Quality Assured Self-Catering in Scotland

As the VisitScotland advert says, 'Scotland may surprise you...'.  So you come to Scotland for a holiday - you're swept off your feet by the scenery, entranced by the picturesque towns and villages, amazed by the open spaces and  mesmerized by the views.  You may want Scotland to charm and surprise you, but you shouldn't be surprised by the quality of your holiday accommodation!

For complete peace of mind, why not book a holiday cottage that is quality assured?  All the properties on www.embracescotland.co.uk are members of the VisitScotland/Scottish Tourist Board Quality Assurance scheme, which awards Stars and other quality marks to tourism businesses in Scotland.

The Quality Assurance scheme applies to accommodation, visitor attractions and other tourism businesses so you know exactly what to expect from your visit.  The scale is 1 - 5 Stars, as below:

• 5 Star = Exceptional
• 4 Star = Excellent
• 3 Star = Very Good
• 2 Star = Good
• 1 Star = Acceptable

So whatever your budget, you can find great self-catering all across Scotland, from luxury lodges to cosy cottages.

Visit EmbraceScotland for quality assured self catering Scotland and embrace all that Scotland has to offer this year!

Self-Cater in Style: Luxury Cottages in Scotland

'Luxury: indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable and sumptuous living'.

What do you expect from luxury accommodation?  The highest standards, up-market touches, quality and privacy?  You can get all this and more from luxury self-catering in Scotland - enjoy comfortable and sumptuous living without the luxury price tag.

If you're in need of some pampering, or have a special occasion to celebrate, why not self-cater in style?  You can choose from a wide range of quality assured cottages and lodges across Scotland that are perfect for a luxurious break, including holiday homes with spa baths and hot tubs, as well as log cabins, luxury lodges and castle accommodation.

If you want to add a touch of luxury to your next holiday, take a look at these fantastic properties:

• Tigh-Na-Mara, North Uist
• Whitefalls Spa Lodges, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
• Lodges at the Mains, near Inverness
• Ceithir Rathean, Morar, Mallaig
• Weiroch Lodge, Ballindalloch
• Kinnaird Woodland Cottages, Pitlochry
• Pitfour Castle Holiday Lets, near Perth
• The Melfort Club, near Oban
• Dubh Loch Cottage, Drymen, Loch Lomond
• Portnellan, near Crianlarich
• Cologin Farmhouse and Cruachan Cottage, near Oban
• Airhouses Luxury Lodges, near Edinburgh
• Drumboy Holiday Lodge, Drumclog Strathaven, South Lanarkshire
• Bennan House, near Ayr
• Noddsdale Estate, near Largs
• Yethouse Luxury Farmhouse Cottage, near Hawick

For luxury self-catering in Scotland and other holiday ideas, visit EmbraceScotland.

A Mini Adventure: Weekend and Short Breaks in Scotland

Do you need a weekend away?  Looking for somewhere to spend the Jubilee bank holiday weekend?  Whether it's a short mid-week stay in the city or a long weekend in the countryside, self-catering is perfect for mini breaks in Scotland.  There are a wide range of quality assured apartments, cottages, lodges and houses all across Scotland that welcome short breaks - so you can enjoy all the comforts of a home-from-home and live like a local, even if it's just for a few days.

If you're looking for somewhere special to relax and embrace the beautiful Scottish scenery, take a look at these fantastic holiday homes that ideal for self-catering short breaks:

• Dunalastair Holiday Houses, near Pitlochry, Perthshire
• Tomich Holiday Cottages and Chalets, near Drumnadrochit, Highlands
• Pucks Lodge, near Dunoon, Argyll
• Bennan House, near Ayr
• Noddsdale Estate, near Largs, Ayrshire and Arran
• Carmichael Country Cottages, near Lanark, Glasgow and Clyde Valley
• Edinburgh Self-Catering Apartments in Edinburgh
• Creg-Ny-Baa Cottage, near Cupar, Fife

Which side of Scotland do you want to see?  From Scottish city breaks to coastal retreats, you can have a truly authentic experience of Scotland by staying in a local holiday home.  For mini breaks and a range of holiday ideas, visit EmbraceScotland.

What's your favourite place to spend a long weekend in Scotland?  Leave your comments or questions below!

3 Things to Do in 3 Scottish Cities...

Thinking about a weekend getaway?  A trip away from the Jubilee Bank Holiday in June?  Why not take a trip to Edinburgh, Glasgow or Perth for a Scottish city break?  To help you plan your visit, we have picked three top things to do in these three fascinating cities.

