Inside the Highlands Airbnb which boasts a two-year waiting list – but there’s a catch

In the remote, windswept town of Wigtown, nestled in the Scottish highlands, there’s an Airbnb listing unlike any other.

Welcome to The Open Book, a unique literary escape where bibliophiles from all over the world can pay to stay in an apartment above a charming bookstore.

However, there is an unusual twist that sets this property apart: when you book your stay, you are not only a guest, but also the retailer.

This unique rental property boasts a staggering two-year waiting list for the chance to stay in the self-contained flat, which features a full bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room.

The concept is the world’s first ever ‘bookstore residency experience’, where guests from all corners of the world are given the privilege of running their own special bookstore by the sea.

This unique rental property has a staggering two-year waiting list for the chance to stay in the self-contained flat above the shop, which features a bathroom, bedroom, lounge, kitchen and dining room

However, there’s an unusual twist that sets this property apart: when you book your stay, you’re not just a guest: you’re the retailer

From rearranging displays to pricing and selling books, visitors take control of the store as they see fit, interact with locals and help customers find the perfect read.

Guests can even make inventive use of the outdoor blackboard that entices visitors to browse around or have a chat.

The idea of ​​paying for work while on vacation may be a nightmare for some, but it’s a dream for thousands of bookworms who can live out their literary fantasies in a centuries-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.

The Airbnb is widely regarded as the “first ever bookstore staycation experience,” and despite the unconventional work requirements, the store’s cozy charm continues to entice book lovers year-round.

From rearranging displays to pricing and selling books, visitors take control of the store as they see fit, interact with locals and help customers find the perfect read.

In the photo: the spacious modern bathroom in the The Open Book holiday home

Former guests have described the experience as ‘charming’ with a community-oriented atmosphere.

Local volunteers also play a crucial role in sustaining the nonprofit organization – the brainchild of full-time author and filmmaker Jessica Fox.

According to Euro weekly newsher goal was to create a unique haven for fellow book lovers who dream of running their own bookstore by the sea.

In the photo: The cozy dining room and lounge that guests can enjoy after a hard day’s work

Guests can even make inventive use of the outdoor blackboard that entices visitors to browse or have a chat

Big Skies: Wigtown visitors can stroll past a vibrant community of bookstores and historic remains while enjoying an idyllic setting of wild woodlands and coastal views

The store’s charm continues to lure book lovers all year round, and proceeds help fund the local literary festival

Bookworms living out their literary fantasies in a centuries-old bookstore

The annual Wigtown Book Festival spotlights Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination

Meanwhile, all proceeds from the store (around £8,000 a year) go to the Wigtown Festival Company, which organizes the town’s celebrated literary festival.

The annual Wigtown Book Festival spotlights Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination.

The event attracts thousands of visitors every year, who stroll past a vibrant community of bookstores and historic relics while enjoying an idyllic setting of wild woodlands and coastal views.

For guests of The Open Book, attending this literary mecca is a chance to experience Scotland’s book culture first-hand – and for hundreds of visitors, it seems well 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.

The unusual abode is part of the RAF Wainfleet holiday destination on the Lincolnshire coast, a few miles from Skegness, and has thrilled many guests.