World’s First Airbnb Bookshop, world record in Wigtown, Scotland

September 10, 2025

Wigtown, Scotland--Located in the village of Wigtown, also known as Scotland’s National Book Town and home to its world-famous annual festival, the Open Book is rented to people who adore the idea of spending their holiday running a bookshop; it sets the world record for being the World’s First Airbnb Bookshop, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/The Open Book

"Located in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town and home to its world-famous annual festival, the Open Book is rented to people who adore the idea of spending their holiday running a bookshop," the DGWO reports.

"During a small and intimate ceremony in the heart of the tiny rural Galloway town Aubree Williams and David Casey from the USA finally became husband and wife – 35 years after first meeting in Norman, Oklahoma, and falling in love.

"The wedding takes place shortly before the annual Wigtown Book Festival which runs from 26 September to 5 October and features more than 200 events and activities."

"More than 450 guests have enjoyed accommodations in the “world’s only book shop Airbnb” where guests spend the night—and run the store during the day," the Good News Network reports.

"The village of Wigtown is known as Scotland’s National Book Town, and one of its charming bookshops—The Open Book—rents out its upstairs flat, giving literary-lovers the chance to ‘live their dream’ of having their very own shop by the sea.

"Airbnb says it is ”the first ever bookshop residency experience” and is so popular it has a two year waiting list of guests coming from around the globe, from Hawaii to Beijing. The shop is the brainchild of author and filmmaker Jessica Fox, and proceeds from the annual rentals contribute over $10,000 to the Wigtown Festival Company’s charitable work."

"Every single day up to September 2026 is already booked with people from all over the world traveling to the country town for the unique experience. Those who have tried and tested the Airbnb say it’s “well worth the wait”, the New York Post reports.

"The Open Book is the first ever bookshop holiday residency experience that was set up by The Wigtown Festival Company. It aims “to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world’’.

"The shop welcomed its first holidaymakers in August 2014 and since then the charity-run Open Book Airbnb has exploded in popularity. According to the Scottish Sun, more than 450 guests have enjoyed the unusual experience of running their own bookshop."

"Nestled into the pristine lowlands, The Open Book is a charming bookshop with apartment above in the heart of Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town. Live your dream of having your very own bookshop by the sea in Scotland...for a week or two.

"The first ever bookshop holiday / residency experience, Scotland's National Book Town welcomes you to play-bookshop for a week or two. We'll give you your very own apartment and bookshop below, supported by a team of friendly volunteers to make your trip as lovely as possible," the Airbnb.com says.

"Set up by The Wigtown Festival Company, The Open Book's aim is to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people around the world to Scotland's National Book Town. A laptop and WiFi are provided. Please note that access to the accommodation is up a reasonably steep set of stairs as photographed in the listing."

"The Open Book started hosting guests through an application process, which proved too time-consuming, so in 2015 the bookshop was listed on Airbnb. Within a month they were booked through the year and have been booked three years out (Airbnb’s maximum) ever since, making it one of the most sought-after Airbnb listings in the world," the Medium says.

"For $78 a night, with a six-night minimum, guests operate the store based on their own hours and tastes. There is a wait list for people to find out about last-minute openings, and Fox says it currently has enough people on it to fill fifteen years of reservations."

"But Scotland is home to the world’s only ‘bookshop Airbnb’ where guests spend the night - and run the store in the day. Those booking the £150-a-week Open Book get to stay in a flat above the shop, in Wigtown, in the south west of the country, and spend their days selling downstairs," the Daily Mail reports.

"Airbnb say it is ‘the first ever bookshop holiday residency experience’ - and is so popular it has a two year waiting list from guests around the globe. It was set up by The Wigtown Festival Company and aims ‘to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world’

"The shop is the brainchild of author and filmmaker Jessica Fox and contributes about £10,000-a-year to the Wigtown Festival Company’s charitable work."

"The Open Book is a delightful bookshop with an apartment above, allowing people to sleep upstairs and sell books downstairs. Located in Wigtown - Scotland's National Book Town - it offers book enthusiasts the opportunity to ''live their dream'' of owning their very own seaside shop," The Mirror reports.

"Airbnb describes it as ''the first ever bookshop holiday residency experience'' and it's so sought-after that it has a two-year waiting list from guests worldwide.

"The Open Book's aim is to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world to Scotland's National Book Town. Booked through Airbnb, paying guests live in the self-catering apartment upstairs and run the bookshop below it for the duration of their stay."

"Nestled in the pristine surroundings of Galloway, The Open Book is a charming bookshop and apartment, situated on the main street of Wigtown. A holiday home with a difference, it presents a unique opportunity for visitors to run a real bookshop at the heart of the town’s vibrant community," the Wigtown Book Festival says.

"The Open Book's aim is to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world to Scotland's National Book Town.

"Booked through Airbnb, paying guests live in the self-catering apartment upstairs and run the bookshop below it for the duration of their stay. During their stay, guests are free to change displays, price books, re-categorise them, and make inventive use of the blackboard that entices visitors in to browse or chat. Some guests are happy to quietly run the bookshop, while others come with firmer plans and creative ideas!"