The Open Book

Nestled in Wigtown, a tiny town in southwest Scotland, this holiday rental goes beyond your ordinary escape to the coast. Those who stay here are given more than a home away from home—they’re also given the keys to, and control of, the bookstore below.

The Open Book is both an Airbnb rental and a bookshop. It lets travelers from around the world live out their bookseller fantasies. You can spend a week in the dreamy Scottish town and dip your toes into the world of running a bookstore—without having to commit to becoming a business owner.

You’ll get to choose just how, and when, the bookstore runs. You can host readings or small musical gatherings, or simply spend your days browsing (and hopefully selling!) the books that pack its shelves. Locals tend to pop into the store to see just who is behind the counter on any given day.

The Open Book is appropriately located in Scotland’s National Book Town. Wigtown, which has a population of fewer than 1,000 people, boasts nearly a dozen bookstores. The town also hosts the annual Wigtown Book Festival, an affair that draws tens of thousands of visitors to the little literary oasis. Members of the Wigtown Book Festival are responsible for coordinating rentals at The Open Book.