The Best Luxury Scotland Staycations For 2021
“Staycation: ‘A holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, involving day trips to local attractions’.”
The Scotland staycation is undergoing something of a resurgence. Since travelling abroad looks ever less likely, exploring your home turf is quickly becoming 2021’s most sought-after adventure.
Gone are the days when a Scotland staycation meant braving creaking caravans and tired B&Bs – now it’s all about seeking out award-winning, luxury accommodation and beautiful destinations guaranteed to wow. Smaller carbon footprint, fewer travel restrictions (we hope), more making the most of your annual leave.
Of course, a Scotland staycation is so much more than a holiday.
It is days spent braving the elements and filling your lungs with the freshest air as you wander in Scotland’s wild hills. It is s a lifetime of memories - of combing deserted beaches, swimming in open waters, and the bracing chill of a loch. Legs weary from cycling, skin tingling from the blast of coastal shores, you stare open-mouthed at dreamy sunsets silhouetting grand mountainscapes.
Retreating to a sumptuous hotel for a well-deserved single-malt, fireside conversations, and hearty fayre, your head is clear and spirit free – restored and refreshed from days soothed by nature.
Family gathering at The Fife Arms
Choose your Scotland staycation adventure:
We’ve scoured Scotland to find the best places to stay and the absolute best things to do for a truly showstopping Scottish staycation. Exclusive whisky tastings, luxury accommodation, rewilding, dining under the stars, adrenaline-fuelled countryside yomps; whatever you’re looking for from your next holiday, Scotland has a destination guaranteed to make you swoon.
So, we’re showcasing some staycation-inspiration for when it’s safe to get going on your next Scotland adventure. Of course, we have luxury at the forefront of our minds. And whilst it’s great to have a private chef, fine dining, and fast cars, we know you also want to experience something out of the ordinary.
Whether that’s reconnecting with wilderness or experiencing something brand new like foraging or stargazing, anything is possible. Here’s a flavour of the incredible experiences we can plan for you:
Luxury Scotland Tours
Scotland and road trips quite simply belong together. Combine sweeping Highland roads with staggering scenery for a heady thrill, as a world of opportunity stretches out on the open road ahead.
Remove the confusion that goes with finding the best roads or where to eat the best seafood. With a mission to take care of you for your entire trip, we’ll meet you at the airport as you disembark from your private air charter with our partners Execair. From there see Scotland in style – perhaps in a supercar or luxury vehicle, arranged by us. Or experience a Scotland grand tour, as you’re collected by one of our specially selected drivers.
Image by Execair
Take in the vistas across the Scottish Highlands as we whisk you to the door of your luxury accommodation – we’ll be sure to have staff members ready to welcome you with a handmade selection of Scottish food and drink.
Scotland luxury tour packages
From there, your trip is designed around the things you love (or would love to try). Here is a taste of what we can arrange as part of your staycation:
Reconnect with nature, with a hike to one of Scotland’s highest and most remote peaks. Led by one of our preferred mountain guides.
Take an exhilarating boat ride to spot some of Scotland’s most incredible wildlife - puffins, dolphins, basking sharks, seals, and white-tailed eagles.
A sunset BBQ on the pastel-sands of remote west coast beach, with field-to-fork Scottish produce and the finest seasonal ingredients.
A tailored whisky tasting or exclusive distillery warehouse tour with some of the finest ambassadors in the country.
Relax and recharge with a soak in a wood-fired hot tub, sipping a premium Scottish Gin and tonic.
Handpicked Luxury Scotland staycation hotels
Scotland’s hotel scene is flourishing. No longer just a place to lay your head after a day of exploring, this is the kind of luxury accommodation you’ll never want to leave. Expect design-driven lodges in the Highlands, rustic-luxe retreats, luxury cabins and small hotels that have been given arguably plush makeovers.
Prepare to swoon with the best Scotland luxury accommodation handpicked by us:
Foyers Lodge, Inverness: cosy-luxe, roaring fires, plush rooms, all in a small but perfectly formed boutique lodge, perched right on the banks of Loch Ness.
Wild Nurture Off-Grid Luxury Cabins, Fort William: with a heavy emphasis on simple living and soul-soothing rest, get back to nature in the most glamorous way possible.
Leodamais, Islay: a luxurious escape, these elegant and modern self-catering properties shine brightly on the white sands of beautiful Port Ellen, Islay.
Old Manse of Blair, Perthshire: award winning hospitality and traditional elegance wrapped up in a luxury Highland experience.
Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Ardgay: rewilding and jaw-dropping scenery wrap around this magnificent Highland estate, with luxe Victorian lodges and much lauded farm-to-fork dining.
