London is usually a city I always pop through- its easy and close from Chicago but its also a really common stopover for me when I'm going somewhere in Europe from Australia including for our honeymoon this past October. Pair that with the many other times I've just gone to visit my friends in the area (and my ex 🙃) and I've been too many times to count

Think Scotland is all castles and kilts? Aye, but it’s also crackling fires, snug hideaways, and secret cottages that feel like they were made just for you. We’ve rounded up stays that are cosy without being cliché, charming without the crowds, and tucked away in places where the mist does all the mood-setting. From fairytale nooks to boutique boltholes, this list is your ticket to slowing down and actually being in Scotland—not just passing through. Save it now, thank us later (preferably over a dram of whisky by the fire). 🥃✨