7 Last Minute Cottages in Scotland in 2023

Sure England and Wales are pretty great, but you can’t beat the unspoilt countryside of Scotland.

With breathtaking mountains, serene lochs, and amazing food & drink, holidays in Scotland really have it all. Whether you’re booking a romantic hideaway or the perfect place for that big family trip, we don’t think there’s a better place to go than Scotland.

So chuck your boots in the car, bring a blanket for those starry nights and your cozzie for the hot tub – these 7 last minute cottages in Scotland are too good to miss:

1. Old Grumbeg Cottage

Location: Bettyhill, Caithness

Best for: Stunning lochside views in a remote setting

The Scottish lochs need to be seen to be believed, and this charming whitewashed holiday cottage has amazing views over Loch Naver. The house is perfect if you’re looking to really escape from the daily grind – set in the remote Northern Highlands of Scotland, the nearest shop is 18 miles away leaving you free to enjoy the region’s unspoilt beauty.

Who needs shops when you can sit on the terrace, and enjoy your breakfast as you gaze out onto the loch? Of course you’ll want to explore the surrounding area, and you’ll find plenty of great walking trails for all abilities. After a beautiful walk, you can cosy up in front of an open fire with a lovely cuppa (or a dram of whiskey of course).

There are lovely villages and towns nearby – including friendly Thurso, which has recently developed a reputation for being one of Scotland’s top surfing spots. From there you’ll be within easy reach of John O’Groats, so why not visit the most northern point of the mainland UK?

Facilities: This is a great last minute holiday cottage that can accommodate 6 people (including use of the sofa bed). There’s a gorgeous open fire in the sitting room as well as a log burner in the dining room. With good self-catering facilities, this is a wonderful holiday cottage for groups looking to spend time in their accommodation in the evenings – as the cottage is fairly remote. Currently rates start at £397 for 7 nights (price subject to availability and season) so don’t leave it too late to book this beautiful whitewashed cottage, or you might just be kicking yourself when it’s gone!

Find out more about Old Grumbeg Cottage from Sykes Holiday Cottages

2. Priory Walk

Location: Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway

Best for: Quintessential village life and coastal fishing

Another of Scotland’s beautiful whitewashed houses, this semi-detached cottage is the perfect setting for last minute holidays in a peaceful village.

The cottage is situated within the centre of Whithorn, and the historic 5th century priory and museum is only a short walk away. If you’re looking for something to stretch your legs a little more, why not explore the Robert the Bruce Trail? With 4 different walking routes, it’s the perfect way to explore the countryside that this famous Scot was born in.

This is a great area for groups or families who want a mix of land and seaside on holiday – with the Scottish coast within easy reach, we’d recommend heading to the Isle of Whithorn to enjoy a spot of tranquil fishing.

Facilities: Fully refurbished, the decor of this cosy home is top notch and makes it one of the prettiest last minute cottages in Scotland right now. There are 3 bedrooms (including an en-suite) and a sitting room with a log-burning stove where you can cuddle up. The property is in the village of Whithorn, where you can stroll over to a friendly pub to eat if you don’t want to use the self-catering every night. Starting at a very reasonable price of £382 for a last-minute stay of 7 nights, it’s no wonder this is one of the top reviewed cottages in Scotland.

Find out more about Priory Walk from Sykes Holiday Cottages

3. Kidcleugh Hide

Location: Duns, Scottish Borders

Best for: Idyllic rural site and winner of the Sykes Gems award Gold Best in Scotland 2017 & 2018.

Is it any wonder that out of all the Sykes holiday cottages in Scotland, this won gold two years in a row? The fantastic studio-style home gets consistently rave reviews and special mentions for its friendly hosts.

Situated in the Lammermuir Hills, you’ll arrive along woodland and a peaceful countryside road, through the impressive Victorian gates of the estate, to the quiet of this tranquil site. The house has its own lawned garden and access to 2 acres of grounds with a paddock and stream.

This is the top last minute holiday for couples looking for a romantic retreat – cosy up in a blanket and enjoy the starry sky at night as you listen to the owls in the woodlands. There’s plenty of walking to do within the surrounding area, though with a property this amazing you may just want to enjoy life in this stunning holiday home.

Facilities: The open-plan cottage has exposed timber beams, a log burner and large windows with views out over the lush countryside. The cottage sleeps two and children aren’t allowed, so this is definitely the place to book for a romantic stay in Scotland (there’s also no mobile signal at the house, so you can reconnect with your other half without distractions). With self-catering facilities, you can treat your loved-one to breakfast in bed and earn some brownie points. As this is such a popular cottage, it often has limited availability – so you’ll want to make this last-minute booking pronto before it gets snapped up. 7 nights start at around £503, a great price for breaks this good.

Find out more about Kidcleugh Hide from Sykes Holiday Cottages

4. Moorhen Lodge

Location: North Kessock, Northern Highlands

Best for: indulgent stay at a log cabin with hot tub

Does it get much more picturesque than a rustic log cabin set in the wild north of Scotland? We don’t think so!

