An Ode to Festive Fun in Edinburgh and Glasgow

With winter upon us, it's that time of year,

Christmas creeps closer, the festive season is here!

Why not head to the city for winter delights:

concerts and markets, and beautiful lights.

Edinburgh and Glasgow have festivities planned

to entertain in their Winter Wonderland.

It's a great time to visit, with so much waiting for you,

Here's some suggestions on what you can do:

Catch a free festive film in Glasgow's George Square,

Have a browse in a market or Christmas fair.

Ride on a Big Wheel, see the sights from above,

Ice skate under the stars - remember your gloves!

Sing Christmas carols along with a choir,

Try a malt whisky in front of the fire.

Meet Santa as he does his rounds,

Admire Edinburgh's Norwegian tree on the Mound.

Soak up the festive atmosphere...

... and you're sure to leave full of good cheer!

To really embrace the winter festivals in the city, why not stay in your own home-from-home? Browse a selection of holiday apartments for self catering Glasgow and self catering Edinburgh, or take a look at accommodation for Scottish City Breaks.

For more information, visit Glasgow Loves Christmas and Edinburgh's Christmas.

December in the Scottish Highlands and Skye

Majestic mountains, captivating coastline, atmospheric lochs and glens... the Highlands and Skye cover an area of outstanding beauty. With the highest mountains and the deepest inland waters in the UK, you can expect awe-inspiring landscapes and plenty of open space. Here's just a taster of what's in store if you head to the Highlands and Skye this December.

Events

Christmas Lights Switch On, Portree, 2nd December, 5 - 6.30pm
The annual switching on of the Christmas lights in Portree, with a light procession and the Isle of Skye Pipe Band.

Portree Christmas Market, Skye Gathering Hall, 2nd - 3rd December, 10am - 5pm

Festive crafts, gifts and food.

Exclusively Highlands Christmas Craft Fair, Eden Court, 2nd - 4th December

A Christmas fair showcasing the finest food and crafts from the Highlands.

Dougie MacLean, Strathpeffer, 3rd December, 8pm, £6 - £17.50

Catch the wonderful Dougie MacLean, one of Scotland's most successful singer-songwriters, in concert in the heart of the Highlands.

Christmas Family Day, Lybster, 11th December, 12 - 4pm, £5 per decoration

Design and make your own Christmas glass decoration - a great family day out!

Santa Express, Strathspey Steam Railway, Aviemore, 11th, 18th, 23rd & 24th December, £4 - £12 for children, £16 for adults
All aboard this Yuletide train journey through stunning Highland scenery! Get in the festive spirit and meet Santa, who will have a gift for every child on board.

The Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay Party, Northern Meeting Park Arena, Inverness, 31st December, 8pm

Have a red hot Highland Hogmanay this year! Scotland's biggest free Hogmanay party is held on the banks of the River Ness, featuring music from Highland bands Hoodja, Bags of Rock, Wolfstone and Skerryvore.

Activities

The many lochs, isolated beaches and rugged hills in the Highlands provide the perfect location for a whole host of activities, including:

• walking
• wildlife watching
• mountain biking
• skiing and snowboarding
• Nessie-hunting
• Land rover tours at the Highland Wildlife Park

There are also many historic sites and castles, to visit such as the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden Battlefield and the Glenfinnan Monument.

The Isle of Skye, joined to the mainland by the Skye bridge, also offers a wide range of things to do and see, including:

• walking
• wildlife watching
• the Cuillins and the 5 Sisters of Kintail
• historic castles

For more ideas on what to do in the Highlands and Skye, visit the Association of Scotland's Visitor Attractions, VisitScotland, Welcome to Scotland and Skye.co.uk. For more information on skiing in Scotland, read our blog on 6 Reasons to Embrace Scotland this Winter.

Where to Stay

Why not really get to know the Scottish Highlands and Skye from your own home-from-home? EmbraceScotland has a wide range of quality assured self-catering ideal for a Highland hideaway - browse a selection of self catering Highlands and holiday cottages in Skye.

Is your heart in the Highlands? What's the first word that comes to mind when you think of the Scottish Highlands? Post your comments below.

EmbraceScotland Properties Win Tourism Awards

Two EmbraceScotland properties were winners at this year's Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards - congratulations to both!

Bluebell Croft, a sustainable working croft in the West Highlands, won the award for Best Sustainable Tourism Exemplar.

Bill and Sukie Barber run their 5 star luxury self-catering houses using a wind turbine, solar panels and a wood boiler, as well as producing their own meat, soft fruit and eggs, plus most of their own milk and vegetables.

If you're interested in self-catering with a Green Tourism Award, such as Bluebell Croft, you can select 'Green Tourism' in your accommodation search on EmbraceScotland.

