From charming bookshops to warm pubs, it has it all.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Now is the perfect time to book a cosy autumn getaway(Image: ewg3D / Getty Images)
September is practically upon us, which means it is finally time to start thinking about autumn getaways. All over Scotland, there are countless hotels and holiday rentals that can be booked out for a night or a long weekend.
While many people associate autumn getaways with the countryside, there is plenty of opportunity for a cosy staycation in Scotland’s cities. One city was even previously named the “cosiest” in the country.
As reported by the Daily Record, a study named the cities in the UK that are the best for an autumn break. Coming in at number one for Scotland according to the experts was Edinburgh.
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Despite being the second-biggest city in the country, Edinburgh offers plenty of autumnal charm. It is home to comfy cafés and bars with fireplaces, charming independent bookshops, and much more.
Some of the top coffee shops in the city include Room Rumours Coffee in The Arches, Deacon’s House Cafe on the Royal Mile, and Black Medicine Coffee Co on Nicolson Street.
Meanwhile, among the city’s many cosy pubs are the historic Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston and Teuchters Landing in Leith.
Black Medicine Coffee Co(Image: NEIL HANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, in terms of bookshops to while away a rainy autumn afternoon, Armchair Books on West Port and Typewronger Books on Leith Walk are both beloved by locals.
The former is a family-run shop with a quirky ambience that sells a huge range of rare and secondhand books, while the latter stocks a wide selection of indie publications and zines in addition to its many books.
For those looking for an autumn getaway in Edinburgh, there is unsurprisingly no shortage of accommodation options in the Scottish capital. There are a number of cottages in and near the city that can be rented out for a cosy staycation.
Dunesk Lodge(Image: holidaycottages.co.uk)
One of these is Dunesk Lodge, which is located in the picturesque village of Lasswade near Edinburgh. It is available to book through holidaycottages.co.uk at a price of £1,178 for three nights.
The property sleeps up to six guests, with all three of its bedrooms being en-suite. There is also a kitchen with an AGA oven, a lounge with high vaulted ceilings, and a fully enclosed garden.
On holidaycottages.co.uk, Dunesk Lodge has been described in reviews as a “fabulous home in peaceful countryside” and “very comfortable”. However, being around six miles from the centre of Edinburgh, some may prefer to stay closer to the city.
Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club(Image: Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club / Wowcher)
For those looking to stay in the heart of Edinburgh, there are countless hotels to choose from. These include the InterContinental Edinburgh the George by IHG, The Caledonian Edinburgh, and the Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel.
Elsewhere, the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club just outside Edinburgh is currently available to book at a discount of 58 per cent through Wowcher. The deal, which is priced at £119 per night, includes a stay for two or four in one of the hotel’s double or family rooms.
The Wowcher deal can also be upgraded to include breakfast, a late checkout, and a £40 per person dinner credit. Meanwhile, the leisure facilities at the hotel include two championship golf courses, an indoor pool, and various walking trails.
On Tripadvisor, the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club has a rating of 3.8 out of five. Recent reviews have described the hotel as “totally fabulous” and “restorative and friendly”, though another guest called the accommodation “rather mediocre”.