B&Bs and local tourist offices' room booking services ?

Visit Scotland have been closing their face to face offices so I think it's highly doubtful that any such service exists. I think the large online platforms such as booking dot com have probably killed that service.

Not only do those services no longer exist, it would also be challenging to rely on them nowadays if they did. Many of the more popular tourist destinations book up most if not all of their accommodation well in advance. You may well be able to find something in most places at the last minute but you would be looking at very little choice and probably higher prices than booking ahead.

They haven't found found accommodation for a long time...

Alan, I remember the Book-Bed Ahead service VERY fondly and used it extensively when I was in the UK in 1996 and 1999. It was wonderful, but it has been long gone. As others have said, the tourist information offices do not book lodging or even have a list of it. I remember back then, sometimes if they were closed for the day, they would put a list of possible lodging places on their door for anyone coming in last minute.

At any rate, I usually start on the forum and look for lodging suggestions from others who have stayed there, but I also use Google extensively. I pull up Google Maps, search for the town, then do a search for hotels, which will include B&Bs, hostels, etc., and I found a lot of good places that way. Make sure you read the reviews, and if you can, book directly with the hotel or B&B.

In 1997, we spent three weeks of one night stays in UK and Ireland with no advance reservations, always stumbling on places upon arrival. I don't think we'll see that again! I now book 9-10 months in advance.

If booking.com and Google Maps don't produce options, try two things:

1) Click on each red dot on Google Maps shown as "nearby lodging" and go to every indicated website and or Facebook page. Lack of availability is often lack of advertising or being unwilling to pay commisions.

2) In desperation, I've resorted to "walking" areas with Google Maps Street View and finding B&B signs in front of places. Then search for those places by name. Many signs have phone numbers but you can usually find email or websites with a thorough search. You do have to wade through a lot of false leads.

I take long trips on which I don't book much of my lodging more than 4 or so days in advance (and it's often only 1-2 days ahead). There are places where I wouldn't attempt that, and much of Scotland is on that list. Scottish coastal and island towns can book up very early; some years ago I struggled to find something in Portree, Isle of Skye, when I started looking about six months ahead of time. If you will have a rental car, you at least have the option of heading to another area if you have no luck at the planned destination; that will not be a practical option if you are depending on public transportation. Having a very generous budget may also be helpful in some places.

I will also mention that in places like Portree, dinner reservations are also necessary.

My theory is that one reason for the inadequate tourist infrastructure in part of Scotland is that the tourist season is fairly short. I guess it doesn't pay to build a lot of new hotels when occupancy rates will be low for much of the year. In addition, a recent change in regulations has put more of a burden on innkeepers, and that has reportedly caused some smaller places to close up shop.

I agree with those who say to book ahead in Scotland, particularly outside the major cities. We normally book accommodation a couple of months ahead and have often struggled in the highlands and islands (particularly if you want something that's not super expensive- those normally tend to go last).

In addition, a recent change in regulations has put more of a burden
on innkeepers, and that has reportedly caused some smaller places to
close up shop.

This happened to friends of mine who used to run their home as a B&B. Having survived the Covid pandemic with very little by way of B&B income, they decided the requirements to obtain a short term rental license were too much and ceased trading.

Another friend was made redundant when the Visit Scotland tourist information centre where she worked closed down. I understand it was one of the last to close and its loss felt keenly by the local businesses.

I remember the days of driving holidays in Scotland when you could be spontaneous and stop in likely places to find a room for the night either by your own efforts or by using the local TIC, but the internet has changed much of that.

As others have said it is much safer and likely cheaper to book ahead, particularly outside the cities.