The Best Hotels in Scotland

How to Choose Your Scotland Stay

Scotland divides naturally into three distinct hotel worlds. The first is the Highland wilderness — remote estates and baronial lodges where the landscape is the point, and where days are structured around mountains, lochs, and long, amber evenings. The second is the cultural and culinary circuit — smaller, more intimate properties where the kitchen is the centrepiece and the experience is closer to a private house party than a hotel stay. The third is the city — Edinburgh and its Georgian squares, where heritage buildings have been reimagined as urban sanctuaries.

The hotels below span all three worlds. Each has been chosen not merely for its star rating or its spa, but for the quality of its particular version of Scotland: the way it sits in its landscape, the sourcing of its kitchen, the warmth of its staff. Scotland's best hotels don't just accommodate you — they introduce you to a place.

Practically speaking: the Highlands are best reached by car, and distances are longer than they appear on the map. Edinburgh is easily reached by train from London. The best seasons are May to September for long days and settled weather, though autumn brings extraordinary colour and winter a stark, crystalline beauty all its own.

The Fife Arms — Art, History, and Highland Grandeur in Braemar

The most extraordinary hotel in the Scottish Highlands — a baronial coaching inn reimagined as a living gallery, where 14,000 works of art share space with deep-pile tartans, roaring fires, and the wild Cairngorms beyond the door.

In the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, where heathered hills give way to ancient forests and castles dot the misty landscape, The Fife Arms stands as a baronial masterpiece that redefines what a Highland hotel can be. Once a 19th-century coaching inn, today it is a boutique hotel in Braemar unlike any other — where heritage, art, and eccentricity meet under one gloriously gilded roof.

Restored by gallerists Iwan and Manuela Wirth of Hauser & Wirth, The Fife Arms is a bold and beautiful celebration of Scottish identity told through art, design, and storytelling. Its 46 rooms and suites are each individually designed, with no detail left to chance. Some are dedicated to historic figures — Queen Victoria, Lord Byron — while others evoke the region's natural drama through rich tartans, antique furnishings, and deep, comforting colour palettes. The real magic lies in the collection: over 14,000 works of art fill the property, from a Picasso in the drawing room to site-specific installations by contemporary Scottish artists.

Food at The Fife Arms is a love letter to local produce. The Clunie Dining Room, a theatrical space with murals by Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca, serves refined, seasonal fare showcasing Scotland's natural bounty. For something more relaxed, the Flying Stag pub offers elevated pub classics, cask ales, and regular live music. With a resident ghillie for guided walks and fishing, an in-house art concierge, a spa inspired by Gaelic healing traditions, and a boutique stocked with Scottish craftsmanship, The Fife Arms elevates Highland hospitality to something theatrical and deeply immersive.

Book it ifYou want a Highland stay that is simultaneously a world-class art experience — and you don't mind that every corridor will make you late for dinner.

Rusacks St Andrews — Coastal Elegance Beside the Old Course

A front-row seat to the most storied corner of the golfing world — and a refined coastal retreat for those who have never held a club in their lives.

There are few hotels in the world where history, sport, and sweeping sea views come together with such effortless grace. Rusacks St Andrews, overlooking the 18th hole of the legendary Old Course, is not just a luxury hotel in Scotland — it's a front-row seat to one of the most storied corners of the golfing world, and a refined retreat in the heart of this coastal university town.

With a heritage stretching back to 1887 and a bold new design that reimagines tradition for the modern traveller, Rusacks is where timeless charm meets contemporary comfort. Recently reimagined by Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, the property now blends its Victorian roots with sleek, modern luxury. The 123 rooms and suites are warm, tailored spaces — many offering balconies or bay windows with front-row views of the course and the North Sea. Expect plush bedding, custom Scottish textiles, curated artwork, and thoughtful nods to golfing heritage throughout.

At the rooftop 18 Restaurant, guests dine with panoramic views of the course and coastline, enjoying flame-grilled Scottish produce served with refined flair. Whether it's Highland beef, freshly caught seafood, or local vegetables prepared over open flame, the menu is grounded in provenance and elevated by creativity. Downstairs, Bridge serves seasonal comfort food in a warm brasserie setting, while One Under Bar offers a relaxed space for post-round pints and an extensive whisky list best enjoyed by the fire as dusk settles over the greens.

Book it ifYou want to wake up to the sunrise over the Old Course — whether or not you play golf.

Inverlochy Castle Hotel — Highland Romance in a Royal Retreat

Tucked beneath Ben Nevis, this is the Scottish Highlands at their most enchanting — a Victorian baronial mansion where Queen Victoria once stayed, and where the elegance of a bygone era is kept beautifully alive.

Built in 1863 and surrounded by lush woodlands, mirrored lochs, and dramatic Highland peaks, Inverlochy Castle Hotel has long welcomed the discerning and the noble. Queen Victoria herself stayed here, famously writing, 'I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.' That spirit of royal seclusion still lingers in the air today.

