In the remote, windy town of Wigtown, nestled in the Scottish highlands, there’s an Airbnb listing like no other.
Welcome to The Open Book, a one-of-a-kind literary escape where bibliophiles from around the world can pay to stay in an apartment above a charming bookstore.
However, there’s an unusual twist that sets this accommodation apart from the rest: when you book your stay, you’re not just a guest: you’re the merchant.
This unique rental has a staggering two-year waiting list for the opportunity to stay in a self-contained apartment, featuring a full bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room.
The concept is the world’s first ‘bookstore residency experience’, where guests from all corners of the world have the privilege of running their own quaint seaside bookstore.
Welcome to The Open Book, a one-of-a-kind literary escape where bibliophiles from all over the world can pay to stay in an apartment above a charming bookstore in the Highlands.
This unique rental has a staggering two-year waiting list for the opportunity to stay in the self-contained apartment above the store, which features a bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room.
However, there’s an unusual twist that sets this accommodation apart from the rest: when you book your stay, you’re not just a guest: you’re the merchant.
From rearranging displays to setting prices and selling books, visitors take charge of the store as they see fit, interacting with local residents and helping customers find the perfect read.
Guests can even make creative use of the exterior whiteboard that invites visitors to browse or chat.
The idea of paying to work during the holidays may be a nightmare for some, but it is a dream for thousands of bookworms who can afford to live out their literary fantasies in a century-old bookstore.
Since its launch in 2014, The Open Book has become a global phenomenon, attracting more than 450 guests from as far away as Hawaii and Beijing.
Airbnb is widely considered the “first bookstore residency experience,” and despite unconventional job requirements, the store’s cozy charm continues to attract book lovers year-round.
From rearranging displays to setting prices and selling books, visitors take charge of the store as they see fit, interacting with local residents and helping customers find the perfect read.
Pictured: The spacious, modern bathroom at The Open Book vacation rental
Former guests have described the experience as “delightful” with a community-focused atmosphere.
Local volunteers also play a crucial role in maintaining the nonprofit enterprise, which is the brainchild of author and full-time filmmaker Jessica Fox.
According Weekly Euro NewsTheir goal was to create a unique refuge for book lovers who dream of having their own bookstore by the sea.
Pictured: the cozy dining room and living room that guests can enjoy after a hard day at work.
Guests can even make creative use of the exterior whiteboard that invites visitors to browse or chat.
Big Skies: Visitors to Wigtown can stroll through a bustling community of bookstores and historical relics while enjoying an idyllic setting of wild woodlands and coastal views.
The store’s charm continues to attract book lovers all year round and its proceeds help fund the local literary festival.
Bookworms who can afford to live out their literary fantasies in a century-old bookstore
Annual Wigtown Book Festival highlights Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination
Meanwhile, all of the shop’s income (around £8,000 a year) goes to the Wigtown Festival Company, which organizes the town’s celebrated literary festival.
The annual Wigtown Book Festival highlights Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination.
The event attracts thousands of visitors each year, who wander through a bustling community of bookstores and historical relics while taking in an idyllic setting of wild forests and coastal views.
For guests of The Open Book, taking part in this literary mecca is a chance to experience Scotland’s book culture first-hand and, for hundreds of visitors, it appears to be worth the two-year wait.
Elsewhere, a former Samaritan ambulance tank has been converted into a lakeside Airbnb, perfect for those looking for a quirky glamping experience.
This unusual abode forms part of RAF Wainfleet coastal holiday site in Lincolnshire, just a few miles from Skegness, and has delighted guests.
