Scotland’s sweeping green highlands filled with ancient castles and old manor residences have long drawn a devoted following of Caledonian enthusiasts. However, demand has lately increased louder than a piper on the loch, and a slew of new and freshly refurbished luxury hotels have opened their doors in the last year.
The sound of a helicopter spinning above as you check in at Cameron House on the shores of Loch Lomond in the heart of Trossachs National Park is an immediate reminder of the contrast between ancient and modern.
The hotel, which is housed in a 17th-century Baronial-style palace, reopened in 2022 after completing a comprehensive renovation after a fire. A sophisticated new wing (with enormous balconies with loch-facing views), a luxurious Leisure Club, a vast spa, and even a cinema were all installed as part of the renovation.
Dornoch Station in the Scottish Highlands, which has a series of premium golf hotels and resorts around the nation, also reopened in August. The hotel has contemporary guest rooms and a new style that leans significantly on history, from golf to the local hunting houses and lodges that are common in the region.
The Old Course Hotel has been stylishly refurbished and is billed as one of Europe’s most renowned hotels in the home of golf. The hotel, which is located on the 17th hole of the world’s oldest golf course, has a new rooftop restaurant, large rooms, and the award-winning Kohler Waters Spa. Old Course sponsored its first cold water health retreat this autumn, in collaboration with three-time Olympic swimmer Keri-Anne Payne.
Gleneagles Hotel set on 850 acres of picturesque countryside, has been one of Scotland’s most renowned rural sports estates since it opened in 1924. Gleneagles is Scotland’s first five-star hotel to provide immersive CBD spa experiences, in addition to the country’s only two Michelin-starred cuisine. The Gleneagles Townhouse, which launched as a sister resort in Edinburgh last year, has drawn a younger clientele with a range of social events and guest lecturers.
The Fife Arms, located about 10 miles from Balmoral Castle in the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorm highlands, was refurbished in 2021. Set within a Victorian coaching inn in the quaint town of Braemar, the hotel has been reviving the Highlands ever since, with its modern art collection, foraging walks, and spectacular Art Deco cocktail bar.
Meanwhile, the Bracken Hide Hotel on Skye’s famed Isle of Skye debuted this spring. The self-described wilderness resort promises a sustainable stay in one of 27 en suite cabins, Estonian saunas, and the opportunity to jump into a “wild plunge pool,” all in one of the most crаzy and sought-after locations on the planet.