10 Best Hotels in The Northern Highlands and the Western Isles, Scotland

This brilliant little B&B offers three large, comfortable rooms with modern bathrooms and a host of thoughtful extras, like mini fridges with water and snacks, pod coffee machines, and US two-pin plug sockets. Downstairs, the lounge is a wonderful place to relax with a book, enjoy the stunning views of Loch Pooltiel, and chat with the friendly international owner, Simone and Jonathan. It's also where the delicious breakfasts (and, on request, seafood dinners) are served—try the homemade granola. Carter's Rest is perfectly located for a visit to Neist Point; you can even walk there in less than an hour.

With one of the most spectacular vistas—out toward the picturesque islands of Badcall Bay—of any hotel in Scotland, Eddrachilles sits on a huge plot of private moorland just south of the Handa Island bird sanctuary. The bedrooms are modern and comfortable, with many offering inspiring views across the bay, while the traditional two-fireplace bar area (for cold days) and the all-glass terrace (for warm days) are comfortable places to relax. The restaurant testifies to the age of the original building, with its low ceilings and exposed brickwork, and the excellent Scottish cuisine served here emphasizes fish and game. On a nice day, stroll down the garden path to the waterfront.

This historic country house, 5 miles west of Thurso, offers a mix of beautiful bedrooms in the main building and super-luxurious suite-apartments on the expansive grounds—treat yourself with a stay in the spectacular Mill House. This mill-turned-suite has three king bedrooms, a spacious living area, and a separate kitchenette, with historic fittings (from beamed ceilings to industrial equipment) adding to the charm. Forss House also has the area's finest dining option, with its restaurant serving sublime seafood and meat dishes including Scrabster scallops with pork belly or pheasant breast with haggis. Start and end your meal with a drink in the beautifully appointed lounge, in front of a roaring fireplace. The property is surrounded by acres of woodland and, with a nearby fast-flowing river and picturesque waterfall, is a popular spot for salmon fly-fishing; the hotel can arrange a guide service and instruction.

Situated 8½ miles southeast from the distillery, Glenmorangie House offers luxurious but casual stays in a spectacular 17th-century country home. Comfy four-poster beds, expansive manicured grounds, and fantastic food and drinks are just three reasons why it's the best accommodation for miles. Stay in the main historical property, which has six wonderful rooms, or opt for one of the three cottages around the back. A stay here includes afternoon tea, a predinner dram or cocktail with canapés, a four-course dinner, and a full Scottish breakfast.

As well as being Raasay's first legal distillery, which released its first single-malt Scotch in 2021, this stunning building—a modern glass-and-steel structure wrapped around a Victorian-era villa—also happens to be the island's most luxurious place to stay. Designed by local architect Olli Blair, the bedrooms, lounge, and breakfast room all offer Scandi minimalism with stylish Scottish furnishings. The sunset view across the water to Skye's Cuillin Mountains is reason enough to spend the night. There's no dinner here, though the reception will be happy to book a table at nearby Raasay House.

Local landmarks in their own right, the brightly colored lodges here are the region's best self-catering accommodations—not to mention the most photogenic—and they provide stunning views out to sea (on a clear day, all the way to Orkney). Options are one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom lodges. Beside the lodges sits the castlelike Inn at John O'Groats, which is also part of the complex and offers additional self-catering apartments with one, two, or four bedrooms.

An upscale hotel with an excellent restaurant, Kinloch Lodge peacefully overlooks the tidal Loch na Dal. The buildings date from the 17th century, although the best views are from the newer South House, which was built from the ground up with comfort and relaxation in mind. Friendly staffers welcome you with a glass of champagne and then show you to a guest room decorated with antiques, fine fabrics, and quilted bedspreads. Rooms also offer lovely views over the water, the hills, or the grounds. The dining room, where gold-framed portraits of brooding Macdonald ancestors line all four walls—look out for the two boys in traditional Highland dress, one holding a golf club and the other a hunting rifle—offers excellent food prepared using the best local produce, from Sconser scallops to Lochalsh langoustine. There's an enormous wine list as well as a great choice of cocktails to start or end your meal; opt for the delicious Skye Espresso Martini.

Located 4 miles southwest of Gairloch in the tiny hamlet of Shieldaig (not to be confused with the relative metropolis just down the coast), this spectacular Victorian hunting-lodge-turned-luxury hotel sits on a gorgeous, secluded bay. The bedrooms are tastefully decorated with king-size beds and smart TVs, but you'll likely spend most of your time in the public areas—including the elegant lounge, whisky-filled bar, and snooker room—and out on the expansive lawn. The superb restaurant gets its fresh produce—whether its rare-breed lamb, bay-caught lobster, or home-grown veggies—from the hotel's vast estate. There's also a falconry and archery center on the grounds, and the staff will be happy to organize other activities such as fly-fishing, kayaking, pony trekking, and guided nature walks.

This pretty whitewashed house on Ullapool's waterfront, dating from the late 1700s, is home to the town's most luxurious boutique hotel—and perhaps its finest restaurant, too. Each of the three beautifully appointed bedrooms has super king size beds, ornamental fire places, free-standing baths, and separate walk-in showers, as well as mod cons ranging from pod coffee machines to digital radios. Large windows provide spectacular views over Loch Broom. All stays include dinner and breakfast in the renowned restaurant, with head chef David Smith serving up lip-smacking dishes that make the most of fresh local produce, from langoustine to red deer. For breakfast, try the signature Eggs Hebridean (poached eggs and black pudding on an English muffin).

This quaint, quirky boutique B&B is one of Ullapool's undoubted gems, with bedrooms themed around different natural features and cozy common rooms stuffed with comfy armchairs, colorful cushions, and off-the-wall artworks. Room themes range from Beach (pebble floors and reclaimed driftwood) to Forest (deep greens and woodland motifs). There's even a snug little music room with vinyl and CD players. The breakfasts are excellent, too, and are included in the (incredibly reasonable) room rates. If you're looking for a longer stay, try sister property Sealoch House; it's just across the bay and just as lovely.