.
The Dower House, Muir of Ord
This charming bed and breakfast in the Highlands won The Good Hotel Guide 2018 Editor’s Choice for B&B as well as the prestigious Cesar Award for The Scottish Guesthouse of the Year in 2008. In that same year, the owners were invited to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace for their contribution to the British hospitality industry.
Like a wonderful secret hidden within its idyllic gardens, The Dower House has two double bedrooms and one suite, all of which are adorned with fresh flowers each day. This is alongside traditional and beautiful interiors with features such as Victorian roll top baths, antique furniture and carefully chosen objets d’arts.
Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae
A grand, five star hotel in Ayrshire, Glenapp Castle is the stuff that fairytales are made of. Multi award winning, you arrive through magnificent grounds and are greeted by a breathtaking castle.
Surrounded by both forest and seascapes, rooms are decadent and in keeping with the style of the property – which is to say unapologetically opulent.
Food at the hotel is very much a fine dining experiences with six course meals and tasting menus readily available and a delectable afternoon tea being a must.
Riverwood, Pitlochry
A country house hotel, Riverwood is tucked away in a quiet, leafy conservation village, in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Its location has an almost magical quality, epitomising quiet luxury amidst lawned grounds overlooking the majestic River Tay.
The contemporary property has an arts and crafts style across its seven rooms and suites, all with high tech amenities and local touches such as the Scottish toiletries from Arran Aromatics.
Meanwhile, at breakfast you can look forward to traditional dishes and local produce such as Dunkeld smoked salmon and Highland coffee roasted in Perthshire.
Tigh Na Leigh, Alyth
Tigh Na Leigh is a five star B&B in Alyth, where relaxed contemporary style fuses with the beauty of a restored Victorian property. Once a doctor’s house, today the hotel is all about life’s little luxuries.
Six rooms in the main house all have their own character, especially fabulous Four Poster Bedroom. Surrounding gardens characterise the view, dogs are welcome, and dining is all about Perthshire’s abundance of fish, game, meat, vegetables, wild mushrooms and soft fruits.
Eddrachilles Hotel, Scourie
A small, owner run Highland hotel, Eddrachilles Hotel is a former church with beautiful views of the island-studded Badcall Bay. With a chalet-style vibe, its six rooms look out at mountains and moorlands and are designed for comfort. Elegant antiques are offset with cosy Harris tweeds and Kingcraig fabrics from Brora.
Meanwhile, the restaurant serves a quintessential ‘taste of the north’ shellfish caught in the Bay which borders the hotel’s garden, game from the surrounding moors and plants foraged from the woods.
94DR, Edinburgh
A contemporary, boutique guest house in the heart of Edinburgh, 94DR is all sumptuous suites and beautiful lounges.
Dramatic colour schemes and plush fabrics are brought together by thoughtful touches such as period tiles, an eclectic library and an honesty bar, all just a short walk from Holyrood Park.
Boath House, Nairn
This magnificent hotel with award winning gardens in the Moray Firth is a historic Regency property with nine stylish rooms and suites as well as cottages set within its 22 acres.
Bee hives and hens can be seen in the walled gardens, while herbs and vegetables are grown within the grounds.
The restaurant is an attraction in its own right, with windows looking out onto fields of wild flowers and large French windows welcoming in the lawns and the lake as you dine on elegant cuisine.
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