The Best Airbnb Choices in Inverness

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If you are looking for alternative accommodation in Inverness, perhaps something a little different or more unique than your typical hotels then take a look at our best Airbnb Inverness options.

We have chosen our top places to stay in Inverness in Scotland whether you are looking to remain within the city or around Inverness and The Highlands.

Our Inverness vacation rentals range from single household accommodation, romantic couple retreats right up to castles for 18 people.

Make sure to take a look, even if like me, you just like to be nosey and see what’s on offer!

Alternatively, if you fancy some luxury then check out some of these choices on the North Coast 500.

Shepherd’s Hut

The Shepherd’s Hut was commissioned by the Black Isle Brewing Co Ltd and it is so unique and filled with such intrigue and charm that I couldn’t miss it off the list.

It looks as though it has been pulled straight out of a magazine and I love it. It is a very cool roulotte.

You will be surrounded by organic farmland with sheep and freshly grown produce and while it may be more secluded, it’s a perfect spot for some respite. There is not a lot to offer in terms of space inside this accommodation but I do believe that they have made the most of what little space is available. There is even a wood fire for those colder nights.

This is a one-bedroom hut, best suited for two people as it does have a double bed it also benefits from a shower cubicle so there are some modern amenities. The interior is mainly made up of wood but there are so many eclectic and traditional elements in the decor that provides this cosy atmosphere.

As you might expect, there is no access to WiFi or TV but what you will get, is a truly unique experience.

Drumduan Mill

Drumduan Mill is a converted Corn Mill and located just outside of Nairn, meaning it is around 30 minutes drive to Inverness but once you see it, you will undoubtedly understand why it’s on the list.

This is slightly larger accommodation, it is set over three floors and you have full access of the property to yourself where there are three bedrooms which can house up to six guests, including pets.

In terms of location, it is still a well-connected area. For those with pets, you are nearby Culbin Forest which offers miles of woodland walks and plenty of opportunities to experience some of the wildlife. You are also close to shops, restaurants and many beaches.

The Mill itself is a beautiful building from the exterior and throughout. The interior is quite spacious, you have an open plan living/dining area with log burner, there are lots of intricate and distinctive design features and it is furnished with mostly antique and traditional furniture but this style works really well with the overall location.

You do have use of the kitchen which has all of the necessary amenities, along with a utility room and coat/boot room which are great if you have been for one of those long woodland walks. However, the room that really stands out to me is the downstairs bathroom with this incredible porcelain Victorian bath with beautiful tiling underneath, the old fashioned scales and the incredible sink unit.

There are so many details in this property that make it a very special place to stay.

Balloan Cottage Open Plan Barn Conversion

This open plan barn conversion is a great choice and somewhere that I would consider well suited to those that like a more modern touch.

The barn can host up to four guests as there are two double bedrooms along with two bathrooms so you definitely won’t be falling over each other. It’s a gorgeous property which has been decorated to a really high standard.

You do have two bedrooms, one of which is on a mezzanine floor overlooking the living area which is a fun feature. The rest of the property is a mix of modern and classic in terms of decor, you have your large TV, sound system, console but you also have a lot of woods throughout, some tartan accessories and really lovely family areas.

The kitchen/dining area is beautiful, filled with lots of natural light during the day and soft overhead lighting in the evening. The bathroom has a roll-top bath with shower and again offers a really nice and calming atmosphere.

This property would be great for those looking to explore the city of Inverness but also have the space to wind down after a long day!

There is plenty of on-street parking available for your stay and you even have access to a private and secluded garden.

Book your stay at Balloan Cottage

Like the sound of Balloan Cottage? Check the latest prices and book your stay here.

Pityoulish Barn

Another barn! I didn’t know what to expect when looking at the Inverness Airbnb options but there were a lot of conversions and rural properties that really stuck out to me and that I hope will also appeal to you.

I think this property is perfect for a couple, perhaps even for one person looking for some peace and tranquillity (it would make a fantastic working space). There is one double bedroom although there is also a day bed so if you are travelling as a three, this is still a possibility but be aware that there is no dividing partition, the bedroom is on a split mezzanine and a lot of this property is open plan.

This barn is located in the Cairngorm National Park so you can expect some beautiful views from and around this property. This is the perfect spot to get away from the reality of city life.