The interiors feel like a period drama come to life — antique furnishings, oil paintings, rich drapes, and gilded mirrors, all arranged with warmth rather than formality. Each of the 17 individually designed rooms and suites blends classical style with modern comforts, many offering views across the loch or gardens. Expect four-poster beds, marble bathrooms, and the kind of quiet that wraps around you like a velvet cloak.

Dining at Inverlochy Castle is an experience in itself. The hotel is home to Albert & Michel Roux Jr at Inverlochy Castle, where menus are created by the legendary Roux family and executed with finesse by an award-winning kitchen. The cuisine celebrates the finest Scottish produce — wild venison, langoustines, foraged herbs, and soft Highland cheeses — offered in meticulously crafted tasting menus. Paired with wines from the extensive cellar, it is one of the most refined dining experiences in the Highlands. Adventure lies just beyond the gate: climb Ben Nevis, kayak on Loch Linnhe, or take the Jacobite steam train — better known as the Hogwarts Express — through the surrounding glens.

Book it ifYou want a Highland castle experience that is genuinely, historically grand — and you appreciate Michelin-level cooking in a baronial dining room.

Kinloch Lodge — Island Soul and Culinary Magic on the Isle of Skye

A former 17th-century hunting lodge turned luxury boutique hotel on the Isle of Skye — family-run, rich with clan history, and home to one of Scotland's most celebrated kitchens.

There are places in Scotland that seem to exist just slightly outside of time — places where stories settle like mist on the hills, and the natural world presses close to every window. Kinloch Lodge, nestled between mountain and sea on the Isle of Skye, is one of those rare places. Family-run and rich with clan history, it was once the home of the Macdonalds of Skye, and it still carries the warmth and welcome of a lived-in family estate.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Loch na Dal and the Kinloch Hills, the house is divided into two wings: the South Lodge, with its traditional character and antique charm, and the North Lodge, offering more contemporary touches and views across the loch. Each of the 18 rooms is unique — cosy, characterful, and filled with books, artworks, and heirlooms. Think open fires, deep bathtubs, hand-stitched quilts, and windows that frame moody skies and shifting water.

At Kinloch Lodge, food is not simply an amenity — it is a philosophy, a passion, and a legacy. The hotel's restaurant has long been one of Scotland's culinary flagships, inspired by the late Lady Claire Macdonald, one of the country's most celebrated chefs. Today, under Head Chef Jordan Webb, the menu is a celebration of Skye's natural bounty: wild herbs, freshly caught seafood, estate-reared meats, and garden-grown vegetables. Dinners are slow, thoughtful affairs — multi-course tastings that honour local ingredients with modern elegance. And breakfast? A feast of homemade preserves, warm scones, and the kind of porridge that might change your relationship with oats forever.

Book it ifYou want the Isle of Skye at its most intimate — a family-run lodge with genuine warmth, extraordinary cooking, and the wild landscape at every window.

Killiecrankie House — A Modern Culinary Hideaway in Highland Perthshire

Just four guest rooms, one extraordinary tasting menu, and the ancient woodlands of the Killiecrankie Pass: Scotland's most intimate and exciting small hotel.

Tucked among the ancient woodlands of the Killiecrankie Pass, where golden leaves scatter across the River Garry and red squirrels dart between branches, Killiecrankie House offers something rare in the Scottish hotel landscape: a place where the kitchen is the entire reason for coming, and where the experience is closer to a curated dinner party than a conventional hotel stay.

Killiecrankie House may be small — just four guest rooms — but therein lies its charm. Each space is beautifully conceived, with a quiet elegance that feels personal rather than designed. Natural materials, considered lighting, and a deep respect for the surrounding landscape create rooms that feel genuinely restorative. There is no spa, no pool, no concierge desk — only the woods, the river, and the promise of what awaits at the dinner table.

At the heart of Killiecrankie House is its restaurant — one of the most exciting new entries into the Scottish culinary canon. The tasting menu, which changes with the seasons and the availability of local ingredients, is a celebration of Highland Perthshire's extraordinary larder: wild game, river fish, foraged herbs, and produce from the surrounding estate. The cooking is precise, inventive, and deeply rooted in place. Guests staying in the house dine together, creating an atmosphere of convivial intimacy that is entirely unlike any other hotel in Scotland. Rooms from £540 per night, including the tasting menu for two and breakfast.

Book it ifYou are a food lover who wants Scotland's most intimate and exciting small hotel — and you don't need a pool to feel pampered.

The Torridon — Grand Highland Luxury on Scotland's Wild West Coast

On the edge of a sea loch at the foot of some of Scotland's oldest mountains, The Torridon is the Highland hotel that has everything: baronial grandeur, exceptional food, and an adventure programme that rivals any in the country.

