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Scot Something Special… Unexpected Scotland experiences this summer

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With exciting experiences around every corner, including a brand-new bookable experience that aims to demystify Scotland’s national dish by showing how to cook it from scratch, now is the time to explore Scotland for a great escape and to create special memories that will last a lifetime.   

It’s often the unexpected delights that make a trip to Scotland memorable: from being able to muck out on a farm; unique thrilling outdoor adventures; quirky accommodation; a variety of landscapes to explore …. as well as new (sometimes furry) friends to make. 

Whether a seasoned traveller or a newbie, there’s always something different to explore in Scotland.  Read on for some suggestions of how to make a trip to Scotland feel different making visitors wanting to return again and again. 

 Head down to the farm… To learn something new

Many farms in Scotland offer visitors the chance to stay on the grounds or offer an interesting insight into a working farm.  Located at Glenside Farm, in Balfron near Glasgow the Haggis Experience, which runs from 17 July and then every Wednesday and Saturday until September, offers haggis-making and tasting sessions on a working sheep farm. Guests will be able to discover the origins, myths, ingredients and how to make the delicious dish, then taste a traditional haggis and/or vegetarian haggis with fellow guests (vegan and gluten-free haggis options are also available on request).  Priced at £12 for children, £18 for adults (book online).  

Established in 1750, Lennox of Lomond has seen eleven generations of the Lennox family running the farm on the western shores of Loch Lomond. A working farm, there are always lots of jobs to do. From looking after the livestock, land, buildings and machinery, there is plenty for visitors to try to immerse themselves inthe authentic farming experience.  They also have glamping pods for two, Bonnie Barns, from £184 per night, as well as self-catering accommodation.  

 Already tried haggis? Try the seafood, berries or seaweed…

Haggis is a delicious traditional Scottish dish enjoyed all year round.  However, those travellers around Scotland looking for something else may be pleasantly surprised by tasty fresh Scottish crab, haddock or lobsters at a location such as Ullapool’s The Seafood Shack, or the Harbour Café in Elie, Fife.  Shetland’s Frankie’s Fish & Chips is the UK’s most northerly fish and chip shop and uses only locally sourced seafood.  It has won many awards, including being named the UK’s top fish and chip shop in 2015.  

Scotland also offers a variety of ‘pick-your-own’ and foraging experiences (best done responsibly with an expert). Craigie’s Farm in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, offers ‘pick-your-own’ in the summer and autumn months (please contact them about booking ahead and planned safety guidelines) from tasty strawberries to raspberries and gooseberries.  

For a compelling foraging experience, Slate Islands Seaweed in Argyll offers visitors the chance to explore the edible seashore at Easdale Island: finding out about the inter-tidal zone where many animals live as well as discovering the wonderful edible seaweeds that can be found there.  

Check out more on foraging guidelines Find a rural escape…. In the city

Scotland has seven cities: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling.  As well as being home to world-class visitor attractions, restaurants and accommodation, they are also not far away from a great escape to a green space or coastal retreat. These include:  

Edinburgh, which is home to many parks including Inverleith Park with its great views of the city’s Calton Hill and Edinburgh Castle.  Inverleith Park is also next to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a visitor attraction and scientific centre for the study of plants which has 70 acres of stunning landscape.  Scotland’s capital is also walkable and a great value for time destination, with an extensive network of paths, including the Water of Leith Walkway, a beautiful 12-mile walk through the heart of the city.  

Glasgow has Pollok Country Park, one of Scotland’s best parks, with over 146 hectares of woodland and Pollok House, a grand country house to explore (pre-booking advised). The space includes cycle tracks, heritage trails, as well as lots of activities for little explorers, including a fairy trail and the chance to see Highland Cows (yes, in a city centre!). There is also Queen’s Park, which has beautiful vistas across the city and outstanding places to eat and drink; Bellahouston Park, home to House for an Art Lover; and Kelvingrove Park, which has two stunning buildings: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum at one side and the University of Glasgow at the other.  

