Top 10 Airbnb Markets in Scotland

Every year, tens of thousands of tourists visit Scotland. It is home to some stunning places known the world over for their rich history and culture, including St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

According to searches on the internet, outside of the UK, Scotland appears to be most popular among those in the Republic of Ireland, Malta, and Norway, with more searches for the phrase "Scotland" in these countries than in any other. The word 'Glasgow' is searched online around 700,000 times each month worldwide, whereas the term 'Edinburgh' is searched 654,000 times. Additionally, Scotland had a total international spend of £204 million in the first quarter of 2020.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the popularity of Scotland as a tourist destination and the most popular Airbnb markets in Scotland.

How Many People Visit Scotland Every Year?

People from all around the world clearly love Scotland. Although the recent pandemic may have reduced the number of visitors to this beautiful country, this number is expected to increase in the next months and years as more and more countries allow travel to Scotland. According to d74r6, 50% of all tourists to Scotland come for the scenery and landscape. History and culture are also significant reasons to visit Scotland.

Over 150 million visitors from all over the world visited Scotland in 2019, and England accounted for nearly 6 million of those visitors (1 in 10 people). In 2019, the Glasgow and Clyde Valley region had over 10.8 million total overnight stays. There were around 534,000 visitors from the United States alone to the Edinburgh and Lothian region.

Key statistics about tourism in Scotland

• Scotland received 3.46 million overseas visitors in 2019.
• The average international tourist stays in Scotland for 7.9 nights.
• 2.1 million trips were made for vacation, while 371,000 were for business.
• International tourists spend an average of £734 every visit.
• The top four source markets for international tourism in Scotland are the United States, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The Top 10 Airbnb Markets in Scotland

1. Argyll And Bute:

Argyll & Bute is the ideal place to get away from it all, with breathtaking scenery and island paradises. The region, located on Scotland's west coast, is home to 23 inhabited islands, each with its own unique island culture and quiet beaches, while the rocky panoramas on the mainland are guaranteed to steal your guests’ breath away. Argyll & The Isles is one of the best areas in Scotland to witness iconic species such as golden eagles, red deer, otters, seals, puffins, and more, with seven National Nature Reserves (and many more parks, gardens, and open spaces in between).

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $156 Occupancy Rate: 80% Revenue: $2633 Active Rentals: 2959

The most popular rental type is entire homes (86%) with private rooms (13%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (36%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (28%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (30%) followed by 2 nights (28%) and then 3 nights (24%).

2. Scottish Highlands:

The Scottish Highlands are the Scotland of your dreams. With friendly people, a distinct culture, spectacular scenery, majestic castles, and rich history, Scotland is the ideal setting for a Scottish adventure. The Highlands offer a variety of activities, including exploring the enigmatic Loch Ness, traveling through the Cairngorms National Park, admiring the iconic castles on the Isle of Skye, watching dolphins play off the Moray Speyside coast, hiking up Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis, in Lochaber, or discovering the untamed Caithness coastline.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $151 Occupancy Rate: 81% Revenue: $2611 Active Rentals: 10,367

The most popular rental type is entire homes (80%) with private rooms (20%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (34%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (29%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (38%) followed by 2 nights (24%), and then 3 nights (22%).

3. Edinburgh

There are plenty of intriguing things for visitors to do in Edinburgh. There's nowhere else like it, with gorgeous architecture, countless twisting alleyways, and an awe-inspiring castle perched on a dormant volcano. From sightseeing in the ancient Old Town, where some of the top Edinburgh landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile can be located, to taking a themed tour and discovering the city's many secrets, to popping into a nice cafe and watching the world go by, your guests will be spoilt for choice with so many sites to see in Edinburgh.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $183 Occupancy Rate: 82% Revenue: $3165 Active Rentals: 8570

The most popular rental type is entire homes (73%) with private rooms (27%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (40%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (35%).

Popular minimum stays are 2 nights (40%) followed by 1 night (29%), and then 3 nights (20%).