Saxa Vord Resort Self Catering Houses, in the Shetland Isles, won the Best Supplier Partnership award for their work with Unst Regeneration Growers Enterprise (URGE). This award 'celebrates partnerships in the supply chain' where businesses have 'come together in an innovative and creative way to help themselves and each other, in the interests of an improved customer service'.

Congratulations also go to Whitefalls Spa Lodges on being a finalist in the Best Visitor Experience, small business category. Read our blog post on the EmbraceScotland properties shortlisted for Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2011 for more information.

EmbraceScotland has a wide range of quality assured holiday cottages in the Highlands and Islands - browse self catering Highlands and holiday accommodation in Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.

Celtic Connections: Glasgow's Folk, Roots and World Music Festival

If you're looking for a winter festival to brighten up the dark January nights, make sure you head to Glasgow from 19th January to 5th February 2012 for Celtic Connections - a celebration of Celtic music and its cultural connections, programmed by Artistic Director, Donald Shaw.

This year's folk, roots and world music festival will feature over 300 events, across a range of music genres, with 2,100 musicians from across the globe. As well as 18 days of concerts, there are ceilidhs, art exhibitions, workshops, talks and free events. The festival is known for its spirit of collaboration, with one-off line-ups for 'one night only' collaborative shows.

Watch this Introduction to Celtic Connections to find out more, or for full listings and information on how to book, visit http://www.celticconnections.com/.

For flexibility and freedom to really get 'connected' to Glasgow, why not make the most of the self catering Glasgow has to offer?


Embrace Celtic music, embrace Glasgow, EmbraceScotland.

Great Rooms: Large Holiday Homes in Scotland

Are you looking for a holiday home that is great in size and a great price? Do you need a holiday home for Christmas or New Year that fits all the family? EmbraceScotland has a range of quality assured large holiday homes, perfect for supersized celebrations! With all the space you need, plus the flexibility and independence that a self-catering holiday can give you, you can really make the most of your holiday together. Many of these spacious self-catering properties also welcome pets, so you can take the four-legged members of the family with you!

Whether you're searching for a remote lodge for a stag or hen party, a large cottage for Christmas or a country house for Hogmanay, you're sure to find a holiday home on EmbraceScotland that suits your holiday needs - take a look at our selection of Large Holiday Homes in Scotland.

Here are just a few holiday homes that are great for family get-togethers and offer great value for money!

Argyll, the Isles and Stirlingshire

Cologin Country Chalets and Lodges - 20 properties, the largest sleeps up to 15
Cologin Farmhouse - 2 properties, the largest sleeps up to 15
Mansfield House - sleeps up to 12
Lochend Holiday Chalets - 18 properties, the largest sleeps up to 10
Portnellan - 19 properties, the largest sleeps up to 8
Lagnakeil Highland Cottages - 4 properties, the largest sleeps up to 12

Ayrshire and Arran

Bennan House - sleeps up to 12

Dumfries and Galloway

Orroland Lodge Holiday House - sleeps up to 14

Edinburgh and the Lothians

Gorton House and Holiday Cottages - 7 properties, the largest sleeps up to 7

Highlands and Skye

Alvie Holiday Cottages - 3 properties, the largest sleeps up to 10
Colgrain Holiday Cottage - sleeps up to 9
The Old Church - sleeps up to 10
Ardmair House - sleeps up to 12

Kingdom of Fife

Yellowscott Country Park - 8 properties, the largest sleeps up to 4

Perthshire, Dundee and Angus

Forbes of Kingennie Woodland Lodges - 14 properties, the largest sleeps up to 10
Dunalastair Holiday Houses - 9 properties, the largest sleeps up to 8

Scottish Borders

Glebe House - sleeps up to 10
Dalkeith House - sleeps up to 10


Embrace self-catering with EmbraceScotland.

6 Reasons to Embrace Scotland this Winter

Winter is a magical time to visit Scotland, whether you're looking for adventure on the slopes, winter festivals in the city or just somewhere quiet to enjoy long walks and enchanting winter scenery. Self-catering in Scotland over the winter months gives you fantastic value for money and an authentic experience of the real Scotland. EmbraceScotland has a selection of quality assured cottages, log cabins, apartments and lodges where you can really embrace winter - for some inspiring holiday ideas browse our Winter Breaks.

Here are 6 reasons to grab your hat, scarf and gloves and head to Scotland this winter.

1. Snowsports

Scotland becomes a playground for skiiers and snowboarders over the winter months, with fantastic alpine and nordic skiing on offer and five winter sports centres to choose from - the Cairngorms, The Lecht, Glencoe, Glenshee and the Nevis Range. Take a closer look at the skiing and snowboarding on offer with this video on the Scottish Ski Centres. For the freedom and flexibility you need to make the most of your days on the slopes, stay in self catering near the ski centres.

For more information on skiing holidays Scotland visit Ski-Scotland.

