The Christmas festive season means something different to all of us. For some, it’s gatherings that spill into the small hours, homes filled with music and laughter, and diaries packed to the brim. For others, it’s a time that can feel overwhelming, full of expectation, pressure and performance.
But celebration doesn’t have to be loud.
It can be gentle, slow and meaningful.
It can be a pause.
It can be yours.
Whether you’re dreaming of a cosy winter break in Scotland, a peaceful self-catering cottage for Christmas, or a quiet Hogmanay getaway with loved ones, Scotland is full of places where you can slow down and celebrate differently.
As part of our Stay. Celebrate. Belong campaign, we’re inviting you to rediscover what the festive season can feel like when you remove the noise. When you swap the rush for something quieter – perhaps a Scottish self-catering escape where the only sound is the dog snoring on its blanket or the crackling fire. You can even find the peace in a tucked-away city apartment where you can watch the world go by at your own pace.
A self-catering holiday in Scotland doesn’t need to be extravagant with every day planned. Sometimes it’s as simple as stepping outside under crisp winter skies, sharing quiet unrushed meals, or giving yourself permission to switch off. With its wide-open landscapes, welcoming towns and soul-soothing stillness, Scotland is made for moments like these.
This winter, we’re highlighting a selection of self-catering stays where you can celebrate differently – whether you’re planning a last-minute winter escape, looking ahead to Christmas 2026, or simply dreaming of a quiet getaway to reconnect.
Where to Stay: Cosy Scottish Cottages for Winter & Festive Getaways
If you’re exploring ideas for a winter break in Scotland, you can browse more warm and welcoming self-catering cottages on EmbraceScotland.
Bairnkine Holiday Cottages (Jedburgh, Scottish Borders)
Sleeps: Wild Rose – 5 Owl Cottage – 6
Pet Friendly: Yes
Special Offer: Yes
At Bairnkine, the pace of life shifts the moment you arrive. Set on a peaceful working farm, both Wild Rose and Owl Cottage offer wide rural views, soothing quiet, and plenty of fresh air. Walk the farm trails, watch the changing skies, and then head inside to warm up by the log-burning stove.
Owl Cottage is ideal for a relaxed celebration with family or friends, complete with a games room and space to bring along your dogs. Wild Rose is perfect for couples seeking calm, connection and time to slow the world right down.
What Makes Bairnkine Special During The Winter:
- Book a session at Cedarhus Outdoor Sauna – an unforgettable fireside wellness experience just a short drive away.
- Explore the farm on foot and meet the local farm animals.
- Cosy up by the log-burning stove after long, frosty walks.
- Visit Jedburgh for cafés, independent shops, and a warming trip to the local chocolate house.
Uaine Cottage – Silverglades Holiday Homes (Aviemore, Highlands)
Sleeps: 4
Pet Friendly: Yes
Uaine self-catering holiday cottage offers a rare combination – the tranquillity of a rural retreat with just a ten-minute stroll to the heart of town along a hidden footpath by the River Spey. It’s more than just a place to stay, it’s a place to reconnect, to slow down, and to share something meaningful with loved ones. With a generous log supply, evenings begin by the fire – a place for stories, stillness or simply peaceful silence.
The enclosed garden adds a sense of privacy and sanctuary, while thoughtful touches – including a dedicated “Doggy Welcome Pack” make the cottage feel effortless and homely.
What Makes Uaine Cottage Special During The Winter:
- Evenings made for board games, local produce from Rothiemurchus Farm Shop, and quiet time under starry Highland skies.
- Gentle winter walks or ski adventures in the Cairngorms National Park.
- Guided visits to the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, a magical festive experience.
- Aviemore’s winter festivities, from torchlight processions to ceilidhs and the Elf Express steam train.
- Parking for two cars and storage for bikes or skis.
Balmeadowside Farmhouse – Balmeadowside Country Lodges & Cottages (near Cupar, Fife)
Sleeps: 8
Pet Friendly: Yes
Special Offer: Yes
Set on a scenic working farm, Balmeadowside Farmhouse offers space, privacy and beautiful countryside views – a winning combination for intimate celebrations. It’s the kind of place where winter feels softer: crisp morning walks among rolling fields, encounters with friendly pygmy goats, llamas and deer, and evenings gathered in the warmth of a beautiful, spacious holiday home.
With generous living areas, it’s perfect for milestone celebrations or family time that feels unrushed and restorative.
What Makes Balmeadowside Special During The Winter:
- Peaceful farm trails right from your door.
- Meet the resident animals from pygmy goats and llama to deer and cattle- always a highlight for guests of all ages.
- Private hot tub
- Join the New Year’s Day “Dook” in St Andrews – a bracing and unforgettable local tradition.
