During a two week trip around the Scottish Highlands, we stayed exclusively in Airbnb holiday homes. In this post, we’re delighted to share our favourite Airbnb holiday homes in Scotland with you, in a bid to encourage you to stay in them too.
Apart from a few exceptions, we have been using Airbnb for accommodation all over the world for several years now. It is always the first place we check when we’re planning a trip.
We love the uniqueness of the homes on offer, the great value rates and the opportunity to live like a local.
Updated: Below our tried and tested Airbnb’s, we’ve a selection of hand-picked homes for you to choose from, each offering something completely unique to your stay in Scotland.
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How to book safely with Airbnb during the Covid-19 Pandemic
We understand that some readers may be wary of booking Airbnb’s during the pandemic. We get it, we’re wary too.
Thankfully, Airbnb has responded to traveller concern by introducing and Enhanced Cleaning protocol. In a nutshell, Airbnb have partnered with experts to create detailed guidelines for hosts to follow to ensure their properties are as clean as they possibly can be. This should help guests feel more at ease during this stressful time.
When searching for properties on Airbnb, you can now choose to only display properties that have adopted the Enhanced Cleaning protocols. If you are at all concerned about staying in an Airbnb during the COVID-19 pandemic, we would certainly encourage you to only stay in properties whose hosts are taking cleaning as seriously as they should.
Our favourite tried & tested Airbnb holiday homes in Scotland
Here are four of our favourite Airbnb holiday homes in Scotland. We’ve stayed in each of them and we can personally vouch for their high quality.
Dark Skye Cottage, Isle of Skye
If you’re looking for quite possibly the best Airbnb holiday home on the Isle of Skye, look no further.
Dark Skye Cottage, on the outskirts of Broadford, is an immaculate, truly luxurious home. Inside, you’ll discover modern decor, often unique and handcrafted using local materials. The oak sleigh bed is enormous, set in an open plan bedroom where you’ll also find a huge roll top bath tub.
While you might want to stay inside the cottage, we’d encourage you to explore the island. The cottage is ideally located for exploring, offering both convenience and seclusion.
We stayed here for our elopement and it is still one of the best Airbnb’s we’ve ever stayed in.
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Nearby experiences: Find things to do on the Isle of Skye on GetYourGuide* and on Viator*.
Stylish Central Apartment, Edinburgh
A funky, stylish space inside a traditional sandstone building within walking distance of Edinburgh’s major attractions. Marvellous Hollyrood Park, home of Arthur’s Seat, is literally behind the houses opposite.
The space itself is small but functional with lots of cool interior design touches. The bed was very comfortable indeed and we loved the breakfast bits that the host provided. A PDF guide is also provided, which points out all the best spots to eat and drink and there are bikes to help you get there a bit quicker.
We stayed here as part of the finale to our honeymoon trip around Scotland and couldn’t have been happier with our choice.
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Nearby experiences: Find things to do in Edinburgh on Airbnb*, GetYourGuide* and Viator*.
Stunning Cottage, Ballachulish
A warm and cosy cottage in a lovely setting alongside scenic mountains and Loch Leven. The home contains everything you might need for a great stay, including a comfy bed and a fully kitted-out kitchen. The decor feels traditional, yet contemporary and captures the mood of the Highlands very nicely.
The main reason why we chose this place was its proximity to some of Scotland’s best tourist attractions. Fort William and Glen Coe are just down the road.
If you don’t fancy cooking, a Coop supermarket is a short walk/drive away, as is a great pizza/fish and chips place. Ask your friendly and welcoming hosts for directions if you need help.
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Nearby experiences: Find things to do near Ballachulish on GetYourGuide*.
Contemporary cabin, Farr
A cosy and comfortable larch-clad cabin, set in a lovely, convenient location. The cabin has everything you might need for a pleasant stay. The setting is peaceful and pretty within an easy drive of Inverness and Loch Ness. Further afield, but still within an easy drive is the Moray Firth.
Inside, you’ll find everything you’ll need (including fast Wifi) whilst outside, you’ll find a swing, from which you can soak in the serenity.
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Nearby experiences: Find things to do near Farr on Airbnb*, GetYourGuide* and on Viator*.
More exceptional Airbnb holiday homes in Scotland
There’s a limit to the number of Airbnb holiday homes that we can stay in, but there’ no limit on the number we can dream about staying in. The following holiday homes have been hand-selected for their uniqueness.
Hobbit Hideaway, Moray
Award-winning Hobbit Hideaway is a unique & beautiful space designed to invoke inner peace & tranquillity. It was handcrafted with love to provide a real sense of warmth & nourishment, a welcome escape from the pressures of daily life. It has been described as being like a giant hug, a place that once you enter, you can’t help but smile!
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Loch Lomond Tree House, Croftamie
A stunning, private two person wooden house built into a tree overlooking a mature, magical garden. Unlike any wooden garden house you have seen before this is cosy and luxurious indoors, and just as welcoming outdoors with its comfortable seating, toasty wood burning stove and mood lighting.
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Romantic Medieval Castle, Peebles
Authentic medieval mini castle with roaring log fires and all modern comforts. In beautiful countryside on the River Tweed. Ideal for exploring the Scottish Borders. Biking at Glentress 5 minutes; Edinburgh 45 minutes; Peebles nearby. Heavenly walks.
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The Tabernacle, Aberfeldy
The Tabernacle is an amazing space and the perfect place to rest, retreat, and reset life. With an enormous wood burner to keep you cozy whilst snuggled up on one of the oversized sofas. Floor to ceiling altar windows means that even if the weather is properly Scottish you can enjoy the far- reaching views all day long. An ultra-comfy Kingsize bed that benefits from crisp white luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding.
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We hope you found our list of Airbnb holiday homes in Scotland useful. Please let us know in the comments below if you stayed in any of our suggested locations.