There are actually two of these Canadian lodges available, and though they’re peacefully nestled amongst 3 hectares of private woodland, you’ll only be a 10 minute drive from Inverness – so perfect for groups who want to enjoy the tranquility of the Highlands, but have the usual creature comforts close at hand.

If staying in an amazing self-catering log cabin wasn’t enough, you also have your own hot tub on the front porch. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway or a retreat with friends, grab the bubbly and luxuriate in style.

If you love the sound of a rustic retreat, why not check out these other 7 Last Minute Log Cabins? We’re already feeling jealous.

Facilities: After using the gorgeous hot tub, head into to dry off in front of the log burning stove. The two bed cabin sleeps 4 guests, but if booked with the second cabin will accommodate up to 8 people across the two cottages. As well as top notch self-catering facilities, there’s also a BBQ on the veranda and patio furniture. In terms of pets, two well-behaved dogs are welcome to stay at the property, and there are fantastic walks close by. You can currently book a last minute holiday for £1189 – so the price of the booking 7 nights is somewhat higher than other cottages in Scotland, but a great deal for such a stunning break.

Find out more about Moorhen Lodge from Sykes Holiday Cottages

5. Sobrachan

Location: Kilmartin, Argyll & the Isles

Best for: Breathtaking views over mountains and a loch

Is this heaven? Well it’s definitely pretty close! If a last minute cottage in a whopping 10 acres of private grounds sounds like your cup of tea, read on.

Accommodating up to 10 guests, this self-catering holiday home is surrounded by streams, waterfalls, and there’s even a wonderful suspension bridge across a gorge. You’ll be surrounded by amazing walks, only a half a mile from Loch Awe (which really lives up to the name…) and close to Ben Cruchan – in fact there’s stunning views from the house over the mountains.

To top it all off, this gorgeous cottage has a hot tub and log burning fire, so having a fantastic time in Scotland is pretty much guaranteed at this site. Near to the Trossachs National Park, you’ll have an unforgettable holiday whether you explore Scotland or stick to your wonderful last minute cottage.

Facilities: With 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, you’ll have the most comfortable of breaks at this Scottish gem. There are various dining areas and the flexible open-space layout of the lodge makes it perfect for holidays with a large group. No pets are allowed at this beautiful property, and breaks start at £987 for 7 nights – but availability is very limited, so you’ll want to snap this price up before it’s too late.

Find out more about Sobrachan Cottage from Sykes Holiday Cottages

6. Seaview-Barsloisnach Cottage

Location: Kilmartin, Argyll & The Islands

Best for: Getting back to countryside living on a working farm

This is one of the best last minute cottages in Scotland for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With charming views over a working farm on one side, and the sea on the other, this lovely stone-built house couldn’t be in a more perfect location.

The friendly hosts will even arrange to give you a fab tour around the farm, and show you the old village ruins and top scenic views. The River Add meanders through the farm and there’s a great walk alongside it to the historic site of Dunadd, where the old kings of Scotland were crowned.

There’s also a beach near the house that’s only accessible from the farm. With last minute cottages in Scotland this great, maybe you should start packing now…

Facilities: With a double and a twin room, this holiday cottage sleeps up to 4 guests. There may not be an open fire, but the wood burning stove is the perfect tonic for cuddling up besides on a fresh Scottish evening. Get your last minute booking in quick – 7 nights at this Sottish property start at a very reasonable £354 (price subject to availability).

Find out more about Seaview-Barsloisnach Cottage from Sykes Holiday Cottages

7. Easter Urray

Location: Muir of Ord near Beauly, Inverness

Best for: A large group stay at a grand cottage

The owners of this idyllic 300 year old Scottish sporting lodge have done a sterling job refurbishing it, and you could soon be enjoying one of the finest last minute holidays out there.

Sleeping up to 10 people, there are beautiful touches throughout the property, including an open fire in an elegant dining room, a free standing tub, and numerous log burning stoves.

The property is within easy reach of lovely towns such as Muir of Ord, and is only a short drive away from the Cairngorms National Park.

Facilities: Hit the road asap to enjoy this holiday property in Scotland before it gets booked up. With top notch self-catering facilities, no doubt you’ll be making the most of the wonderful dining room each night before chilling out in one of the reception rooms. A couple of well-behaved pets are welcome and there’s a shop only 2 miles away. Last minute holidays currently start at £966 for 7 nights, with limited availability over the summer months.

Find out more about Easter Urray from Sykes Holiday Cottages

Plenty More Last Minute Cottages to Choose From

We’d be heading off to one of these last minute cottages quicker than you can say ‘och, aye’, but if you haven’t found your perfect property on this list then there’s plenty more to check out. In fact it was no mean feat whittling down the top cottages to a choice of 7, so we’re sure you’ll love looking through the full range through the Breakfree website. Whether you’ve got your heart set on Scotland, or are looking in England and Wales too, it’s never too late (or too early) to book a well-deserved holiday.