By Elle May Rice
Copyright dailyrecord
A picturesque tower house branded “glorious” and “spectacular” by its guests has been named the best place to stay in Scotland, according to travel experts. Sykes Holiday Cottages has announced the winners of its 2025 Gems Awards, naming the best of the best when it comes to UK staycations. Awarded first place in the Scotland category was Balcary Tower near Palnackie, Dumfries & Galloway , a holiday home described by its owners as a “peaceful coastal escape.” The property is perched on a rocky promontory at the entrance to Balcary Bay along the Solway Firth in Dumfries & Galloway. The four-storey tower is nestled at the end of a long, private, tree-lined drive, with owners promising an “exceptional level of privacy and seclusion” for visitors. The tower house features four bedrooms, an open-plan living space, a fire pit and barbecue, as well as 19-acres of private land and direct beach access. Balcary Tower has an overall rating of 4.3 stars from impressed guests, who branded it an “amazing” property with ” spectacular views.” P riced from £2,950 for a seven-night stay, spots at Balcary Tower are filling up fast thanks to its recognition as one of the top places to stay in the region. Other nearby properties include Barncailzie Lodge on Cottages.com , which has been dubbed the ” the most peaceful location” by visitors. On Booking.com, Fox Cottage has racked up rave reviews from impressed guests, who called it “perfect” and “fantastic.” Balcary Tower has garnered huge praise on Sykes Cottages , with many reviewers calling it “amazing” and “spectacular.” Among them, one person said: ” WOW WOW WOW This tower is amazing with spectacular views from all windows. “It is very private, peaceful and very comfortable The decor and facilities were to a high standard and luxury and the beds were very comfortable. We had an enjoyable stay and would definitely recommend this property. I will be back.” A second happy visitor wrote: “Fantastic location – just needs some mugs in the kitchen.” However, one person claimed they’d had issues when communicating with the property owners. They added: ” It may be small, but good communication and stocking the property properly would go a long way toward making this a place I would recommend again.” There is currently limited availability for Balcary Tower in the coming weeks. However, there is some availability later this year. For instance, you could book a seven-night stay from December 12 to December 19 for £3,895. Take a look at the full list of Sykes Gem Awards 2025 winners here.