Kilmartin Castle, Argyll: a place to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Getting away from it all underpins this brilliantly rustic-luxe and totally unique castle.
The Fife Arms, Braemar: this art-filled Highland hotel is leading the way in hotel design, packed with imaginative Victorian quirks and exceptional modern luxuries.
Lundies House, Tongue, Sutherland: leave behind the stresses of modern living and escape to this beautifully grand lodge. Luxury deep in an ancient landscape of Caledonian pines, mountainscapes, and sparkling rivers.
Scotland’s most unique things to do
Culinary experiences. Walking trails. Wild swims. Foraging. Golf. Fishing. Stargazing. There’s to end to the activities around Scotland, for adrenaline junkies and nature seeking families alike. Tell us what you like – then enjoy a Scotland staycation with a difference. These are some of the best and most unique things to do around Scotland, handpicked by us:
Whisky tours and tasting
Having been to over 50 distilleries we pride ourselves on knowing the best tours, whiskies and people to connect you to the water of life. Whisky tasting with some of the best ambassadors in the UK. Maybe on the top of a Scottish mountain, perhaps on an exclusive distillery warehouse tour. These are some of our favourite whisky distilleries who’ll we arrange a special tasting with:
Islay: Bruichladdich distillery is located on the southwestern tip of the remote Hebridean island of Islay where they distil four unique spirits
Speyside: Balvenie distillery nestled in Dufftown, Speyside for a unique, intimate tour and a chance to taste some of the finest and most exclusive whisky in the world
Highlands: Glendronach distillery is nestled in the valley of Forgue, deep in the east highland hills, is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland.
Lowland: Glenkinchie distillery is located just outside Edinburgh and proudly serves as one of the Four Corners of Scotland distilleries of Johnnie Walker.
Artisan gin and boutique brewers
Whilst Scotland might be famed for it’s single-malts, gin and beer aficionados will be equally delighted to sample Scotland’s other artisan tipples. Create your own boutique gin, specific to your berry or botanical loving taste, at one of over 90 distilleries. Or sip a crafted ale at one of Scotland’s 100+ breweries.
Photo by Darnley’s Gin
We have an extensive list of delicious favourites at the ready to add a spirited flair to your staycation experience.
The great outdoors
Fishing on some of the best beats in the world with expert equipment and guides, climbing Scotland’s highest peaks, stargazing in one of Scotland’s dark sky parks with your very own astronomer, day trips to a UNESCO world heritage site, diving for scallops, BBQ’s on the beach and exhilarating boat rides. Phew. Time to get outdoors with our preferred partners and expert guides:
Game fishing with your own private gullies on some of the worlds best rivers
Mountain and coastal adventures. Canoeing, paddleboarding or coasteering along Scotlands rugged coastline
Coastal foraging experiences. Prepare shellfish, fish, and seaweed and cook on the beach bbq with your family and friends
4x4 off-road adventures in spectacular scenery and seriously challenging terrain
Experience Scotlands snorkel trail on the west coast
Image by Mad March Hare
Foodie experiences
From private chefs to outdoor dining to off-grid foraging experiences, it’s time to sample the best of Scottish produce with our culinary experiences:
Beautifully designed outdoor dining experiences
Selected private chefs
Unique Scottish hampers
Award-winning charcuteries and cheeses
Traditional Scottish ‘wild feast’ dining experiences
Time to relax
This is your trip, so take time for yourself. Forest bathe with your own personal sound bath guiding you for a restful day, relax with your very own yoga teacher, visit an expert nutritionist or Wim Hof instructor. We’ll plan a self-care package exclusively for you:
Primal health coach
Sound bath instructor
Private life coaching
Personal nutritionist
Pilates and yoga instructors
Handpicked Scotland photographers
Never forget a moment. We’ll arrange a specially selected photographer to capture your extraordinary journey across Scotland, from special experiences to unique moments you’ll remember forever.
Terri Bryce, Founder of Destination Management Scotland says:
“Staycations are a great way to enjoy your time off from work and avoid the inevitable stress that goes along with long-distance travel. Why not let us take care of all of that. As luxury travel designers, we’ll work with you to create your perfect staycation for your business, family, friends or special occasion. All that’s left for you to do is choose your experiences - and let us create an itinerary that guarantees lifelong memories.”
If you want to find out more about what we do, read how we upgrade your Scotland travel experience with our insider knowledge and best-kept secrets. And when it’s safe to travel again let us help you with your luxury Scotland staycation.
PLANNED BY US | DESIGNED FOR YOU
