Scotland for the Brave: Adventure Activity Breaks

Adventure Activity Holidays Scotland

Whether you're seeking adventure on land or water, Scotland is the perfect place for activity breaks.  Enjoy a leisurely cycle or walk in the beautiful Scottish countryside or shift your holiday up a gear with adrenaline packed activities such as white water rafting and coasteering (traversing coastal cliffs before jumping off them into the sea).  However active you want to be, the miles of coastline and rivers, lochs, mountains and glens a-plenty make the Scottish outdoors ideal for an activity break (and provide a stunning setting for your holiday, as well as the chance to get up close with Scotland's wildlife).

Activity Scotland 

Looking for activity ideas to fill a weekend or a whole week?  Thinking about walking one of Scotland's long distance routes or taking a family adventure holiday?  If you'd like to get active on your next holiday, take a look at Activity Scotland - a fantastic resource with information on different regions, operators and activity centres.  From sea kayaking and boat charter, to quad biking and tree climbing, there are a wide range of activities across Scotland for you to try on your next holiday.  For activity holiday inspiration, browse the different categories on Activity Scotland, which include:

• On foot
• On wheels
• On water
• Multi-activity 
• Horse riding 
• Fishing 
• Wintersports

Why not really make the most of your activity holiday by staying in a self-catering home-from-home?  Enjoy the freedom and independence a local holiday cottage can offer - with mealtimes to suit your plans and plenty of room to store all your gear.  With all the comforts of home, you can truly relax and unwind after a day on the mountain, in the river or at sea.

Visit EmbraceScotland for a wide selection of accommodation for Activity Breaks in Scotland - and embrace the Scottish outdoors!

April in Edinburgh and the Lothians

What kind of holiday are you planning?  A city break?  A relaxing countryside retreat?  A coastal holiday?  Edinburgh and the Lothians has it all, from rolling countryside to the bustle of Scotland's capital city.  Whether you'd prefer city shopping and sightseeing or a round of golf on the coast, you're sure to enjoy the variety of things to see and do in Edinburgh and the Lothians.  Here is just a taster of some activities and events on offer this April.

Events
Easter Family Fun Day, The Shore, Edinburgh, 1st April, 2-5pm
Includes egg painting, face painting, a magician and cartoons on a giant screen.

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, Edinburgh, Musselborough and Linlithgow, 6-9th April
Fun and games for all the family in National Trust of Scotland properties.

April Foolery, Edinburgh Castle, 7-8th April
Step back in time to 1562 and meet Mary Queen of Scots.  Be entertained by fire juggling and watch performances by the Queen's Jester.

Easter Treasure Hunt and Crafts in the Spring Gardens, Lauriston, Edinburgh, 7-8th April
Take the family to the beautiful gardens at Lauriston for a treasure hunt, egg and spoon race and Easter stories.

Edinburgh's International Harp Festival, Merchiston Castle School, until 4th April
The festival features concerts, courses, workshops and sessions from some of the world's finest harp players.

Edinburgh's Ceilidh Culture, Edinburgh, until 15th April
A showcase of traditional arts celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, with music, dance and storytelling. Visit the street fair on Castle Street over the Easter weekend.

Edinburgh International Science Festival, 26 venues across Edinburgh, until 15th April
One of Europe's largest celebrations of science and technology.

Beltane Fire Festival, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 30th April
The Beltane Fire Festival is a revival of the Celtic fertility festival and is a colourful way to celebrate the start of summer.  This year marks the 25th Beltane Fire Festival.

Activities

Edinburgh
There are plenty of activities to fill your days in Edinburgh, from exploring the historic Royal Mile and visiting the iconic Edinburgh Castle, to picnicking in the Botanical Gardens and walking up Arthur's Seat for panoramic city views.   For a dose of culture, the city has many wonderful museums and art galleries you can discover, from the newly renovated National Museum of Scotland to The Palace of Holyrood House, where you can view the current exhibition, Royal Treasures: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

Climb up the 287 steps of the Scott Monument, overlooking Princes Street, and as well as lovely views, you can also experience its first ever photography exhibition.

The Lothians
The coast and countryside surrounding Edinburgh is made up of East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian.  If you're a keen golfer head to East Lothian, Scotland's 'Golf Coast', where you can try your hand at a range of courses, both inland and links.

There are many fascinating historical attractions in the Lothians, including Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and Rosslyn Chapel, a stunning chapel dating from 1446 (and featured in the film 'The Da Vinci Code').

For soothing seascapes, visit the East Lothian beaches - and explore the coastline on foot from the John Muir Way.

For a long weekend or an Easter break, why not visit Edinburgh and the Lothians this April?  To really get to know the area, why not stay in your own holiday cottage or apartment?  Visit EmbraceScotland for a selection of quality assured self catering Edinburgh and holiday homes in the Lothians.

Have you been on a self-catering holiday in Edinburgh or the Lothians?  Do you have recommendations on things to see or do?  Leave your comments or questions below.

Farm Cottages across Scotland

What better time of year to go on a farm stay in Scotland than spring?  The fields are teeming with newborn lambs and calves, and the countryside is alive with colour.  Ideal for an Easter break, a farm stay gives you the chance to enjoy tranquil surroundings and escape the crowds, and the children the opportunity to learn more about farm life.  You can also spend time exploring the local area from your own home-from-home.

