Holiday cottages, airbnb and lodges in Scotland

When to go?

Scotland is a great place to explore all year round. Tourist spots like Skye can become quite crowded in the summer months yet can be very cold and snowy in the winter, restricting some of the activities that may attract you to visit. Bear in mind that Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place every year in August. As the world's largest arts festival, visiting at this time would be a perfect chance to immerse yourself in some great culture with over 50,000 performances put on across 300 venues. However, it predictably gets very busy around this time, so we suggest booking your Edinburgh hotel or apartment well in advance.

How to get there?

Fly, drive or catch a train to your accommodation in Scotland, the choice is up to you. All the major cities, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, have airports which you can fly to from other UK cities with low cost airlines Ryanair and EasyJet. With short transfer times to the city centres, this is a perfect option for those wishing to stay in city hotels or apartments. Alternatively, catch a train from your local station or the overnight sleeper train from London Euston which takes you to Scotland in around 8 hours. If you're opting for a more rural stay, picking a countryside cottage, we'd suggest you drive, or alternatively hire a car so you can access the surrounding areas.

What to do in Scotland?

City Break

If you're looking for a weekend city break, book an apartment in Edinburgh or Glasgow to explore what these vibrant and lively cities have to offer. There are also many bed and breakfasts available for a more authentic experience and get some tips from the locals on where to eat, drink and what to see. Stay in a short-term rental in Glasgow and check out what the buzzing city has to offer from its amazing architecture, great shopping, it's legendary music scene and the famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Opt for an apartment or hotel in Edinburgh and spend your weekend wondering around the cobbled streets, checking out the weekend markets, venturing up to Arthur's Seat viewpoint, and finishing the day with a drink in one of the cosy pubs of Leith.

Outdoor Activities

For the outdoorsy type, check out our selection of rental accommodation in more rural areas so you can explore the wilderness. Scotland has plenty to offer in the way of water sports and hiking. Why not stay in self-catering accommodation near one of Scotland's many lochs where you can spend your days sailing, rafting, paddle boarding and even swimming if you dare. Scotland is also home to the highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis. We have lodges, apartments and b&bs in Fort William and the surrounding area which will be a perfect base if you're planning on making the trip up to the top.

Beautiful Landscapes

To see some of the most beautiful sights in the UK, look no further than the Scottish Highlands. Rent a lodge in the Highlands to explore all of the magical scenery. The Isle of Skye is a great destination, known for its rugged coasts, quaint fishing villages and mysterious medieval castles. Check out our selection of rental accommodation in Portree, the island's main town which makes for a great base for exploring the whole island and is home to harbourside pubs and shops. A trip to the Fairy Pools is a must to see the magical waterfalls on a short 1.4-mile walk. Dunvegan Castle, the Old Man of Storr and Coral Beach are other great places to visit as well as the Tallisker Whisky distillery for a tasting of some world-renowned Scotch.

Golfing

If you're a keen golfer, St. Andrews is the perfect destination to take to the course and play on some of the world's most iconic golf courses. Pick from a selection of cottages and apartments close by to the golf courses to maximise playing time. When the course is completed or on a rainy day, visit the British Golf Museum which chronicles the history of UK golfing. Book a holiday home in St Andrews to discover the local history, including a medieval castle, the University of St Andrews, founded in 1431, and West Sands Beach where the opening scenes of ‘Chariots of Fire' were filmed.

The Culture

When you think of Scottish delicacies, what comes to mind is probably haggis, Iron Bru and deep-fried Mars bars. It has to be said, Scotland is not necessarily the capital of fine foods in the UK, but it does have some decent scran (Scottish slang for food) on offer. If you're renting accommodation in Glasgow, check out the Ubiquitous Chip. The Good Food Guide's 2018 Restaurant of the Year, The Three Chimneys is a must-go on the Isle of Skye.