Scottish Holiday Hotspots to Visit Once You’ve Been to the Edinburgh Festival

Posted on 08 Aug 2016 by Anna Scott
The Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival are now in full swing, but if you’re planning of paying a last minute visit to catch a couple of shows, your chances of finding Edinburgh accommodation might be slightly limited. But don’t fret – there are plenty of other ways you can not only plan an Edinburgh day trip but also take in the many sites Scotland has to offer. Yes, it might not be a winner with the warm weather, but in every other respect, Scotland makes the perfect holiday hotspot with its striking scenery and bustling urban areas. Here are a few suggestions for future holidays as well as last minute bookings, and you never know, if you start planning early you might actually be able to book something in Edinburgh for next August…

 

Glasgow


Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumThere is another major city in Scotland, and what a city it is! Glasgow is now an important cultural and culinary hub in its own right with theatres, museums and restaurants galore, so why not make it your next Scottish holiday base? You can even get to Edinburgh from there in under an hour! When it comes to family days out there’s the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and the Glasgow Science Centre, and there are also plenty of fantastic scenery within easy reach such as Loch Lomond, the Isle of Arran and the Ayrshire Coast. If you want to give Glasgow a go as a mini break in the meantime, take a look at the latest Superbreak discount codes and make a booking.

 

Skye


Isle of SkyeIf you’re going to book a longer holiday in Scotland, do it properly and organise an island experience, and the Isle of Skye is one of the most famous and easily accessible. It has all the spectacular scenery you would expect from a beautiful Scottish Isle, as well as historical sites and plenty of activities for all the family. Go and see the world famous Fairy Pools, visit Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, try a Skye jeep tour and sample the wares at the Talisker distillery – a truly all-round Scottish experience and you can use Shearings Holidays promo codes to see if you can save on a Skye tour for your next break.

 

The Cairngorms


Cairngorms National ParkThe UK’s largest national park is what everyone imagines Scotland should be like – mountains, forests, wildlife not found anywhere else in the country – you get the idea. But sometimes we don’t quite take on board exactly what sort of unique treasures we have here in this amazing place. People will travel the globe to see similar sites and participate in the same activities that are on offer in the Cairngorms, so perhaps it’s time more of us visited this jewel in the Scottish crown. Go ice climbing, stay on the banks of a secluded loch, spot a rare Scottish wild cat and see some highland games in action – it’s all here along with so much more. And if you’re thinking about booking a holiday in this part of the world at relatively short notice, check out the latest lastminute.com promotional codes as they plenty of Scottish hotel and break deals.

 

Shetland


Shetland Sumburgh HeadAnother island, this time a bit further afield, so much so in fact that’s it’s actually described as ‘Scotland meets Scandinavia’. An history lover’s paradise, Shetland displays its Norse heritage with pride, both through the local dialect and archaeological sites, and visitors can go and uncover more at the Shetland Museum and Archives. But let’s not forget about that other major Shetland draw – the pristine beaches. The further north you go, the more crystal clear those waters are, and if you’re one of those people who don’t think the UK has white sandy beaches then you clearly haven’t been to this part of Scotland. Ok, so Shetland might not have the temperatures to match, but it certainly has the views.

 

Islay


Islay Whisky BarrelsAnother island! And you can blame us? This one has all of those other things the great Scottish islands have – activities, history, scenery, fresh air – but with one crucial difference. Whisky. Yes, there are distilleries in other parts of Scotland, but has there ever been so many in one place with such distinctive flavours? Many of the whiskies made and aged on Islay have a unique peaty, smoky character and a holiday here should always mean a distillery tour or two (or three, or four) to famous names such as Lagavulin, Laphroig and Bowmore.

 

So there you go – once you’ve had your dose of culture and the arts at the Edinburgh Festival, why not venture further afield in one of these Scottish holiday hotspots, if not this year then maybe next...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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