Scotland. A place where the weather is changeable. It may not be the Bahamas but if you know where to look you can find some real hidden gems. This is even more important than ever because of COVID-19 and the fact that the future of travelling abroad within the next year is unknown, being able to find a good holiday within Scotland, even for a weekend, may save you from extreme boredom of being stuck in the same small town the whole year.
The first place that many people know and love is the Isle of Skye. It’s well known for having picturesque scenery. It’s narrow lochs, grassy mountains and dramatic castle all help make the perfect weekend away. It’s a well suited place to go if you are into wilderness hikes or long cycles. However if you are not up for an active holiday then don’t fear, the Armadale castle, garden and museum is a great day trip out. The charming castle ruins date back to the 18th century and are good if you’re a history buff and want to learn more about the place you’re staying in. It has a place to grab a bite to eat and has a dog friendly walk around the grounds. Even though it’s small the island has lots of good day trips from hiking up mountains, to an enchanting fairy pool, to old historic ruins. It’s the perfect long weekend holiday.
Next on the list is St Andrews. This place is almost the opposite to the isolated island that is the Isle of Skye. St. Andrews is well known for its golf. The golf course named “the old course” is famous for being the world’s oldest golf course and is nicknamed “the home of golf”. It’s also one of the four courses that is home to the open championship, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. It’s played in the month of July and is a brilliant summer experience. However it isn’t just all about golf. The open tournament also has a full tent city set up around thecourse. The tents have food and drink and fun activities for both children and adults. But if you are planning on taking this trip outside of the month of July don’t fret, the open is just one amazing experience. Other activities you might want to participate in might be going to the west sands beach, the St. Andrews Aquarium or just visiting the cultured streets of St. Andrews where you will find a little village of shops which are perfect for buying souvenirs for friends and family.
The last place is Inveraray. Although it’s not an island or has a famous golf course, it’s still got a mix of both ranging from historical castles, chateaus and gardens to fun activities such as visiting theInveraray jail, which is a 19th century prison and courthouse. One of the main things about Inveraray is the historical landmarks found such as the Inveraray bell tower. From the bell tower you can see the scenic Loch Fyne and the rolling hills behind it. Finally Inveraray is also known for having a great fish and chip shop just by the water. One customer said “The best fish and chips I’ve ever had! Also was at a reasonable price. Would definitely recommend it.”
The good thing about most of these places is that you can either go to these places on an overnight holiday, a long weekend for example, or you can pick one activity and make a day trip out of it. It shows you that you don’t need to go abroad to have a great holiday when you already live in Scotland.
BY ELENA DEVLIN