If you're thinking about a farm holiday in Scotland, why not take a look at this selection of Scottish farm cottages, on or near farms, and get up close with nature this spring.

Aberdeen, Grampian and Moray

Weiroch Lodge, Ballindalloch

Highlands and Skye

Alvie Holiday Cottages, Kincraig, Kingussie

Tomich Holiday Cottages and Chalets, near Drumnadrochit

Traigh Holiday Cottages, near Mallaig

Easter Dalziel Holiday Cottages, near Inverness

Hiddenglen Holiday Lodges, near Nairn

Balvaird Farm Cottages, near Inverness

Perthshire

Cloag Farm Cottages, near Perth

Wayside Cottage, near Perth

Edinburgh and the Lothians

Hunter Holiday Cottages, near Edinburgh

Airhouses Luxury Lodges, near Edinburgh

Glasgow and Clyde Valley

Stonehill Cottage, Crawfordjohn, near Lanark

Carmichael Country Cottages, Carmichael Biggar, near Lanark

Argyll, the Isles and Stirlingshire

Cologin Farmhouse and Cruachan Cottage, near Oban

Blarghour Farm Cottages, near Inveraray

Ayrshire and Arran

Bennan House, near Ayr

Scottish Borders

Hendersyde Farm Cottages, near Kelso

Kingdom of Fife

Thistle Cottage, near St Andrews


For a holiday that's fun and educational, why not take the family on a farm holiday in Scotland?

Embrace farm life with EmbraceScotland.

Have you been on a farm stay in Scotland?  Are you planning one this year?  Leave your comments or questions below.

Why visit Dumfries & Galloway? It's Scotland - squeezed into one region!

Screel Hill

Alex Fergusson MSP once commented that his home region of Dumfries and Galloway is 'a bit like a miniature version of Scotland, condensed down into one region'.  It’s easy to see what he means – not just a great range of accommodation and activities (should you wish to be active) but lots of Scotland’s best features in one place.  A place where naturally beautiful countryside meets the sea, with a great range of locally produced food and drink too.

Dumfries and Galloway is home to a stunning 200 miles stretch of coastline, representing the seaside in all its forms; with endless sandy beaches at Port Logan and Sandyhills, leisure-craft on the ‘Solway Riviera’ at Kippford and fishing boats unloading their catch of scallops in the busy harbour of Kirkcudbright.  It’s beautiful too – the breath-taking sunset over the Irish Sea seen from the safe haven of Portpatrick harbour epitomises the special atmosphere where this region touches the sea.

Galloway Walkers

It’s a common misconception that you have to head for the Highlands to find great Scottish hills, but you might be surprised.  Dumfries and Galloway hosts some of the country’s very best for walkers of all abilities; from tackling the 212 mile Southern Upland Way or challenging ranges like the ‘Awful Hand’ to following in the footsteps of ancient cattle rustlers in the Devil’s Beef Tub there’s plenty to savour.  

With the birthplace of Christianity, ancient buildings like Caerlaverock Castle and the first home of the Scotsman who founded the American Navy, the south-west is also steeped in history.  Dumfries is the heart of Robert Burns’ country and Scotland’s National Museum of Costume is housed in Shambellie House at nearby New Abbey.  The village is also where Sweetheart Abbey stands – home to one of the most romantic stories of them all.

The nearest town to Orroland Holiday Cottages is Kirkcudbright – the Royal Burgh is Scotland’s Artists’ Town and comes alive in the summer with a tremendous programme of entertainment including a Jazz Festival, open-air Scottish Nights and a floodlit Tattoo (complete with massed pipe bands) in front of MacLellan’s Castle.  The region also hosts five of the 7Stanes mountain bike trails and a range of great golf courses, both links and inland.

Dumfries and Galloway is also becoming very popular for foodies –with Savour the Flavours running two very successful food festivals at either end of the summer season in May and September.  You can explore the local countryside, meet local artisan producers of all types of food and drinks and even learn to forage.  That countryside is also home to fantastic wildlife – including the Galloway Wild Goat Park, RSPB reserves at Mersehead and Mull of Galloway and a chance to see Red Kites in the wild. 

Galloway Night Sky

A Jewel of a Holiday: Jubilee Bank Holiday Breaks

Glenfinnan Viaduct

This year the spring bank holiday has been moved to 4th June to form a long weekend with the extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Why not make the most of the most of your extra long weekend and plan a Whitsun holiday in Scotland?  There are a range of offers for Jubilee Bank Holiday Breaks (1st - 11th June) on EmbraceScotland, from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands.  Whichever part of the country you choose to spend the spring bank holiday break, you're sure to find a jewel of a property on EmbraceScotland.

Holiday Cottages for the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend

Edinburgh at dusk

Whether you want to spend the spring bank holiday week in the city or in the country, why not really get to know your own corner of Scotland from a local holiday cottage?  Self-catering offers you flexibility and independence to truly make the most of your holiday, whether you want to spend your time sightseeing, in the great outdoors or simply relaxing in your own home from home.

With EmbraceScotland you book directly with the owner, giving you access to a wealth of local knowledge and advice.  For an authentic experience of Scotland and great value for money, make your next getaway a self-catering getaway.

Embrace the Jubilee and Spring Bank Holidays with EmbraceScotland!