This cute holiday flat above a bookshop in the Scottish lowlands costs just £28 a night – but there’s a quirky catch

WHEN it comes to cheap accommodation for a weekend break or a short-term let, Airbnb is an increasingly popular port of call.

And with more Brits now opting to holiday closer to home, this cute holiday flat in the quaint village of Wigtown in the Scottish lowlands makes for an ideal countryside retreat.

The Open Book, an upstairs studio let, costs a bargain £28 a night – but there’s a quirky catch.

During their stay, visitors are required to run the bookshop downstairs.

That’s right, you’ll be expected to guide tourists towards the local interest section or flog them the latest J.K. Rowling novel.

The Open Book is the brainchild of the Wigtown Festival Company and aims to celebrate literature and encourage education.

According to its Airbnb listing, The Open Book is the “first ever bookshop holiday/residency experience”.

It states: “Scotland’s National Book Town welcomes you to play-bookshop for a week or two.

“We’ll give you your very own bookshop, and apartment above, supported by a team of friendly volunteers and bookshop sellers to make your trip as lovely as possible.

“Scotland’s National Book Town is in the most beautiful part of Scotland: Galloway.

“The setting for many literary classics, like The 39 Steps, beauty, history and adventure await you!”

While taking a break from your bookkeeping duties, visitors can also enjoy Wigtown’s seaside delights, ancient woodlands, crumbling castles, a whisky distillery, nature reserves – and its other nine bookshops.

Speaking about The Open Book, director of the Wigtown book festival, Adrian Turner, explained: “I wouldn’t call it a working holiday.

“It’s a particular kind of holiday [for people] who don’t feel that running a bookshop is work.

“It’s not about cheap labour – it’s about offering people an experience. It’s one of those great fantasies.”

If The Open Book is right up your street, book a trip by visiting the Airbnb page.

On the subject of hotels with a unique selling point, this incredible rotating Dubai hotel means no one’s room overlooks the car park.

Earlier this month we told how these quirky holiday destinations are predicted to be a big hit with families in 2017.

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