There is a magical amount of natural light to be found in the barn, with high ceilings and open and minimal decor. There is something so Scandi and inviting about it mixed with the many mod cons. You have a wood burner for the cooler nights, a large cast-iron bathtub, an even bigger shower area but most importantly are those incredible surroundings.

Stoneyfield Shepherd’s Hut, Glen Urquhart, L. Ness

If you are looking for a secluded getaway, then take a look at this Shepherd’s Hut. It can accommodate up to three people, two adults and a young child but bear in mind space.

The vacation rental hut is in woodland by Glen Urquhart and by a small stream. It has definitely been finished to an extremely high standard and has a wood burner, toilet and shower room providing you with a more comfortable living situation despite being so secluded.

You couldn’t imagine how lovely, spacious and well decorated this Shepherd’s Hut would be from the outside but the interior is really rustic and homely.

Despite being in woodland you do get free WiFi and use of a TV here along with cooking basics and bathroom essentials.

Luxury self-catering log cabin at Assich Zen Lodge

For me, I really enjoy fuss-free luxury. I hope that makes sense. I want to feel special, I want unique and I want new experiences that I could not afford otherwise but not necessarily of monetary value and I think that’s what the Assich Zen Lodge offers. It has so much to offer.

This hut has one bedroom and one bathroom making it most suited towards couples. With the most romantic of locations, it has bifold doors leading to panoramic views of mountain, sea, forest and castle, with exclusive use of a large decked area, wood-fired hot-tub, sauna and fire pit. You will have the full property to yourself and it’s just dreamy and idyllic.

The inside is open plan with the dining, kitchen, living and bedroom area in one space. The bed is a flip-down bed but the whole atmosphere within the property does not at all feel claustrophobic and it decorated really nicely with the feature of a wood-burner. It has a very cabin/cosy feel to it.

Embo House

Embo House is absolutely stunning. Breathtaking. And I cannot emphasise that enough which is why I have added it to the list despite it being just over an hour away from central Inverness.

Hosting up to 16 guests with 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, this is an option for larger groups. You will have full access to the house and its gardens and my goodness, it is luxury.

So, let’s start outside where we have 8 acres of land to enjoy and a path leading right to the beach. A glass summer house with beautiful views over the grounds, treehouse and buildings housing ping-pong and table football games, a built-in BBQ, a practice Golf Pitching area and a view overlooking the sea. You can also request the hire of a hot tub during your stay.

Inside, there are grand rooms, with both modern and historical touches. There are open fireplaces, a library and a games room with its own bar. All of the bedrooms are extremely large with equally big bathrooms attached and the kitchen area is really clean and bright. While this accommodation is self-service you can pay extra for full Scottish cooked breakfasts and chef-cooked meals which is an option that I haven’t seen at any other Airbnb in any of the destinations that we have covered. This really goes above and beyond into providing that added touch of luxury.

Historic Erchless Castle

Erchless Castle is approximately 40 minutes drive from Inverness City Centre but it is our biggest accommodation so if you are looking to book for a large group, this is the one for you.

The Castle can accommodate up to 18 guests, has 10 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. It is also pet friendly. So while you may be a distance from the centre of Inverness, I suspect that if you are looking to travel in such a large group, you may be looking for the privacy and space to match. And where better than being in your own private grounds of a Scottish Castle!

I couldn’t for the life of me begin to go into detail of every room that there is but it is a castle, set over three floors so I’m sure you can imagine the vast amount of space that you will have, inside and out of the property.

There are many walks surrounding the castle where you can take in the views, fresh air and wildlife (there is even a hot tub for those summer months!) and inside the castle, well, it is as grand and dramatic as you may expect. There are taxidermy and old oil portraits but there are also many modern touches, such as the kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped and looks very newly done while the bedrooms are more traditional but hugely spacious and filled with intricate details and most with their own fireplaces.

The bathrooms are impressive, each in their own right but I think it’s the twin bathroom with side by side bathtubs that was most unexpected to me. Aside from that, there is so much to take in at this property, you are best to take a look at it yourself!

No 7, central, by river, beautiful old terrace.

This is a beautiful old terraced holiday apartment with one double bedroom, filled with character and somewhere that is perfect for one to two guests.

If you have read any of our other best Airbnb posts then you will know that I am a huge lover of terraced and Victorian buildings in particular, so this property stands out to me for all of those wonderful older features.

