Stay up-to-date in 2023 with these travel trends

Sleep tourism…

It’s the wellness trend of the moment. With so many of us not getting enough sleep, it’s no wonder busy bees are factoring in sleep to their annual leave. For the best night’s sleep, check in at:

• Singdean, Scottish Borders – A luxurious adult-only Alpine chalet for two in the Scottish Borders. Remote and wild…and off grid (the only neighbours being local squirrels, owls and deer) Guests will be able to rest in blissful solitude under bedding scented with Singdean’s signature scent.

• Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh – recently awarded a 5* rating by VisitScotland, Gleneagles Townhouse has ultra-cosy rooms for the height of comfort ensuring perfect slumber.

• Glenmorangie House, Highlands - Glenmorangie House in Tain received the Best Luxury Experience Award at the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final 2022/23. This award celebrates businesses bringing luxury to the Scottish visitor experience. The hotel, which offers bespoke luxury experiences, from communal dining and foraging to mixology masterclasses and whisky weekends, was commended by judges for the ‘personalised and proactive’ service it offers guests.

Reading & Writing retreats…

• Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s National Writing Centre, Highlands
Moniack Mhor runs courses in a range of genres tutored by some of the finest authors in the UK and beyond. With workshops and one to one tutorials, the courses provide an atmosphere to fully immerse guests in their writing. The centre also offers writing retreats providing time and space, free from distractions. www.moniackmhor.org.uk
• Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway – Scotland’s Book Town
Wigtown was officially designated as Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998 and is now home to a wide range of book-related businesses. A book lovers haven – and with over quarter of a million books to choose from, old and new … it is impossible to escape empty-handed. Check out The Bookshop – Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop – or perhaps breeze on by ReadingLasses Bookshop and Café which has over 8,000 books on sale in the shop with about another 17,000 books stored in “The Hut”, an old WWII telephone exchange full of treasures and an event space. Accommodation options in Wigtown include Craigmount B&B or the Booktown Bunkhouse.

Finding ‘Glimmers’: Coined by Prof. Deb Dana** and now trending on social media, “glimmers” are the opposite of triggers. They are those tiny moments that spark joy, relaxation, safety, connection… and contribute to regulating the nervous system. For visitors looking for more glimmers in their life, a holiday in Scotland offers plenty of opportunities to experience them:

• Spending time in nature: with two national parks and miles and miles of footpaths, visitors can expect feeling refreshed after spending time in Scottish nature. Click here for more information.

• Stargazing: as the nights start to get a little bit longer after the summer solstice, Scotland has a few amazing spots to enjoy the night sky as it becomes a spectacle in itself. Check out these pages on Scotland’s dark skies.

• Feeling connected: taking part in a group activity with people sharing a similar interest (foraging, pottery classes, yoga on the beach…) is a great way to seek that sense of connection with loved ones and strangers alike.

• Petting a furry friend: whether it is attending a puppy yoga session in Edinburgh, petting Highland Coos or going on a pony trek.

For more information on a holiday in Scotland go to: www.visitscotland.com