Author
Kat Englishman
Most northerly of the United Kingdom’s four parts, Scotland is one of the few countries that codified universal access to all private land for recreational and educational purposes into law, also known as the Right to Roam. And thankfully they did, given the fact that the country has an impressive amount of protected land including two national parks, 43 national nature reserves, and two UNESCO biospheres with billions-year-old geology; a good reason why this pristine landscape feels so wildly ancient.
One of the best ways to explore Scotland is to camp, but if roughing it isn't your speed, glamping offers a popular way to spend time among the landscape in more comfort. Not familiar with the concept? A blend of "glamorous" and "camping," glamping is a global travel trend that combines outdoor adventure travel with resort-style accommodations. In Scotland, glamping accommodations range from camping pods and bothies, to converted shepherd’s huts—not to mention the odd castle or two.
Then there are the bothies, which are unique to Scotland. Bothies are barebones shelters formerly used by gardeners or other groundskeepers that are left unlocked for wayward travelers and hikers looking for refuge—they're an enduring part of Scotland’s timeless outdoor culture that have been maintained and updated for modern times. Typically found in remote, mountainous regions like the famed Scottish Highlands, bothies offer shelter on glamping holidays everywhere from the Outer Hebrides to the bucolic glens right outside Edinburgh.
In a place as spectacularly wild and rugged as Scotland, a little bit of good design, indoor plumbing, and a wood-burning stove goes a long way when you’re trying to enjoy yourself, rain or shine. Glen to glen, we scoured the web for the country’s best bothies, glamping pods, shepherd’s huts, safari tents, wigwams and more. So pack up your kilts and bring your whiskey, here are the 14 best places to go glamping in Scotland.
Our Top Picks for the 14 Best Glamping Sites in Scotland
The Shepherdess’s Bothy — Aberdeenshire, UK
Vibe: Seaside Simplicity
It might be small in stature, but this seaside bothy’s sloping roof and matching floor-to-ceiling window catches your eye and beautifully blends into its coastal habitat in northeast Scotland. Design lovers will appreciate all the ways it makes the most of a tiny space (climb the ladder to a loft bed!) while nature lovers of all kinds get the chance to soak up the stunning and wild beauty of Aberdeenshire’s golden coastline or Cairngorms National Park, which is roughly an hour drive.
Rate: £120/night
Skye Eco Bells Glamping — Orbost, UK
Vibe: Hobbit Holes
Located on Isle of Skye, Skye Eco Bells glamping site features three Finnish Huts, a Bell Tent, and two community cabins outfitted with cooking supplies, a wood-burning stove, and some seating for a morning cup of coffee. The cabins themselves are sweet and modest, and come equipped with a private fire pit and BBQ area, plus they're dog-friendly so bring your furry friend. There's also a unique greenhouse shower room for bathing after a long day of exploring the island.
Rate: £120/night
Loch Ken Eco Bothies — Castle Douglas, UK
Vibe: Loch of Luxury
Situated in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere in scenic Southwest Scotland, these four bespoke eco-friendly bothies on the shores of Loch Ken offer various small-scale ways to get close to nature from some shelter. Although they all have a unique design (complete with a full kitchen, spacious living area, and bathroom), each building is an off-grid retreat powered by solar energy, with a private wood-fired hot tub and panoramic views. Included in your stay are two kayaks, two paddleboards, and fuzzy white bathrobes.
Rate: £375+/3 nights
Cairngorms Cabin — Ballater, UK
Vibe: Hand-crafted Hideout
Unwind in this tastefully decorated, sustainable cosy glamping cabin that's about a mile and a half from the village of Ballater and nearby the late Queen's Balmoral Estates. Inside, there's a fully-equipped kitchenette, a walk-in shower, a lofted king bed, and a breakfast bench that folds out into a double bed for guests. Outside, there's not only a private wood-fired roll-top bath, but a hot-tub too for multiple stargazing options. If this cabin happens to be booked, there's another lovely, slightly more deluxe getaway on the property, too.
Rate: £194/night
North Coast 500 Pods — Brora, Highlands, UK
Vibe: Cozy on the Coast
For a true Scotland glamping experience, spend a few nights (or more) in a glamping pod. These small dome-shaped cabins are often set up in established campgrounds, and are a popular way to go glamping in Scotland. They're fully outfitted with plenty of creature comforts: a kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms, heating and cooling, and of course, plush beds with crisp, white linens. The North Coast 500 Pods are located on the mountainous coastline of the Scottish Highlands with sandy beaches and a bustling downtown only a short distance away.
