Scotland’s ‘best staycation destinations’ this summer as stunning island tops list

The top holiday spots in the country have been named.

11:18, 01 Jun 2026Updated 11:31, 01 Jun 2026

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Scotland’s “best staycation destinations” ahead of the summer have been named, and a coastal town on a stunning island has topped the list. A total of 12 locations around the country are included on the nationwide roundup of this year’s best spots for a holiday within the UK.

On Monday, June 1, Sykes Holiday Cottages shared a list of Britain’s best staycations for 2026 as part of its annual Staycation Index Report. The experts also revealed that 28 per cent are more likely to take a holiday on home soil this year than in 2025 and 38 per cent plan to take their main holiday in the UK this year—rising to 53 per cent among Gen Z.

Coming in at number one for Scotland on the roundup is Lerwick in Shetland, which is the main town and port of the archipelago. The town, which is home to a population of around 7,000 people, is famous for its maritime heritage and stunning sheltered natural harbour.

Lerwick features popular tourist attractions such as Mareel and the Shetland Museum and Archives. The former is a multi-purpose entertainment venue that offers a year-round programme of music, dance, drama, film, and more, while the Shetland Museum and Archives is home to more than 3,000 artefacts.

The coastal town is also renowned for its food and drink, with various acclaimed restaurants and pubs dotted throughout. Among the top venues are the sea-view Fjarå Café Bar, modern bistro The Dowry, traditional pub the Douglas Arms, and The New Harbour Café diner.

Following behind in second place for Scotland on Sykes Holiday Cottages’ list is Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Known as the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’, the picturesque town offers easy access to Ben Nevis and a huge variety of other scenic walking and hiking trails.

The third-best staycation destination in Scotland according to Sykes Holiday Cottages is Oban, which is regarded as the country’s ‘seafood capital’. Oban is famous for eateries such as Ee-Usk and Cuan Mor, as well as attractions and beauty spots such as the Oban Distillery and McCaig’s Tower.

Elsewhere, topping the experts’ overall list of Britain’s best staycation spots is St Ives in Cornwall—known for its surf beaches and art scene. Other destinations singled out include Bamburgh in Northumberland, Ambleside and Grasmere in the Lake District, and Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

Sykes Holiday Cottages chief commercial officer James Shaw commented: “The continued popularity of UK breaks demonstrates that staycations remain a key part of how Brits holiday. More people are choosing to stay at home and prioritising value, flexibility and reassurance when planning time away, particularly amid ongoing uncertainty around overseas travel.

“What’s especially notable this year is the growing influence of younger travellers, Gen Z is increasingly embracing UK holidays, with more people opting for experience-led trips that combine scenery, food, culture and the chance to explore multiple destinations in one break.

“From seaside towns and national parks to countryside retreats, the UK continues to offer an enormous variety of holiday experiences, and that’s reflected in the strength and diversity of destinations featured in this year’s rankings.”

The research also revealed that staycation-goers expect to spend an average of £1,171 in total on accommodation, food, travel, and spending money. Additionally, 64 per cent have considered a multi-destination road trip comprising an average of three different locations.

According to Sykes Holiday Cottages, coastal spots are the most sought after destinations, followed by rural areas and national parks. Tourist attractions were big influences when deciding where to visit, alongside locations with fond memories and good reviews and ratings.

Of the 78 per cent hoping for a UK break this year, 67 per cent say they enjoy the country’s scenery and nature, while 48 per cent claim it’s simply the time they have to switch off and relax. The research, carried out via OnePoll, found 14 per cent have been influenced by a film or TV show, with Peaky Blinders the most influential following its film release this year.

Shaw added: “For many people, holidays remain one of the most important opportunities in the year to properly switch off and spend quality time together, even as budgets remain under pressure. What this research highlights is that UK travel continues to appeal because it offers both convenience and variety – whether that’s a coastal escape, a countryside road trip or revisiting places that hold personal memories.

“We’re also seeing more travellers embrace flexible, multi-stop breaks, with people increasingly keen to experience more of what the UK has to offer in a single trip.”

See below for the full list of Scotland’s best staycation destinations for 2026. The full Staycation Index Report can be found on the Sykes Holiday Cottages website.