Tag: "scotland"

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 5

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 5

By on Sep 05, 2021 in Europe, Family Travel, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Last Summer our eldest son did his RYA Day Skipper qualification (which you can do once you turn 16) with Go West Sailing and our plan this year had been for him to do the next step up – his RYA Coastal Skipper. You do need to quite a bit of study for this but,
An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 4

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 4

By on Sep 04, 2021 in Europe, Family Travel, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Our plan was to travel to Largs today, for the next stage of our Scottish Summer adventure: a sailing holiday, much like we did last year. But before we took the two-hour drive north, we went for one last mountain bike ride at Glentrool. Some of the routes at Glentrool are short enough for us
An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 3

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 3

By on Sep 03, 2021 in Europe, Family Travel, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
In the morning, we let the dog stretch his legs and took him for a short stroll just out of the campsite. Turning left out of the site, we by chance stumbled upon the Glentrool Kindness Path where the local villagers had taken it upon themselves to decoarate stones along a 200m or so stretch
An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 2

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 2

By on Sep 02, 2021 in Europe, Family Travel, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
After a good night’s sleep, we took the opportunity to go for a quick dip in the sea (brrr!!) whilst the boys went paddleboarding. Once the initial shock had passed, it was actually surprisingly pleasant. In recent years the water quality hadn’t been rated so highly in parts of southern Scotland but, thanks to efforts
An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 1

An active family holiday in Scotland: Day 1

By on Sep 01, 2021 in Europe, Family Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
With the pandemic still dragging on, our Summer holiday plans were never looking likely to go beyond our own shores. Not that we minded at all – we actually love exploring the UK! And having upgraded our modest campervan to a slightly more spacious (but equally modest) motorhome the previous year, it made sense to
Top 5 high-end experiences in Scotland

Top 5 high-end experiences in Scotland

By on Jun 17, 2021 in Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Leisure Travel, Rail Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Scotland is much more than castles, whisky and tartan. It is also much more than just the Highlands. If visitors are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, there is an abundance of opportunities. For luxurious accommodation the days of rigidly formal 5-star hotels and traditional castle accommodation have gone. The investors in luxury brands
Top 5 intimate hotel wedding venues in Scotland

Top 5 intimate hotel wedding venues in Scotland

By on Sep 05, 2013 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Scotland is a magnificent country to get married in. It’s no surprise that a large number of people come to Scotland every year just to get married. Stunning dramatic scenery, friendly and welcoming hospitality and a wide range of diverse wedding venues to choose from make Scotland a truly unique and romantic location for brides
5 more of the best luxury cottages in the UK

5 more of the best luxury cottages in the UK

By on Nov 27, 2012 in Accommodation, Europe, Regions, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe
Sometimes we all need to recharge the batteries and a short break away from the stresses and strains of modern life can really make all the difference. So, following on from a guest blogger’s popular ‘5 of the best luxury cottages in the UK‘ post of a few days ago, we thought you’d follow it up
Luxury is a compost toilet

Luxury is a compost toilet

By on Sep 28, 2012 in Europe, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Now, if you look at the previous posts on this blog, you’ll find plenty of luxurious accommodation options. You will not, however, find anything alluding to toilets. Especially the type I’m about the tell you about! So why am I writing about a compost loo? Well, I recently visited Erraid – a tiny island of
Aikwood Tower: the epitome of understated luxury

Aikwood Tower: the epitome of understated luxury

By on Dec 06, 2011 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe
Forty miles south of Edinburgh, set in the idyllic landscapes of the Ettrick Forest lies Aikwood Tower – a newly renovated 16th Century border peel tower set on the ancient hunting grounds of Mary Queen of the Scots. The surrounding area is fast becoming a hot spot for pheasant shooters and fishers in the know,
Caithness Smokehouse - a journey to the end of the isle

Caithness Smokehouse - a journey to the end of the isle

By on Aug 06, 2010 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
I will go to the ends of the earth to uncover gems and gourmet delights for ALTB readers. This time I went to the very north of Scotland to the Caithness Smokehouse in Barrock. Barrock is only about five miles from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain, and about three hours of