Travel Scotland
Travel Dreams for 2021 by Janice Hopper 2020 certainly hasn’t been the greatest year for travel so take a little time to look to the future and imagine a year’s worth of travel treats in 2021.
January - Stay in a Castle Start the year triumphantly by booking a night in the luxurious Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow. This seventeenth century castle has been lovingly restored, offering nine suites and rooms. For added indulgence, the two new self-catering lodges feature saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs. A grand day out can be had at the National Museum of Rural Life in nearby East Kilbride, Greenhall Country Farm Shop stocks local produce, or wander around Chatelherault Country Park and the ruins of Cadzow Castle. crossbasketcastle.com February - Romantic Getaway Sometimes travel is simply about escape, booking a relaxing
bolthole where there’s no pressure to do anything or be anywhere. One such destination is the Sheep Cote (2-bedroom) or the Coach House (3-bedroom), situated at Spittal Farm near Penicuik, a working sheep farm surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Pentland Hills. Take hikes into the countryside, eat, drink, read, sleep — there’s little to distract you here. Four legged friends are welcome too. crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-sheep-cotepentland-hills crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-coach-housepentland-hills/ March - Meet the Animals Spring is in the air, so it’s an ideal
time to meet the cutest farm animals on the block. Head to Dunfermline to stay in a cosy Shepherds Hut and meet the lambs at Craigduckie Farm. Or head further north to The Loft at East Grange Farm in Kinloss, Morayshire. This working farm grows barley for the local malt whisky industry, and offers a variety of accommodation including luxury cabins with hot tubs. The Loft’s USP is its herd of friendly goats, visitors can even book goat walking sessions when Covid restrictions allow. craigduckie.co.uk wigwamholidays.com/the-loft April - Stay on a Boat Forget the farm, and leave the land behind by taking to the high seas. The Majestic Line offers
a host of cruises aboard their vessels ‘Glen Etive’ and ‘Glen Shiel’, taking in destinations such as Mull, Skye and the Southern Hebrides. These smaller ships can navigate and explore sheltered anchorages and remote destinations, whilst still complying with new Covid measures and regulations. If you haven’t quite discovered your sea legs yet, then book a stay aboard Edinburgh’s Four Sisters Boatel. Moored at Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh, it offers two double cabins, and a bunkbed for little ones. With beautiful interiors, it’s a quirky location from which to explore Scotland’s capital. themajesticline.co.uk thefoursisters.co.uk May - Discover Douneside Known in farming circles for its award-winning herd of Highland, Friesian and Aberdeen Angus cattle breeds, Douneside House is now an elegant country house hotel situated in Tarland, Aberdeenshire. As the only triple AA rosette restaurant in the region Downside is renowned for its cuisine, and the chef prides himself on using seasonal produce from the house’s Walled Garden. Dog friendly self-catering cottages are also available. A health club, featuring a swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room complete the picture. dounesidehouse.co.uk June - Fall for Foyers If you wish to appreciate the beauty of Scotland, then a weekend break at Foyers Lodge offers sweeping views over Loch
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