For visitors to Scotland who are disillusioned with chain hotels and predictable rooms the country has some very special alternatives. From a lighthouse to a private island, Scotland has accommodation to suit every taste and pocket.
Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel, Stranraer - Accommodation in a Working Lighthouse
Completed in 1815, Corsewall still has an operating light to warn shipping. The listed building has an AA Red Rosette restaurant and a choice of interesting rooms. The most lavish are the Lighthouse Suite and the North Channel Suite, both of which feature private conservatories, providing views of the Isle of Arran and, on clear days, Ireland. The hotel is an ideal location for a relaxing break or an intimate wedding reception. Anyone can enjoy a visit to the Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel as it is also open to non-residents.
Manderston House, Duns - Opulent Country Hotel
Manderston House offers some of the most luxurious accommodation in Scotland. The Edwardian country home has now fewer than 109 rooms and 56 acres of gardens. Lord Palmer lives in the house and it is open to the public, along with the gardens. There are also nine rooms available for guest accommodation. The house features a silver staircase and prides itself on a friendly and personalised service to its guests. Dinner is a lavish affair, with butler service. Nearby is the historic market town of Duns, home of the Jim Clark Room.
Sanda Island - Private Paradise with Varied Accommodation
Between Scotland and Northern Ireland is Sanda Island, lying close to the Mull of Kintyre. The island is privately owned and, until recent times, was used for farming. The owners have since opened the island to the public, and offer guests a choice of accommodation. There are self-catering cottages, a bed and breakfast, or the option to camp.
In 2003 the island’s new pub opened. The Byron Darnton Tavern is named after a New York Times war journalist who was unfortunately killed. A ship was named in the journalist’s honour but was wrecked on Sanda Island shortly after the Second World War. The island also boasts a lighthouse, the remains of an ancient chapel and one of only four bird observatories in Scotland. Sanda Island can be reached by ferry from Campbeltown on the Scottish mainland.
Fenton Tower, North Berwick - Historic Place to Stay
Fenton Tower is to be found between Gullane and North Berwick in East Lothian. The fortified tower dates from the 16th century and now operates as a unique hotel, spread over five floors.
Visitors to the tower are afforded panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the battlements. It is an ideal base from which to explore picturesque east Lothian. Nearby attractions include the Museum of Flight at East Fortune and many golf courses. The tower is also handily placed for visiting Edinburgh.
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