Cottages in Scotland

• Cottages filled with character: Scotland's self-catering cottages range from centuries-old stone crofts to refurbished farmhouses, many with wood-burning stoves, enclosed gardens and plenty of space for families or couples.
• Where to base yourself: Choose Edinburgh for culture, the Isle of Skye and the Highlands for dramatic scenery, or Loch Lomond and Fife for lochs, walking and golf.
• Top-rated by guests: Cottages here earn some of Holidu's strongest ratings, with guests praising their cosy interiors, warm local hosts and easy access to lochs, castles and coastal paths.
• Food worth travelling for: Scotland's larder runs from fresh seafood and Aberdeen Angus to haggis and sticky toffee pudding, with farm-to-table kitchens right across the country.
• Things to do: Tour whisky distilleries, explore Edinburgh, play the Old Course at St Andrews, go looking for Nessie and roam the castles and the Isle of Skye.

Cottages in Scotland range from centuries-old stone crofts with wood-burning stoves to thoughtfully refurbished farmhouses with snug interiors and exposed wooden beams. Many suit families and couples alike, with enclosed gardens, barbecue areas and scenic loch or hillside settings. If a cottage isn't quite right, you'll also find log cabins across Scotland tucked into the forests and self-catering holiday homes closer to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Whichever corner of the country you choose, look out for the amenities that make a self-catering stay effortless:

• Cottages with a hot tub for soaking under dark Highland skies
• Dog-friendly cottages with enclosed gardens for the whole family
• Wood-burning stoves and open fires for cosy autumn and winter evenings
• A private garden and barbecue for relaxed weekends outdoors
• Fast Wi-Fi and parking, handy for touring the Highlands and islands

Holidu has done the sifting for you, so you can filter by what matters most and book with confidence.

What are the best areas to stay in Scotland?

Scotland rewards every kind of traveller, but the Highlands and the Isle of Skye top most wish lists for scenery, whilst the cities put culture on the doorstep. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Our guests rate cottages in Scotland highly for their warmth, privacy and unbeatable settings. Across thousands of stays, reviewers single out the welcome from local hosts, the comfort of a real fire after a day on the hills, and how easy it is to reach lochs, castles and coastal paths straight from the doorstep. Whether you're after a couples' bolthole or a family base, the cottages below earned some of the strongest ratings on Holidu over the past year:

Here are our top-rated cottages from the past year:

1. North Mains Cottage - Craigievar Castle - 10.0: A pet-friendly cottage for four on the Craigievar Castle estate in Aberdeenshire, praised for its peaceful setting and easy access to Royal Deeside's walks and distilleries.
2. Old Mission Hall - 10.0: A characterful cottage for four on Lewis and Harris in the Scottish Islands, loved for its quiet island location, comfortable interiors and proximity to white-sand beaches.
3. Westerton Lodge - 9.8: A snug cottage for two with a private garden in Perthshire, a favourite with couples for its restful setting and handy base for exploring Highland Perthshire.

Scotland makes up the northern third of Great Britain, bordered by England to the south and surrounded by the Atlantic and the North Sea, with the Highlands, the Lowlands and hundreds of islands in between. It's known for its wild landscapes, with dramatic lochs and mountains in the Highlands and remote, craggy islands. Its cities offer centuries of history and heritage to explore.

🥗Where to eat in Scotland?

World-class salmon, spectacular game meat in season, and that famous whisky - it's easy to dine well in Scotland, especially if you focus on the top-quality local produce. Here are our travel experts' picks for great meals:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Grace and Adam recommend The Kitchin in Edinburgh: with its 'from nature to plate' philosophy and seasonal Scottish menus, it's a perfect match for slow-travel families who love regional, farm-fresh cooking.

1. Sample Scotland's famous whisky
2. Explore Edinburgh, the capital
3. Lose yourself in film-famous landscapes
4. Play a round at St Andrews
5. Go looking for the Loch Ness monster
6. Tour Scotland's spellbinding castles
7. Discover the Isle of Skye

1. Sample Scotland's famous whisky

   No trip to Scotland is complete without a dram. The country's distilleries open their doors for guided tours that trace centuries of whisky-making, usually ending with a tasting. Speyside, near Aviemore in the Cairngorms, is the densest whisky region in the world, whilst Islay is famed for its peaty single malts.

2. Explore Edinburgh, the capital

   Edinburgh rewards slow wandering, from the cobbled closes of the Old Town up to Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland's crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Climb Arthur's Seat for sweeping views, stroll Calton Hill at sunset, and lose an afternoon in the museums and bookshops. The whole city centre has UNESCO World Heritage status.

3. Lose yourself in film-famous landscapes

   Scotland's glens and lochs have stood in for countless film and TV settings, from the Harry Potter films to Braveheart. Spend a day among the mountains, national parks and ruined castles and you'll see why. Ride the Jacobite steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, walk the shores of Glen Coe, or conquer Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the United Kingdom - one for experienced climbers only.

4. Play a round at St Andrews

   For golfers, St Andrews in Fife is the Home of Golf. The town has ten courses to choose from, including the legendary Old Course, the oldest in the world, where teeing off is a genuine pilgrimage. Even if you don't play, the British Golf Museum traces some 500 years of the game, and the windswept West Sands beach is worth the trip alone.

5. Go looking for the Loch Ness monster

   Say Loch Ness and most people picture Nessie, the elusive creature said to haunt this deep Highland loch. Whether you treat it as folklore or mystery, the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit lays out the sightings, photographs and science for you to weigh up. Beyond the legend, the loch is simply stunning, ringed by hills and the romantic ruin of Urquhart Castle.

6. Tour Scotland's spellbinding castles

   From medieval strongholds to fairy-tale turrets and cliff-top ruins, Scotland is dotted with castles. The photogenic Eilean Donan, set on its own islet, is among the most photographed in the country. Seek out lesser-known gems too, such as Dunrobin Castle with its French-style gardens, Floors Castle in the Borders, or the colourful, cartoon-painted Kelburn Castle near Largs.

7. Discover the Isle of Skye

   West of the Highlands, the Isle of Skye serves up some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Marvel at the sea cliffs of Kilt Rock, the rock pinnacles of the Trotternish Ridge and the pretty harbour town of Portree. Visit the seats of Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald, watch for seals, otters and red deer, and lace up your boots for the challenging Cuillin ridge.