Lodges With Hot Tubs in Scotland

Picture a steaming hot tub on a deck above a still loch, the hills turning pink as the light fades and a pot of something warming on the stove behind you. That's the Scottish lodge break at its best, and it's easier to find than you might think. The lodges with hot tubs Scotland offers stretch from a loch shore in the Trossachs to a river bank in Ayrshire, and every one gives you a private hot tub, an outdoor space and a cosy lodge to come back to after a day out.

This guide covers the main areas, what to do around each one, and when to go. Scroll down for six lodges and parks we'd happily book ourselves, then a packing list, a month-by-month planner and answers to the questions we hear most.

Which are the best lodges with hot tubs Scotland has to offer?

It depends on what you want from the break. A lodge on Loch Earn suits paddleboarders, a Perthshire woodland lodge suits romantic short breaks, and a riverside park in the Borders suits a group of friends who'd rather fish and walk. Here are six hot tub lodges in Scotland, each with a private outdoor hot tub, spread across the country so you can compare areas as well as lodges.

Red Kite Lodge, Perthshire & Kinross-shire

St Fillans, on the edge of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park - sleeps up to 4 - pets welcome - romantic

A single-storey lodge with wrap-around decking, loch views and a hot tub that faces the hills. Loch Earn is a short walk away for paddleboarding, kayaking and wakeboarding, and golfers can head to the nine-hole St Fillan's course. The only neighbours likely to drop by are the sheep, and the views from the deck are worth the drive alone.

Heilan Roo Lodge, Perthshire

Killiecrankie, near Pitlochry - sleeps up to 6 - adults only - romantic

Bi-folding doors open the living space to the trees, the hot tub is wood-fired (a starter pack is included) and there's a fire pit for the evening. The River Garry is about five minutes' walk away. It's a grown-ups' retreat, so leave the children and dogs at home.

Kessock Highland Lodges, Highlands

North Kessock, Inverness - sleeps up to 4 - luxury

One king-size bedroom, a Jacuzzi bath, a waterfall shower and an outdoor hot tub on the decking. The surrounding countryside is good for walking, cycling and dolphin-watching. A smart pick for couples who want the Highlands without a long drive from Inverness. The glens are close.

Little Lodge, Dumfries & Galloway

Balminnoch, near Glenluce - sleeps up to 4 - pets welcome - near a beach

An all-timber lodge with ramp access, off-road parking and a covered hot tub, so rain won't spoil the soak. The coast is minutes away and two well-behaved dogs are welcome. It's a peaceful, scenic base for a family or two couples.

Teviot View Lodges at Riverside, Scottish Borders

Hawick - sleeps up to 6 - pets welcome - glamping

Lodges on a 10-acre site beside the River Teviot, each with an outdoor hot tub, decking and a double plus two twin bedrooms. There are no on-site facilities, which is exactly why guests like the peace. Hawick, Jedburgh and Kelso are close, and dogs can stay.

Gadgirth Estate Lodges, Ayrshire

Annbank, near Ayr - sleeps up to 6 - pets welcome - luxury

Six lodges stand on the River Ayr, each with a hot tub overlooking the water, a wood-burning stove and towel warmers for the walk back from the deck. Families, walkers and cyclists all end up here. Ayr is about 15 minutes away by car.

Want more choice? Browse the full Highlands, Perthshire, Argyll and Dumfries-shire pages, or start at our main lodge search.

Where to base your stay in Scotland

Scotland is bigger than it looks on the map, so choose one area, plan your holidays in Scotland around it and pick the lodge second.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Only about an hour from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is the easiest hot tub getaway Scotland has, and the national park around it is made for a family holiday. Balloch is the gateway, with Loch Lomond Shores, a bird of prey centre and an aquarium for children. Further up the west shore, the village of Luss has cottages and cosy pubs and runs a 90-minute cruise around the islands.

You get the pick of gentle lochside strolls or harder climbs such as Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich. Pack proper boots for those. Our guide to lodges with hot tubs near Loch Lomond has more. Plan your walks with the national park website and check conditions first.

Perthshire and Pitlochry

Perthshire calls itself Big Tree Country, and in October the woodland turns gold and copper. Walk the Hermitage near Dunkeld to see the Black Linn Falls from Ossian's Hall, or the Birks of Aberfeldy through Moness Gorge. Pitlochry's dam has a fish ladder that helps around 5,000 salmon a year on their way upstream!

Blair Castle, home of the Dukes of Atholl, is a short drive north, and its website lists opening days. Browse more lodges around Pitlochry.

The Highlands, Loch Ness and Aviemore

This is the Scotland of postcards: big skies, wooded glens and lochs, and the countryside here is made for luxury lodges. Base yourself near Inverness or Loch Ness for Urquhart Castle and the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus, or a day trip to Glencoe, or go east to the Cairngorms for hiking, cycling and snow sports at Cairngorm Mountain. Our pages for Loch Ness and Aviemore list the lodges in each.

