These hotels in the Scottish Highlands will make you want to escape there right now
The northern reaches of Scotland are home to some of the most dramatic scenery in Britain – along with some heavenly Scottish Highland hotels.
Whether you want to look for Nessie on Loch Ness, drive the ever-popular NC500 route – one of the most scenic road trips in the country – or get out into the great outdoors on a picturesque walking trail, the Scottish Highlands have the breathtaking backdrop for you to do it in. If you're in search of some of the most spectacular landscapes in the British Isles, this is the place to find them.
The area is home to charming towns like Dornoch, Fort William and Inverness – but it’s the countryside that’s the main attraction. There are vast estates and ancient castles to call in at, too. The Cairngorms is the UK’s largest national park and one of the few places in the country where you can ski.
After all that wholesome activity in the great outdoors, you’ll want somewhere cosy to rest for the night - whether you're planning a weekend getaway or something longer - and the Highlands are full of historic hotels with plenty of character. At these lovely Highland hotels, you're never far from a cosy fireplace, hearty Scottish fare and, of course, a warming wee dram of whisky.
Settle in at Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, which has a whole 26,000 acres for guests to explore – covering everything from beaches and lochs to mighty munros.
If a visit to Glencoe is top of your Highlands hit list, make Glencoe House your home for the night. The hotel, which was once the residence of Lord Strathcona, is the perfect base for exploring this rugged region, with its valleys, waterfalls and mountains.
Or adventure north to Forss House near Thurso, the northernmost town in the UK, to enjoy Caithness’s famous big skies and deserted shores. Here’s our pick of the very best Scottish Highlands hotels to book for a 2025 escape…
Glencoe House, Glencoe
For many visitors to Scotland, the Highlands are top of their list and, with one glimpse of the gorgeous scenery of Glencoe, it isn't hard to see why. Once the home of Lord Strathcona, Glencoe House sits amid the volcanic valleys and mountains of this captivating corner of the country. The Pap of Glencoe is visible from some of the bedrooms, but there’s far more reward in climbing it – the 742-metre mountain can be scaled in a few hours, but is not for the faint-hearted.
If you like the journey to be part of the adventure, arrive via train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct (made famous by the Hogwarts Express). Other activities at the hotel include stargazing straight from a hot tub, drinks with a view of Loch Leven and, for the more energetic, snowboarding, skiing and sledging on Glencoe Mountain.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William
This Scottish Highlands hotel has a royal seal of approval – Queen Victoria stayed here during a trip to Balmoral and declared that she "never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot". Today's guests can mimic the monarch and while away their days here with some sketching or painting of this most picturesque place. The castle is located in the foothills of Ben Nevis, near Fort William.
Hikers will leap at the chance to climb the United Kingdom’s highest peak, and they’ll also be able to attempt the mountains of Glencoe. Your itinerary should include a trip to the falls at Glen Nevis and the monument at Glenfinnan, too. And the best bit is that you’ll have your very own room in the castle to retreat to afterwards. Even all these years later, it's still fit for royalty.
Loch Ness Lodge, Drumnadrochit
You may not get to meet Nessie, but you’ll be able to try to spot her – this loch-edge hotel has many vantage points over the water, including from each of the rooms. Hikers at Loch Ness Lodge will be able to soothe sore limbs in the spa, which has a hot tub and sauna, as well as a treatment list to choose from for further pampering. Come morning, the hearty breakfasts, with plenty of locally sourced produce, are on hand to set you up for days out exploring.
There’s no restaurant at the hotel for evening meals, but private dining parties can be arranged on request, and guests can order platters of charcuterie, cheese or Scottish smoked salmon. Or you can head into Inverness for dinners at a wide choice of restaurants there. Staff can also organise bookings at other hotel restaurants within strolling distance of the lodge (or arrange taxis for you).
Forss House, Thurso
If voyaging to the furthest reaches of the country are on your wish list for your trip to Scotland, make this far-north stay your temporary base. The country house hotel near Thurso has 20 acres of woodland to call its own, and it’s located beside a waterfall on the banks of the namesake river. The house itself dates back to 1810, with beautifully modernised rooms in the main building, along with accommodation with its own entrance in the River House.
