30 Best Hotels in The Northern Highlands and the Western Isles, Scotland

It may be a little out of town, but the view alone makes Broad Bay House a worthwhile detour—and it's a bonus that the hotel is also meticulously designed and constructed. Rooms have solid oak floors and furnishings complemented by wall decorations in colors that conjure earth, wind, and water, three vital elements of the island. Exquisite three-course evening meals (£39) are served every Wednesday and Saturday in a dining room with wonderful coastal views; there are sharing platters (£50 for two) on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, with no meals on Monday and Thursday. Broad Bay House is 7 miles northeast of Stornoway on the B895, en route to Traigh Mhòr (one of the island's most beautiful beaches).

Watch over Broadford Bay in comfort and style with a stay at this well-appointed hotel, which takes pride in being the place where Drambuie was invented. Its tartan furnishings and lovely sea views make it a quintessentially Scottish stay, even if only a few of the rooms themselves look out over Broadford Bay. The kitchen specializes in local produce, from sea trout to venison.

This brilliant little B&B offers three large, comfortable rooms with modern bathrooms and a host of thoughtful extras, like mini fridges with water and snacks, pod coffee machines, and US two-pin plug sockets. Downstairs, the lounge is a wonderful place to relax with a book, enjoy the stunning views of Loch Pooltiel, and chat with the friendly international owner, Simone and Jonathan. It's also where the delicious breakfasts (and, on request, seafood dinners) are served—try the homemade granola. Carter's Rest is perfectly located for a visit to Neist Point; you can even walk there in less than an hour.

Situated in the countryside 8 miles west of Dingwall, this magnificent Georgian manor offers stylish rooms with mountain views, comfortable lounges with log fireplaces, and an excellent restaurant that's open all day. The house is surrounded by beautifully cultivated lawns and somewhat wilder forests, where you'll find a host of hiking and biking trails—including two magical woodland walks for the little ones (they can pick from "fairies" or "scaries"). Look out for the enormous Douglas fir to one side of the house; it was planted by David Douglas himself in 1827.

This delightful Victorian-era hunting lodge looks down on Portree and the brightly painted houses around the harbor. The stylish and understated rooms have hints of tartan, with many offering fine views over Portree Bay (ask for a sea-facing room), while the spacious dining room serves meals rich in local produce, especially seafood. There is a large bar and a separate whisky bar for connoisseurs, with more than 150 bottlings in stock. The popular "Scorrybreac Circuit," a lovely 45-minute coastal walk, starts from just below the hotel.

Sea views and a lovely hillside location amid 35 acres of mature woodlands and gardens are highlights of this former mansion, which is boutique chic at its very best. Guest rooms have individual touches like corner bathtubs and four-poster beds; some look out at the trees, others onto the water. For extra luxury, book one of the large, well-equipped lodges or cottages on the surrounding grounds. The award-winning restaurant serves imaginative dishes using fresh local produce, from scallops to Highland beef, and the desserts are routinely excellent (try the tarte tatin, made from homegrown apples). However, dinner comes at a price, with three courses costing between £50 and £60. If Duisdale House Hotel is all booked up, try nearby Toravaig House Hotel, which is part of the same group.

With one of the most spectacular vistas—out toward the picturesque islands of Badcall Bay—of any hotel in Scotland, Eddrachilles sits on a huge plot of private moorland just south of the Handa Island bird sanctuary. The bedrooms are modern and comfortable, with many offering inspiring views across the bay, while the traditional two-fireplace bar area (for cold days) and the all-glass terrace (for warm days) are comfortable places to relax. The restaurant testifies to the age of the original building, with its low ceilings and exposed brickwork, and the excellent Scottish cuisine served here emphasizes fish and game. On a nice day, stroll down the garden path to the waterfront.

