Scottish Snowdrop Festival: 1 February - 15 March 2010

Back by popular demand, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival showcases some of the nation’s most popular and impressive snowdrop gardens, woodlands and estates.

The beauty of the snowdrops in such inspiring surroundings will ensure your visit is both peaceful and relaxing, giving you the perfect opportunity to re-charge your batteries.Experience the crisp whiteness of Scotland’s gardens. Many estates and houses have a welcoming little tearoom, so warm up and grab yourself a tray bake or two before heading out to discover just what else might be in store.

Many of these houses, which are often closed in winter, have opened their walled-gardens up to the public exclusively for the Scottish Snow Drop Festival.

So wrap up warm and spend an afternoon exploring Scotland’s best asset - its natural beauty.

Aye Write! - 5 March to 13 March 2010

Aye Write! celebrates the diverse variety of Glaswegian writing and also brings the very best of Scottish and international writers to the city. It is also committed to the next generation of writers and readers with a free week-long children’s festival for schools.

Most of the festival events take place in the Mitchell Library, the largest public reference library in Europe and one of the architectural gems of the city.

Help us enjoy, examine and discuss the literary connections of the Scottish migration and the impact this has had on Scottish writing.

Wild Weather Holidays

Long before any of the current discussions of climate change the weather has always fascinated us. From wondering if we were going to get soaked, to marvelling at the many moods of nature, weather watching has an enduring appeal, not to mention a special place in the British psyche – after all, there are few topics that complete strangers can talk about in such total safety!

The coastline around Banffshire, an hour or so north of Aberdeen, offers some of the most wild weather of mainland Britain. Here the winter storm winds driven across the North Sea from the Arctic make first landfall with severe gales common often accompanied by gusts well into hurricane-force.

Today’s weather watchers really can have the best of both worlds – enjoying the rugged lure of the wild, without having to risk life and limb to do it. You can sit in front of a warm & cosy fire in your self-catering cottage listening with intent fascination as the storm swirls past.

And of course, the Aberdeen & Grampian property pages on the EmbraceScotland website can help you find that perfect home to weather the storm.

WINTERFEST 2010 - Winter Walking in Glen Affric 29th January – 1st February, 2010

Shake the mothballs from the down jacket and brush the cobwebs from the ironwork – it’s time for WinterFest 2010!

Bag your first winter Munro on the High Level Walks or learn a new skill on the Winter Skills Sessions, each led by your professional guide. Other events include low level walks, evening talks, slide shows, gear hire, kit testing all within the beautiful Glen Affric.

EmbraceScotland's Homepage Highlight: Refresh the Spirit

EmbraceScotland's January Homepage Highlight: Refresh the Spirit

Boost your wellbeing.

Scotland is an ideal destination for a bit of peaceful spiritual refreshment, whether you want empty hills or full-on luxury to take you away from it all. But make sure you get away to the real Scotland, away from crowds, annoying staff and other people’s schedules.

Whether you choose to stay in a luxury modern apartment, or an ancient stone-built cottage, only self-catering ‘home-from-home’ accommodation can give you the space and the pace to relax fully.

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 ensuring you come back relaxed and refreshed.

EmbraceScotland's January Homepage Highlight: Romantic Retreats

EmbraceScotland's January Homepage Highlight: Romantic Retreats

Not just for Valentine’s Day!

Whether your idea of romance is snuggling up beside a real fire, walking in magical wooded glens, or going out for dinner in a world-class restaurant, you can find it all in Scotland.

Staying in a holiday home gives you the freedom to get up when you want, eat when you want, and just be yourselves together. And you can choose accommodation which adds sparkle to your stay, or just gives you a lovely place to be with each other.

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 let you know about any special touches – or even prices – they offer to couples looking for a romantic break.

Have you started planning your Summer holiday yet?

Half the fun of taking a holiday is in the planning and the research. In finding that perfect holiday cottage for you and your family to get away from it all.

To help with your research, why not request the new 2010 EmbraceScotland Directory?

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!

Escape to the Country

Do you need to recharge your batteries? Are there times that you would like to get away from it all and recharge your batteries? What you need is a rural retreat to escape the busy and hectic city life.

One such area is the Knoydart peninsula, known as the last wilderness area in Great Britain. Knoydart is accessible by boat from Mallaig or by a 20 mile hike on foot. Knoydart is a wonderful area for walking and camping, and is truly a miles from anywhere The Old Forge in the village of Inverie is classed by the Guiness Book of Records as the remotest Pub in Mainland Britain.

Another great destination to get away from it all is Glen Affric and the Strathglass area. The Glens surrounding Strathglass are a walker’s paradise offering some of the most spectacular routes in the Scottish Highlands. While many visitors come to climb the Munros, those wishing less strenuous walks are well catered for by a combination of forest tracks and old stalkers paths. The mountain ridge separating Glen Affric and Glen Cannich boasts the highest mountains north of the Great Glen - Mam Sodhail (1181m) and Carn Eighe (1183m).

If the above areas are still not quite ‘remote’ enough for you, try taking a walk on the wild side on the remote and windswept island of Jura. The words 'wild' and 'remote' tend to get overused in describing the many Hebridean islands, but in the case of Jura they are, if anything, an understatement. The short ferry crossing from neighbouring Islay takes you into another world to be rewarded with stunning scenery and almost haunting silence.

No matter where you choose to get-away from it all, the EmbraceScotland website will easily assist you in your search for that secluded and charming self catering cottage

Burns’ Night – 25th January 2010

Come celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s national Bard, Robert Burns, this January 2010!

On Burns Night, 25 January, Burns Suppers are arranged all over Scotland and all over the world. And if you want to experience Scottish culture, this is an event not to be missed.

Whether the Burns Supper is an informal gathering among friends or a formal dinner in a restaurant, then you know it takes preparation and planning - speeches, music, haggis, food, whisky.

If you need some inspiration in planning your Burns birthday party, then have a look at the Burns Night interactive website for some tips ( If nothing else it is quite amusing ! )