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10 of the best scenic stays in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
From a beachside bothy to a Highland bunkhouse and lochside inn, here are some of Scotland’s bonniest boltholes

TL;DR
- The Ben Damph estate offers a restored stone bothy on Loch Torridon with views of mountains and loch, featuring log burners and furniture made from estate timber.
- The Old Bridge Inn in the Cairngorms National Park is a gastropub with hostel rooms, located by the River Spey and close to outdoor activity hubs.
- Kingshouse hotel and bunkhouse in Glen Coe provides accommodation with panoramic valley views, situated on the West Highland Way.
- Bearnus bothy on the car-free island of Ulva is an off-grid cottage perched above a beach, offering a unique escape with basic amenities.
- The Stein Inn on the Isle of Skye is the oldest inn on Skye, offering rooms with sea views and fresh local seafood.
- Loch Ossian hostel on Rannoch Moor is an award-winning eco-hostel powered by renewable energy, accessible only by train and a short hike or bike ride.
- Kylesku hotel in the north-west Highlands overlooks Loch Glendhu, offering rooms and activities within the Assynt Geopark.
- The Croft Collective in Argyll is launching three new architect-designed, off-grid bothies with sea views and Japanese-style sunken baths.
- Plockton Inn in Wester Ross is located in a picturesque conservation village on Loch Carron, offering renovated rooms and locally sourced seafood.
- A cabin on the Isle of Lewis provides sunset views over Broad Bay, situated on a working croft with opportunities for wildlife spotting and coastal walks.