ASSC Member wins Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards

ASSC member, Hebridean Luxury Holidays, based in Stornoway had cause for celebration on 20th November at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards as it walked away with a top industry award.

Hebridean Luxury Holidays, which operates 5-star environmentally friendly self-catering luxury holiday cottages and lodges on the Isle of Lewis, was among the elite of the Highlands and Islands tourism sector at the industry’s annual awards ceremony, picking up the award for Marketing Initiative.

The judges were looking for businesses and partnerships which clearly demonstrated successful and creative marketing initiatives which had brought additional visitors and income to the Highlands and Islands. And they were extremely impressed by Hebridean Luxury Holidays’ clever marketing initiatives, in particular a highly successful campaign which involved sending out paint brushes along with the message ‘Lewis – don’t forget your paintbrush’.

The judges considered Hebridean Luxury Holidays an outstanding winner because of its out-of-the-box thinking, opting to market Lewis as the best Hebridean holiday destination to their target audience and then promoting their luxury holidays as the place to stay on the back of this.

Graham McLellan owner of Hebridean Luxury holidays said “We are delighted to be recognized by the tourism industry with this wonderful marketing award. We are passionate about looking after our customers and have shouted from the roof tops what a world class destination we have here on Lewis. “

Twas the night before Christmas with EmbraceScotland

Twas the night before Christmas... with EmbraceScotland

Its Christmas Eve, and the “Good Nights” have been said.
All our loved ones are warm & tucked in bed,
While visions of summer holidays dance in their heads.

Mamma with her notepad and me with my mouse,
Sat down at the computer to find that ideal holiday house.

Then in a twinkling, so lively and quick,
I found the EmbraceScotland website with just few a clicks

And to my wondering eyes did see!
A unique website created for people just like me!
With over 2500 properties to choose from & Quality Assured,
I realized with EmbraceScotland that I would definitely be heard.

Late Availability & Special Offers a plus, I knew with my family,
there would be nothing to discuss.

As I shut-down my computer with a sigh of relief, I heard in the distance
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”


EmbraceScotland wishes you & yours a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year’s!

Stonehaven Fireball Festival: 31st December 2009

What is the "Fireballs ceremony"?

Stonehaven's Fireball Festival is a spectacular sight as local people process along the old town High Street swinging fireballs to ward off the darkness of winter and welcome in the new year in what is one of the few remaining traditional mid-winter fire festivals on the east coast.

Come to enjoy a guid Scots Hogmanay!

Edinburgh's Hogmanay: 29th December 2009 - 1st January 2010

To the World’s Best New Year’s Celebrations!

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is four fabulous days and nights of amazing events kick off the world's greatest New Year party. With the traditional torch-lit procession, street performers, fireworks, concerts, ceilidh, the big Hogmanay party itself and a New Year's Day run to blow the cobwebs away.

Edinburgh's buzzing. Come along and experience the magic for yourself!

Glasgow's Hogmanay Party: 31st December 2009

Join Glasgow's biggest party of the year with 25,000 other revellers to see in the New Year with a range of concerts and ceilidhs on several stages around the city centre.

Bring in 2010 with friends old and new as Glasgow's Hogmanay 2009 presents the very best in Scottish music.

George Square is party central - come along and enjoy the fun!

EmbraceScotland Homepage Highlight: Capture a Castle

EmbraceScotland Homepage Highlight: Capture a Castle

Historic places to stay

If you’re coming to Scotland to seek out the castles, find out more about the ancient clans, or simply to feel the weight of our history, make sure you get into the real Scotland! There is nothing quite like staying in a historic location, where you can experience what it might have been like to be part of an earlier time. You may choose to stay in a luxury modern apartment, or an ancient stone-built cottage, but either way only self-catering ‘home-from-home’ accommodation can really leave you feeling part of the old country.

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 how to find the historical hidden gems.

EmbraceScotland Homepage Highlight: Cosy Real Fires

EmbraceScotland Homepage Highlight: Cosy Real Fires

Stay by the fire and relax

Not many of us enjoy the authentic, crackling cosiness of a real fire at home these days. The magical and mesmerising flames, the penetrating and bone-thawing warmth, the lazy embers for toasting marshmallows. But stay in a Scottish self-catering home with a real fire and it could all be yours, at least for a few days. Come to Scotland this winter and make it special!

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 the pleasures of the area – and maybe even how to light the fire!

Hot off the press: 2010 EmbraceScotland Directory

Request your free copy today!

Why choose a self-catering holiday cottage or vacation home?

What better way to benefit from the freedom to come and go as you please, meet friendly Scottish people, and embrace the real Scotland?

EmbraceScotland has over 2500 Quality Assured properties in stunning locations across the length and breadth of the country. You are guaranteed to find a property to fit your requirements within your budget.

Request your free 2010 EmbraceScotland Directory today!