EmbraceScotland Property Wins Green Tourism Goldstar Award

Congratulations to EmbraceScotland property Bluebell Croft - the highest achieving self-catering business in the Green Tourism Scheme for the whole of the UK.

Green Tourism Goldstar awards were given to eight of Britain's most environmentally friendly businesses by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, chosen from over 2,300 green tourism companies across the UK, for reaching the 'top of their class'.  Bluebell Croft, a sustainable working croft in the West Highlands, won the Goldstar award for Best Self-Catering Accommodation.

The 5 star luxury self-catering at Bluebell Croft consists of Rose Cottage, sleeping 2-4 plus, and Honeysuckle House, sleeping 8 plus - together a huge house, sleeping 12-16.  Bill and Sukie Barber run their self-catering using a wind turbine, solar panels and a wood boiler.  They produce their own meat, soft fruit and vegetables together with lots of home-smoked goodies, and their own milk from Daisy the cow.

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

Read the article on the Green Tourism Goldstar winners in full here.

Scottish Thistle Awards: Best Self-Serve Accommodation

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of this year's Scottish Thistle Awards.  The Awards celebrate excellence in Scottish tourism and the finalists demonstrate exemplary levels of customer satisfaction and service.  EmbraceScotland properties Yethouse Farm Cottages, Clan Cottages, Kirkbride Luxury Cottages, Forbes of Kingennie Woodland Lodges and Crosswoodhill Farm Cottages were all regional finalists in the Best Self-Serve Accommodation category.  Forbes of Kingennie went on to win the award for North East and Tayside and Crosswoodhill Farm Cottages picked up the award for Central South East.

Forbes of Kingennie Woodland Lodges
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, 6 miles from Dundee, has fourteen luxury self-catering lodges.  The idyllic location includes beautiful views over the fishing ponds and golf course.  Perfect for a romantic break or a family holiday.

Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages
Just 30 minutes from Edinburgh and an hour's drive from Glasgow, the 3 to 5 star properties at Crosswood Farm Holiday Cottages are located on a hill livestock farm.  A great base for exploring the area or simply relaxing in tranquil surroundings.




For more quality assured self-catering, take a look at EmbraceScotland.

Things to See and Do this June in The Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders has something for everyone, with fantastic biking, country walks, fishing, golfing and fascinating historical attractions.  Surround yourself in breath-taking scenery, explore the charming Border towns and take a step back in time at the many abbeys, castles and great houses.  However you choose to fill your days, you're sure to have a relaxing holiday in this beautiful part of Southern Scotland.

Here is a taster of some events and activities you can enjoy this June in The Scottish Borders.

Events
Tweed Love 2012, Peebles, 26th May - 5th June
A festival of bike riding and live music in the Tweed Valley.

Return to the Ridings, locations across the Scottish Borders, 8th June - 4th August
Festivals featuring the tradition of riding out.

Yetholm Festival, Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, 8th - 16th June
A nine day festival in Yetholm.

Historic Motoring Extravaganza, Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, 10th June
The 40th anniversary of the Historic Motoring Extravaganza - a family friendly classic car show.

Olympic Torch passes through Innerleithen, 14th June
As part of London 2012, Innerleithen will welcome the Olympic Torch.

Borders Book Festival, Harmony Garden, Melrose, 14th - 16th June
Featuring novelists such as Iain Banks, William Boyd, Ian Rankin and Hilary Mantel.

Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships, Victoria Park, Innerleithen, 16th June
For some traditional Scottish music, head to the Innerleithen Pipe Band Championships, with massed bands and a street parade.

Activities
The Scottish Borders is steeped in history and is a fantastic place to journey back in time.  There are many spectacular castles and houses to visit, including Thirlestane Castle, Traquair House, Floors Castle (as seen in the new VisitScotland TV advert) and Jedburgh Abbey.

If you're a keen angler, the River Tweed is famous for its salmon fishing, and also has an excellent run of sea trout in the summer and autumn months.

Make the most of the open spaces and stunning scenery by walking in the Borders - there are 1,500 miles of walking routes in the Borders, many of which are themed, such as The Borders Abbeys Way.

Whether you want to golf, fish, cycle or just unwind in your own corner of the countryside, why not head to the Borders for a short break or week away this June?  For a truly authentic experience, stay in a local holiday home - browse holiday cottages Scottish Borders to find the perfect place for your Borders retreat.