4. Perth

From its tranquil glens and limitless stretches of verdant forest to its starkly gorgeous moors, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls, it's easy to see why Sir Walter Scott dubbed Perth "the fairest portion of the northern kingdom." Guests may experience the ideal holiday in Perth, with much to do, including family-friendly outings and adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities. Perth is home to superb arboreal examples in its numerous green woodlands, forests, and gardens.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $176 Occupancy Rate: 74% Revenue: $2706 Active Rentals: 2532

The most popular rental type is entire homes (85%) with private rooms (15%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (38%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (28%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (34%) followed by 2 nights (33%), and then 3 nights (22%).

5. Aberdeen

Aberdeen's weather may not always be sunny, but the 'Granite City' is home to some of the country's most distinctive buildings, as well as a magnificent shoreline where dolphins frolic and bustling harbors where fishermen unload their catch of the day.

Aberdeen's great maritime tradition is on show around the ancient town of Footdee, with its clusters of old fishermen's cottages, and the surrounding region features 263 castles, many of which are well-preserved and open to visitors. Dunottar, less than 20 miles from Aberdeen, is particularly evocative, with its jagged ruins clinging to the cliff edge.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $132 Occupancy Rate: 70% Revenue: $1862 Active Rentals: 2121

The most popular rental type is entire homes (79%), with private rooms (20%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (39%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (28%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (33%), followed by 2 nights (30%), and then 3 nights (22%).

6. Dundee

Dundee, on Scotland's North Sea coast, is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the country. Its waterfront is being revitalized, and there are several excellent museums, including the V&A Dundee design museum and the RRS Discovery, an expedition steamship that successfully transported Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton to the Antarctic in 1901. The pinnacle of the Dundee Law, a hill in the city center, at 175m above sea level, is worth the effort for the superb city and river views from its summit.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $172 Occupancy Rate: 74% Revenue: $1752 Active Rentals: 2731

The most popular rental type is entire homes (69%), with private rooms (31%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (45%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (21%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (35%), followed by 2 nights (33%), and then 3 nights (28%).

7. Glasgow

From dawn to twilight and well into the night, Glasgow has something for everyone. Glasgow is home to some of Scotland's top cultural attractions, and the best part is that the majority of them are free!

Guests might easily spend their time in Glasgow exploring the various neighborhoods and enjoying the fantastic shopping, restaurants, and activities. They can take a walking tour of Glasgow's music scene or discover many treasures inside its renowned museums and art galleries.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $159 Occupancy Rate: 67% Revenue: $2086 Active Rentals: 4113

The most popular rental type is entire homes (73%), with private rooms (26%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (46%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (35%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (37%), followed by 2 nights (27%), and then 3 nights (14%).

8. Stirling

This medieval city is advantageously located nearly midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Stirling was also Scotland's capital before Edinburgh took it.

Stirling's central location in Scotland made it a suitable candidate for the capital city. The majestic architecture and the breathtakingly impressive Stirling Castle are reminders of its former splendor.

According to AirDNA:

Average Daily Rate: $183 Occupancy Rate: 74% Revenue: $2897 Active Rentals: 3744

The most popular rental type is entire homes (86%), with private rooms (14%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (39%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (22%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (34%), followed by 3 nights (26%), and then 2 nights (25%).

9. Shetland Islands

This archipelago is made up of roughly 100 separate islands and is located between Norway and mainland Scotland.

There are numerous activities available in Shetland. The islands offer some of the most spectacular vistas in the United Kingdom, as well as a Viking heritage second to none. Shetland was even named one of Europe's best locations in Lonely Planet's Best in Europe 2019 list. Shetland Island is the ideal Scottish hideaway for those seeking adrenaline-fueled adventure or a gentler pace of life.

According to AirDNA:

Active Rentals: 205

The most popular rental type is entire homes (77%), with private rooms (23%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (39%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by single-bedroom properties (32%).

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (28%), followed by 3 nights (27%), and then 2 nights (21%).

10. South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire is located on the west coast of Scotland, only a 40-minute drive from Glasgow, and boasts the joys of island life, countryside towns, and sandy beaches. Guests can visit the major Burns sites, stroll through an ancient castle, or discover more about the Vikings who previously landed on those exact shores.

According to AirDNA::

Active Rentals: 567

The most popular rental type is entire homes (87%), with private rooms (13%) being the second.

2 roomed properties (42%) are the most popular rental size followed shortly by 3 roomed properties (23%)

Popular minimum stays are 1 night (33%), followed by 2 nights (31%), and then 3 nights (26%)