Touring Scotland is a great way to see the sights at your leisure.

Choosing a “Staycation” is a difficult choice, with many beautiful places to visit in the United Kingdom. An excellent way to see the sights whilst keeping your freedom is to travel in a motorhome. Whilst you may not have the money to buy a motorhome outright or be sure if they are right for your holiday, there are plenty of options for hire, like motorhomes for hire in Scotland.

Whilst Scotland is fairly compact on a global scale, there are plenty of sights to see, making it great for motorhome holidays. Whilst driving around it can seem like there is always a new location to visit or beautiful vista just over the next hill.

Planning the route ahead is always a good idea to maximise your time. Here are a few highlights from the large selection of places to visit.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides and closest to the mainland. It has a bridge to the mainland, replacing the ferry, which makes it less of a remote location and perfect to drive to.

Skye’s Cuillian Mountains are the main attraction with most visitors using their time hiking, shopping or driving to prime locations to view the beautiful vistas.

Eilean Donan Castle is also close to the Isle of Skye, with most people driving past it when they visit or leave the isle.

Beautiful sights are just round the corner whilst driving around Scotland

The Black Isle

This is a peninsula about 23 miles long by around 9 miles wide, situated just to the north of Inverness. There are a selection of things to do in the area, with the most popular being dolphin spotting along the coast. It is easily accessible by motorhomes, making it ideal to visit whilst travelling around Scotland.

Eastern Highlands

The Highlands are arguably the biggest draw for tourists in Scotland. Separated into the eastern and western highlands, they are Scotland’s most scenic and evocative regions. The Eastern Highlands boast Great Glen, nearly cutting Scotland in half and the famous Loch Ness. Nearby to here you can find Culloden battlefield, the Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle and the Glenfiddich Distillery near Dufftown

Border Areas

The area around the border of Scotland and England compromises rolling hills and agricultural plains dotted with towns steeped in history from Scotland’s battles for independence from the British.

Whilst there are other ways to experience Scotland, the freedom that a motorhome offers is highly recommended, due to the flexibility offered and the mostly rural settings in Scotland. Either completing a circuit of Scotland or sticking to a region, you can create your own experience, breaking away from the crowds and having a brilliant time.

Now travellers and holiday-makers are free to explore this picturesque environment in ultimate comfort as they enjoy a break at one of the idyllic hotels in the Lake District, as rich in beauty and history as the region itself. The Grange Hotel was built in 1866 and since that moment has been well-known as a perfectly luxurious and peaceful getaway in the lakes. The hotel itself is part of Grange, a small back-water town that was extremely remote until a railway line was built nearby in 1857 opened the town up to many travellers and visitors other than those adventurous enough to traverse the treacherous horseback trail.

The hotel is closely connected to the railway, and even was designed by the same architects to ensure that it was aesthetically matched. The railway opened up Grange as a remote travel destination and the Grange Hotel ensured that the area would be worth the visit.

The relative isolation of the town of Grange has allowed it to keep its own natural beauty and be unspoiled by the effect of extensive development. For anyone who has yet to visit the Lake District, there is no finer way to do it than by staying in the majestic grounds and surrounding area of the grange hotel, truly one of the most aesthetically gorgeous hotels in the country. The area of Grange is heavily protected by the national trust in order to preserve this bastion of the romantic sublime.

The hotel itself allows visitors the chance to experience the wonderful sensation of the Lakes for a variety of functions. For breaks, conferences, weddings, celebrations and parties, the many function rooms of the Grange Hotel and this incredible portion of the Lake District can make the perfect backdrop for your event. Our bedrooms also offer you the chance to stay in ultimate luxury as our authentic Italian architecture and interior design presents the aesthetics of true classical elegance.

To stay at the Grange Hotel is to experience an untouched gem of the English countryside. This pristine environment has been preserved in all of its natural wonder and it is now accessible for you to explore and immerse yourself into the wonderful richness of the region itself.

An attempt to describe the location will nearly always be insufficient, so take a look at the photo album at www.grange-hotel.co.uk and browse through some of the incredible pictures on the site. Or better yet, go for a visit and experience the indescribable and classic beauty of the scene.

Find alternative routes – As many people now use Sat Navs to get them around you can use the old way of planning your route with a map before you leave, choosing an alternative route to the ones popularly used by Sat Navs. You can choose the roads that the bank holidays masses won’t be using and avoid the congestion. If you still want to use the Sat Nav you could set it to find an alternative route or follow it part way and let your map navigation take over before you hit the busy roads. If you’ve been to the area before, you may even remember your way and the quieter roads.

The majority of people will travel at the most convenient hours and therefore are more likely to get caught in the busy traffic. By choosing to travel at unsociable hours you could miss the bulk of the traffic and even extend your break. Whether you travel in the early hours of the morning or the late evening, you are unlikely to meet the amount of traffic that will be on the roads during the day. However, if you can’t do this I find that travelling at lunch time is usually slightly quieter than before or after it as most people will be stopping to eat or will not have left for their journey until after they have eaten.

