Seeing Scotland in Style

Holidays in Britain have had something of a bad reputation in the past, with the mere mention of holidaying in the UK often summoning up images of wet weekends spent in caravan parks in Wales, or of Butlins-style holiday camps in less than glamorous-sounding locations such as Skegness.

What is ironic is that. while we Brits have often scorned the notion of holidays in our own country, foreign visitors flock here in their millions each year, keen to visit beautiful historic cities such as Edinburgh and to see the sights in London, one of the world’s most famous cities.

But recent years have seen an increased enthusiasm for holidays in the British isles, with the country starting to shed its sorry reputation as more and more people discover the many beautiful and diverse destinations that Great Britain has to offer. With chic boutique hotels and spa resorts springing up across the country, the United Kingdom is no longer a byword for wet and miserable holidays in drafty caravans or soggy tents.

The advent of ‘glamping’ - camping given a glamorous twist with luxury tents and even, in some cases, room service - has meant that even camping no longer suffers from a poor reputation, and more and more image-conscious Brits are heading off on holidays on their own shores.

One of the most inviting parts of the UK for tourists is Scotland, and their are many ways to see this beautiful part of the country without having to rough it. One recent trend is for lodgings in handsome country houses, and if you are looking for a country house hotel Scotland certainly has many options. From remote spot in the Scottish Highlands and on the Scottish islands to vast country piles close to major cities, Scotland has many country house hotels in many varied locations.

If you are more interested in a city break than a holiday in the country, your first port of call should be Edinburgh. With its dramatic location that takes in mountains, cliffs, and sea, Edinburgh also possesses handsome historic buildings, including its famous castle, and is one of the biggest attractions in the United Kingdom for foreign tourists.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, held each summer, is the biggest performing arts festival anywhere in the world, and a stylish Edinburgh city centre hotel makes a great base from which to take in the arty action.

Edinburgh’s best hotels range from small, carefully put together boutique guest houses to smart chain hotels in fine historic buildings, and by staying in the city centre you will be close to the many tourist attractions that this beautiful Scottish city has to offer.