By Jenny Mills.
If you are looking for the Best Scottish holidays, you have come to the right place. Not only are we Scottish through and through and know our country well, but we spend a lot of our time travelling and holidaying in Scotland. Although we live in a relatively small country, it is rich with beauty, history and things to do whilst travelling. Here are our top places you must visit when taking vacations or holidays in Scotland:
Our best Scottish holidays and locations to visit
1. Eagle Brae, best self-catering family holidays and for couples breaks.
In top spot for the best self-catering holidays in Scotland is the spectacular Eagle Brae. Words cannot describe this place. Nor can they express the sense of calm and perfection that drowns one as you enter. Tucked high up on a steep Highland hillside, this wilderness holiday resort tops most of the best sun holidays or worldly locations you can imagine. If you are looking for a top holiday in Scotland, this is a must. It isn’t cheap, starting at nearly £1,500 for a week, but it certainly is worth it. What’s more, this place wins top spot for both the best self-catering family holidays and couples romantic breaks.
Each cabin is so isolated, a family of kids next door is not going to interfere with your peace and relaxation. And equally, if you are travelling with kids, there is so much to see and explore in safety. From wild deer roaming your doorstep. To Shanti the friendly St Bernard. To feeding ducks and playing hide and seek. Or venture 30 minutes south to Loch Ness for a cruise, explore the Scottish castle ruins of Urquhart Castle and take a day trip to Glenfinnan and it’s Harry Potter featured viaduct.
Something to help top the list, Eagle Brae offers a concierge service, whereby they do all your holiday food shopping and unpacking for you. So, your groceries are all ready for you in your cabin ready for your arrival! They also offer delicious home-cooked, Scots and Himalayan (the owners are both Scots and Himalayan) inspired meals delivered to your door. And, if you can manage to tear yourself away from your cabin, you might want to book one of their fantastic activities. From Camera Stalking to kayaking the Aigas Gorge. Dog Sledding, to pony trekking Outlander style across beautiful Glen Affric. Eagle Brae really does have it all! They are fully dog-friendly and strive to be completely eco.
It really is well worth breaking the bank and crossing the globe for. Here you will find the most ultimate of Scottish experiences. Find out more here.
2. Loch Lomond Waterfront.
Next on our top Scotland holidays list is Loch Lomond Waterfront. The only 5-star self-catering lodge breaks Scotland on the East Banks of Loch Lomond. And, one of the only few self-catering holidays actually on the water’s edge. This 18-acre holiday resort consists of private grounds including their own beach. With 10 spacious luxury lodges and chalets, all with their own private hot tub and terrace looking towards the loch. We had one of the best Scottish holidays with our extended family here. With half their lodges dog friendly, this suited us perfectly.
Each lodge has two en-suite bedrooms, and then there are zed beds for kids and a sofa bed in the lounge. We spent our days sunbathing, wild swimming in Loch Lomond and BBQ’ing together at night. They also offer discounts for couples. So, if you are looking for weekend breaks in Scotland for couples, this is the perfect place.
The lodges are large, luxurious and very private. You can spend a holiday here and feel like you barely see a sole. Reading on the terrace, enjoying time with family and snuggling up with excellent wifi for a movie on the flat-screen at night. They offer stunning wedding venues on Loch Lomond too. The perfect place to exclusively hire for your big day. Behind the lodges is Conic Hill. This is a super walk, offering spectacular views of Loch Lomond. And just a two-minute walk out the gates you arrive in the picturesque village of Balmaha, complete with a little shop, a pub and an excellent restaurant. Loch Lomond is famous not only for its size but for its islands and nature. Book yourself a private boat trip or a cruise from Balmaha across the loch to experience its full glory!
3. Parliament House Hotel, Calton Hill Hotel in Edinburgh
No holiday in Scotland is complete without a short break in Edinburgh! Especially at Christmas time or during the festival. Spring is also a wonderful time to visit, when the streets are quieter and easier to navigate. Plus, the weather is normally its best in late spring.
Parliament House Hotel is an absolute gem of an Edinburgh Hotel! It realy deserves to hold more stars! But apparently, due to the Scottish rating system, the old buildings won’t allow for more than 3 stars. Set in a number of ancient buildings, some dating back to the 1500’s. All are connected together in a maze of slanting floors and quirky coridors. A stunning ornate iron work elevator remains from the Victorian period. Now decomissioned, it makes a super selfie booth or a place for a quite phone call.
Downstairs in the ancient kitchens of the oldest part of the building, you will find their restaurant. Here you can enjoy old features such as the ancient cooking range and fireplaces. The food here is sublime! It didn’t dissapoint and was a very welcome treat after a busy day pacing the streets.
This is the best of Scottish holidays for couples or friends to enjoy. An adults-only hotel is situated on the iconic Calton Hill. Just paces from the front door you will find the steps to explore the galleries, monuments and observatories. Not to mention some spectacular views of Edinburgh!
Two minutes along Waterloo Street and you reach Waverly Station, Princess Street, George Street and the famous Princess Street Gardens. The perfect loaction for a hotel stay in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is just 5 to 10 mins walk away too!
4. Islay Cottages, the beautiful Isle of Islay
If you want to experience Scots island life and step back in time… Oh wow! This island is truly amazing! Islay Cottages own a number of houses, cottages, B&B’s and a restaurant on this quaint little island. Whilst small in size Islay is bursting with history, whisky distilleries and beauty. You can walk your socks off. Visit white sandy beaches to your heart’s content. And escape to complete isolation in minutes – for an entire day! Claim your own beach for the day. Sit and enjoy panoramic views from high hills and cliff tops. Or immerse yourself in island life and learn of shipwrecks, heroic tales of rescue, learn to weave and drink the water of the land… Whisky!
Whatsmore, with Islay Cottages, you can relax in comfort with a wide range of sizes and styles of accommodation. All are family-friendly, but sadly don’t accept dogs. At the remote village of Kilchoman, you will find the extravagant Kilchoman House. Here you can holiday in luxury, with up to 10 guests, and a very large garden, surrounded by the islands natural beauty. Just next door are a row of old workers houses. These cute little cottages sleep up to 4 guests each and all enjoy open fires and patio areas to soak in the sea air. Next to this sits the slightly larger Fieldgate Cottage, sleeping up to 6 people.
In the town of Bowmore you will find their delicious restaurant (the best on the Island we thought!), Peatzeria. The food is to die for! Here they also have a B&B called Tarbert House and Dundonald Cottage sleeping up to 4 people. This really is the ideal holiday if you want to experience what it was like to live in Scotland in the years gone past. Also, it is whisky lover heaven.