Inverness has Whin Park with a boating pond, miniature railway, large free outdoor play and picnic area and an ice cream and coffee shop.  Loch Ness is only three miles from the city and is a great walk or cycle: Travel from the city to Dochgarroch alongside the canal. At Dochgarroch there is an excellent café, An Talla, and visitors could try a boat trip with Jacobite Cruises to explore more of the famous loch.  

 Get on your bike… with amazing views and historic sites

Scotland boasts some of the most photogenic cycling routes, including the Hebridean Way in the Outer Hebrides.  This route follows part of the National Cycle Network Route 780, which itself is the length of the Outer Hebrides Island chain. Sights to take in include paradise beaches, the Calanais Standing Stones and the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse.  

The Ayrshire Coast Cycle Way follows the coast from Irvine to Ayr taking in some of the region’s most picturesque scenery: from the glittering coastline with views out to the Isle of Arran to marshland and woodland of two Scottish wildlife reserves, Gailes Marsh and Shewalton Wood. It’s only a ferry-journey away for cyclists who may wish to continue their travels around the Isle of Arran, known as ‘Scotland in Miniature’.  

 Fall asleep in a tree house …. or a church ….

As well as offering quirky and unique ‘Hobbit Howfs’ – small houses built directly into the hillside and adorned with grassy roofs and round doors - Craighead Howfs in Dunblane, near Stirling, offers accommodation in a ‘Tree Howf’. The totally self-sufficient tree house has cooking facilities, shower and wood burning stove and oven.  The location offers amazing views and the Tree Howf has amazing 360-degree views over the Ochil hills and beyond.  

Alternatively, the Old Church of Urquhart in Elgin, Moray, is a former church dating back to 1843, now converted into B&B and self-catering apartments. Guests can chill out in the two acres of garden, relax by the pond, discover the small waterfall and stream or take a stroll along the Church Walk. 

 Paws and relax

Getting away with the whole family means not forgetting about the pooch.  Edinburgh was recently named the most dog-friendly UK destination*.  Many visitors to the Capital may be surprised to learn that visitor attractions like Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh Bus Tours and Summerhall all welcome well-behaved dogs. Along with its many green spaces and scenic walks, Edinburgh also has Portobello beach, the perfect place for furry friends to stretch their legs as their humans tuck into an ice cream.  

Scotland is also home to other pawsome experiences for pups and their humans, including: the Boat Inn in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, whose ‘doggy bar’ is always stocked with treats; Dundee’s Museum of Transport, which welcomes all dogs with their owners (also near to the canine-friendly Staybridge Suites); Boat trips with Staffa Tours; fun on the railway with the Jacobite Steam Train (where dogs are permitted in standard class); family fun with pooch in tow at Inveraray Jail; not to mention limitless walks and adventures around the likes of Loch Fyne, the Cairngorms National Park and in the south of Scotland. 

For more dog-friendly trips in Scotland check out: Get close to the locals (when it’s safe to…)

Not only home to Shetland ponies, Scotland also has the Eriskay ponies, the last surviving native Hebridean pony breed.  The ponies are wild and free on the Isle of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides and may come up to a car when passing by, so it’s important to take care and not scare them. 

In addition, Scotland is home to Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer.  There are currently around 150 reindeer in the herd, mostly ranging on the Cairngorm Mountains with the remainder on the Glenlivet Estate, the locations being some 30 miles apart.   Hill top tours with trained guides run daily, although it’s best to book ahead and check the guidelines on their website, as some elements of the tours (including hand feeding the reindeer) might not currently take place  due to  Covid guidelines.  

For more suggestions of holiday ideas, accommodation, and experiences to enjoy responsibly, please go to:Notes to editors

*The Search for the UK’s Most Dog Friendly Holiday (tails.com) Edinburgh tops the list as the most dog friendly location. Scoring 656 points in total, Edinburgh was top dog for green space, pet friendly Airbnb’s and places to eat. 

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Scot Something Special… Unexpected Scotland experiences this summer

With exciting experiences around every corner now is the time to explore Scotland for a great escape and to create special memories that will last a lifetime.

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