Forss House's celebrated restaurant makes the most of the neighbouring estates and surrounding waters to source its produce. And it can all be enjoyed under Caithness’s famous vast skies and wide open spaces – this part of Scotland is one for the adventurers, keen to explore the incredible landscapes, craggy cliffs and often empty coastline.
Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, Gairloch
On a vast estate in the West Highlands and close to the village of Gairloch, Shieldaig Lodge Hotel is a place to really immerse yourself in Highland life – whether that’s in one of the cosy rooms beside a log fire, in the games room or outside enjoying the manicured gardens and views out across Shieldaig Bay. The former hunting lodge was built in the 19th century.
There’s also, most importantly, a bar stocking more than 250 whiskies and 110 gins. Days can be spent canoeing on Loch Maree, deer stalking, fishing and cycling, too – and unsurprisingly the estate’s 26,000 acres are home to some spectacular scenery, spanning beaches, lochs and munros. If you're here to see some famously beautiful Scottish landscapes, you won't even have to leave your hotel to spy one.
Newhall Mains, Balblair
Offering a more contemporary decor than many of its counterparts in the Highlands, Newhall Mains still stays true to its surroundings. The 900-acre farm is near Balblair and on the Black Isle peninsula. It’s close to the start of the NC500 route for anyone hoping to complete the magical circular drive that loops from Inverness up to John O’Groats, often proclaimed one of the most spectacular drives in the world.
There are five cottages and four suites set across the 18th-century mains (or farm buildings) and coach house. And for anyone hoping to arrive in style, the hotel has its own airstrip ready for private jets to touch down.
The restaurant opens for breakfast and dinner, and guests can also order picnic hampers to enjoy either on the road or within the extensive grounds. Dinner at the restaurant champions Scotland's bounty, with plenty of locally sourced seafood on the menu in dishes such as wood-fired langoustines with garlic butter, Hebridean scallops with an Iberico ham croquette, and seafood risotto. For special occasions, the hotel also has a South American-style asado on hand to create flame-grilled feasts.
Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
Golf and Scotland go hand in hand, since the country is home to some of the best courses in the world. Strictly speaking, you don’t have to like golf to enjoy a stay at Links House at Royal Dornoch – but if you do, you’re in for a treat, since the hotel is steps from the course’s first tee. And if you’re into something else, you’ll be pleased to know that the team love tailoring their guests’ stays, whether they want to do some stalking, shooting or fishing, cycle or hike the Highlands, or set off on the NC500 drive.
They’ll also help to organise trips for history fans around any number of the region's famous castles and their magnificent gardens. It’s a wonderful place to visit all year, but the long summer evenings in the Highlands are hard to beat.
Glenmorangie House, Tain
As the name suggests, this boutique retreat is near the Glenmorangie distillery, making it the ultimate Scottish Highlands hotel for whisky lovers. The charming inn is secluded and remote, surrounded by nature and the countryside this part of the world is so famous for.
Glenmorangie House, originally owned by the whisky producers themselves, has just six bedrooms and three cottages, as well as an acclaimed restaurant where you can enjoy dining as if you’re attending a convivial dinner party. Meals are enjoyed at a communal table shared with your fellow guests. Along with tastings (and shopping opportunities) over at the distillery, activities at the hotel include stargazing; and some of the region’s most iconic castles – Dunrobin and Urquhart – are within 50 miles of the country house.
Knockendarroch House Hotel, Pitlochry
This house near Pitlochry was built for a lawyer from Aberdeen in 1880, with a specification that included four acres of gardens, a courtyard and a grand entrance with stained-glass windows and stone columns, still intact today.
A stay at Knockendarroch House Lodge places you in the heart of Highland Perthshire, one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland – and the competition is certainly stiff. The region’s landscape is formed from glens, river, lochs and heather-covered hilltops. It's an ideal Scottish Highlands hotel for wildlife lovers, since the local creatures you might spot include red deer, grouse, badgers and golden eagles. Dunkeld is a few miles south of Pitlochry, and the wilds of Rannoch are a short drive west – from here you’ll be able to board the West Highland Line to Mallaig, one of Europe’s most scenic railway journeys.