Glasgow
1. Foundation at the Lighthouse
Journey through time at this exhibition, and discover the story of Glasgow and its people through the ages.

2. The Mackintosh Trail
Explore the works of Glasgow born architect, designer and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, including the Glasgow School of Art.

3. Riverside Museum: Scotland's Museum of Travel and Transport
There are over 3,000 objects on display at Riverside Museum - visitors can even climb aboard some of the exhibits to get a feeling for vintage transport.

Get to know Glasgow from your own corner of the city - Yorkhill Apartment would make an ideal base for discovering the city.

Edinburgh
1. Edinburgh Castle
Highlights of the famous castle include The Great Hall, Mons Meg, The Royal Palace, St Margaret's Chapel, The Stone of Destiny... and of course, the fantastic views of Edinburgh.

2. Edinburgh's Underground City
Go deeper underground and explore the vaults (where a population of the city once lived) on a ghostly Underground City of the Dead tour.

3. Edinburgh's Camera Obscura
The Camera Obscura show is a unique way to see the city and learn more about its history - a must-see for any visit.

Like like a local in Scotland's capital city - Edinburgh Self-Catering Apartments, Apartment by Royal Mile and Candlemaker Row are centrally located for exploring Edinburgh.  Hunter Holiday Cottages is only 10 miles from Edinburgh and close to Roslyn Chapel, which was featured in 'The Da Vinci Code'.

Perth
1. Scone Palace
Just outside Perth, Scone Palace is the former crowning place of the King of Scots and is one of Scotland's seven 'Great Houses'.

2. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Castle and Museum
A family friendly museum that offers an insight into one of the British Army's most famous fighting units.

3. Perth Concert Hall
Enjoy a concert, film, musical or dance production at Scotland's newest concert hall.

To really get to know Perth and explore the many attractions in the area, why not stay in your own home-from-home?  Broch Abode - Perth Holiday Apartments, North Inch Holiday Apartments and Fiscals Flat Holiday Apartments are all ideal for exploring Perth.

Embrace Scottish city breaks with EmbraceScotland.

May in Glasgow and Clyde Valley

Cosmopolitan Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and oozes culture and style.   Explore the city from an elegant apartment or discover the surrounding Clyde Valley and its stunning scenery from a cosy rural retreat.  Whether you're looking for a bit of shopping, sightseeing and culture, or relaxation in the countryside, you can find it all here - the perfect place for a 'Maycation'.  Here is a little taster of events and activities you can enjoy this May in Glasgow and Clyde Valley.

Events 
Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, Glasgow, 20th April - 5th May
A unique arts event with talks, tours and exhibitions across Glasgow.

Glasgow Big Bank Dance Night, Glasgow University Union, Glasgow, 6th May
Put on your dancing shoes for a night of big band classics.

Gourock Highland Games 2012, Gourock, Inverclyde, 13th May
Enjoy a fun-packed day with entertainment for all the family, including pipe band and Highland dance championships.

The Essence of Beauty: 500 Years of Italian Art, throughout May (until 12th August)
Exhibition of over 40 paintings from the late 14th to the 19th centuries.

The Peregrine Experience at Falls of Clyde, Scottish Wildlife Trust Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre, Lanark, throughout May (until 31st August)
Watch live video footage of the resident peregrine falcons from the viewing hide.

Activities
Glasgow
Sightseeing, shopping, art galleries, fascinating architecture.. there are plenty of things to see and do in this vibrant and welcoming city.  Glasgow has the largest retail centre in the UK outside of Europe, and is well-known for its fantastic shopping.  Combine a spot of retail therapy with a dose of culture - there are many museums and art galleries to discover in Glasgow, including the Burrell Collection, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.  After a day admiring art and interesting exhibitions, why not experience an evening of Scottish Opera?  For more information on visitor attractions, visit www.seeglasgow.com.

Clyde Valley
If you head north from Glasgow you can explore the spectacular Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (the southern shores of Loch Lomond lie 14 miles north of Glasgow).  South of Glasgow takes you into Clyde Valley, with its beautiful scenery and picturesque towns.

If you're looking for a peaceful country retreat, fishing is the perfect way to while away your days, with great trout and salmon fishing to be found on the River Clyde.

While in the South Lanarkshire area of Clyde Valley, make sure you visit the New Lanark World Heritage Centre - a beautifully restored eighteenth century cotton mill with the award winning New Lanark Visitor Centre.  You can also stop at the nearby Falls of Clyde reserve, one mile south of Lanark.  Visit the falls within one day of heavy rain to see them at their most spectacular.