This historic country house, 5 miles west of Thurso, offers a mix of beautiful bedrooms in the main building and super-luxurious suite-apartments on the expansive grounds—treat yourself with a stay in the spectacular Mill House. This mill-turned-suite has three king bedrooms, a spacious living area, and a separate kitchenette, with historic fittings (from beamed ceilings to industrial equipment) adding to the charm. Forss House also has the area's finest dining option, with its restaurant serving sublime seafood and meat dishes including Scrabster scallops with pork belly or pheasant breast with haggis. Start and end your meal with a drink in the beautifully appointed lounge, in front of a roaring fireplace. The property is surrounded by acres of woodland and, with a nearby fast-flowing river and picturesque waterfall, is a popular spot for salmon fly-fishing; the hotel can arrange a guide service and instruction.

Billed as mainland Britain’s most remote hotel (Tongue, its nearest town, is 28 miles and an hour's drive away), the charmingly rustic and almost entirely off-grid Garvault House offers a classic countryside escape in the heart of the Highlands. The white-walled property, which is surrounded by rolling hills, winding rivers, and sprawling lochs, is a popular stop with fishermen, hill walkers, and cyclists, who appreciate its traditional stylings, from the roaring fireplaces to the communal, three-course dinners (£29 extra). It's not the most luxurious retreat, but it's a very memorable one. To get here from Tongue, head east on the A836, then turn south on the B871 just before Achnabourin. 

Situated 8½ miles southeast from the distillery, Glenmorangie House offers luxurious but casual stays in a spectacular 17th-century country home. Comfy four-poster beds, expansive manicured grounds, and fantastic food and drinks are just three reasons why it's the best accommodation for miles. Stay in the main historical property, which has six wonderful rooms, or opt for one of the three cottages around the back. A stay here includes afternoon tea, a predinner dram or cocktail with canapés, a four-course dinner, and a full Scottish breakfast.

A welcoming hotel with lovely gardens and views across the loch and harbor, Hotel Hebrides is an oasis of luxury in unassuming Tarbert. It has pleasant, modern interiors and a restaurant that serves a bountiful range of seafood, as well as steaks and salads, until late (at least, later than elsewhere in Tarbert). The house Bloody Mary includes a jalapeño—presumably not locally grown. In addition to the hotel rooms, four luxury designer Kirklea Island Suites are available.

In a commanding location on a hillside above Lochinver, this modern luxury hotel has stunning views of the coast, as well as smart guest rooms that are decorated in contemporary colors and have traditional mahogany furniture. The upscale but informal restaurant delights with adventurous and inventive dishes of fresh, locally sourced seafood. There's also a bar menu for lunch. Anglers will feel especially at home here, as there are three salmon rivers and many trout lochs within easy reach.

As well as being Raasay's first legal distillery, which released its first single-malt Scotch in 2021, this stunning building—a modern glass-and-steel structure wrapped around a Victorian-era villa—also happens to be the island's most luxurious place to stay. Designed by local architect Olli Blair, the bedrooms, lounge, and breakfast room all offer Scandi minimalism with stylish Scottish furnishings. The sunset view across the water to Skye's Cuillin Mountains is reason enough to spend the night. There's no dinner here, though the reception will be happy to book a table at nearby Raasay House.

Local landmarks in their own right, the brightly colored lodges here are the region's best self-catering accommodations—not to mention the most photogenic—and they provide stunning views out to sea (on a clear day, all the way to Orkney). Options are one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom lodges. Beside the lodges sits the castlelike Inn at John O'Groats, which is also part of the complex and offers additional self-catering apartments with one, two, or four bedrooms.

An upscale hotel with an excellent restaurant, Kinloch Lodge peacefully overlooks the tidal Loch na Dal. The buildings date from the 17th century, although the best views are from the newer South House, which was built from the ground up with comfort and relaxation in mind. Friendly staffers welcome you with a glass of champagne and then show you to a guest room decorated with antiques, fine fabrics, and quilted bedspreads. Rooms also offer lovely views over the water, the hills, or the grounds. The dining room, where gold-framed portraits of brooding Macdonald ancestors line all four walls—look out for the two boys in traditional Highland dress, one holding a golf club and the other a hunting rifle—offers excellent food prepared using the best local produce, from Sconser scallops to Lochalsh langoustine. There's an enormous wine list as well as a great choice of cocktails to start or end your meal; opt for the delicious Skye Espresso Martini.

