Pilrig House Apartments, Edinburgh wins 2009 Scottish Thistle Awards in the category of “Extra Mile: Small Business”

The Scottish Thistle Awards encourage professionalism and promotes the quality service and products that reflect all that is great in Scotland's world reputed and vital industry, and the Pilrig House Apartments is an example of the excellence that Scotland can offer.

The owners of Pilrig House Apartment in Edinburgh went that extra mile for their guests to make their guests stay more enjoyable. Some examples of these special touches were accompanying overseas guests on their first drive in a rental car, sending prospective guests links to independent review websites and information on events and attractions before they arrive.

The Pilrig House Apartments were also finalists in last year’s Scottish Thistle Awards, and they provide a master class on how to provide exemplary service in the self-catering accommodation sector.

Congratulations Pilrig House!

Hairst - Halloween in Huntly: 31 October to 8 November 2009

Hairst now in its 7th year, is a unique festival celebrating the local harvest and Halloween traditions in the North East of Scotland.

The 2009 theme 'Let there be Light!' will see the Hairst turn Huntly into a stage: illuminating the picturesque town with a light spectacle, lantern making and laughter!

Halloween at Traquair: 23 - 24 & 30 - 31 October 2009

Are your ready to be frightened?

Then come experience some ghostly goings on Halloween at Traquair with scary face painting, ghoulish scavenger hunts and traditional halloween games.

Or join the ghosts of Traquair's past as they come to life and take you on a guided tour as you have never experienced before.

Scots display staying power to boost tourist industry against all the odds

The following is an excerpt from the article published in The Scotmans on 29 September, 2009.

To read the full article click here.

Scots display staying power to boost tourist industry against all the odds

SCOTLAND'S tourism industry is set to withstand the impact of the recession – thanks to the UK's "staycation" market and the Year of Homecoming.

A successful summer for hundreds of hotels, guesthouses, caravan parks and self-catering cottages has helped the nation beat the threat of the downturn. The number of trips booked by UK visitors is said to be up 3.7 per cent on last year, with many holidaymakers shunning overseas trips due to poor exchange rates and worries over the security of airline companies...

Matthew Haggis, vice-chair of the Association of Self Caterers in Scotland, said: "People have definitely been looking for better-value holidays this year, and although the picture is mixed across the country, the majority of our members have had a better year in 2009 than last year."

Perthshire’s Autumn Festivals: 16 October to 8 November, 2009

Does the crisp Autumn air invigorate you? Does the Autumn landscape ablaze with golds, red, and browns inspire you?

If you answered yes, then it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors at three Perthshire festivals in October.

The Enchanted Forest, the Pitlochry Autumn Festival and Perthshire Amber - The Dougie MacLean Festival run annually from mid October to early November.

The Enchanted Forest, 16 October to 1 November, 2008, is Scotland's premier sound and light show set in Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Spectacular sound and lighting effects will be used to illustrate the earth's history from its early volcanic state, the Ice Age and the Jurassic era right through to modern times. The Pitlochry Autumn Festival is held in conjunction with the Enchanted forest to provide visitors with entertainment each evening in the Pitlochry & surrounding Perthshire area.

Perthshire Amber - The Dougie MacLean Festival, 30 October to 8 November, is considered 'a jewel of a festival' where contemporary song meets folk, roots and tradition. The festival has concerts in wonderful venues - theatres, castles and even an iron age crannog!

Come and enjoy some great festivals amid Perthshire's autumnal beauty!

EmbraceScotland’s October Homepage Highlights: Winter Snowsports

EmbraceScotland’s October Homepage Highlights: Winter Snowsports

Outdoor fun for all the family

Thousands of people are choosing to holiday ‘at home’ this year, so why not for your skiing or winter sports trip too? From a holiday cottage in Scotland, there’s loads to do indoors and outdoors, new experiences, and friendly people to share them with. And somewhere to call home, where you can relax into being yourselves without ‘staff’ looking on.

With EmbraceScotland you book direct with the owner, giving you access not only to the best prices, but also a wealth of knowledge and advice about how to make the most of the area, and indeed the excellent skiing.

EmbraceScotland’s October Homepage Highlights: Room For Everyone

EmbraceScotland’s October Homepage Highlights: Room for Everyone

Large Holiday Houses

If you want to stay in a large holiday home, perhaps with family or friends who may want to do a variety of local activities, you should book early. All the self-catering houses listed here can sleep 10 or more people, and can offer you quality assured exceptional accommodation for your holiday. Prices vary according to season, grading and size, but all offer excellent value for money.

With EmbraceScotland you book direct with the owner, giving you access not only to the best prices, but also a wealth of knowledge and advice about how to make the most of the area, and to help you make your choice.

The Royal National Mod 2009: 9 - 17th October

The Royal National Mod 2009 is a competition-based festival that celebrates the Gaelic language and culture through music, dance, drama, arts and literature. It was first held in Oban in 1892, and since then has grown to become the second biggest festival in Scotland. As well as the Gaels who attend regularly, the Mod also attracts visitors and competitors from throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the USA.

But there’s more to the Mod than competition. It also offers an opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships – or forge new ones. The pubs and hotels of the host town are always filled with live traditional music well into the early hours of the morning – and Oban 2009 will be no different.