logo
Best B&Bs in Scotland revealed – from tiny inn on ‘secret coast' to a cosy lochside restaurant with rooms

Best B&Bs in Scotland revealed – from tiny inn on ‘secret coast' to a cosy lochside restaurant with rooms

Scottish Sun15-07-2025
Scroll down to see the friendliest place to stay in the UK
BE OUR GUEST Best B&Bs in Scotland revealed – from tiny inn on 'secret coast' to a cosy lochside restaurant with rooms
TRAVEL experts have revealed the best cosy inns and beautiful B&Bs in Scotland.
The AA has unveiled the winners of its Bed and Breakfast Awards for 2025, recognising the very best places to stay across the country.
4
The Perth hotel took top B&B
4
This stunning Ullapool restaurant with rooms is right on the water
4
The Colintraive is Inn of the year
The categories take in inns, restaurants with rooms and traditional B&Bs with each winner delivering exceptional service, character and comfort.
Now in its 29th year, the gongs celebrate establishments that go the extra mile, from meticulous housekeeping and memorable breakfasts to authentic service and unforgettable stays.
This year's winners impressed AA inspectors with their individuality, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to guest experience.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said: 'These awards shine a light on the brilliant people and places that make Britain's B&B scene truly world class.
'This year's winners represent everything that's special about independent UK hospitality. They go beyond offering a bed for the night - they offer character, comfort and care that stays with you long after check-out.'
Taking top spot in Inn of the Year is The Colintraive on the Isle of Bute. With four cosy rooms, it's just on the edge of The Loch Lomond National Park.
The Colintraive is located on 'Argylls Secret Coast' with views onto the narrow channel that separates the mainland from the Isle of Bute.
Judges said: 'This is an ideal base for touring, with the Isles of Bute, Islay, Arran, Jura and Gigha within easy reach.
'The well-appointed bedrooms are very comfortable and fantastic food is served in the bar and restaurant, using the best from both land and sea. Craft beers and an array of malts are available.'
In the Restaurant with Rooms category, The Dipping Lugger in Ullapool came out on top.
Inside Scots hotel where you can stay in Outlander heart-throb's room and take an e-bike ride from your doorstep
On the banks of Loch Broom, the 18th-century former manse has been transformed into a wonderful restaurant with three luxurious rooms.
The judges said: 'It offers the highest levels of service as well as hospitality backed up with a stunning dining experience.
'The property takes its name from a sailing boat and much of the design has a nautical theme.
'Luxurious bedrooms cater well for the modern guest while the open log fires and the drawing room reflect the character of the property and its heritage. Local provenance is used to good effect in the restaurant.'
The AA Scottish B&B of the year went to The Townhouse in Perth.
This traditional, Georgian terraced property enjoys a great location in the heart of the city centre and several of the large beautifully appointed rooms benefit from great views over picturesque South Inch Park.
The judges commented: 'Luxurious beds and antique furniture sit alongside contemporary design. Breakfasts feature local and home-made produce.
'Warm and genuine hospitality is backed up with professional and attentive service. Complimentary parking is available.'
Finally, the award for Friendliest B&B in the UK went to a Scottish establishment - Broad Bay House in the Isle of Lewis.
Run by well-travelled couple Sue and Tom, their ethos is rooted in exceptional service, understated style, and effortless comfort.
The judges said: 'From the moment you step through the door, you'll feel the warm and welcoming spirit that defines Broad Bay House.
'Every detail is thoughtfully considered to ensure your stay is not only relaxing but truly memorable – a reflection of Sue and Tom's dedication to creating something special for every guest.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I tried posh £21 fish and chips that David Beckham ordered – 3 words sum it up
I tried posh £21 fish and chips that David Beckham ordered – 3 words sum it up

