Naturally, luxury accommodations are available on the mainland. Loch Melfort Hotel (lochmelfort.co.uk) and Balcary Bay Hotel (balcary-bay-hotel.co.uk) are set on the shores of some of the lochs and bays that twine their way throughout the country, giving you both an ocean and freshwater view. If you prefer a more isolated retreat, take advantage of the Hotel Hebrides (hotel-hebrides.com) on the Isle of Harris or the Isle of Eriska Hotel (eriska-hotel.co.uk). Though surrounded by surf, you'll lack for nothing from either.
From Viking incursions to battles for independence, Scotland's history is evident throughout many of its hotels. Visit the 600-year-old Culzean Castle (culzeanexperience.org) in Ayrshire and stay in the Eisenhower Apartment, a place where former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower felt he could relax. Or, stay at the comfortable Knockinaam Lodge (knockinaamlodge.com) in Dumfries and Galloway, a former hunting lodge from the mid-1800s and a favorite of Eisenhower and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Don't expect bland fare at these luxurious hotels. Their skilled chefs take full advantage of the seaside locations to incorporate the freshest catches into traditional local cuisine, as well as some dishes from the far flung reaches of their imaginations. Local ingredients, from river fish to meats and cheeses, also make it onto the menus. The Bunchcrew House and Hotel (bunchrew-inverness.co.uk) in Inverness even avails itself of local game such as venison to please your palate.
Scotland's luxury seaside getaways take pride in distancing themselves from the everyday world and its so-called progress. Take advantage of the stewarded wilderness that surrounds many of the locations, such as Tigh an Eilean (tighaneilean.co.uk) in Shieldag, to view wildlife, including rare birds like puffins. Stay at Duisdale House (duisdale.com) on the Isle of Skye and spend time sailing on the proprietors' yacht. Or take in a few rounds of golf while staying at The Colonsay (colonsayestate.co.uk/Colonsay-Hotel.aspx) in Argyll.
