Page 172 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

170  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS WHERE T O ST A Y  171

WHERE TO STAY website lists over 1,500 B&Bs
and guest houses. Many options
The range of hotels and other accommodation growing in popularity in Scotland. This type are also listed on www.airbnb.
available in Scotland is extensive, and it is of accommodation is particularly well suited co.uk. These properties can be
easy to find something to suit every budget. to those on a tight budget or families with very good value, but they are
Different types of accommodation are young children. Campsites, from basic tent not subject to the same grading
and inspection system as those
described below, and the hotel listings on pitches to yurts and other more comfortable in the VisitScotland scheme.
pages 172–7 include some of the best places “glamping” options, provide a reasonably
to stay, from luxurious country house hotels priced alternative to hotels and guesthouses. Boutique Hotels
and castles to cosy bed and breakfasts (B&Bs). Booking online is usually the way to get the
This selection represents both excellence and cheapest price. Alternatively, phone and ask Unlike the big chains, boutique A traditional croft cottage, one of many self-catering properties in Scotland
hotels tend to be independently
good value. Self-catering holidays are also if there are any special rates available.
owned, have just a handful of (SYHA). Most have single-sex DIRECTORY
rooms and offer character along dormitories, but occasionally
with a touch of luxury. there are separate rooms for Tourist Information
Inns Centre
during the summer families. You must be a member
months and particularly Coaching inns can be found Self-Catering of the SYHA to stay, but anyone VisitScotland
in Edinburgh during the throughout Scotland. These can join upon arrival. 3 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2QP.
festival period in August former staging points for The freedom of self-catering Tel (0131) 473 3868.
(where it’s best to book people journeying by horse accommodation may appeal ∑ visitscotland.com
at least a year ahead) and carriage allowed horses to those who are planning an Recommended Hotels
and around Christmas to rest and travellers to find extended stay or who require The accommodation choices Camping and
and New Year. Some lodging. Generally attractive maximum flexibility, such as on the following pages cover a Caravanning
hotels require a non- historic build ings, inns are often families travelling with young range of options from gypsy
refundable deposit. the town’s focal point. They children. This is also often a caravans and cosy inns to Camping and
Caravanning Club
For a small fee, staff nearly always have traditional more cost-effective accom- relaxed B&Bs; from sleek Tel (024) 7647 5448.
Monachyle MHOR Hotel room, Balquhidder (see p175) at VisitScotland decor and are primarily modation option. There are boutique hotels to luxurious ∑ campingandcaravanning
Information Centres restaurants with just a few many self-catering places over country houses and grand five- club.co.uk
Hotel Classifications will book a room at your rooms rather than hotels. Inns Scotland, from luxury apart- star resorts. The hotels are
The Quality Assurance Scheme onward destinations as part serve some of the best regional, ments in the centre of cities to based on two main criteria – Caravan Club
run by VisitScotland is a useful of the “Book A Bed Ahead“ home-cooked food, and many cottages with views of the coast. quality and value for money, Tel 01342 326 944.
guide when choosing holiday service. If you’ve arrived in rank among the top restaurants irrespective of the price bracket. ∑ caravanclub.co.uk
accommodation and covers town without a booking, staff in Scotland. Camping and The places to stay that come Youth
hotels, B&Bs and self-catering at tourist offices can help find particularly highly recommended Hostels
options. A grade from “accept- rooms at short notice. Bed and Breakfast and Caravanning are high lighted as DK Choice.
able” to “exceptional” is awarded A choice of camp sites and cara- They may be set in a historic Scottish Youth Hostels
along with a classifi cation of Country House Hotels Guesthouses van parks, normally open from landmark building, offer Association (SYHA)
stars from one to five, indicating For inexpensive accommodation Easter to October, can be found splendid views in a memorable Tel 01786 891 400.
the facilities available. A genuine country house hotel and a chance to meet the local throughout the country. Two location, or have exceptional ∑ syha.org.uk
is situated in extensive grounds people, B&Bs are ideal. Often organizations, the Caravan character, amenities and service,
and filled with antiques and fine family-owned, they are basic, Club and the Camping and or a combination of these.
Prices and Hidden Extras fur nishing. However, the term no-frills establishments with Caravanning Club, publish
Hotel rates are normally quoted “country house hotel” has been a generous cooked breakfast guides listing their parks, and
per room and include VAT and adopted liberally by hoteliers, included in the price. it may be useful for those
service charge. Top of the range some of whom consider gas B&Bs dominate the lower with motor homes to become
hotels can cost over £200 per log-fires and repro duction price range, and in the remote members. A typical camping
night and an average hotel in furni ture sufficient to warrant areas of Scotland can be the or caravan site costs £8–15 per
Edinburgh or Glasgow, about the title. However, they will all only form of accommodation. night. “Glamping”, or camping
£75–150 per night. Outside offer a very comfortable, The buildings are often cosy with a few home com forts,
the main cities, expect to pay luxurious experience. farm houses with homely decor, has taken off in the UK. Many
£60–100 for a similar standard, and guests are likely to receive a campsites have yurts or pods
or £30–60 for a B&B. High rates more personal welcome than that will accommodate a family
are charged for tele phone calls Castles they would at the larger hotels. for about £40 per night – a great
made from the room, so buy Converted castles offer visitors Guesthouses also offer way to camp without bringing
a phonecard or use your mobile. the chance to live and dine reason ably priced, basic accom- all of the equipment. Parks fill up
like a lord in magnificent moda tion. They tend to be a quickly during the summer so it
buildings, the former homes of little more expensive than B&Bs is advisable to book ahead.
Booking lairds or nobles. The atmosphere and contain more bedrooms, as
Booking online has become the is intimate yet refined, with fine- well as a communal dining area.
best way to snag a deal across dining res taurants and well- In more remote areas, B&Bs Youth Hostels
most types of accom mo dation. stocked wine cellars. Room tariffs and guesthouses may offer There are around 80 hostels in
Booking ahead is always are high, but the level of comfort evening meals that can be pre- Scotland, owned by the Scottish
recommended, especially and luxury is unparalleled. booked. The VisitScotland Youth Hostels Association Invercoe campsite in Glencoe offering wonderful views
Brightly painted houses at Tobermory’s harbour on the Isle of Mull

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