Another great way of missing the main bank holiday rush of traffic is taking a day off either side of the usual time off. This can not only mean you miss traffic but you can extend your holiday. Holiday allowance from work can easily be used up so making the most of bank holidays is a great way to make them stretch further. Booking a day either side can mean you have a 5 day break, only using two days holiday from work. With the upcoming jubilee and bank holiday combined you could have a whole week off and only use 3 days of your allowance.

I’d also recommend checking traffic reports and have the radio set to transmit traffic updates as and when they arise. This means that any accidents or road works that could affect your trip can be seen and your route adjusted before you get stuck in the traffic caused by it.

The best way to avoid the traffic on the roads is to avoid the roads. Taking public transport is a great way to get to your destination and avoid wasting time sitting in traffic. Particularly, using trains is a great means to avoid the traffic. This also means you can start your holiday early and enjoy yourselves together without someone having to concentrate on driving.

So don’t waste your time next bank holiday by getting stuck in traffic and enjoy yourself instead!
Do you have any more tips on avoiding the congestion?

It is the breaking of this routine that often opens our eyes to the different flavours that surround us, which is why is has been increasingly popular to go on what you could call gastro-holidays, whereby you travel the country sampling many of the local delights and different delicacies we have in each different county or town. From a Cornish pasty from a small shop in the south west to incredible halal restaurants in London and even up to Cumbria for a real Cumberland sausage; holiday makers are now travelling the length and breadth of the country to sample many different cultural favourites.

Savouring the tastes of the country can help us to cook better at home as well as we break away from the routine of buying the same things each week from a packet or a tin. The re-connection that many people are experiencing with the tastes of Britain has seen a great increase in the popularity of local ingredients. With the celebrated use of fresh ingredients, British shoppers are starting to respond once more to the agricultural cycle and purchasing produce according to what is in season.

The restaurant culture that we are developing is one of the most varied in the world as we adopt and sample different tastes from all over the world. London itself now rivals cities such as New York famous for the variety and quality of their cuisine. Whether it is a rare treat or a weekly ritual, it can be an exciting experience to venture out and try somewhere new that is a bit different from where you normally go out to eat. Then the joy of finding a great new restaurant is something that you and your entire group can enjoy.

With so much available right at your doorstep and all over the country, it can be very fulfilling to try something new.

Accessories

Accessories can be a great and relatively inexpensive way to update last year’s wardrobe; with some careful choices and some expert mixing and matching you could create a completely different look from the same outfit. The oversized sunglasses of the last few years are are slowly being replaces with smaller thick framed retro sunglasses and it could be the perfect time to change your sunny style with some new shades.

Casual Daytime

The style of the summer is the wrap around

Shorts and cut off jean-shorts have become very popular recently; practical and inexpensive some quality jean shorts will last and last as the durable material stand up to any of your summer activities. High waisted short-shorts are being steadily overtaken by skinny jean cut offs along with the rolled up effect as Topshop and many major stores take a bit of inspiration from the inescapable style of Huckleberry Finn.

Evening Wear

When it comes to finding stylish evening wear this season there is nothing better than some classic wrap around dresses. With a massive variety of prints and styles available, the wraparound dress is an incredibly versatile outfit that can be adapted with accessories into formal or smart-casual wear for the summer parties. The style of the dress gives a curvy and sexy figure to women of all sizes and body types and this style seems to have never put a foot wrong since it rose to prominence last year. They are so lovable and flattering that you could find that you end up buying several of them and wearing them until they are worn out.

The most important element of summer fashion is simply to get out into the sun. The best look this summer is the look of satisfaction as you relax on the grass and make the most of the nicest time of the year.

View of Buttermere Crummock

The Lake District has always been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. Infamous for its stunning lakes and craggy fells, its beauty gets people flocking from all over the world to see the home of Beatrix Potter and British romantic poet William Wordsworth but now there is a new star attraction: the Via Ferrata Experience.

Located at the Honister Slate Mine, the experience has just been shortlisted for The Country’s Best Tourism Experience in the national Enjoy England Awards 2012. Via Ferrata or “The Iron Way” is a system that was introduced during the First World War to move untrained troops through the Alps, and in Honiston they use the Victorian Miner’s footpaths to provide the same experience, offering the opportunity for the average person to experience the Lake District in a way like no other.

Using a fixed cable and harness, participants are guided over the edge of the cliff face using metal ladders, hard rungs and bridges until making it to the summit over Buttermere and Crummock. Here, the participant will experience stunning views and get the opportunity to relax and refresh at their “Sky Hi Cafe”

Visit England said about the experience:

“No other English attraction is quite like Honister Slate Mine. This is a unique experience and has great development potential. The owner’s vision has done so much for the area and can be seen as a perfect example of how pro-active visitor experiences can be liked to industrial sites. Honister is not in any sense Disneyfied. Tunnels are damp, the floors are uneven but the experience is quite outstanding. There can be no doubt whatsoever that the insight into the Lake District’s industrial world which still exists in modified form, but was once a major industry, is fascinating.”

If heights aren’t your thing, then there are also a number of mine tours, showcasing the last working slate mine in England.