This charming hotel, looking out over Loch Glendhu and toward Eas a' Chual Aluinn (Scotland's highest waterfall), has great service, a warm and relaxed atmosphere, and the region's best restaurant. It's an old coaching inn that dates from 1680, so the rooms in the main building are a bit small, but they are nicely decorated and (most) have modern bathrooms. The rooms in the annex building are more spacious and stylish, and there are plans to add more of these. The wood-burning stove makes the lounge a lovely place to relax with an afternoon coffee or an after-dinner drink from the honesty bar.

Set within a 300-year-old property, this secluded inn at the southern end of South Uist offers basic but pleasant rooms with sea views, as well as a good seafood restaurant. Although a little off the beaten track, the hotel has lovely countryside walks in all directions and makes a good jumping-off point for Eriskay and the ferry to Barra.

Set on the edge of the town's famous golf course but run independently, this historic Highland hotel offers comfortable and modern rooms, an excellent restaurant with golf course views, and a cozy bar lounge with an open log fire (and nonstop golf on the TV). As well as the main rooms, there are also self-catering apartments available to rent next door. Even if you aren't staying here, come for a meal in the smart but informal restaurant, with dishes incorporating locally sourced venison, duck, mussels, and sea bass. Save space for a sumptuous sticky toffee pudding to finish.

This lovingly converted Georgian manse (minister's residence) offers large and comfortable bedrooms; a peaceful location with spectacular views over a pristine, 3-mile, sandy beach; and a dining experience that's unmatched on Harris. The hotel's communal lounge is as cozy as can be, with comfy sofas positioned around a roaring fire; pluck a book from groaning bookshelf and settle in for the evening. For longer stays, the hotel's self-service Glebe Cottage can be rented by the week.

Located 4 miles southwest of Gairloch in the tiny hamlet of Shieldaig (not to be confused with the relative metropolis just down the coast), this spectacular Victorian hunting-lodge-turned-luxury hotel sits on a gorgeous, secluded bay. The bedrooms are tastefully decorated with king-size beds and smart TVs, but you'll likely spend most of your time in the public areas—including the elegant lounge, whisky-filled bar, and snooker room—and out on the expansive lawn. The superb restaurant gets its fresh produce—whether its rare-breed lamb, bay-caught lobster, or home-grown veggies—from the hotel's vast estate. There's also a falconry and archery center on the grounds, and the staff will be happy to organize other activities such as fly-fishing, kayaking, pony trekking, and guided nature walks.

Set at the foot of Loch Snizort, this 19th-century hunting-lodge-turned-luxury hotel offers charming, traditionally furnished rooms; a pleasant lounge with a roaring fire; a cozy little cocktail bar; and a conservatory restaurant that's one of the area's best, with Scottish specialties such as smoked salmon, spiced monkfish, and 28-day-aged prime fillet steak. The hotel also has its own billiard room (in the old chapel), a 9-hole golf course (free for hotel guests), and even a salmon river (guided fishing excursions on request).

Sitting on a headland above a rocky beach, with spectacular views across Loch Broom toward Ullapool, one of Scotland's most unique and appealing B&Bs feels wonderfully remote while only being a short drive (or even a walk) into town. As a building it's nothing short of a work of art, designed on a curve to give views in three directions and topped with a distinctive Swiss chalet–like roof. Inside, the three color-themed bedrooms combine traditional wooden features with mod con comforts, while the drawing room downstairs has a grand piano, an open fire, and an uninterrupted view across the loch.

This pretty whitewashed house on Ullapool's waterfront, dating from the late 1700s, is home to the town's most luxurious boutique hotel—and perhaps its finest restaurant, too. Each of the three beautifully appointed bedrooms has super king size beds, ornamental fire places, free-standing baths, and separate walk-in showers, as well as mod cons ranging from pod coffee machines to digital radios. Large windows provide spectacular views over Loch Broom. All stays include dinner and breakfast in the renowned restaurant, with head chef David Smith serving up lip-smacking dishes that make the most of fresh local produce, from langoustine to red deer. For breakfast, try the signature Eggs Hebridean (poached eggs and black pudding on an English muffin).

