February in Scotland has a gentle kind of magic. The days get longer, the light returns softly, and the landscape feels calmer, as winter is slowly turning towards spring. It’s a time made for small, meaningful escapes: slow, lingering mornings, fires lit early, crisp winter walks and unhurried evenings spent together.
Whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, or simply the joy of unwinding, self-catering holidays in Scotland offer the freedom to do this at your own pace. With space to relax, cook, explore and reconnect, they invite you to make memories and to savour the moments that really matter.
Where Longer Days Meet Slower Living
Late winter in Scotland encourages a different kind of break, one that is less about rushing around and more about restoring. A self-catering holiday becomes a home-from-home, giving you space to close the laptop, forget the to-do list and reconnect.
Choosing a late winter break in Scotland and staying local at this quieter time of year also supports communities when they need it most. From village shops and farm shops to cafés, restaurants and small local experiences, every stay helps sustain the places that make Scotland special. Pick up local ingredients to cook a romantic meal together, explore nearby footpaths, book a locally run activity, or simply enjoy having nowhere else to be.
Slower living isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing things differently. In the calm of late winter and early spring, Scotland offers space to pause, reset and rediscover the joy of time spent together.
These six holiday cottages in Scotland offer space, privacy and a sense of being properly away – well suited to the slower rhythm of late winter.
Romantic Self-Catering Escapes in Scotland
Carbreck Cottage, Highlands
Sleeps 4 | Cape Wrath – Remote Highlands
“The stars twinkle, the Aurora flashes across the midnight sky, and the silence envelopes you.”
Carbreck Cottage, set in the rolling Highlands, truly offers an experience that will bring your thoughts back to relaxation and romance. With no close neighbours, surrounded by high peaks and valleys with rivers teeming with salmon and trout, this cottage offers a chance to see the Highlands at their best. With white-tailed eagles soaring above the heather and red deer grazing nearby, it’s an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the countryside. Evenings sitting by one of the two log burners, sipping a dram of single malt whisky is the ideal way to finish an exhilarating day spent walking in the hills.
View Carbreck Cottage and book a secluded self-catering break in the Scottish Highlands.
“Couples often tell us their favourite moments are the simplest ones – fireside suppers, watching birds in the garden, and returning from a winter walk to warmth and comfort.
February and early spring feel especially special here, with calm landscapes, crisp days and a real sense of having the Borders to yourselves.”
Tucked quietly into the Borders countryside, Burnbrae Holidays is designed with couples in mind. Each single-storey cottage offers comfort, privacy and a gentle sense of arrival, where warm fires, thoughtful touches and calm surroundings set the tone from the outset.
Just a short drive away, Kelso’s independent shops, cafés and restaurants add a touch of easy exploration.
“Our guests fall in love with Appin in Argyll because it feels quietly special -beautiful without being showy, peaceful without feeling remote. It’s a place where the landscape does most of the talking and life naturally slows to match it.”
Beautifully restored and thoughtfully designed, The Carriage at Creagan is an intimate hideaway for couples seeking something a little different. Tucked into a quiet corner of Appin near Oban and Glencoe, this unique retreat invites you to step away from everyday routines and settle into slower, more mindful days.
With a wood-burning stove inside and a fire pit beneath open skies, evenings are made for unwinding together. Sea, loch and mountains are close by, with excellent local restaurants just a short drive away.
“Guests frequently mention how peaceful and beautifully presented the lodges are, often saying the views are even better than the photos and that every detail feels thoughtfully considered.”
“Many have savoured evenings soaking in the hot tub as the sun sets over the countryside, before returning to relaxed fireside suppers after winter walks.”
Set amid rolling farmland with far-reaching views towards Bennachie, this lodge is designed as a peaceful retreat for couples. Thoughtful touches, including a welcome hamper, luxury linens and a private hot tub, help create a relaxed atmosphere from the moment you arrive.
Late winter and early spring at Logie Newton are wonderfully calm, with longer days beginning to return and a real sense of space and stillness. Clear, dark skies often bring spectacular stargazing and, on the right nights, the chance to spot the Northern Lights from the lodge or hot tub. As the season shifts, couples also enjoy seeing new life arrive on the farm, with lambs joining the Valais Blacknose Sheep flock – a quiet, heart-warming reminder that spring is on its way.
View Bennachie Lodge and unwind with a luxury self-catering break in rural Aberdeenshire.
“To help you plan your adventures there are books, local maps and guides, as well as binoculars, walking poles and a picnic blanket. And a welcome basket of local artisan produce awaits guests on arrival.”
Nestled on a Highland croft, The Stable Bothy is a comfortable, characterful retreat made for couples. From hill walks and nearby beaches to fairytale castles and quiet coastal villages, it offers a simple, restorative way to experience the Highlands.
Evenings are best spent cooking together, lighting the wood burner and settling in for a peaceful night under dark, star-filled skies.
Find out more about The Stable Bothy and enjoy a relaxed self-catering getaway in the Highlands.
“Auchnascraw Mill is nestled in the heather-clad Ladder Hills of the Braes of Glenlivet within the Cairngorms National Park.”
“Originally built in the 1830s as a working mill, many of its historic features have been carefully integrated into what is now a light-filled and characterful living space.”
Auchnascraw Mill is an ideal winter to early-spring retreat for couples or small groups looking to unwind in the countryside. This beautifully restored mill blends original stonework and historic details with underfloor heating, a wood-burning stove and comfortable bedrooms, creating a warm and inviting space throughout the colder months.
Surrounded by farmland and hills, guests enjoy walks straight from the door, relaxed evenings by the fire and clear, star-filled skies – with the chance to glimpse the Aurora Borealis on the right nights. Nearby Tomintoul and Speyside distilleries offer gentle days out as the seasons begin to turn.
Discover Auchnascraw Mill and book a characterful self-catering escape in Moray.
A Season for Slower Stays
Late winter and early spring are some of the most rewarding times to enjoy a self-catering holiday in Scotland. With fewer crowds, longer days beginning to return and a quieter pace of life, it’s a season that invites you to slow down and experience places more fully.
By choosing a self-catering cottage, you are not only creating space to relax and reconnect, but also supporting local communities at a quieter time of year. From remote Highland retreats to peaceful countryside hideaways, these stays offer a chance to pause, breathe and welcome the changing season together.
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.