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

In the remote, windswept town of Wigtown, nestled in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, there’s an Airbnb listing unlike any 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 bookshop.

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

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

The concept is the world’s first-ever ‘bookshop residency experience,’ where guests from all corners of the globe are granted the privilege to run their own quaint bookshop by the sea. 

This unique rental boasts a staggering two-year waitlist for the chance to stay in the self-catering flat above the shop, which features a bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room

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

From rearranging displays to pricing and selling books, visitors take the reins of the shop as they see fit, interacting with local residents and helping customers find the perfect read.

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

The idea of paying to work while on holiday might be the stuff of nightmares to some, but it’s a dream for thousands of bookworms who can indulge in living out their literary fantasies in a centuries-old bookshop. 

Since launching in 2014, The Open Book has become a global phenomenon, drawing over 450 guests from as far away as Hawaii and Beijing. 

The Airbnb is widely regarded as the ‘first-ever bookshop residency experience’ and despite the unconventional work requirement, the shop’s cosy charm continues to lure book lovers throughout the year. 

From rearranging displays to pricing and selling books, visitors take the reins of the shop as they see fit, interacting with local residents and helping customers find the perfect read

Pictured: the roomy modern bathroom in The Open Book holiday rental

Former guests have described the experience as ‘charming’ with a community-focused vibe.  

Local volunteers also play a crucial role in maintaining the non-profit venture – which is the brainchild of full-time author and filmmaker Jessica Fox.

According to Euro Weekly News, her goal was to create a unique retreat for fellow book lovers who dream of running their own seaside bookshop. 

Pictured: The cosy dining room and lounge area guests can enjoy after a hard day’s graft

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

Big skies: Wigtown visitors can amble along a bustling community of bookstores and historic relics as they take in an idyllic setting of wild forests and coastal views

The shop’s charm continues to lure book lovers throughout the year, and its takings help fund the local literary festival

Bookworms who can indulge in living out their literary fantasies in a centuries-old bookshop

The annual Wigtown Book Festival shines a spotlight on Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination

Meanwhile, all proceeds of the shop – around £8,000 annually – goes toward the Wigtown Festival Company, which organises the town’s celebrated literary festival. 

The annual Wigtown Book Festival shines a spotlight on Wigtown’s status as a growing literary destination.

The event draws in thousands of visitors each year, who amble along a bustling community of bookstores and historic relics as they take in an idyllic setting of wild forests and coastal views.

For guests of The Open Book, participating in this literary mecca is an opportunity to experience Scotland’s book culture firsthand – and, for hundreds of visitors, it appears to be well worth the two-year wait.

Elsewhere, a former Samaritan ambulance tank has been converted into a lakeside Airbnb, perfect for those gunning for a quirky glamping experience.

The unusual abode is part of the RAF Wainfleet coastal holiday site in Lincolnshire, a few miles from Skegness, and has been thrilling guests.