When looking for somewhere to stay, there are loads of hotels in the Lake District as well as ample places to camp if you’re looking to get back to nature. If you want somewhere in between then there are a lot of companies now offering the “glamping” experience and if you’re on a budget or planning a school trip, there are a plethora of hostels to pick from too.

Renowned for its diverse and stunning landscapes from the rugged highlands to the unspoiled and remote beaches of the Outer Hebrides you are guaranteed to be surprised, and there is no better way to experience it than by hiring a motorhome. If you Hire a motorhome in Scotland you can have all the freedom of camping without leaving your home comforts behind, waking up wherever you please to the most beautiful views you could imagine.

Get back to nature in Scotland

Some highlights for you to consider visiting include:

Edinburgh

Possibly Scotland’s most exciting city, Edinburgh is totally unique. Renowned for its annual Fringe festival and it’s status as a UNESCO site, Edinburgh truly does have something for everyone. A short drive will find you on the Lothian coast where you can find puffins at play.

Aberdeenshire

Located on the East coast, Aberdeenshire is renowned for its scenic walks and quaint fishing villages. The city of Aberdeenshire is also home to the country’s only castle trail, with around 300 castles for you to explore

Glasgow

Scotland’s party city – Glasgow boasts a massive range of events and is a European centre for burlesque. It has a lively comedy scene and is packed with bars and clubs. Venturing outside the city, Clyde Valley offers a serene break from the party atmosphere.

Angus and Dundee

Home to Peter Pan creator J.M Barrie, Angus and Dundee offers a wide range of cultural delights as well as some of Europe’s best golf resorts and most spectacular glens.

Loch Lomond

Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond is one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. The home of red deer and golden eagles and the inspiration to some of the world’s best loved poetry, this park will add a little romance to your trip.

Ayrshire and Arran

Located on the West Coast, Ayrshire and Arran is the perfect location for wildlife lovers with regular reports of dolphin spottings. This is Robert Burns country too, so if your interests are of the more literary persuasion, then this is the perfect location for you.

Even our tastes themselves have changed dramatically in the last decade as we start to question more about what is in our food and the rising demand for ‘back to basics’ fresh ingredients. Pubs and restaurants have responded to this in force, but the industry itself has been floundering slightly as fewer large groups meet in pubs on weekday evenings these days. The image of the pub as the centre of the community has nearly disappeared entirely, and now it is only those of excellent quality and a warm environment that are strong enough to survive.

Many pubs have adapting very well to the change and have taken to specialising into gastro-pubs because the public demand has changed and the market is looking for family friendly establishments with great food and a beer garden. To help them with this, a lot of pubs and restaurants have started outsourcing their cleaning to specialists; not only does this give the staff one less job to do, but it also ensures that the entire premises is cleaned to an impeccable and professional standard. Commecrcial cleaning in Nottingham and all over the country is doing wonders to help our British pubs and restaurants so that they can focus on the everyday operation. It is remarkable to see this transformation in British food culture and these hardworking businesses have more than earned our support, custom and respect.

Torquay’s bistros, saloons and clubs are popular in the UK. The standard is very tall in Torquay and is just cultivating. There are several delightful Michelin Star eateries in addition to various great trivial families run restaurants that truly showcase the local fare.

Torquay has appreciatively gradually got rid of many of the stag and hen parties that flooded the resort around five or six years ago which has created going out in the nightfall and particularly at the weekends a much more enjoyable experience. This is mostly because of the afforded by Torquay Hotels decreasing the number of group reservations they are taking.

]]> http://countytraveling.com/ukvacations/areas-in-torquay-to-visit-and-torquay-hotels-to-consider/feed/ 0 http://countytraveling.com/countrytraveling/planning-a-last-minute-holiday/ http://countytraveling.com/countrytraveling/planning-a-last-minute-holiday/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:13:43 +0000 Admin LKF http://countytraveling.com/?p=297 No matter where you live, it is always nice to get away for a weekend or even an extended holiday. However, sometimes the opportunity shows up quite out of the blue, leaving you scrambling for a place to lodge. Many hotels, bed and breakfasts and even private cottages must be booked well in advance. This is why independentcottages.co.uk is a great site to visit. There are hundreds of last minute independent holiday cottages which can be found at our site. In fact, we pride ourselves on helping anyone find what they are looking for in just a moment’s time.

Independent cottages are excellent places for people who are not looking forward to the hassle involved in staying in a huge, crowded hotel or holiday resort. They offer the luxury of having a secluded space that allows the use of a full kitchen so that it truly becomes a home away from home. Believe it or not it is often much nicer to be in your own place for a holiday than in a hotel that offers a full staff access to your quarters. Not only do you feel much safer knowing you can lock up your place and go off for the day without the idea of maid service entering your room, but you may feel less prone to crime such as break ins.

One of the other great things about independent cottages which can be secured at the last minute is the fact that most of them are pet friendly cottages so you will not have to go through drama trying to arrange accommodations with your animals. Most people who are pet owners know that there are usually a good deal of arrangements that must be made in regards to the family pets before going on holiday. A last minute reservation at a private cottage will be a piece of cake in comparison.