High on Drumfork Estate, Stags View is peaceful, remote and wonderfully atmospheric – surrounded only by deer, the occasional llama, and the quiet sweep of Perthshire hills. Inside, a wood-burning stove and thoughtful décor create a cosy refuge. Outside, a private hot tub looks out across the estate, making it the perfect place to soak under the stars.
What Makes Stags View Special During The Winter:
- Skies so dark you can stargaze from the hot tub.
- Gentle estate walks with wildlife all around.
- Cosy evenings by the log burner after adventures in Scotland’s outdoors
- Hopeful anticipation for snowfall at Glenshee, ideal for skiing, boarding and sledging.
If you’re seeking silence, space and that rare sense of being truly away from it all, these luxury lodges deliver exactly that. Surrounded by farmland (with options to meet the animals) with far-reaching views, it’s a place where crisp walks begin from your doorstep and winter mornings feel magical.
One favourite local walk climbs to the top of Lucklawhill for panoramic views over Fife, the Pentlands, Lomond Hills, and the distant Cairngorms.
What Makes St Andrew’s Country Lodges Special During The Winter:
- Miles of beautiful beach at West Sands.
- Forest trails and dunes in Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve.
- Easy access to St Andrews’ historic streets, cafés and shops.
- Cosy lodge evenings, hot chocolates on your deck, and uninterrupted quiet.
This cosy two-bedroom apartment has been described by guests as “a big hug” and it’s easy to see why. Natural tones, organic materials and stunning mountain views create a peaceful base for winter stays in Aviemore with easy access to winter outdoor activities.
Whether you’re planning a small celebration or simply craving time away, the apartment offers both comfort and connection: dual-aspect Juliet balconies, a fully equipped kitchen, and a wonderful selection of books, puzzles and games for cosy evenings indoors.
What Makes The View at No.10 Special During The Winter
- Winter sports access via the Cairngorm Funicular, the highest in the UK.
- Hogmanay celebrations in Aviemore, complete with fireworks and festivities.
- The much-loved Strathspey Railway Elf Express.
- Visits to the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Britain’s only free-ranging reindeer.
Set on a hill croft with sweeping Highland views, The Stable Bothy is tailor-made for quiet winter escapes. Walk from the doorstep, return to a crackling log fire, and settle into a cottage that feels warm, welcoming and wonderfully secluded.
Over Christmas, it becomes an idyllic hideaway. At New Year, it’s the perfect base for joining the lively Hogmanay celebrations in nearby Dornoch – from live music and dancing to the annual firework display.
What Makes The Stable Bothy Special During The Winter Winter:
- Panoramic views over Strath Fleet and the surrounding hills.
- A cosy log burner for relaxed evenings indoors.
- Easy access to Loch Fleet Nature Reserve.
- A lovely base for exploring unspoilt beaches, historic sites and Dornoch’s Hogmanay street party.
Harris in winter is breathtaking: calm, windswept and cinematic. At Blue Reef Cottages, you can enjoy the landscape at its most peaceful while staying in warm, luxurious turf-roofed accommodation, designed for couples complete with your own whirlpool bath and sauna.
It’s a wonderful spot to reflect on the year and welcome the next with intention. Watch snow transform the island into a postcard scene, settle by your stove as the stars brighten above, and enjoy a dram from the local Isle of Harris Distillery.
What Makes Blue Reef Cottages Special During The Winter
- Quiet island walks wrapped in winter light.
- A cosy stove, sauna and whirlpool bath after every outdoor adventure.
- Excellent stargazing on clear nights – often breath-taking.
- A visit to the Isle of Harris Distillery for whisky and gin.
Planning Ahead: A Celebration You’ll Actually Look Forward To
If it feels too late to book for this year, don’t worry – there’s so much fun in the anticipation. Looking ahead to Christmas 2026 means you can choose exactly the stay that suits you, beat the rush, and enjoy the simple pleasure of having a peaceful escape already on the horizon.
Wherever you choose to stay, a Scottish winter break offers the space to relax, reconnect and celebrate in a way that feels truly yours – whether that’s a festive cottage surrounded by snowy hills, a quiet coastal hideaway, or a warm self-catering lodge perfect for Christmas or Hogmanay.
Quiet moments. Meaningful celebrations.
A season that finally feels yours.
Sustainable Stays, Local Impact
At EmbraceScotland, we champion sustainable tourism through self-catering. By booking directly with local owners, staying longer, and supporting nearby businesses, from farm shops and local eateries to outdoor activities – you are helping reduce your carbon footprint and supporting local economies. Self-catering is a low-impact accommodation choice, and our community of operators are working towards eco-friendly practices, from using renewable energy to reducing waste. We also encourage all guests to enjoy Scotland responsibly by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. A self-catering stay isn’t just a great holiday, it’s a step towards more thoughtful, climate-conscious travel.