Scotland in Film

Are you a movie buff? Would you love to take a pilgrimage to the location of where your favourite cult classic was filmed?

Part of the appeal of movies filmed in Scotland is the spectacular scenery of misty mountains, stunning highland glens, imposing castles, and breathtaking lochs seen in the background, and in some cases centre stage of many movies some better known than others. Which leads us to the perennial question: "Where was that scene filmed?"

Scotland the Movie Location Guide seeks to answer that question. It is the most complete and detailed guide to Scottish filming locations available on the web.

The EmbraceScotland website can help you find the perfect self catering property to stay while you explore the live sets of movies past.

Take a Hike!

Are you stuck in the 'rat race' and need to recharge your batteries? Why not head into the beautiful Scottish countryside?

Where do you begin? Do you enjoy a gentle country stroll, or perhaps a breezy coastal walk? Would you rather trek a long distance route, or scramble amidst the majestic mountains? No matter how you choose to walk Scotland, its breathtaking landscape and overwhelming spirit-of-place will refresh and enliven your senses. The possibilities are huge, and some great websites to help you in your search are Walk Scotland, Walk Highlands, and the VisitScotland Walking site.

Whatever location you choose, the EmbraceScotland website can help in the selection of your home away from home, where you can hang your boots up to dry while you bask in the glow of accomplishing something you really enjoyed.

Explore the Neuks and Crannies of Fife

The Kingdom of Fife has long been proud of its distinctive differences from the rest of Scotland. Boasting landscapes, traditions and people like no others in the country, a visit to Fife is a wonderful experience.

In early July the beautiful and engaging part of the kingdom known as the East Neuk holds its own festival of arts, music and literature. Running from the 2nd to the 6th of July this year, the East Neuk Festival is a real local festival with something for everyone, and many reasons to visit or stay a few days.

Why not stay a week in a self-catering holiday cottage somewhere in Fife, explore the Kingdom at your leisure and visit the Festival whenever you want. Discover the real Fife!

Scotland’s Munros

Are you inspired to head for the hills this summer? Whether you are looking to bag your first munro, or you are a veteran of the hills, Scotland has plenty mountains for you to conquer – all 284 of them!

For people who really enjoy walking and hiking, Munro Bagging is about finding and experiencing new hills and mountains you might not otherwise have thought of walking on - often in glorious solitude well away from the crowded tourist spots. It can be a lot of fun and immensely satisfying too! The following three websites will help you find the perfect route to help you accomplish in bagging that perfect munro: Munro Magic, Go4aWalk, and Scotland's Munros with VisitScotland.

And for after the day's walk, or any walker's less active companions, why not admire the beauty of the mountains from the comfort of a cosy self-catering cottage? Have a look at the Regional pages on the EmbraceScotland website, and you will see how easy it is to find a self-catering property within your budget.

Book yourself in soon...

Book Festivals are more popular than ever, perhaps because they provide more than just fun for all the family - there's interest and learning, and maybe even meeting the odd 'celebrity' too!

Scotland has it's fair share of these great rain-or-shine events: Starting this week on 19th June is the Borders Book Festival in Melrose. And just launched last week with tickets going on sale this Friday, the Edinburgh Book Festival runs from 9 - 25 August. It has 700 events and 600 authors from over 40 countries.

Of course, you need to stay for a few days to make the most of a book festival. Ever considered self-catering?

This is for the birds!

Are you the type of person that likes to go birding? Do you watch and wait for hours to see your elusive feathered friend?

Well Scotland is the place to go, and all you have to do is choose where ... and with help from EmbraceScotland you’ll find that perfect roost to stay in.

Scotland’s National Nature Reserves have many bird watching locations to choose from such as the Isle of May in Fife. Lighthouses on the Isle of May have been a beacon for centuries to seafarers in the Firth of Forth, and the island now serves as an important research centre for breeding seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots and razorbills, as well as the grey seals that pup here in autumn. A remote controlled camera on the island beams live pictures to the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick.

The RSPB also has many birding sights for you to visit throughout Scotland. Troup Head in Aberdeenshire is the only mainland gannet colony in Scotland. During the summer months it plays host to over 150,000 breeding seabirds. You’ll see large numbers of gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots, and you may even see puffins too.

The RSPB is also delighted to announce its newest nature reserve at the UK mainland's most northerly point, Dunnet Head in Caithness. Even further north than John O'Groats, the cliffs at Dunnet Head are of national significance for kittiwakes and guillemots, and other birds such puffins, fulmars, razorbills, shags and cormorants that also breed there.

Some cottages in the areas listed above are just a click away - Kingdom of Fife, Aberdeenshire, and Caithness to name just a few regions. Why not perch yourself in a perfect self-catering cottage today!

Let the Games Begin...

Where can you still go to see Scots practicing the arts of war? At a Highland Games of course!

Do you love attending the many games that are held throughout Scotland each summer? Well, this year the Highland games circuit is as packed with events and entertainment as ever. The Inverness Highland Games, 19 & 20 July, will not only have the usual competitions in piping, drumming, and highland dancing, but THE PROCLAIMERS are also scheduled to play at their ceilidh. And the Cowal Games will be headlining THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS.

So, if you love the games but need a place to rest your head after a long day watching or competing, the EmbraceScotland website is sure to have that perfect self-catering property close to your games of choice.

Stay on the Fringe this Summer

Edinburgh's Festival Fringe launched it's 288 page programme this week, showcasing literally thousands of events taking place in the capital between 3rd and 25th August this year.

If you have never been to Edinburgh during the summer festivals, you should. If you've been before, you should come back! It is a riot of colour, frenetic activity, arts, culture - and some dubious stuff in between. And if you haven't tried this year's highly entertaining new way of messaging your friends - fringe magnets - then you really must give it a go.

And while Edinburgh's reputation for accommodation during the festivals is a firm 'full up', that's just not true! There are often vacancies in self-catering flats and apartments which are ideal for families or small groups visiting the city together. Many of the owners with websites linked from EmbraceScotland display live availability now.

And check back in July, when the website's special Late Availability page will feature accommodation in the city, and across Scotland, which still has confirmed vacancies.

Scotland's magnificent obsession - Golf!

The ‘Home of Golf’, rugged and romantic, friendly and affordable, Scotland is the world’s number one golf destination. There are more than 600 golf courses in Scotland, from the legendry Old Course in St. Andrews to the highly anticipated modern courses such as the Carrick in Loch Lomond.

Discover the best of Scottish golf, from superb coastal links to some spectacular parkland courses, by staying in a quality assured property near your golf course of choice.

The EmbraceScotland has numerous self-catering properties that are within 5 miles from a course, or you can search by the area or region that you want to be in such as St. Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife.

Scotland’s Summer Music Festivals are music to everyone’s ears!

Scotland’s Summer music festival season will soon be buzzing, and whether you’re in the bustling city or a quaint Highland village, you’re never far from the thrilling atmosphere of a live gig.

A few of the more well known events that will be happening Scotland wide are Rock Ness, T in the Park, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and Glasgow’s Piping Live!

If you love music festivals, but don’t fancy sleeping in the mud, why not choose a cosy cottage near to the event. Have a look at the Regional pages on the EmbraceScotland website, and you will see how easy it is to find a self- catering property within your budget.