For a 'Maycation' or a short break away, why not visit Glasgow and Clyde Valley?  Really get to know the area from your own home away from home - browse self catering Glasgow and holiday homes in Clyde Valley on EmbraceScotland.

Why do families choose to go self-catering?

Why is self-catering ideal for families?  In a survey the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers conducted at the end of last year, the top reasons people gave for choosing self-catering accommodation were:

• To reduce holiday costs
• To take the pet on holiday
• It's easier with young children and large families
• Flexibility
• More space
• More relaxing
• More privacy
• Being able to cook at home
• Convenience 

Self-catering gives you the chance to really make the most of your holiday together, whether you're interested in a multi-activity family holiday or a coastal break.  From lodges and chalets, to houses and apartments, you can find the perfect place to spend a family holiday in Scotland.

With flexibility and freedom to enjoy your holiday at your own pace, you don't need to rush for allocated mealtimes or worry about the expense of eating out every day.  And at the end of the day, when the children are tucked up in bed, you can put your feet up and relax in your own space.

For a fantastic selection of family cottages in Scotland, visit EmbraceScotland.

Why do you choose self-catering for your family holiday?  Leave your questions or comments below.

5 Ideas for Summer Holidays in Scotland

Embrace summer in Scotland, from the festivals and Highland Games taking place up and down the country to the lovely long evenings that seem to stretch out forever.  There are so many ways to fill your days, such as getting active in the gorgeous Scottish outdoors, sightseeing in the city or just immersing yourself in the beautiful scenery.  Take advantage of these fantastic offers for self-catering summer holidays and find the perfect place to really get to know Scotland.

If you're looking for inspiration on what to do over your summer holiday, here are 5 ideas for ways to spend your summer in Scotland.

• Island hopping

If you fancy an island adventure this summer, why not explore Scotland's breathtaking islands?  From the more remote Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides to the Inner Hebrides scattered around Scotland's lower West Coast, there are many truly stunning islands to discover.

With gorgeous white sand beaches, fascinating archaeological sites and awe-inspiring scenery, you're sure to be swept off your feet by Scotland's islands.  Get a real taste of island life by staying in a local holiday cottage.

• Coastal retreat

A beach retreat is perfect for blowing away the cobwebs as you unwind with the soothing sounds of the sea.  With over 8,000 miles of coastline, Scotland is the perfect place for a beach holiday.  Whether you choose the charming East Coast or the rugged coast around Argyll, the far north or the picturesque Moray Firth, a coastal retreat is ideal for recharging the batteries.   These beach cottages in Scotland all offer something special for those wanting to be beside the seaside.

• Walking holiday

Every year, thousands of people come to Scotland to walk in its stunning countryside - why not plan a summer hill walking holiday?  Whether you're keen on long distance routes, such as The Southern Upland Way, The Great Glen Way and The West Highland Way, bagging a Munro, or just enjoying leisurely walks in the country, there are fantastic walks across the country to put a spring in your step.

Staying in self-catering for hill walking means you have your own space to relax and put your feet up after a day on the hills.

• Edinburgh Festival

There are many festivals in Edinburgh to enjoy over the summer months, including the main International and Fringe Festivals, plus the Book Festival, Jazz and Blues Festival and Art Festival.  The city is a-buzz during festival time as artists and performers fill the city, giving 40,000 performances in locations across Edinburgh.

Live like a local and explore Edinburgh from your own home-from-home - these self-catering apartments in Edinburgh make great bases for your festival holiday.

• Golfing Holiday

Where better for a golfing holiday than The Home of Golf?  As well as 550 golf courses in Scotland, you have the beautiful backdrop of Scottish scenery to enjoy.  Whatever your ability, you can find a course to suit you, from spectacular links courses along the coast to world famous championship courses.  You can also watch championship golf as well as try your hand at the courses - The Curtis Cup is held at Nairn Golf Club, 8-10th June, The Scottish Open at Castle Stuart from 11-14th July, and The Senior Open Championship at Turnberry from 26-29th July.

To catch the early 'birdee' and make the most of your golfing holiday, stay in a self-catering holiday cottage for golfing in Scotland.

For a great value summer holiday why not make it a self-catering summer holiday with EmbraceScotland?

Which of these holiday ideas would you prefer?  Are you already planning your summer holiday in Scotland?  Leave your comments or questions below.