Go big or go home! Give yourself the VIP treatment and whisk yourself off on a luxury break to Scotland. Get ready to enjoy the finer things in life with our glamorous list of accommodation, high-quality restaurants and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
1. Afternoon tea at Fingal
The Lighthouse Bar aboard Fingal © Fingal
Experience afternoon tea with a difference on-board a luxury floating hotel. Berthed at Alexandra Dock in Leith, enjoy this much-loved British tradition with a backdrop of exquisite Art Deco interior designs and views to match. Browse the extensive list of teas and choose your favourite blend before starting off with some delicious savoury bites. Tuck into Wye Valley asparagus & chorizo tart, roast tomato & wild garlic risotto ball and tasty finger sandwiches which include honey roast ham with wholegrain mustard, mature cheddar cheese topped with tomato relish and much more. Finish with sweet delicacies – think buttermilk scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, Arran gold chocolate truffle and a vanilla cream brioche bun. It’s enough to make your mouth water!
When? Served Wednesday – Sunday from 12:30 – 15:30
Where? Leith, Edinburgh
Price: Afternoon tea from £50 pp without champagne; £65 pp with champagne
2. Enjoy a cruise holiday with Argyll Cruising
Loch Fyne
An island-hopping adventure around Scotland just got easier and oh buoy, you’re in for a real treat! Recently crowned winners of the luxury category on BBC Scotland’s Greatest Escape, set sail with Argyll Cruising and explore the stunning areas of Argyll, the Isles, and the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Choose from a wide selection of cruise itineraries which range from three to thirteen nights where you’ll uncover everything from historic castles and world-famous whisky distilleries, to impressive wildlife and more. Every cruise is personalised and skipper Ted will give you a choice of some fabulous places to stopover. Of course, no trip to Scotland would be complete without sampling its delicious food and drink offering. Enjoy incredible hospitality onboard to help fuel your energy levels with breakfast lunch and dinner included.
When? April – October (visit website for selected dates in 2023 and 2024)
Where? The inlets and islands of Argyll, Arran and the Outer Hebrides. Cruises depart from and disembark at Holy Loch Marina on the Firth of Clyde or Oban Bay.
Price: £1,200 – £4,500 pp (varies between length of tours)
Book a cruise with Argyll Cruising
3. Escape to a lochside retreat with Loch Venachar Lodges
Loch Venachar Lodges © @lochvenacharlodges
There’s nothing more relaxing than retreating to a luxury lodge stay for some well needed pampering. Plan a holiday to Venachar Lodges, it has all the elements of a thrilling adventure holiday with lots of outdoor pursuits available on your doorstep, from walking and cycling routes to stand up paddleboarding. There are two luxury lodges available onsite, the Coorie (sleeps four) and Carsaig (sleeps six) complete with your very own private hot tub to relax and unwind. Tails will also be wagging as dogs are welcome to stay over too.
When? All year
Where? Loch Venachar, near Callander
Price: Varies, see online booking calendar for prices
Book a stay at Loch Venachar Lodges
4. The Royal Gallery Dining Experience at Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Enjoy the best seats in the house… or castle we should say! If you’re looking to splurge on an unforgettable dining experience, Edinburgh Castle might just be the cherry on top. Put on your glad rags and indulge in a delicious 3-course meal in The Royal Gallery, followed by tea, coffee, traditional Scottish tablet and a dram of Scotch whisky. Then, it’s showtime! See one of the city’s most iconic events in all its glory, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Running since 1950, the show celebrates the very best of music, dance and military pageantry. After the show you’ll be invited along to post-show drinks and canapés. How fancy!
When? 4 – 26 August 2023, Tuesday to Friday: 19:30 for 21:00 performance; Friday 18 August and Saturdays: 16:15 for 18:15 performance
Where? Edinburgh Castle
Price: £580 – £610
Book hospitality at Edinburgh Castle
5. Field to Fork Farm Tour at Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen
Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen © @wilsonsfarmandkitchen
Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen run regular ‘Field to Fork’ tours on their farm in Morebattle near Kelso. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn everything about how the produce grown here ends up on our plates and be given the chance to see some of the resident farm animals up close. The best bit – private farm tours can be followed with a sit down home cooked meal which you can upgrade to the ‘Scotch Beef Tasting Menu’ and indulge in the finest cuts of steak straight from the barbecue including rib eye, sirloin, fillet and rump.
When? 11:30 – 14:30, contact hello@wilsonsfarmandkitchen.com about availability.