On the edge of a sea loch at the foot of towering, ancient mountains, The Torridon unfolds like a Highland fairytale. Set within 58 acres of private parkland and framed by the cinematic drama of Glen Torridon, this Victorian baronial mansion-turned-five-star hotel is among the most iconic luxury escapes in the Scottish Highlands. Originally built in 1887 as a hunting lodge for the Earl of Lovelace, The Torridon blends aristocratic splendour with a warm, contemporary welcome.

Each of the 18 rooms and suites in the main house is individually designed, from rich velvets and carved oak furniture to modern art and plush beds dressed in Highland wools. Some rooms look out across the waters of Loch Torridon, others onto the rugged hills beyond. For those craving more seclusion, the Torridon Boathouse — a luxurious self-catered hideaway on the loch shore — offers privacy with panoramic views.

The Torridon's culinary credentials are exceptional. The fine dining 1887 Restaurant delivers a tasting menu rooted in Scotland's natural larder — hand-dived scallops, Highland venison, foraged herbs, and produce grown in the hotel's kitchen garden. For a more relaxed experience, Bo & Muc serves hearty, seasonal fare with a Highland twist, alongside a whisky library of over 365 single malts. What truly sets The Torridon apart is how effortlessly it combines luxury with outdoor adventure. The in-house Activities team offers everything from guided hikes and kayaking to gorge scrambling, archery, paddleboarding, and mountain biking.

Book it ifYou want the full Highland experience — grand interiors, exceptional food, and the freedom to spend your days on the mountains or the loch.

Gleneagles Townhouse — Edinburgh's New Icon of Urban Luxury

The first city outpost from the legendary Gleneagles brand — a 19th-century former bank building on St Andrew Square, reimagined as Edinburgh's most sophisticated urban retreat.

Where Victorian architecture meets the vibrant pulse of Scotland's capital, Gleneagles Townhouse is a new gem on the city's hotel scene. This 19th-century former bank building has been lovingly transformed into a luxurious yet relaxed urban retreat, capturing the essence of Edinburgh's historical grandeur while embracing the modern elegance of its surroundings. With understated style, impeccable service, and an unparalleled city-centre location, it offers a sophisticated stay for those seeking both heritage and cutting-edge comfort.

The first city-based property from the renowned Gleneagles brand, the Townhouse blends the charm of its rich architectural past with fresh, contemporary design. Inside, sleek modern interiors complement the building's original features — high ceilings, polished marble floors, and expansive windows. The hotel's 33 rooms and suites, each thoughtfully designed with a blend of luxury and minimalism, offer the perfect combination of comfort and style. From spacious suites with private balconies to more intimate rooms, all feature luxurious linens, plush bedding, and beautifully appointed bathrooms.

At Gleneagles Townhouse, food is more than just a meal — it's an experience. The Restaurant, housed in the property's original banking hall, offers modern Scottish cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed yet refined, with high ceilings, antique-style mirrors, and carefully curated lighting creating an intimate, elegant dining space. Just steps from the iconic Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, and the world-renowned Royal Mile, the Townhouse places guests at the heart of the city's vibrant culture.

Book it ifYou want Edinburgh's most stylish city hotel — with the Gleneagles name behind it and the Royal Mile on your doorstep.

The Balmoral — Edinburgh's Most Iconic Address

The clock tower on Princes Street that has defined Edinburgh's skyline since 1902 — a Rocco Forte hotel of extraordinary grandeur, with Michelin-starred dining and a suite where J.K. Rowling finished Harry Potter.

There are hotels that define a city, and The Balmoral is Edinburgh's. Its distinctive clock tower — kept two minutes fast to ensure guests never miss their trains — has presided over Princes Street since 1902, and the hotel within remains one of the great British luxury experiences. A Rocco Forte property since 1997, The Balmoral combines the grandeur of its Edwardian bones with a contemporary elegance that feels both timeless and alive.

The 188 rooms and suites are richly appointed, with Scottish textiles, deep marble bathrooms, and views that range from Edinburgh Castle to the Firth of Forth. The most celebrated room is Suite 552, where J.K. Rowling completed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — a fact commemorated by an owl sculpture she left behind. For those who prefer their literary associations over breakfast, the Palm Court serves afternoon tea beneath a vaulted glass ceiling of extraordinary beauty.

Number One, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, is one of Edinburgh's finest dining rooms — a basement jewel box of deep burgundy and gold where Scottish produce is elevated to its highest expression. The Balmoral Spa, with its 20-metre pool, offers a rare urban sanctuary in the heart of the city. And the whisky bar — stocked with over 500 single malts — is the natural conclusion to any Edinburgh evening, whether you've spent the day on the Royal Mile or in the galleries of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Book it ifYou want Edinburgh's most iconic address — a hotel that is as much a part of the city as the Castle itself.