Old Manse of Blair, Pitlochry
Also in Highland Perthshire and in the southern stretches of the Cairngorm National Park, the Old Manse of Blair is a restaurant with rooms in a listed building that dates back to 1828. There are 26 guestrooms – which are available on an exclusive-use basis for a memorable group celebration – with an impressive art collection, bespoke furniture and stylish soft furnishings.
It’s the great outdoors that’s championed most around here though, unsurprisingly for somewhere with such a spectacular backdrop. Activities on offer include salmon fishing, shooting on a neighbouring estate, gorge walking at the Falls of Bruar, cycling and golfing.
For supper, the acclaimed restaurant serves dishes such as Perthshire lamb with wild garlic ravioli, celeriac and lovage soup, and Cairngorms Estate venison loin. The chef is a keen forager and uses as much locally sourced Scottish produce as possible.
The Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe
There are lots of scenic parts of the Scottish Highlands, but one of the most dramatic is Glencoe, where you’ll find the Ballachulish Hotel, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, with captivating views of the water on show from many of the rooms. If you're hoping to visit one of Scotland's many heritage hotels, this grand Glencoe retreat could be the Highland stay for you. It's well versed in the art of hospitality, having been welcoming guests since 1877.
Nearby attractions include Loch Etive, famous as being a filming location for Skyfall back in 2012. Film fans will also enjoy a trip to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, an iconic part of the route of the Hogwarts Express. It’s a dream destination for the active, with waterfalls, winding trails and Scotland’s oldest ski centre nearby, too.
On your return, head to the hotel's restaurant for some super-fresh Scottish seafood, including lobster, mussels and scampi, some of which has been sourced from the loch on your doorstep.
Rocpool Reserve, Inverness
If you’re hoping to do the spectacularly scenic NC500 drive while you’re up in the Highlands, Rocpool Reserve in Inverness is an ideal starting point and the perfect city base in the Highland capital. Before you set off, you’ll be able to explore Inverness Castle, or head out to explore historical sites of note within driving distance of the hotel, such as Cawdor Castle and the Culloden battlefield. Staff can arrange activities such as boat trips, horse-riding and golf for guests as well.
Or, you can stay put within the confines of the Georgian mansion and admire the views of the River Ness. On offer daily for guests are complimentary afternoon teas and evening cocktails to make you feel perfectly at home. The property can also be hired out for exclusive-use bookings.
The Glencoe Inn, Glencoe
Surrounded by lochs and Munros near the West Highland Way, the dog-friendly Glencoe Inn is a five-star refuge with all of the home comforts you need after a day out hiking. The cosy inn overlooks Loch Leven, with log fires to warm up beside, tartan chairs to keep the Scottish theme on brand and dining options that are simple but delicious (there's the Steak & Lobster bistro, for example, where the menu focuses on grilled Scotch beef and locally caught seafood). The hotel is also home to the Fish & Chips Co where guests can feast on the beloved British classic, to be enjoyed while dining in or as a takeaway, and Red Shed Pizza for wood-fired doughy delights.
Room options include some with slipper bath tubs and views out across the scenic surroundings, and others with bunk beds that are perfect for families. Guests will also be able to stake out the self-catering cottage, with five bedrooms and space for up to 10 of your favourite people. It has a hot tub that's the perfect place for soothing sore limbs after a day out hiking the picturesque neighbouring peaks. Hikers can also seek sanctuary at the outdoor hot tub at the hotel's Hidden Garden Spa.
Glen Mhor, Inverness
In the heart of Inverness, Glen Mhor is an ideal base for exploring the Scottish Highlands from the comfort of the region's capital. There are lots of rooms to choose from, set across 10 Victorian buildings, with apartments and a four-bedroom villa on offer, too. Some overlook the River Ness for a room with a view.
