Large Houses to Rent in Scotland

What about the midges everyone mentions?

We’ve all heard the stories about Scotland’s midges but are they actually true? Well, there are midges in Scotland but not all year round. Peak midge season is mid-June through August. Midges are at their worst in still, damp conditions, or if you’re near water. Windy days and coastal properties get fewer of the little pests.

The good news is rather than being any danger, they’re just rather annoying. If you do plan to travel in peak midge season, here are some solutions that actually work: Avon Skin So Soft (originally marketed to bodybuilders, now Scotland’s unofficial midge defence), Smidge spray which you can buy in Scottish pharmacies, and midge nets if you’re extra sensitive.

Alternatively, you could look at booking in shoulder season. Rentals in May, early June, September, and October will still have a good chance of decent weather, nice long days (10 pm sunsets in June), fewer crowds, and significantly fewer midges.

While being of no danger at all, there are a few easy ways to avoid midges, whether you change your travel dates or come armed with anti-midge protection.

How is the weather in Scotland?

Across 16 years and more than 10,000 bookings, Scottish properties generate more weather-related questions than any other region.

The reality is that Scottish weather is fairly rainy and rarely warm all year round. Yes, the best of the weather arrives in July and August. You also have a better chance of decent weather in shoulder season (May, June, September, and October), but it should never be relied on.

The best thing to do is embrace Scottish weather as part of the experience. That means decent rain gear, indoor backup plans, and a sense of humour. You’ll have an infinitely better time with this approach and mindset, even if you don’t have Mediterranean conditions.

This is Scotland. It’s beautiful. It’s also wet. Both things are true. But there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

How far is Scotland from actual civilisation?

The beauty of Scotland is that you have a choice how far you venture from civilisation, all while feeling pretty rural.

At its most accessible, you have the Borders. Borders estates are 45 to 90 minutes south of Edinburgh and Edinburgh sits four and a half hours from London by train. This means you can do Friday evening arrivals by coordinating train and car journeys and avoiding a marathon drive.

Slightly less accessible, the Central Highlands near Inverness are a 3.5-hour drive from Edinburgh. Or you can take a direct flight from London, Manchester, or Bristol. It’s remote but not unreachable.

These are both great options for groups gathering from the four corners. Scotland-based friends and the northern England contingent gather in a Borders/Central Scotland property rather than one group doing a six-hour drive to meet the other. It feels fairer than expecting everyone to travel to the Highlands or meet in Yorkshire.

For properly remote, you’re looking at the Western Highlands and islands. Expect minimum four-to-five-hour drives from Edinburgh. You might even want to schedule in an overnight stop if you’re setting off late. But that remoteness is the point. If you wanted easy access, you’d book the Cotswolds.

Can we actually do stalking, fishing, or shooting?

Many large houses in the Scottish Highlands offer stalking, fishing, and shooting. But you’ll need to plan in advance.

Deer stalking runs August to October. You’ll need to be in good shape as it’s mostly hillwalking with a rifle rather than sitting in a hide. Costs vary widely for a full-day with an experienced ghillie.

Salmon fishing happens in spring and autumn although it depends on water levels. Some estates include fishing rights in rental prices, others charge separately. It tends to cost around £50 to £100 per rod per day for basic loch fishing. But you could pay significantly more for premium rivers.

Shooting (grouse, pheasant, partridge) on good estates books up 6 to 12 months ahead. Driven grouse shooting costs £200 or more per bird.

Your best approach is to coordinate your stalking, fishing, and shooting with estate staff, but keep in mind you’ll need to get in early and budget carefully.

Do Scottish houses allow proper ceilidhs with bands?

Perfect for weddings or milestone birthdays, most Scotland estate rentals welcome ceilidhs. Many have ballrooms or barns built for exactly this. Pipe bands need advance notice and be sure to alert the neighbours, even on remote estates.

Our top tip for a swinging ceilidh is to hire an experienced caller who understands mixed ability groups. Teaching English guests Strip the Willow without causing injuries requires skill. We’ve coordinated hundreds of ceilidhs; the most successful ones have callers who can adapt to the room’s ability and sobriety levels.

Most properties have Wi-Fi for Spotify, but live ceilidh bands bring atmosphere that Bluetooth speakers can’t match. Budget £400 to £800 for band plus caller for three to four hours, depending on location and how far they’re travelling.

What could be better than a proper ceilidh to celebrate your time in Scotland?