Where? Cowbog Farm, Morebattle, Kelso
Price: Private group bookings (max 16 people) minimum charge £400 for up to 8 people thereafter £40 pp for adults and £20 pp for under 12’s
Visit Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen
6. Take part in a haggis making masterclass
Haggis, neeps and tatties
Have you ever wanted to try Scotland’s national dish? Well, now is your chance! It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on in the kitchen by making your very own haggis. You’ll be cooking up a storm in no time where you’ll be guided by a master haggis maker who will advise you on how to make the perfect haggis with all the traditional accompaniments. After all your hard work, you’ll be treated to a 3-course meal with highlights on the menu including classic scotch broth and haggis (vegetarian haggis for our veggie friends), before finishing off with cranachan, made with Scottish cream, raspberries, oats and whisky. Of course, your efforts for the day won’t go unrecognised, everyone in the masterclass will take home their very own recipe pack and a souvenir Haggis Master Certificate.
When? Selected dates throughout the year
Where? Glenside Farm, Balfron, Glasgow
Price: Adults: £65 pp, Children: £50 pp
Book a haggis making masterclass
7. Fly your very own raptor
Golden Eagle in flight © Neil McIntyre
Get ready for some hands-on fun with a falconry experience. Located at the 5-star Cromlix Hotel, you’ll be welcomed by an expert handler who will show you the ropes on how to handle these majestic birds of prey safely and correctly. Choose to fly an eagle, falcon or owl and watch these beauties in action as they take to the skies.
When? All year
Where? Cromlix House Hotel, Perthshire
Price: The Half-Day Falconry Experience £99 pp, VIP Falconry Experience £400 for up to 6 people
Book a falconry and Birds of Prey experience
8. Enjoy a taste of Scotland with a fine dining experience
Cail Bruich restaurant interior © Clair Irwin
Scotland is proud of its food and drink culture, and rightly so. Home to some of the most luxurious fine dining experiences and 12 incredible Michelin star restaurants, we know a thing or two about stepping up to the plate. The Taste Our Best scheme celebrates businesses who serve up high quality food and drink using locally sourced, seasonal produce. Make sure to look out for the purple badge when you’re out and about, these eateries are definitely worth a visit!
When? All year
Where?
- The Kitchin, Edinburgh
- Cail Bruich, Glasgow
- Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles
- The Cellar, Anstruther
Price: Varies between each restaurant
Find Taste Our Best restaurants across Scotland
9. Stay in the luxurious Glenegedale House
Seafood platter at Glenegedale House
We have another luxurious island stay on our list, this time on dry land! Situated on Islay, you’ll be warmly welcomed by owners Graeme and Emma at this 5-star Gold luxury guesthouse which boasts incredible views over Laggan Bay. . There are four rooms to choose from, all of which include large, comfortable beds with crisp white Egyptian cotton linen. Each room also has an ensuite shower room, complete with large fluffy white towels and toiletries from the White Company.
You won’t need to venture too far for high-quality food and drink. Glenegedale House focuses on local produce and producers that are well-known. In the morning, set yourself up for the day with porridge or a hearty full Scottish breakfast which includes sausages, bacon, haggis and black pudding from the local butcher and their very own free range hen eggs. Make sure to try their infamous seafood platters, filled with Islay lobster and crab, hand-dived Islay scallops, local langoustines and Argyll hot and cold smoked salmon, which are freshly caught from the Atlantic only hours before they’re brought to your table.
When? All year
Where? Islay
Price: From £110 per room per night
Book a room at Glenegedale House
10. Luxury golf accommodation at Dundonald Links
Dundonald Links Golf Course © Barry Dawson / Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Group
Planning a golf holiday to Scotland with pals? Stay and play at this 5-star luxury golf resort in Ayrshire. The brand-new accommodation at Dundonald Links offers two, four and six bedroom lodges fully furnished with contemporary décor complete with a sleek, modern kitchen if you fancy impressing everyone with your culinary skills. You won’t be low on storage space either, the designated equipment room will allow you to store your golf clubs away all in one place. In the evening, head over to the whisky room for an ultimate whisky tasting experience, you can also enjoy a dram of Dundonald Links 1980 Bunnahabhain Canasta whisky straight from the cask.
When? All year
Where? Troon, Irvine, Ayrshire
Price: Starting from £420 per night
Book Dundonald Links for a golf holiday
We hope you’ll be living the life of Riley during your next holiday to Scotland. Still in the search for more luxurious break ideas? Check out these fantastic suggestions below.
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