Rate: £120/night
Wheems Organic Farm — Orkney, UK
A collection of yurts, bell tents, glamping pods, and cottages make up the wide variety of ways visitors can stay at the historic 200-year-old Wheems Organic Farm. Located on the Northern archipelago of Orkney, this working farm provides a picturesque spot for glamping in Scotland where you can experience stunning views of the area’s verdant and rugged coastal landscape. Sandwiched between dramatic cliffs and rolling green hills, the emphasis here is getting back to nature—so expect a warm and cozy self-catering shelter just with the bare minimum of creature comforts and amenities.
Rate: £35+/night
Bruadar — Perth & Kinross, UK
Vibe: In the Wild Yonder
If your idea of glamping in Scotland looks and feels a lot like something out of a scene from The Lord of the Rings, then a few nights at this converted shepherd's hut will do just fine. Tucked away in an idyllic glen, Bruadar (the Gaelic word for "dream"), manages to make a tiny space feel bright and airy with cozy furnishings and big, wide-open views. Spend your days hiking through the valley, swimming in the river, and winding down with a glass of Scottish whiskey under the stars.
Price: £105/night
Mangersta Croft Holidays — Isle of Lewis, UK
Vibe: Oasis on the Outer Edges
Way up in Scotland’s rugged Hebrides archipelago are four inviting glampsites, two glamping pods and two shepherd’s huts built with everything you need to stay warm and cozy on chilly evenings on the coast. Each pod and hut is entirely self-contained with a mini kitchenette and ensuite bathrooms, but the focus here is a total immersion in the wild landscape of the Outer Hebrides.
Rate: £95/night
Airship — Drimnin, UK
Vibe: Mod Pod
Designed with aluminum siding, this glamping pod in Scotland’s Highland region skews a little more extraterrestrial than rustic. Sit by the wood-burning fireplace in front of a wall of geometric-shaped windows that opens up the small space to reveal unbeatable views of the mountains and the Sound of Mull, which feel as otherworldly as the cabin itself. Inside the pet-friendly space there's a queen bed, kitchenette, wifi, full bathroom and a place to work.
Rate: £201/night
Family Shepherd Hut — Dunning, UK
Vibe: Unplug at Greenhill Farm
Rough hewn log siding, a wood-burning stove, grazing cattle dotting the surrounding pastures—this handbuilt shepherd’s hut in Perthshire is ideal for a tranquil stay while glamping in Scotland. The hut is entirely off-grid (plan on walking a short distance to the centrally-located farmhouse for hot showers), with an outdoor cooking area setup for meals al fresco and plenty of time unplugged. The town of Perth is a short drive away, as is the Firth of Tay.
Rate: £94/night
Eagle Yurt — Torlundy, UK
Vibe: Mountainside Glamping
A totally no-frills option, this sturdy Mongolian-style yurt is set up in a wide-open field full of hairy cows and horses with shaggy manes at the foot of Scotland’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. Stay here for the scenery as well as the easy access to world-class hiking and mountain biking. For meals, use the delightfully rustic outdoor kitchen to fuel up for another day of adventure glamping in Scotland, or make the short trip into Fort William where you can check out the West Highland Museum or visit the 19th century Ben Nevis Distillery.
Rate: £134/night
Inverlonan Bothies — Ballygown Farm, Oban, UK
Vibe: Rough Luxury
A Field Mag favorite, Inverlonan offers two off-grid prefab cabins for rent on the shores of Loch Nell. Accessible only by foot, boat, or buggy, both bothies have a clean and refined design that hints at Scandinavian style. Even more excitingly, a private deck, fire pit, outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, and outdoor shower are included in your stay. You'll also get a farm-to-bothy breakfast each morning consisting of food sourced locally from Argyll producers.
Rate: £300/2 nights
Down in the Glen — Banchory, UK
Vibe: At the Doorstep of the Highlands
Going glamping in Scotland doesn’t always mean rustic lodgings, sometimes it means getting to enjoy the amenities of a design-minded stone cottage, too. Like this holiday home that doesn’t only come with modern furnishings, but also a wood-fired stove, outdoor Swedish hot tub, and on-site sauna. There's room for seven, and the whole crew can make a day of wandering through nearby Cairngorms National Park or visiting the coast.
Rate: £329/night
Loch Tay Highland Lodges — Killin, UK
Vibe: Pods on the Loch
With a huge variety of year round glamping accommodation options that includes geodesic domes, camping pods, luxury glamping pods, and bothies (plus cabins, cottages, and lodges if you want to skip glamping altogether), Lock Tay Highland Lodges holiday park has something for every type of glamping break. Situated north of Glasgow and Edinburgh near Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the lodges—which are pet-friendly—make an ideal base for exploring the highlands. Depending on which one you book, a glamping getaway here might come with a private hot tub, bbq access, and stunning views. (Wifi access, however, costs extra.)
Rate: £300/3 nights
Published 05-22-2023
