Staycations have been a hot topic over the last few years, as the pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis have pushed many households to look closer to home for their holiday getaway.
According to the Express, staycations are expected to boost local economies across the UK by more than £15 billion in the summer of 2023, as almost 26 million Brits are expected to take at least one staycation.
Scotland is famous worldwide for its majestic highland scenery, rich history, and vibrant cities. Each year millions of tourists visit the land of the brave to soak up its sights, sounds, and tastes.
So, when weighing up your holiday destinations, could looking at options closer to home be a creative solution?
Read on to discover four inspiring reasons to consider making Scotland your holiday destination this summer.
- If you want a holiday by the sea, Scotland has some pristine coastline and idyllic islands
Scotland and the beach might not seem like an obvious pairing, but the country is home to some pristine stretches of coastline and iconic island scenery.
If you’re looking for a relaxing coastal break, there are plenty of lovely seaside spots — full of sea air and an abundance of local wildlife. Here are two to consider.
North Berwick
Found just 30 minutes away on the train from Edinburgh city centre, North Berwick is a cosy seaside town with its own stretch of beach and plenty of fresh seafood restaurants to visit.
If you fancy a stroll, you can make your way up Bass Rock — the remains of an extinct volcano — and capture a panoramic view of the Scottish coast.
Port Castle Bay
This secluded, windy bay on the south-west shore of the Machars peninsula in Dumfries and Galloway is full of wonderous caverns and beaches covered in rocks polished smooth by the waves.
It is home to a variety of Scottish seabirds and is a short walk away from St Ninian’s Cave, a well-preserved piece of medieval history, which was believed to have been a retreat of Scotland’s first saint.
- If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a trip to the Highlands could be the answer
The Scottish Highlands is the romantic version of Scotland that lives on in the imagination — mist rolling off majestic hillsides and the glistening water of deep blue lochs.
Beyond its dramatic landscapes, it is also home to many intact castles, wide open roads, and luscious national parks. At night, the light pollution-free skies sparkle with thousands of stars and if you’re lucky you might just catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights as well.
These are just a few of the reasons why the Scottish Highlands were named among National Geographic‘s “Best of the World” destinations for 2023.
The Highlands are, of course, also home to the mysterious and world-famous Loch Ness. But if a search for Nessie isn’t your cup of tea, then a pitstop along the way at Badenoch, also known as “The Storylands”, might be an interesting alternative.
The area has plenty of attractions, including:
- Ruthven Barracks
- The Highland Folk Museum
- The Highland Horse Fun Riding Stables
- Speyside Distillery
- The Highland Wildlife Park
If you’re looking to embrace your adventurer’s spirit, then there are plenty of opportunities across the region to:
- Hike along mountain trails and through dense forests
- Cycle along wide-open roads
- Kayak on the lochs
- Fish in salmon-rich rivers.
- If you’re in the mood for a city break, Edinburgh is the second-most visited city in the UK
Edinburgh might only have a population of approximately 500,000 people, yet its streets are filled with almost 13 million tourists who visit the city each year.
The city is a rich blend of old and new, from the 1,000-year-old castle to a plethora of museums, a bustling nightlife, and a frantic festival season.
In the day, you could choose to:
- Shop along Princes Street
- Visit the National Museum of Scotland or the Scottish National Gallery
- Scale the Royal Mile up to Edinburgh Castle
- Dive into the city’s dungeons
- Watch some of the city’s motley crew of street entertainers.
In the evening, Edinburgh is not only home to five Michelin-starred restaurants but also multiple cocktail bars that feature among the world’s top 100 establishments.
- If you’re wanting to get in touch with your Gaelic roots, Scotland has plenty of rich history to absorb
If you have Scottish ancestry, an alternative way to spend your holiday break could be tapping into your roots.
You may discover a hidden lineage linking you to one of Scotland’s household names — think Robert Burns or Sir Alexander Fleming — or you could come away with a newfound taste for haggis or love of folk music.
There are plenty of ways to tap into your inner Scot, such as:
- Attending a ceilidh and dancing the night away
- Tracing back your clan’s history and getting tailored for a custom tartan kilt
- Watching the Highland Games and seeing burly Scots caber toss
- Enjoying a well-cooked farm-to-table venison steak (if haggis isn’t your bag)
- Partaking in a whisky experience and learning to appreciate Scotland’s national spirit.
Even if you’re not Scottish, nor have any ancestral ties to claim, there’s still plenty to do — especially if you’re a Caledophile willing to embrace the Scottish spirit.
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