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

I tried posh £21 fish and chips that David Beckham ordered – 3 words sum it up

I was dispatched to see if a luxury order of fish and chips was worth the hefty price tag What's the most you'd be willing to fork out for fish and chips? For me, it's not about the money but the time spent journeying to the east coast where two chip shops serve up fare so delightful it's downright soul-stirring. ‌ In St Andrews, Tailend and Cromar are where you'll find succulent haddock in a batter that's been fried to a masterful standard I've not seen elsewhere - an astonishingly light, supremely crunchy coating with frilly, jagged edges that audibly snap into fragments. ‌ This culinary masterpiece is nestled atop a pile of chips that aren't too chunky, boasting a crispness, fluffiness, and creaminess that could sway even a staunch advocate of skinny fries like myself. ‌ These chippies set the bar by which I judge all other fish and chips. Having once been a local, I now stay in Glasgow, regrettably a 90-minute drive from chippy heaven. However, I've recently been given the mission to determine whether a posh serving of fish and chips justifies its price tag, reports the Express. Inspired by a review of £18 fish and chips, my quest led me to Crabshakk, the fashionable seafood eatery, which opened its doors in Finnieston well before it became the Glasgow's foodie epicentre. ‌ The restaurant has drawn in celebrities like David Beckham and Sam Heughan. Although the Outlander star kept mum about his meal, Becks excitedly shared his dining experience on Instagram, praising the scallops "cooked to perfection", rollmops reminiscent of his grandmother's, and, of course, the fish and chips. Their latest venture, Crabshakk Botanics off Byres Road, exudes sleek and chic with industrial black fittings, trailing greenery, timber-clad walls and floor-to-ceiling windows — an ambience my fellow diner described as "very New York". We agree it's the type of swishy restaurant to bring friends visiting from out of town. ‌ When I'm off on a weekday, as someone with inflexible working hours, I like to wonder what other people who are out and about do for a living. I don't have to think too hard – at noon on a Wednesday, the clientele at this upmarket seafood restaurant consists of three tables populated by well-groomed, silver-haired guests. Before a father and daughter arrive, we are the youngest diners by decades - a journalist enjoying a day off in lieu with a friend on the backshift. ‌ One look at the menu and you know it's for seafood lovers. Lobster, crab, scallops, langoustine, squid, Arbroath smokies — whatever you fancy, they've got it. Non-seafood mains are few, featuring one meat option (steak frites) and four vegan dishes. My companion opts for the complimentary fizzy water, whilst despite being off duty, my afternoon plans rule out alcohol. I spring for the Spicy Rita (£8), a coral mocktail blending citrus, sweetness and savoury elements that pleasantly evoked tomato flavours. Rather than the traditional salted rim, black Himalayan salt adorns one edge of the glass, not unlike a sandy bum on the beach. ‌ The service here is courteous and prompt. It's a quiet lunch service and our hefty plates of fried seafood and chips soon arrive. So, my verdict on £21 fish and chips — not worth it. Giving credit where it's due, it's a good meal overall and they certainly don't scrimp on portion size. The chips are creamy and delicious, but it's the fish that falls flat. While I wasn't anticipating it to be the best I've ever had, the fried coating is thicker, darker and oilier than it should be. A look at TripAdvisor reviews reveals I'm not alone in this observation. The creamy tartare sauce is good but one glaring omission are peas, mushy or otherwise. ‌ Meanwhile, my friend happily tucks into her breaded monkfish cheeks accompanied by skinny fries, salad and a tangy and moreish housemade ketchup (£27). To share, we can't pass on the tomato and watermelon salad with salsa verde (£9) garnished with what appear to be edible succulent leaves that provide pops of salty juiciness. The restaurant didn't invite me for a review nor were they aware I was conducting one. Having footed the bill, I winced at the cost but I'm not overly put out. I'm not against the idea of posh fish and chips. But I'd suggest holding off on the craving until you can make your way to the East Neuk of Fife.

Flight from New York diverted to Edinburgh Airport due to a 'mid-air emergency'
Flight from New York diverted to Edinburgh Airport due to a 'mid-air emergency'

Daily Record

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Flight from New York diverted to Edinburgh Airport due to a 'mid-air emergency'

Flight SK910 took off from New York last night but was forced to land in Scotland in the early hours of this morning. A flight from New York Newark Liberty International Airport set for Copenhagen Airport in Denmark was diverted to Edinburgh Airport due to an on-board emergency ‌ The Scandinavian Airlines flight set off from the States on Saturday, July 26 at 7.58pm, almost three hours after it was due to depart. ‌ While flight SK910 was supposed to land in Denmark, it was diverted to the Scottish airport and landed in Edinburgh at around 6.27am, reports Edinburgh Live. ‌ Reports on social media suggested that the plane was showing a squawk code of 7700, a specific code that indicates to air traffic control that there is a general emergency onboard. The exact nature of the mid-air emergency is not yet known at this stage.

Hundreds of Scots left without internet and phone access due to major outage
Hundreds of Scots left without internet and phone access due to major outage

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Hundreds of Scots left without internet and phone access due to major outage

Read on to find out the areas affected by the outage CUT OFF Hundreds of Scots left without internet and phone access due to major outage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR outage has left hundreds of Scottish households without internet and phone access. OpenReach revealed yesterday that customers in Orkney, Shetland and the Faroe Islands could face disruption to their broadband. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Homes in Shetland have experienced disruption to broadband and phone services Credit: Getty 3 Orkney has also been affected by the major outage Credit: Getty It comes as a subsea cable from Orkney to Banff sustained damage at around 3am on Saturday morning, the BBC reports. The Shefa-2 cable that was damaged and it was initially thought that up to 10,000 customers would be affected. But as engineers began to work on the issue, Openreach revealed this morning that hundreds of households have been impacted. And the issue has only affected Orkney and Shetland. Many on the islands have experienced disruption to internet and phone services. Landlines were never impacted by the outage. OpenReach said: "We'll continue to assess, but customer broadband impact is more limited than initially thought, with hundreds of customers disrupted." It added: "Landline calls were never impacted, and we'll continue to work hard to resolve and repair." A timescale for the repairs is currently unknown and will depend on a number of conditions such as wind strength and direction. Openreach apologised to those who had been affected. Major power outage hits Brit holiday hotspot as ATMs down, metros halted & people 'trapped in lifts' in chaos The cable, which links Orkney, Shetland and the Faroe Islands to mainland Scotland, was last damaged three years ago. It happened in an incident thought to have been because of a fishing vessel.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store