2. Winter Walking

If you're looking for solitude to enjoy a crisp winter's day, surrounded by snow-cloaked hills and spectacular scenery, find out more about winter walking in Scotland. What could be more perfect than panoramic views for lunch and dinner by a roaring fire in your own home from home? Whether you want to bag a Munro, do some Nordic walking or just go for long walks in the Scottish countryside, enjoy the independence of having your own base to return to with self catering for hill walking.

3. City Winter Breaks

There's nothing quite like a winter city break - wandering around street markets, ice skating, shopping... light up the dark nights from November to January with a trip to one of Scotland's cities.

Find out how Edinburgh Sparkles over winter, with one of Europe's largest outdoor ice rinks, a fantastic German market and a ferris wheel overlooking Princes Street. Or visit Glasgow for some retail therapy combined with events and activities in George Square, such as ice skating. Download a guide for information on what to see and do during Aberdeen's Winter Festival.

Experience winter in the city from your own holiday apartment - take a look at our self-catering for Scottish city breaks.

4. Winter & Ice Climbing

If you like to live on the edge, why not try some winter climbing? If you want to take hill walking to the next level and get up close with the rugged Scottish landscape, you can browse 50 of the best Scottish mountaineering routes on http://www.scottishwinterroutes.com/. If you're into ice climbing, Scotland is the number one spot in the UK for this adventurous sport.

5. Whisky Tasting

Experience a real Scottish winter glow with a whisky tour. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail around the Moray Speyside area, or explore the distilleries in the Scottish Isles for a warming way to spend a cold winter's day.

6. Extra Special Offers

Self-catering over winter means you get extra value for money with already reduced prices. But if you're looking for some added extras on top of the bargain prices, take a look at our Extra Special Winter Offers. Relax in your own winter wonderland, sit by the fire and read a book, or spend time with friends and family - have your ideal winter break at an ideal price.

Embrace winter in Scotland with EmbraceScotland.


Which part of Scotland would you most like to visit this winter? What kind of winter holiday do you prefer? Leave your comments below.

St Andrew's Day: 30th November

Embrace Scotland's national day on 30th November - St Andrew's Day.

St Andrew's Day is a great time to celebrate Scotland's history and culture. Why not spend the weekend visiting some of Scotland's most historic sites and top attractions - for free! Historic Scotland are giving visitors a 'Pass to the Past' for the 26th and 27th November - a weekend pass which allow two adults and up to three children free entry to over forty attractions, including:

• Edinburgh Castle


• Arbroath Abbey


• Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh


• Stromness swimming pool, Orkney


• Glasgow Science Centre


• Dawyck Botanic Garden, near Peebles


• Camera Obscura, Edinburgh


• National Wallace Monument, Stirling


• Discovery Point and RSS Discovery, Dundee

Register here for your free weekend pass and visit as many attractions as you like over the St Andrew's Day weekend.

Glasgow will be celebrating St Andrew's Day over five days, starting with a Shindig on 26th and 27th November, and finishing with a St Andrew's Day concert on 30th November. Make the most of your visit to Scotland's largest city by staying in self catering Glasgow - giving you all the independence and flexibility you need to really enjoy the celebrations, as well as fantastic value for money.

EmbraceScotland has a wide range of quality assured holiday homes, apartments and lodges across the country - get to know the real Scotland this St Andrew's Day from your own home from home.

For more information on how you can celebrate St Andrew's Day, visit Scotland.org and VisitScotland.

How will you celebrate St Andrew's Day? Leave your comments below.

Cottages for Christmas and Twixmas trips

Christmas Breaks in Scotland

Are you dreaming of Christmas in a cosy log cabin? Your own hot tub or spa bath? Mountain views and an open fire? Perhaps you've always wanted to spend Christmas in a Scottish glen, surrounded by snow-capped hills? However you picture your ideal Christmas, whether it's on the coast, on a farm or by a loch, you're sure to find the perfect property on EmbraceScotland. Browse our selection of self-catering accommodation for Christmas Breaks in Scotland, from large homes to fit all the family to small cottages for two. Some properties even provide a decorated tree or a bottle of wine on arrival - so all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself!

On the first day of Twixmas...

Or perhaps you just want to get away between Christmas and New Year - why not take a Twixmas break? It may sound like something involving chocolate bars (!), but it's actually a term for holidaying between the two big events of the festive season. Our Christmas Holiday Offers run from 16th to 30th December, so you can find the perfect cabin or cottage to retreat to once the Christmas celebrations are over and before the New Year parties begin!

Rest, relax, spend time with family or go for long walks in the Scottish countryside - do your own thing in your own time. Self-catering gives you the independence and flexibility to celebrate Christmas exactly how you want to, and the chance to escape from the stresses and strains of the festive period.

Embrace the perfect Christmas holiday break with EmbraceScotland.