Fingal in Leith named Europe and Scotland's Leading Boutique Hotel

Leith's floating hotel has sailed to the top of the boutique hotel rankings. Fingal has been named Europe and Scotland's Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2026, adding to a growing list of accolades for one of the city's most unusual places to stay.

Fingal is a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship that has been transformed into a hotel, restaurant and wedding and events venue. Permanently berthed in the historic Port of Leith, it relaunched as a luxury hotel in 2019 and is owned and operated by the team behind The Royal Yacht Britannia, which is around ten minutes away.

As well as its latest award, Fingal holds AA five-star status and was named Tripadvisor's number one UK one-of-a-kind hotel in 2025. Guests stay in cabins with nautical touches, from classic and luxury cabins to duplexes and the Skerryvore Suite, which has its own private deck for stargazing.

You do not need to stay overnight to enjoy it. The Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar, which holds two AA Rosettes, is open to non-residents for breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails, with menus built on seasonal Scottish produce from local suppliers. This year the ship's galley crew created a new afternoon tea menu, with dishes such as hot-smoked salmon in a crispy potato basket and a Valrhona chocolate and raspberry gateau, served with the glamour of a superyacht and the elegance of an Art Deco ocean liner. Private dining booths are available for small groups.

Fingal has also become a stage for the city's culture. Its chef Pedro Barreira cooked at this year's first Leith Food Festival, and on 31 October former Scots Makar Jackie Kay appears aboard for a preview event ahead of the Push the Boat Out poetry festival.

The hotel is well connected, with the tram providing a direct link between Leith, the city centre and Edinburgh Airport.

For a special occasion, or simply to see the waterfront from a different angle, it is hard to think of a more distinctive setting in the city.

Cabins, afternoon tea and dining can be booked on the Fingal website.