You’ll also be able to admire the river while enjoying the fine local fare served at the hotel’s restaurant. Plates of food don't get much more Scottish than haggis, neeps and tatties, served with a whisky cream. Other typical dishes on the menu might include steamed Shetland mussels, cullen skink and roast monkfish with braised puy lentils and Parma ham. And if you’re hoping to experience a whisky distillery during your Scottish sojourn, staff can arrange a tour of one right here on the banks of the river.
Boath House, Nairn
Extend the NC500 route by starting a little further along the coast from Inverness in Nairn instead. The ancient fishing port and county town of Nairnshire is just 17 miles east of Inverness, where the River Nairn enters the Moray Firth.
Boath House is a restaurant with rooms housed within a listed Georgian mansion near Findhorn Bay, with 10 bedrooms and a four-bedroom lodge, a 400-year-old walled garden (now home to a charming café and shop), and a cabin and sauna secluded in the grounds. A meal at the restaurant is sure to be the highlight of your stay – be sure to make a reservation.
Dornoch Station, Dornoch
Dornoch is one of the loveliest towns in the Scottish Highlands and so it’s worth making a stop there on your visit – the seaside resort is in the county of Sutherland, on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, with a grand cathedral that was founded in 1224. The philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was the benefactor behind some of its stained-glass windows.
A fine hotel in the environs is Dornoch Station, which is handily located for any golfers coming to play at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. The grounds span four acres, with a putting green for guests to enjoy and fire pits to ensure they stay toasty when the Highland temperatures dip. Inside, it’s just as snug, with lots of tartan and wood-panelling creating a classic country-lodge atmosphere.
The Claunie Inn
For somewhere traditional and tartan-heavy, book a stay at the Claunie Inn in Glenmoriston and admire the versatility of checked prints on show. The classic Highlands inn is the perfect place to retire to after days spent enjoying the great outdoors, with log fires and cosy corners to warm up in.
The historic inn – set next to Loch Cluanie, with a dramatic mountain backdrop – dates back to 1787, when it was a remote staging post for drovers moving hordes of cattle and sheep. If you’re coming to this part of Scotland for hiking, cycling or angling, this is the isolated inn for you.
Ardanaiseig Hotel
For the space and scenic countryside the Scottish Highlands promise, head to Ardanaiseig and enjoy its 240 acres of woodlands, set at the edge of Loch Awe. To reach Oban, you’ll have to drive for 20 minutes down a single track road and then for another 20 minutes – we said it was secluded.
Should you not want to leave (a strong possibility), you can keep busy on the estate with games of croquet, strolls around the acreage and boat trips out on the loch. It’s worth spending some time admiring the fine collection of antiques and oil paintings, too.
The Fife Arms, Braemar
If you like to immerse yourself in art and culture on holiday, then the Fife Arms is the Scottish Highlands hotel for you – it’s run by the innovative Hauser & Wirth group, who have galleries all over the world, from New York to Menorca and their native Zurich, which is home to the original outpost, established in 1992.
Naturally, art is a key feature of the hotel, with masterpieces – such as the Chinese artist Zhang Enli’s drawing-room fresco and a Steinway piano reimagined by the contemporary artist Mark Bradford – on show throughout. The hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the Highlands and the Cairngorms, helpful should you fancy a spot of skiing come winter.
Ness Walk, Inverness
Also located on the banks of the River Ness and just 10 minutes from the loch of the same name, Ness Walk is a five-star hotel set in a listed 19th-century house. Lots of period details remain, but it also has modern touches, such as padded headboards, velvet sofas and dove-grey wall-panelling.
Rooms overlook either the gardens or the river. Once you’ve settled in, head to the lounge to relax by the fire or have dinner at the Torrish, set in the house's original drawing room. Highlights on the menu might include wild North Sea halibut with sauce vierge, stuffed savoy cabbage with mushroom gravy and sourdough crumbs, and citrus-cured salmon with pickled kohlrabi, capers and parsley emulsion. Afternoon tea is on offer at the hotel's restaurant – it's the perfect treat to come home to after you've worked up an appetite during a day out hiking.
More travel ideas:
- Places to stay in the Brecon Beacons
- Top B&Bs in the Lake District
You Might Also Like