Have you been on a self-catering holiday in The Scottish Borders?  Do you have recommendations on things to see and do?  Are you planning a holiday in the Borders this year?  Leave your comments or questions below.

Quality Assured Self-Catering in Scotland

As the VisitScotland advert says, 'Scotland may surprise you...'.  So you come to Scotland for a holiday - you're swept off your feet by the scenery, entranced by the picturesque towns and villages, amazed by the open spaces and  mesmerized by the views.  You may want Scotland to charm and surprise you, but you shouldn't be surprised by the quality of your holiday accommodation!

For complete peace of mind, why not book a holiday cottage that is quality assured?  All the properties on www.embracescotland.co.uk are members of the VisitScotland/Scottish Tourist Board Quality Assurance scheme, which awards Stars and other quality marks to tourism businesses in Scotland.

The Quality Assurance scheme applies to accommodation, visitor attractions and other tourism businesses so you know exactly what to expect from your visit.  The scale is 1 - 5 Stars, as below:

• 5 Star = Exceptional
• 4 Star = Excellent
• 3 Star = Very Good
• 2 Star = Good
• 1 Star = Acceptable

So whatever your budget, you can find great self-catering all across Scotland, from luxury lodges to cosy cottages.

Visit EmbraceScotland for quality assured self catering Scotland and embrace all that Scotland has to offer this year!

Self-Cater in Style: Luxury Cottages in Scotland

'Luxury: indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable and sumptuous living'.

What do you expect from luxury accommodation?  The highest standards, up-market touches, quality and privacy?  You can get all this and more from luxury self-catering in Scotland - enjoy comfortable and sumptuous living without the luxury price tag.

If you're in need of some pampering, or have a special occasion to celebrate, why not self-cater in style?  You can choose from a wide range of quality assured cottages and lodges across Scotland that are perfect for a luxurious break, including holiday homes with spa baths and hot tubs, as well as log cabins, luxury lodges and castle accommodation.

If you want to add a touch of luxury to your next holiday, take a look at these fantastic properties:

• Tigh-Na-Mara, North Uist
• Whitefalls Spa Lodges, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
• Lodges at the Mains, near Inverness
• Ceithir Rathean, Morar, Mallaig
• Weiroch Lodge, Ballindalloch
• Kinnaird Woodland Cottages, Pitlochry
• Pitfour Castle Holiday Lets, near Perth
• The Melfort Club, near Oban
• Dubh Loch Cottage, Drymen, Loch Lomond
• Portnellan, near Crianlarich
• Cologin Farmhouse and Cruachan Cottage, near Oban
• Finnich Cottages, near Drymen
• Airhouses Luxury Lodges, near Edinburgh
• Drumboy Holiday Lodge, Drumclog Strathaven, South Lanarkshire
• Bennan House, near Ayr
• Noddsdale Estate, near Largs
• Yethouse Luxury Farmhouse Cottage, near Hawick
• Bramble Cottage, near Haddington

For luxury self-catering in Scotland and other holiday ideas, visit EmbraceScotland.

A Mini Adventure: Weekend and Short Breaks in Scotland

Do you need a weekend away?  Looking for somewhere to spend the Jubilee bank holiday weekend?  Whether it's a short mid-week stay in the city or a long weekend in the countryside, self-catering is perfect for mini breaks in Scotland.  There are a wide range of quality assured apartments, cottages, lodges and houses all across Scotland that welcome short breaks - so you can enjoy all the comforts of a home-from-home and live like a local, even if it's just for a few days.

If you're looking for somewhere special to relax and embrace the beautiful Scottish scenery, take a look at these fantastic holiday homes that ideal for self-catering short breaks:

• Dunalastair Holiday Houses, near Pitlochry, Perthshire
• Tomich Holiday Cottages and Chalets, near Drumnadrochit, Highlands
• Pucks Lodge, near Dunoon, Argyll
• Bennan House, near Ayr
• Noddsdale Estate, near Largs, Ayrshire and Arran
• Carmichael Country Cottages, near Lanark, Glasgow and Clyde Valley
• Edinburgh Self-Catering Apartments in Edinburgh
• Creg-Ny-Baa Cottage, near Cupar, Fife

Which side of Scotland do you want to see?  From Scottish city breaks to coastal retreats, you can have a truly authentic experience of Scotland by staying in a local holiday home.  For mini breaks and a range of holiday ideas, visit EmbraceScotland.

What's your favourite place to spend a long weekend in Scotland?  Leave your comments or questions below!