How to plan a great staycation in Scotland

News Blog 30 Jul 2020

Scottish staycations and how to plan your holiday

Imagine a holiday without the stress of language barriers, airports and border controls. Welcome to the new trend that’s taking the post-covid world by storm – Staycations!

You may have heard about staycations on the news, or read about it on social media, but what exactly is it and how do have a Scottish staycation?

But what is a staycation?

In a nutshell, a staycation is a holiday in your own country. It’s exploring your own back yard; perhaps visiting those tourist destinations you didn’t get round to, or going off the beaten path and exploring the lesser known villages and beauty spots in your area.

The World has been deeply impacted by the Coronavirus, making International travel unpredictable and risky for the time being. If you live in the UK and want to go on a mini adventure, travelling north to the beautiful Highlands of Scotland can be just as exciting and rewarding as going abroad!

 

Will it be as fun as a normal holiday?

Perhaps it won’t be anything like what you’re used to, but it certainly will be fun! Staycations are the perfect way to enjoy a relaxing getaway, without the added stress of dusting off your passport and making sure you have the right liquids, and, oh, who packed those tweezers?!

 

I don’t know where to start!

There are plenty of ways you can enjoy a Scottish staycation. One option is to hire a car and visit some of the most popular Scottish destinations such as; Loch Ness, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and the Isle of Skye. Scotland is a compact country, making it easy to see several amazing locations in one day. However, if you are not confident with navigating around the small and winding roads of the Highlands, perhaps a coach tour is a suitable alternative.

A popular option is to rent a home or stay at a B&B, using that as your 'base' during your stay. You can then hop on a coach tour and enjoy the luxurious experience of a professional driver-guide taking you around all the locations - soaking up the history and enjoying the beautiful sites without being stressed about driving.
 

 

What are you interested in?

There’s no point planning a vacation in a city centre if you’re more interested in hiking or seeing the great outdoors now, or is there? Arguably one of the best things about living in Scotland is you’re always a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from beautiful scenery, rolling hills and deep lochs. Use Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness as your base; visit museums and art galleries before exploring the beautiful Highlands.

 

But I’ve only got next week off. Surely that’s too last minute?

Not at all!

The good thing about us Scots is we are welcoming and always up for the unexpected!

Many B&Bs and hotels take bookings right up until the morning you’re getting there, even in the Highlands. Just remember if you’re looking to visit a castle or a distillery, you may need to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

 

But I don’t drive? How do I explore the Scottish Highlands without a car?

And this is the best part. You can visit those distilleries, enjoy a dram, and you don’t have to worry about who’s going to drive you home! On our coach tours, you have the freedom to enjoy the scenery, the off-the-beaten-path routes, and not worry about petrol, parking, or getting lost. Our expert Driver-Guides are there every step of the way to make your staycation perfect, and even better – memorable