With spectacular coastal views and antique furnishings throughout, the Flodigarry retains the feel of a grand country manor. Spacious rooms are complemented by a comfortable lounge and a conservatory, so you can enjoy the views without worrying about the weather. Down a dark path through woodlands, you emerge to a glorious view of the ocean and mountains. The cottages beside the main house include one that was home to Flora Macdonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape "over the sea to Skye." You can stay in Flora's cottage, where six of her children were born, though the main hotel is the grander option, with its SKYE restaurant serving excellent seafood. Reserve early, as the hotel is often booked out months in advance during the peak season.

Clean and comfortable rooms, a quiet but convenient location, and a wonderful communal space makes this a popular base for exploring Portree and the Trotternish Peninsula. While the bedrooms are somewhat lacking in style, the vast communal dining area, bar, and lounge is a lovely place to while away a rainy day—and to swap travel tips with fellow Skye explorers. If you get a chance, nab one of the squashy sofas in front of the fireplace, anddon't be surprised if a dog comes and curls up at your feet (this is an avowedly "dog-friendly" hotel; great for puppy lovers, but not so great for those with allergies). The Skye Inn is just a 5-minute walk from the center of Portree—simply cut across the sports field—but offers the peace and quiet of a suburban stay.

With open fireplaces, tartan rugs, and floral wallpaper, this traditional Highland hotel is a great base for exploring the northern coast of the Scottish mainland. It overlooks the beautiful Kyle of Tongue and is in turn overlooked by the ruined Castle Varrich, which caps its hill like a bejeweled crown; a lovely 30-minute walk from the hotel will lead you there. The bedrooms are bright and cozy, if a little lacking in mod cons, and most have wonderful views of the surrounding area. The restaurant serves good-quality and sustainable seafood dishes, while the adjoining pub offers traditional bar food and local craft beers. To keep you entertained, there are books, magazines, and games galore here.

The Victorian Gothic turrets of this former hunting lodge promise atmosphere and grandeur—and, with its log fires, handsome plasterwork ceilings, mounted stag heads, and antique mahogany furniture, The Torridon doesn't disappoint. Located 5½ miles east of Shieldaig, the main hotel offers 18 beautifully designed rooms and suites—if you can, choose master room two (not the most expensive room, but the best)—while there are 12 extra rooms in outhouse The Stables, as well as a single self-catering lodge, The Boathouse. The Torridon's 1887 Restaurant serves a gourmet four-course menu that makes the most of locally sourced seafood, beef, lamb, and game, while more casual dining is available at the second restaurant, Bo & Muc. Take a stroll around the kitchen garden, an idyllic spot and source of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs used at both restaurants. The activities here range from sea kayaking to gorge scrambling to clay pigeon shooting, and many are included in the room rate, but book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Set just above the bay at Lochinver, this family-run B&B wins rave reviews for its warm welcome. The modern public rooms have well-stocked bookshelves, leather couches, and a big TV. The three recently refurbished guest rooms are decorated in soothing neutral tones with all the expected amenities, like hair dryers and tea and coffee service, as well as some bonuses, like binoculars for watching the local wildlife. Ask for the top-floor room, as it has magnificent views and big skylights.

For hundreds of years, Tulloch Castle has watched over the town of Dingwall and the Cromarty Firth, first as the home of the Bain family and Clan Davidson, now as a grand, historic hotel. Tulloch Castle Hotel retains many of its original, period features—most notably, within the 250-year-old Great Hall—and there's a real sense of history throughout, including in each of the 20 traditionally furnished rooms. Expect four-poster beds, antique desks, ornate ceilings, tartan carpets, and open fireplaces. If you're (un)lucky, you may also come across the ghostly apparition of a young girl wandering the halls.

This quaint, quirky boutique B&B is one of Ullapool's undoubted gems, with bedrooms themed around different natural features and cozy common rooms stuffed with comfy armchairs, colorful cushions, and off-the-wall artworks. Room themes range from Beach (pebble floors and reclaimed driftwood) to Forest (deep greens and woodland motifs). There's even a snug little music room with vinyl and CD players. The breakfasts are excellent, too, and are included in the (incredibly reasonable) room rates. If you're looking for a longer stay, try sister property Sealoch House; it's just across the bay and just as lovely.