With holiday-makers increasingly looking for something out of the ordinary from their summer break, VisitScotland has launched an online accommodation guide with a difference. The guide presents a range of unique accommodation, many of which are new in the last 12 months, which promise to turn an average holiday into a truly special and unique experience.
From Swedish katas to historic castles with fairytale turrets; traditional island cottages to boutique ecopods; wigwams to converted churches, each place offers something truly distinctive for a magical summer stay to remember. And with a wide variety ranging from wallet-friendly island youth hostels to luxury city centre hotels, there’s something to suit every budget.
VisitScotland’s ‘Unique Places To Stay’ guide can be found at visitscotland.com/perfect and some of the newest property highlights include:
• Alternative festival accommodation in glass fibre ‘kocoons’ with ipod docking systems and king sized beds
• A unique 5 star Ecopod Boutique Retreat with eco features including wood pellet biomass stoves and instantaneous hot water supply
• A ‘boatel’ in the heart of Edinburgh complete with sun loungers, fishing rods and fold up bicycles
• Lighthouse cottages at picturesque Buchanness, whose lighthouse was built by Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather
• A self-catering cottage that was the birthplace of legendary Scottish folk hero Rob Roy
• Glasgow’s newest luxury boutique hotel, Blythswood Square, the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club and starting point of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally
Each accommodation is also matched with a special event or activity in the area taking place between June and August, hand-picked to complete the perfect summer experience. Music fans will enjoy the Shetland Folk Festival, Wickerman Festival, North Atlantic Fiddle Convention or Piping Live! in Glasgow. Nature lovers can spot seabirds on a boat trip from Oban or explore the Perthshire mountains on an awe-inspiring Highland Safari. Kids will enjoy the first ever Edinburgh International Magic Festival, eco-warriors will love Scotland’s largest eco-festival The Big Tent, while sports nuts won’t want to miss The Open Championship at St Andrews. And that’s just for starters. Scotland this summer truly has something for everyone.