Dumfries and Galloway

Quieter, greener and closer to the border than most people realise, with a self catering lodge on every other lane. Galloway Forest Park has been a Dark Sky Park since 2009, which makes a hot tub after dark something special: you can lie back and watch the stars. By day, take one of the forest drives, spot red deer, or wander the artists' town of Kirkcudbright. The Forestry and Land Scotland site has the park's trails.

Ayrshire and the Borders

Ayrshire gives you Ayr's beach, golf courses and the countryside along the River Ayr. In the Borders, the Teviot and Tweed valleys are all about fishing, gentle hills and market towns such as Hawick, Jedburgh and Kelso. See our Ayrshire lodges and Roxburghshire lodges.

Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife

Spend a day in the capital, then come back to the quiet. Climb Arthur's Seat for the view of the city skyline and the Forth Bridges, and book early if you're going in August, when the Fringe fills the city. East Lothian has the coast: Dunbar's ruined castle, John Muir Country Park and the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick. Look at East Lothian lodges and our guide to lodges near Edinburgh Zoo.

Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside

Castles come thick and fast here, so it's a great stay for a short break. Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family, sits in the forests of Royal Deeside, and Craigievar Castle has pink walls and seven storeys of towers and turrets. See Aberdeenshire lodges.

What to look for in a Scottish hot tub lodge

Not every lodge suits every group, so check a few things before you book. A private hot tub should sit on your own decking, not in a shared area, and it's worth asking whether it's electric, wood-fired or covered for wet weather.

• Bedrooms and sleeping space, so everyone gets a proper bed.
• A wood burning stove or fire pit for the cold evenings.
• Pet-friendly or adults-only rules, which vary by lodge.
• Whether it's self catering with a full kitchen, and how far the nearest shop is.
• The outdoor space, the views and how private the setting feels.

Most of our hot tubs in Scotland are in peaceful woodland, riverside or countryside spots, so you'll relax without neighbours close by. Many are luxury lodges with spacious living areas. A private hot tub with a view is the whole point.

Cheap hot tub breaks in Scotland: how to pay less

Everyone wants a good-value stay in Scotland, and there are a few sure ways to get one. Prices change by lodge and date, so we won't quote any, but the pattern is steady.

• Travel in May, early June, September or October, when lodges are usually cheaper than in July and August.
• Go midweek: Sunday to Thursday nights are normally easier on the wallet than Friday and Saturday.
• Share. A holiday lodge for six split between three couples costs each of you far less. Use the cost splitter below.
• Check last minute lodge deals on our special offers page, where gaps in the diary appear.
• Book a short stay: our two-night lodge picks and weekends away in Scotland make it easy.

What to pack for a Scottish lodge break

The weather can change four times in a day, so pack for all of it. Tick things off as you go.

When is the best time to go for a hot tub holiday in Scotland?

May and September usually give the best mix of dry days, long light and few midges, and September is also the best month for hiking. July and August are busiest, and the midges peak then, especially at dusk near water. Winter has short days, but a hot tub on a frosty night is hard to beat. Pick your month below, then book a holiday that suits.

Lodge breaks for couples, families, dogs and groups

Couples should look at our romantic getaways in Scotland, and anyone who loves the coast should try coastal cottages with hot tubs in Scotland. Anglers can read about fishing lodges in Scotland. For a big get-together, see cottages with hot tubs for 12 people in Scotland.

Pick any of the lodges with hot tubs Scotland has on our books and dogs are welcome at many of them, including Red Kite Lodge, Little Lodge and Gadgirth, so check the pets column in the table above before you book. Some lodges, like Heilan Roo, are adults only.

Hot tub lodges in Scotland FAQs

Do all lodges have a private hot tub?

Every lodge we list has a hot tub that's for your party's use only. Check each lodge page for wood-fired, electric or covered tubs.

When is the cheapest time for hot tub breaks in Scotland?

Lodges are usually cheaper outside school holidays and midweek. Late autumn, winter and early spring tend to be the lowest, but dates and prices vary by lodge.

Can I book a last minute lodge in Scotland?

Yes, sometimes. Check our special offers page for gaps in the diary, and be flexible on dates and area.

Are dogs allowed in hot tub lodges in Scotland?

Many lodges take dogs, often up to two, but not all. Look for the pets welcome tag on each lodge page, and note that adults-only lodges don't take them.

Where is the best place to stay for stargazing?

Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway has been a Dark Sky Park since 2009, so lodges nearby are a good bet for watching the stars from your hot tub.

Are midges a problem?

They can be from late spring to early autumn, worst at dusk near water in July and August. Repellent helps, and a breeze keeps them away.

Ready to book? Take your pick of UK lodges with hot tubs, and settle in for the soak.