Tranquil village with Highland views named Scotland’s best place to stay in 2025

A small village with amazing views and a calm, peaceful feel has been named the best place to stay in Scotland this year.

Found between tall Highland mountains and a sparkling loch, Port Appin has been given the title by The Times.

Tucked between the mountains of Argyll and the still waters of Loch Linnhe, this place is a hidden treasure for anyone wanting a quiet break on Scotland’s beautiful west coast.

With just a few streets and a close-knit community, its real charm comes from its simple life and the friendliness of the locals.

Image credit: Photo © Jim Barton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

From the village pier, a short ferry trip takes visitors to the nearby island of Lismore. Being so close to the "Great Garden" isle, and perfectly placed between Oban and Fort William, Port Appin is a great base for both adventures and relaxing days.

Whether you’re watching the golden sunset over the loch or following the green trails that twist through the countryside, there’s loads for walkers and cyclists who want to enjoy the outdoors.

Not far from the village is Castle Stalker, a dramatic 14th-century castle sitting on a tiny island. Completely surrounded by water, the tower is one of the best-kept castles in Scotland and has been given Category A listed status.

Film fans might spot it too – Castle Stalker appeared as Castle Aaargh in the funny final scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Image credit: Photo © Chris Downer (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Sitting 25 miles north of Oban, Castle Stalker rests on a small tidal island on Loch Laich, which joins Loch Linnhe. Because of its special location, you can only walk to it at low tide, and even then, it’s tricky to reach.

Not far from Port Appin you’ll also find the Sgeir Bhuidhe Lighthouse, meaning "Yellow Reef Lighthouse" in Gaelic.

A popular place for afternoon walks, the lighthouse stands out against the coast and is a perfect spot for a great photo.

In 2002, the original lighthouse light was removed and replaced with a newer one. But instead of being forgotten, the old light was saved and now sits proudly on display in the centre of the village.

Visitors can get a close look at the old light and read about the lighthouse’s story, as well as learn more about the history of Port Appin.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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