This property is ground floor entry which may not be to everyone’s preference but it is in a quiet terrace off the main streets but it also means that there are no stairs or steps to enter the property which may benefit some as it is more accessible. It has free on-street parking, is near the river and is only minutes walk from the castle and many of the cities bars and restaurants which is a great positive for holiday rentals in the city.

The one-bedroom flat is on the smaller side but it has everything that you could need including an enclosed terrace garden which is a nice extra to have. I love the bathroom with the rich navy walls and black and white tiling. You will see some really lovely and bold flooring throughout the property. The bathroom has a roll-top bath with an overhead shower making it feel more luxe.

The living area is much smaller than the majority of our other properties in this list but it is cosy and well kept and although there is free WiFi, there is no TV at this property if that is of any importance to you. The kitchen is fully equipped and the bedroom has a lovely double bed and fireplace feature.

Spacious Riverside 2BR Apartment – City Centre

This city centre flat offers beautiful views of the River Ness, Harbour and Kessock Bridge with its own private balcony.

A first-floor apartment with two double bedrooms, one of which is en-suite, it comes with free parking and is only 15 minute walking distance to the city centre makes this a fantastic opportunity for those looking to stay closer to the city but it could also be a great stop off for those taking part in the NC500 or for those looking to explore The Scottish Highlands and nearby Loch Ness while wanting to retreat closer to the centre in the evenings.

You have an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area which leads on to that standout feature of the balcony, something that isn’t entirely common in Inverness so this is a great feature for those who may enjoy eating outside and having a couple of drinks in the evening while looking at the breathtaking view.

The decor is quite neutral and tasteful throughout the property, very clean and spacious. Both bedrooms have memory foam mattresses which I know will appeal to many and the master bedroom comes with en-suite that has a walk-in shower while the main bathroom has a bath with overhead shower. At this property, you can also enjoy the use of free WiFi and TV with Netflix.

MacKenzie House, In the hills above Loch Ness

Another choice for those bigger groups, only this one is slightly closer at only 11 miles from the city centre. MacKenzie House can accommodate up to 12 guests with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

I think that this is a great choice for a large family gathering. Not only are you nestled away in the hills but you have the wonderful luxury of the home cinema, hot tub, full-size snooker table, jacuzzi, sauna & bar to enjoy.

The majority of the rooms are open plan which is great for a family dynamic and there are beautiful views to be had from the property. If you are lucky, you can even enjoy some al fresco dining.

The Nessting Place: 4 bedroom city centre home

The Nessting Place is a 4 bedroom city centre home in Inverness which can accommodate up to 8 guests.

It is a beautifully clean, end of terrace house that comes with all of those fantastic features such as the high ceilings with stunning coving details, the fireplaces and lots of light from the big windows.

This feels like a really homely place to stay, very much a lived-in family home type of vibe so you know that you can expect all of those home comforts and that familiarity.

The bedrooms again are clean and spacious. They are all quite neutral in decor and there is some storage space in each room for you to keep your things. There are 2.5 bathrooms, the main bathroom has a bath, an en-suite with a shower and also a room with toilet and sink.

In the kitchen/dining area, you can expect to find all of the usual amenities including dishwasher, washing machine and coffee machine.

I believe that there are also many childcare items such as a travel cot, baby bath, stair gates, books and toys so if you are travelling with younger children, hopefully, you won’t need to take all of these things with you.

The property has free parking on site but if you are not travelling by car, it is also within walking distance of the train station.

Book your stay at the Nessting Place

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Stay in a former ABBEY at Loch Ness

I’m adding this location because it is so unusual and so unique that I think it will appeal to a lot of people. I also feel that it could be a very divisive property, a bit of marmite.

This is a self-catering apartment for two, with one bedroom and one bathroom but it is within an old Abbey. The apartment itself is very modern and looks newly fitted, while the rest of the building… You just have to look and see for yourself.

You are surrounded by acres and acres of land so you are in a really beautiful setting and not only that but you will have access to the heated indoor swimming pool with steam room & sauna, a well-equipped gym, a tennis court, badminton net, giant chess, BBQ-places, croquet lawn, outdoor table tennis and cricket pitch, and a Club Lounge with full-sized snooker table which all adds up to making it a luxurious getaway.

I am really curious as to what people think of this final option or any of the properties above.

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